We present our latest product – the SUM IBC Guard thermal insulation cover.
There is a fairly wide range of production processes in which liquid raw materials are used and stored or transported in IBC containers. A significant proportion of these materials must be maintained at an appropriate temperature in order for their physico-chemical properties to remain suitable from a process engineering perspective.
Some substances simply solidify at low temperatures, making it impossible to extract them from the container. Others only achieve the density/viscosity required for pumping within a narrow temperature range, while still others require a specific temperature to reach the desired process properties.
Thermal insulation covers for IBC containers serve two functions:
They create a thermal insulation barrier that very effectively reduces heat loss to the environment and significantly extends the cooling time of the container’s contents.
Equipped with a heating cable system with a thermostat, they are capable of heating the contents to a precisely defined temperature and maintaining it at that level for an unlimited period, regardless of ambient conditions.
The use of heating covers therefore significantly facilitates and simplifies production and warehouse logistics. Substances can be heated to the required temperature in any location, even outdoors or simply in storage areas, and then transported to production and used without the risk of cooling down too quickly.
There is no need to arrange specially heated intermediate rooms, which are costly and require significantly higher energy inputs as well as appropriate technical infrastructure to achieve the same effect.
Construction of the SUM IBC Guard thermal cover
The SUM IBC Guard thermal cover consists of a dimensionally tailored insulating jacket equipped with a system of quick-release buckle or hook-and-loop fastenings. The cover can be manufactured from various types of technical fabrics suitable for specific operating conditions – waterproof, chemical-resistant, fire-resistant, antistatic, and others.
Cover with heating system
The second component is an independent heating system based on industrial self-regulating heating cables mounted in a dedicated loop system. Control is provided by a digital thermostat housed in an IP66 enclosure attached to the cover shell. In addition to standard basic functions, it also offers the possibility of integration with local monitoring systems, as well as alarm functions, password-protected setpoint locking, and many other features.
The standard heating output of the cover is 1500 W; however, thanks to modular design solutions, it is possible to manufacture a system with different power ratings in line with customer requirements. Moreover, the modular construction concept enables very easy, non-invasive, and independent servicing of both the heating system and the cover, including complete replacement of heating elements or adjustment of their power rating.
Cover without heating system
Non-heated versions are also popular. Such a passive insulating jacket significantly impairs heat exchange between the container contents and the surrounding environment. This enables a several- to tenfold increase in the cooling time of a raw material compared with an uninsulated container.
Undoubtedly, the SUM IBC Guard thermal cover described above is a convenient and easy-to-use solution to a very common, yet previously not particularly well-addressed problem.
