In the media

Global Heat Transfer launches accredited training service

Global Heat Transfer now offers a comprehensive range of training packages to ensure that manufacturers know everything they need to maintain an efficient and safe production when working with thermal fluids. Depending on the needs of the company, Global Heat Transfer can deliver training as part of its maintenance programme, or as a stand-alone service, and can adapt the offering to the industry, such as food, chemical, pharmaceutical, recycling and plastics manufacturing.

The benefits of thermal imaging when maintaining heat transfer systems

Thermal fluids are essential in indirect heating applications and are designed to operate efficiently at high temperatures over long periods of time. With proper maintenance, these fluids can help manufacturers deliver high-quality products at scale.

By regularly walking the system, engineers can monitor gauges and pipes to see if maintenance is required. However, it is not always easy to see internal issues. Using thermal imaging cameras during checks enables engineers to quickly identify potential problems and prevent them from occurring.

Preventing accidents with thermal fluid safety protocols

Proactive measures, such as liaising with thermal fluid specialists about regular fluid sampling, effective facility maintenance and comprehensive staff training, are essential for extending the lifespan of thermal fluid. By implementing these strategies, health and safety managers can mitigate potential hazards, ensure a safe working environment when working with thermal oils and help maintain compliance with local regulations.

Health, safety and heat transfer systems

Heat transfer systems containing thermal fluid are safer than the alternative — steam-based systems — mostly because they do not need to be operated at high pressure to maintain a constant temperature. However, companies that use thermal fluid-based systems must proactively maintain them to reduce the risks associated with explosive atmospheres.

Minimizing disruptions to industrial heat transfer systems

Proactive maintenance is vital when operating a heat transfer system. Regular maintenance of the equipment, as well as regular fluid sampling as part of a preventive maintenance program, enables manufacturers to monitor performance and fluid condition and prepare for maintenance before it leads to downtime.

Testing times

Instead of reacting to issues, regular thermal fluid sampling and analysis enables businesses to proactively monitor fluid condition and intervene before issues impact production, extending thermal oil lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Improving thermal fluid safety

To improve safety in businesses operating thermal fluid systems, Global Heat Transfer (GHT) has made its Thermal Fluid Analysis Kit and continuous Light Ends Removal Kit (LERK) available in Australia and New Zealand. These products will help manufacturers and other businesses operating heat transfer fluid (HTF) systems to better understand the condition of their thermal fluid, so they can take steps to proactively extend its lifespan and improve process efficiency and workplace safety.

The need for facility checks in proactive maintenance

Proactive maintenance is vital when operating a heat transfer system. Regular maintenance of the equipment, as well as regular fluid sampling as part of a preventative maintenance programme enables manufacturers to monitor performance and fluid condition and prepare for maintenance before it leads to downtime.

Working safely with heat transfer fluids in plastics manufacture

While it often operates in the background, heat transfer fluid is integral to many steps of the plastics manufacturing process. Taking the time to select a fluid with the optimal temperature range and desired characteristics, introducing regular sampling to understand its condition and promoting best practice to safely and efficiently maintain the system are therefore key to increasing productivity in this growing industry.

Indirect heat transfer maintenance

While system and fluid maintenance are integral to productivity, manufacturers might still find that the system and thermal oil have a shorter lifespan than expected. In these situations, manufacturers might find that performance is impacted by conditions outside of the system.

So, how can the choices you make around the facility impact productivity?