Thermal fluids, also commonly known as heat transfer fluids, HTFs, hot oils or thermic fluids, are designed to provide accurate, uniform temperature control to process operating units while still maintaining low system pressures. 

Replacing steam in a broad range of process applications, thermal fluid systems provide precise, uniform temperature control leading to increased production and product quality, low maintenance, human and environmental safety and years of highly efficient service. Hot oil systems provide significant advantages in almost every category.

Since this column will appear in our January issue, I can finally tell you about a project that has been in the works for quite a while: our new eBook on thermal fluid heating for industrial processes.

In Process Heating's annual Equipment Overview on Heat Transfer Fluids, we have compiled all the data you need to choose a fluid that can take the heat - and move it to wherever you need it to go.

Avoid common pitfalls and learn the steps to specifying and operating a thermal fluid heating system.

High temperature liquids can wreak havoc on industrial operations if properly specified and installed pumping systems are not in place. Industrial process pumps are often the workhorses that keep operations moving reliably and safely. 

Here are the most popular Process Heating articles of 2018.

A collection of tips and practical guidelines from industry experts on thermal fluids and related operations...summarized advice intended to take the guesswork out of dealing with heat transfer fluids and to improve the overall user experience.

Have you tried turning it off and on again? This question illustrates the extent of troubleshooting most of us go to for IT equipment. However, it’s far from best practice for industrial systems.

Thermal processing is an essential part of many production processes. Whether cooking, pasteurizing or sterilizing, or heating or cooling a range of products, it is a safe bet that many manufacturers will be using a heat exchanger to carry out their thermal processing requirements. Yet, with such a variety of applications possible, it is important that you select the right heat exchanger for your individual requirement.