Heat transfer between tracer and pipe

A method for facilitating heat transfer from a tracer to a process pipe comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying heat transfer cement, utilizing an applicator, to
• (i) a metal heat transfer element comprising
• (A) an inner surface running a length of the heat transfer element, the inner surface comprising
• (1) first and second curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the process pipe for attachment thereto,
• (2) first and second opposed channel walls, each extending from an interior portion of a respective one of the first and second curved mounting surfaces,
• (3) a curved channel ceiling having a concave cross-sectional shape extending between the first and second opposed channel walls, the curved channel ceiling having a curvature configured to correspond to a curvature of an outer surface of the tracer, and
• (4) a lengthwise opening defined between the first and second curved mounting surfaces, the lengthwise opening being an opening of an interior lengthwise channel defined by the first and second opposed channel walls and the curved channel ceiling, the interior lengthwise channel being sized and dimensioned to receive the tracer therein, and
• (B) an outer surface running the length of the heat transfer element which does not provide access to the interior lengthwise channel,
• (ii) wherein the applicator simultaneously spreads the heat transfer cement over
• (A) the first and second curved mounting surfaces of the heat transfer element,
• (B) the first and second opposed channel walls partially defining the interior lengthwise channel of the heat transfer element, and
• (C) the curved channel ceiling partially defining the interior lengthwise channel of the heat transfer element;
• and
• (b) installing the heat transfer element on the process pipe, said installing including,
• (i) positioning the heat transfer element over top of the process pipe and the tracer,
• (ii) translating the heat transfer element down over the tracer so as to
• (A) cause the tracer to be received within the interior lengthwise channel of the heat transfer element, the interior lengthwise channel including the heat transfer cement therein, and
• (B) cause the first and second curved mounting surfaces of the heat transfer element to abut an outer surface of the process pipe, the heat transfer cement being disposed on the mounting surfaces of the heat transfer element;
• (c) wherein the heat transfer element is installed such that,
• (i) the first and second curved mounting surfaces of the heat transfer element are secured to an outer surface of the process pipe,
• (ii) a length of the tracer is received within the interior lengthwise channel of the heat transfer element,
• (iii) the heat transfer element is positioned to effect conductive heat transfer between the tracer received within the interior lengthwise channel and the process pipe the heat transfer element is attached to, including conductive heat transfer through the first and second curved mounting surfaces of the heat transfer element,
• (iv) the top surface of the heat transfer element is located in covering relation to the interior lengthwise channel and the tracer received therein, and serves to physically protect the tracer received therein, and
• (v) a heat transfer cement fill layer is disposed between the tracer received within the interior lengthwise channel of the heat transfer element and the process pipe the heat transfer element is attached to, the heat transfer cement fill layer comprising
• (A) first and second opposed concave surfaces,
• (B) wherein the first concave surface is in abutment with a portion of the tracer received within the interior lengthwise channel, the portion of the tracer being disposed proximate a portion of the process pipe to which the heat transfer element is attached, and
• (C) wherein the second concave surface is in abutment with the portion of the process pipe.