Last updated on November 2nd, 2022 at 03:57 pm

Over the side heaters (OTS heaters) have many advantages, especially when providing heat to vessels located in cramped spaces. But they’re also advantageous for heating certain types of fluids. This post will examine how OTS heaters can be a winning solution for these liquid heating applications.

OTS heaters used for liquid heated

OTS heaters can heat various liquids due to their mobility and compact design. The best over the side heaters contain multiple tubular elements and corrosion-resistant materials in their sheaths to meet the extreme temperature requirements of some liquids. Some of these heavy-duty materials range from stainless steel to Incoloy™.

Typical liquid heating applications of OTS heaters

• Water – Heating water for various applications such as food pasteurization and sterilization.
• Oils – The heating of various oils ranging from household oil-based compounds to petrochemical extracts.
• Solvents – Heating a variety of compounds, including ethanol and methanol.
• Salts – Includes the heating of fluoride, chloride and hydroxide-based salts.
• Acids – Often involve heating compounds such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acids for manufacturing purposes.
• Glycol mixtures – Commonly used for the manufacture of polyester fibres and the production of antifreeze products.
• Caustic solutions – Liquid mixtures used to produce soap, laundry detergents, bleach, and candles.

The use cases for OTS heaters are expansive. Ultimately, an over the side heater is a suitable choice when space is limited, and there’s a need for easy installation or removal. Also, OTS heaters produce uniform temperatures that is crucial for some of the liquids mentioned above.

Choosing an OTS heater for your application

Plant managers must adjust their OTS heater configurations to heat their target fluid properly. That may necessitate customized wattages, voltages, sheath materials and temperature controls. Also, the end product of a specific liquid application may require operators to make precise adjustments to their heating units.

OTS heaters for non-oil-based applications

Most OTS heaters used for non-oil-based applications fall under a similar category with similar specifications. Many of these heaters contain stainless steel or Incoloy® in their sheaths, built-in thermostats and 4” sludge legs for support. Many of them allow custom wattages and voltages to suit your industrial applications.

OTS heaters for light oil applications

OTS heaters for light oil applications require modified configurations. Due to the high corrosivity of these applications, heaters for these applications need high-grade sheath materials. They have more advanced temperature controls for greater precision and higher voltage ranges. Heaters used for light oil applications also come with higher NEMA ratings since they’re designed to withstand the harsher conditions associated with oil heating.

Light oil heating applications for OTS heaters

• Acidic solutions
• Glycol mixtures
• Caustic solutions
• Fuel oils
• Lubrication oils
• Mineral oil baths

OTS heaters for heavy oil applications

Heavy oil applications often involve fluids with high viscosities. OTS heaters for these applications are similar to lighter ones, incorporating heavy-duty materials in their sheath elements. That includes the likes of steel, stainless steel, Incoloy® or copper. They, too, have higher NEMA scores since they’re designed to resist the harsh conditions associated with heavy oil heating.

Heavy oil heating applications for OTS heaters

• Heavy Fuel Oil
• Heavy Mixtures
• Solid Grease
• Steam
• Wax

Choosing a Wattco OTS heater

Over the side, heaters are a trusted solution for various liquid applications, especially for those involving limited budgets and space. Most OTS heaters allow for customization to meet the requirements of your liquid heating application.

Here at Wattco, we use high-grade materials such as stainless steel and other alloys in our OTS heaters for added resistance against corrosion and wear-and-tear. We can also customize the control panels, wattage, and voltage requirements, so you have precise control over your liquid heating.

Get a quote for your over the side heater today! Our representatives will help you find the exact configuration needed for your liquid heating application.