Process Technology Earns Culus Listing for New Smartone® PTC Aquaculture Heater Line
MENTOR, OHIO - Process Technology, a wet process heating and cooling manufacturer, introduced its SmartOne® line of PTC (positive temperature coefficient) electric immersion heaters in 2011 and is now announcing the product line has earned the cULus listing.
"With safety as our top priority, we are excited to have introduced such a technologically advanced product that is now the only one on the market with a cULus listing," says Christine Venaleck, Director of Advertising for Process Technology.
With PTC technology, thermal over-temperature protectors are no longer required for safe operation. SmartOne® PTC heaters will not burn out in air like traditional resistance heaters. Unlike resistance heaters, these heaters continue working in high solids applications as well.
A PTC heater utilizes solid state ceramic heating elements as its heat source. These devices are "self-regulating" - the maximum temperature is internally limited regardless of the operating conditions. Therefore, these heaters have a built-in safety not previously available in electric immersion heaters. Traditional resistance heaters have the potential for a runaway heat condition if operated out of water, but a PTC heater can self limit its maximum temperature regardless if operated in water, air, or completely surrounded by solids.
If the temperature goes down, so does the resistance (thereby increasing power output). If the heat transfer is impeded, as would happen when i.e. operating in air, the temperature will increase (as will the resistance) resulting in reduced power output. This concept is similar to technologies used in car seat warmers or hair dryers - a unit can only reach a predetermined maximum temperature before it turns itself down.
In the aquaculture industry, a common threat to heater life is buildup in waters with dense solids resulting in overheat conditions. These conditions will not cause the SmartOne® to overheat. The maximum output temperature is below the ignition point of most plastic tanks, so overheat damage is prevented if the element is operated in air or becomes covered with buildup. (Please note: periodic cleaning is still recommended since buildup can increase the rate of chemical corrosion of any heater.)
Process Technology, established in 1978, is a manufacturer of electric immersion heaters, heat exchangers, in-line heaters and temperature and level controls serving a variety of industries including aquaculture, semiconductor, metal finishing, printed circuit board, cleaning technologies, MEMS, FPD and photovoltaic.
