Product Introduction

Petroleum / Oil Heaters

Industrial Petroleum & Oil Heaters: Engineered for Viscosity Control

Petroleum and Oil Heaters are heavy-duty thermal solutions designed to safely heat crude oil, lubricants, fuel oils (No. 2 through No. 6), and heat transfer fluids (HTFs). The primary engineering challenge in oil heating is Watt Density Control—our heaters utilize low-watt density designs to prevent “coking” (the carbonization of oil on the element surface), which ensures both fluid purity and long heater life.
We calculate the exact surface area needed to keep your specific oil grade safe from degradation.
Technical Specs Range / Typical Values
Watt Density 1.5–3.5W/cm2 (Very low)
Current 5A – 100A
Connection NPT Threaded or Flanged

Low Watt Density Technology: By spreading heat over a larger surface area (typically 15–23 W/in²), we keep sheath temperatures below the oil’s “cracking” point, preventing fluid degradation and sludge buildup.

 

Rugged Steel & Incoloy® Construction: Elements are typically sheathed in heavy-wall steel or Incoloy® 800/840 to withstand the high pressures and corrosive sulfur compounds found in many petroleum products.

 

Explosion-Proof Reliability: For hazardous locations (Class I, Div 1 & 2), we provide NEMA 7 and NEMA 9 rated terminal enclosures to ensure safety in environments with volatile vapors.

 

Removable Element Designs: Our “Dry-Well” or “Pipe Insert” options allow heating elements to be replaced without draining the storage tank, significantly reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

 

Feature Light Oil / Lubricants Heavy Crude / Bunker C
Sheath Material Steel or Stainless Steel Incoloy® or Carbon Steel
Watt Density 20–25 W/in² 8–15 W/in² (Very Low)
Max Process Temp Up to 400°F (204°C) Up to 650°F+ (343°C)
Mounting Types Flanged, Screw Plug, Over-the-side Large ANSI Flange / Manway

 

Fuel Oil Pre-heating: Lowering the viscosity of heavy oils for efficient atomization in industrial burners and boilers.

 

Storage Tank Heating: Maintaining flowability in large-scale crude oil reservoirs and bitumen/asphalt tanks.

 

Lube Oil Consoles: Keeping turbine and compressor lubricants at optimal operating temperatures to prevent mechanical wear.

 

Heat Transfer Systems: Providing the primary heat source for closed-loop thermal oil systems used in chemical plants.

 

Offshore & Marine: Fuel and hydraulic oil heating for shipping vessels and oil platforms.

Integrated Heating Equipment

High-Performance Industrial Heating Systems & Integrated Solutions

For critical industrial processes, a heating element is only as good as its durability and control. At Runkel, we specialize in high-spec thermal engineering. From high-vacuum environments to hazardous explosion-proof zones, we provide fully customized heaters integrated with bespoke Control Cabinets for a true “plug-and-play” experience.

The Total Solution: Integrated Control Cabinets. We don’t just provide the heat; we provide the brain. To ensure your heating system operates safely and accurately, we offer Custom-Built Control Cabinets tailored to your specific heater:Precise Control: PID or PLC-based systems for temperature accuracy within $\pm 1$°C.Safety First: Integrated over-temperature protection, leakage circuit breakers, and emergency stops.User Interface: Digital displays, HMI touchscreens, or remote monitoring capabilities.Custom Voltage: Built to match your local industrial power standards (e.g., 220V, 380V, 440V, or 480V).

Why Partner With Us for High-Spec Needs?

“Complex Requirements, Simple Execution.”

Direct Replacement of Legacy Parts:

If your imported equipment has a failed flanged heater or a specialized vacuum element that is too expensive or slow to source from the OEM, we can reverse-engineer and manufacture a replacement that meets or exceeds the original specs.

Material Excellence:

We select materials based on your environment—whether it’s Incoloy 800 for high-temperature oxidation or Pure PTFE for chemical longevity.

Start Your Custom Build Today

Whether you need a replacement Defrost Heater for a cold storage unit or a complete Explosion-Proof Circulation System with a control panel, we are ready to assist.