HEATING LIQUIDS
The heating of liquids should be considered carefully as there are several ways and types of elements you can consider. This is determined by the heating method you want to employ.
You can either heat the liquid directly from the inside of the vessel/tank or externally from the outside. Your choice will depend on the type of liquid to be heated.
If you are heating water, then heating from the inside is usually best way as this would allow for the best heat transfer/energy release method.
If corrosive liquids are required to be heated, then heating from the outside is best choice as the element is not in direct contact with the liquid so ensures the element will last as long as possible. We can also supply heating elements with special Teflon sheath or coating if it is not possible to heat from the outside.
The heating of oils and viscous liquids needs to be considered carefully, firstly if the liquid has a maximum allowable temperature the external heating is preferred because the vessel is heated first as this is slower and more gentle. If the liquid is viscous type (thick) then heating over a large surface area is preferred, this is because if the thick liquid is heated from the inside then the element would only around the immediate area of the element. This would give inaccurate temperature reading, damage or ruining of the liquid.
Generally thicker the liquid the slower the liquid should be heated and this is usually from the outside.