System and method for electric heating trace system management

An electric heat trace control system for use with a fluid transport system, the electric heat trace control system comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electric heat trace control system to:

• receive a temperature value corresponding to a portion of the fluid transport system;
• receive a flow status value corresponding to a portion of the fluid transport system;
• determine that the temperature value is not above a predetermined temperature setpoint;
• upon determining that the temperature value is not above the predetermined temperature setpoint, determine that the flow status value is not above a predetermined flow status setpoint;
• upon determining that the flow status value is not above the predetermined flow status setpoint, start a cool down timer configured to wait a cool down period;
• determine that the cool down period has expired;
• and
• energize an electric heat trace circuit in response to determining the cool down period has expired unless, during the cool down period, the flow status value is above the predetermined flow status setpoint indicating flow is occurring through the portion of the fluid transport system.

A method for controlling an electric heat trace circuit coupled to a fluid transport system and comprising at least one heating cable, the method comprising:

• receiving a temperature value corresponding to a portion of the fluid transport system capable of transporting a fluid;
• receiving a flow status value corresponding to a portion of the fluid transport system;
• determining that the temperature value is not above a predetermined temperature setpoint;
• upon determining that the temperature value is not above the predetermined temperature setpoint, determining that the flow status value is not above a predetermined flow status setpoint;
• upon determining that the flow status value is not above the predetermined flow status setpoint, starting a cool down timer configured to wait a cool down period;
• determining that the cool down period has expired;
• and
• energizing the electric heat trace circuit in response to determining the cool down timer is expired unless, during the cool down period, the flow status value is above the predetermined flow status setpoint indicating flow is occurring through the portion of the fluid transport system.