Two new barges at PCS Phosphate are equipped with Heatec heaters to maintain their cargo of sulphur in a molten state. Each barge transports 2600 tons of sulphur.

Each barge has a Heatec HCM2010-30D helical coil heater installed in a small compartment above deck near the center of the vessel (see photo above). Each heater has an output of 2 million Btu/hour. The heaters heat thermal fluid, which flows through coils in the storage compartments to heat the sulphur. The sulphur is maintained at about 270 degrees F.

The heaters are very compact to fit into the small compartments (see photo below). The expansion tank and pumps are carefully fitted onto the same skid as the heater to eliminate the need for a second skid. Low overall height is achieved by placing the heater lower in its supporting saddles and mounting the expansion tank on one side of the heater. Moreover, special pipe fittings are used to reduce the space needed for piping. Despite the compact design, components are easy to reach for operation and maintenance.

Special protective coatings are applied to all surfaces subject to rust and corrosion from salt water. The heaters have dual-wound coils enabling thermal fluid to flow at a higher rate than with a single-wound coil.

The Aurora, North Carolina Division of PCS Phosphate mines and refines phosphate ore. They produce phosphate fertilizers, purified phosphoric acid used in production of food products and hydrosulfuric acid used for flouridation of drinking water. They own and operate several barges and tug boats.