• Magma Technologies

Finned Tubular Heaters

Magma Technologies offers Finned Tubular Heaters. In applications where tubular heaters are exposed to forced convection, placing fins around tubular heaters increases their surface area and thus improves their heat transferring capacity. Finned tubular heaters, compared to regular tubular heaters, run at lower surface temperatures for the same watt densities when placed in identical air streams. Despite their advantages, finned tubular heaters are not recommended for applications where outlet air temperatures exceed 600°F. The physical characteristics of a finned tubular heater play a major role in the effectiveness of its heat transfer. The sheath material of a finned tubular heater and its watt density are two critical factors that affect its durability. The standard finned tubular heaters are made of steel sheath and steel fins (750°F max surface temperature) since steel is very efficient in heat transfer. These heaters have a plain-surface finish. For corrosive environments or high temperature applications (above 750°F), finned tubular heaters could be made with stainless steel sheath and stainless steel fins. Safe watt densities that keep surface temperatures below allowable limits depend on the speed of the incoming air and its outlet temperature. Finned heaters are suitable: to heat stagnant air; for heating circulating air and air flows; for gas heating; for heating of air ducts; as pre-heating unit in machines; in air-conditioning ducts; in industrial furnaces and drying chambers; for shrink packaging machines; and heating elements in air heaters.