If you work or run a business in the chemical storage industry, chances are you’re all too aware of what a tote heater is used for, and the advantages of resilient, light weight, energy efficient heaters to thin out more thick viscous liquids, particularly within the colder months. But what exactly is a tote heater used for, how is it used, and why on earth would you need a tote heater in your business or job? In this article, we’ll look at exactly what you need to consider before opting for your next tote heater, and why it might be a more viable alternative to traditional freeze protection methods.

Heaters come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be particularly useful in a number of specific circumstances, like pond heating or indeed tote heating, which is specifically useful and indeed important for operators within the chemical storage industry as a means of providing freeze protection initially and thinning for certain substances, depending on the industry sub-sect in which you operate. If you don’t already know what a tote heater is, it’s a lightweight unit that can be inserted within totes to thin heavy viscose substances as required, and to prevent freeze-over. For these reasons it really is a must buy item for anyone within the industry particularly over the winter months when it is more likely that the colder temperatures will have a knock-on effect on the temperature of the stored liquids.

In a number of instances drums and tanks can reach up to fifty gallons in volume, sometimes even more. This can make indoor storage difficult to say the least, and heating is often considered a secondary aim. Apart from the initial difficulties associated with storing and heating chemicals, it can be a real pain to find heavy duty heaters or freeze prevention equipment that doesn’t get affected by certain chemicals. Often added to that is the extreme expense of some of the panel based heating systems that attach to drum exteriors or act as covers.

In a nutshell, a tote heater is a device used to thin viscous substances and warm chemicals within totes or drums to ensure they pour as required and don’t suffer from any undesirable side effects. Amongst some of the key features to look for in buying a tote heater, aside from cost effectiveness is durability, accessibility and overall usability, which comes moreso from units that can be placed inside the tank rather than externally. Additionally it is also advisable to look for one with a thermostat that can be set to control temperature accordingly to avoid jeopardising safety or destabilising the chemical substance you are storing.

Now you know what you’re looking for in a tote heater, it’s time to get out there and have a look at what’s available. There are a range of different styles and sizes of models out there to choose from, all of which serve a purpose depending on your individual storage requirements – the tricky bit is figuring out which one applies best to you!

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Kirk rogers: a thermodynamics engineer with 25 years experience, designing and developing heating systems. Tote heaters, submersible pond heaters, freeze protection and storage drums.