Unlike air heaters, designed to heat air, band heaters are used to reduce the viscosity of thick liquids and gels by heating. This means that the liquid or gel can then be pumped or bottled more easily. Alternatively, band heaters can be used to prevent liquids from freezing prematurely. Usually the kind of liquids these are used for are varnish, resin, tar, or grease.
Types of band heaters
Silicone band heaters
Silicone band heaters are a drum made from silicone and steel. Silicone is used in the construction of heating elements because it has a low thermal mass and excellent thermal transfer properties. This type of band heater can be used with liquids such as oils, grease, soaps and other materials which need to be pumped easily.
Base drum heaters
Steel drums can be placed on the base drum heater in order to make sure heat is targeted at the bottom of the drum. Base drum heaters are typically used in industrial environments which require a very robust heating solution, or to liquefy solids by applying heat directly to the bottom of the drum.
