Pipe Heating | Industrial Thermal Design

Why It Matters

Frozen Valves Stop Everything Downstream

A frozen valve or actuator doesn't just freeze in place — it shuts down whatever process depends on it, and it can corrupt the instrumentation readings that operations rely on to know what's actually happening in the system. The conventional fix, heat trace plus insulation and cladding, works, but it's a construction project: skilled crews to install it, skilled crews to remove it every time the pipe needs service, and inrush current to plan the electrical system around.

Reduce downtime and increase profitabilityFewer surprise freeze-ups, fewer stalled operations.
Eliminate the need for emergency services or steamersNo scrambling for a steam truck when a line freezes solid.
Protect instrumentation from freezingAccurate data retrieval, not a frozen sensor guessing.
Sustain valve functionalityEven heat keeps actuators and valve bodies working as designed.
Save on labor through easy installation and removalNo specialty trade required, unlike heat trace.
Custom designs to fit any applicationBuilt to your exact valve, manifold, or spool geometry.

Freeze Protection: Down to -40°F / -40°C on standard builds

Heat Trace Install: ~20 ft run: 6 workers × 10 hours, plus insulation & cladding

Powerblanket Install: Same run: 2 workers × 20 minutes, no cladding, no inrush current

A Real Installation

1,888 Miles of Pipeline, Two Valves That Kept Freezing

Case Study

Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline

Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline transports and stores natural gas across Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado — 1,888 miles of pipeline serving natural gas utility customers throughout the region. In Eastern Utah, two 12" and two 16" valves and actuators kept freezing up and shutting down operations. With a service area that large, the pipeline needed a solution custom-built to its exact system, not a generic fix. After installing custom Powerblanket valve heaters, Dominion Energy appreciated the ease of installation and the perfect fit — and now has peace of mind that frozen valves won't stall operations or interrupt service to their customers.

A Real Installation

12 Fisher Valves, One Winter Problem

Case Study

Equistar Chemicals, LP

Equistar Chemicals, a LyondellBasell subsidiary that manufactures ethylene, polyethylene, and related chemicals and polymers, had 12 Fisher valves at its Illinois facility freezing up in extreme conditions. Powerblanket wrapped the valves in even heat that protects the instrumentation and sustains valve functionality. Since the install, Equistar no longer worries about downtime from freezing temperatures — and has the added peace of mind of knowing the products are manufactured to stringent safety standards.

Still Have Questions?

Talk to an Engineer

If you have additional questions after reading this guide, a real Powerblanket applications engineer will answer them personally — no pressure, no obligation.

Ask an Engineer