A recently introduced method to heat up materials efficiently, economically and safely has attracted attention among contractors working on major projects in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf region.

The patented induction heating technology, introduced to Saudi Arabia by the UK’s Rapid Heat Systems (RHS) through Dammam-based  Pan Gulf Technical Services (PGTS) has applications throughout the oil and gas industry, power plants and petrochemical and iron and steel facilities for heating requirements up to 815 deg C including PWHT pre-heat shrink fitting.
Induction heating is a non-contact process of heating a metal object by electromagnetic induction. Heat is induced by placing the part in a high-frequency magnetic field which creates eddy currents inside the part, thereby exciting its molecules and generating heat. As heating occurs slightly below the metal surface, no heat is wasted.
As an analogy, induction heating acts more like a microwave oven - the appliance (heater coils) remains cool while the food (metal) cooks within,” said Asif Aghai, sales and marketing manager of Pan Gulf Technical Services, the exclusive partner of RHS for rental and technical services in  the entire Gulf.  PGTS is a division of Pan Gulf Welding Solutions (PGWS) of the Pan Gulf Group which has been active in the Middle East for nearly three decades and is listed among the top 100 Saudi companies
The induction heating unit that PGTS is marketing is RapidHeat 35.
The rapid heat system can very quickly heat up materials. For example a 24-inch x 2.34-inch-thick pipe material of carbon steel can be preheated to 450 deg F in 7.61 minutes. The rapid heat system can also be used for the shrink fit of shafts and bearings.
Discussing safety aspects, Aghai said: “Operators/ welders can touch our heater coils whilst the heating process takes place without risk of burning, allowing for reduction in welding times. There is lower power consumption due to efficient power to heat transfer. In many cases it will operate from a 30-amp 415-volt supply (normal welding socket) as opposed to a 63-amp 415-volt supply required for resistance transformers.”
A digital recorder allows storage of all documents for downloading later on to a PC. There are time savings in retrieval and managing documents. The rapid heat system eliminates the use of propane which creates an uneven temperature transfer and yields three kilos of water for every kilo of gas burned which can be a problem when welding, explained Aghai.

Units supplied
According to the official, PGTS had deployed units in various projects, including the SPG-Aramco (Ras Tanura) project, SPG-Safco (Jubail), Mesco (Rabigh) and Nasser Al Hajiri-Al Razi (Jubail).
He said there were ongoing projects for which approvals had come. These included Al Tawleed Energy & Power (Shuaibah-SWCC Project-Jeddah), J&P Riyadh, CCC (Khurs-aniyah plant), Al Qahtani Pipe Coating, Globetech (Jubail) and MIS-Jubail.
“PGTS’ intentions are to become a derived provider of technical services for industrial equipment and accessories. PGTS has the potential to grow further on other rental opportunities which will be related to Pan Gulf’s existing customer base,” said Aghia and operations manager Mohammed Hilal.

‘Outperforms’ propane heating 
Rapid Heat Systems’ new 35 induction heating system outperforms propane or radiant heating in efficiency, ease of use and heating uniformity, the company claims. It also enables simple interface to be learned in a matter of minutes and provides operator tutoring. Air-cooled configuration can provide uniform heating up to 400 deg F, liquid-cooled up to 1,450 deg F.
RapidHeat 35 is designed to replace open-flame or resistance heating in weld preheating and stress relieving in the construction and repair of transmission pipelines, the construction and repair of power piping, the construction and repair of petrochemical piping, drill pipe manufacturing, pipe fabrication shops, shipyards, mining equipment maintenance and other applications where a reliable source of uniform heating is required.
“By switching from conventional heating processes (propane or resistance heating) to an induction heating system, companies have experienced a reduction in preheat time of 400 per cent (from two and a quarter hours to 30 minutes) while attaining more uniform heating without incurring consumable costs,” an RHS statement said. RHS designed its new induction heating system to require minimal instruction and set up time—about 10 minutes each—and to decrease labour costs while increasing productivity.
RapidHeat 35’s low weight of 103 kg (227 lbs), lifting eye and optional running gear provide versatile mobility.

Complete package
PGTS offers a broad range of industrial services catering to the Middle East and international market.
Offering a complete package, it has a dedicated team of specialists with significant technical experience, expertise and application know-how.
It provides specialist site services consisting of equipment hire, or alternatively offering a service package, operated by its trained technicians.
All its rental equipment is checked and serviced before being dispatched for hire.
Training sessions have been held for staff and customers in which  the managing director of RHS-UK, Paul Graham,  PGWS/PGTS  general  manager Andy Leigh, operations manager  Mohammed Hilal, coordinator Saleh Quraishe and Aghia have taken an active part.
PGTS works in close partnership with customers to enhance operational efficiencies improve reliability and minimise costs,” says Aghai. “Qualified, highly trained personnel respond to customers’ needs 24/7.
“PGTS has the experience and the resources to handle projects of virtually any magnitude.”