What are electric 55-gallon drum heaters?

What are electric 55-gallon drum heaters?

Plastic drums of the same size are taking the steel drum where there is an increased chance of corrosion due to the storage environment of the materials contained in the drums.  A typical 55-gallon electrical heater will work on either steel, aluminum, or plastic drums with a few exceptions, such as the induction heaters.

Where are industrial drums used?

As the name industrial implies, 55-gallon drums are widely used in all types of industries for transporting and storing materials.  The 55-gallon size originated with the transportation of oil from the first 2-inch pipeline in Pennsylvania.  

The wooden drums were loaded onto horse-drawn wagons to reach their final destination.  To this day, drums of oil are still used as a measurement in oil fields and transportation. But, of course, tankers carry oil in bulk rather than the 55-gallon drums, as do pipelines and trains.

Industrial locations far from these bulk transportation systems still use 55-gallon drums for smaller quantities of materials.  Oil & lubricants aren’t the only products using drums or barrels.  Food ingredients, syrups, additives, wine, and chemicals.  

The drums make sturdy containers that can be sealed for the transportation and storage of any item poured from a drum, solid or liquid.

When is the drum heating used on steel drums?

Materials stored and transported in drums often need to be protected from freezing temperatures or be maintained at temperatures that keep them fluid.  55-gallon drums are difficult to heat uniformly for long periods.

Any material stored in drums outside or on a remote site in inclement weather use heaters to keep the materials from freezing.  Or they are used to liquefy thick materials before pumping from the drums.

Industrial processes need to pump highly viscous materials like molasses or other ingredients utilize heaters to maintain specific temperatures inside the drums.

Why use an electric band heater?

Bottom heaters like a pot on a stove were one answer but required special handing equipment to lift the barrel for placement of the heater.  If stored outside, the bottom of the drum could be sitting in the moisture of ice, making it even more difficult. If stored on a ship or in limited space, the bottom heaters aren’t practical.

Band heaters that could be easily attached and removable became a welcome answer.

What voltage is used for silicone electric heaters?

DBK USA heaters come in 120 - 220/240 voltages from 300W up to 1,500 watts.  It is recommended that the heaters be disconnected from the power source when the container is empty or being filled. In addition, containers should be vented to avoid the build-up of internal pressure.

Are flexible band heaters better than a drum blanket?

Heating blankets are specifically designed to maintain a constant temperature with insulating properties.  For certain products, a blanket may be preferred.  There are multiple types of drum heaters available.

The blankets are clumsy to install and remove from a barrel or drum.  Often there isn’t room to wrap the blanket around a drum easily, and they don’t heat the contents quickly.  

A flexible band heater can be attached and removed easily.  Multiple bands can heat the content of a drum quickly.  Even when barrels are tightly stored, the silicone bands can be slipped over the barrel and fasten with spring fasteners on one site.

Do I need an adjustable thermostat with the heater?

Just plug in the 6 to 9 foot 120V or 220V electrical cord, set the thermostat, and get back to work.

Why are flexible drum heaters made with silicone rubber?

Silicone rubber is durable, flexible, a good conductor of heat, and has high electrical insulation making it ideal for industrial applications. In addition, it is resistant to moisture and most chemicals.  Although most band heaters are recommended for use in a dry indoor environment.

The electrical heating elements are embedded into the silicone in a pattern that allows for bending the band around a drum.  Metal spring fasteners are attached to the ends of the bars for easy attachment.  

Silicone also has a high-temperature tolerance.  DBK HSSD drum heaters are built to IPX1 protection; class II double insulation, a 32-240 degree capillary thermostat, and an 80-inch power cable.  Sizes include 5, 15, 30, and 55 gallons.

Can electric heaters be used in hazardous areas?

Check the manufacturer’s specifications for hazardous ratings on the heaters.  

Need to know more about the silicone side drum heaters?

Talk to an industrial heating specialist about the best size and power rating for your application.