The concept of the present invention describes configurations to provide uniform heat distribution of resistive heaters. This configuration allows successful anti-icing and deicing with relatively low applied power. One aspect involves the use of a thin film heater applied just underneath the topcoat to efficiently direct all heat to the surface, allowing anti-icing and de-icing with minimal power. This can be accomplished by employing a hybrid electrode interface, using a metal foil or metal braid that is attached to the aircraft surface with a structural adhesive that has been smoothed along the edges with metal-filled adhesive. Another aspect of the present invention uses an array of heater cells created as a single sheet and a heat spreading material, provided underneath or overtop of the heater cells.

The present invention reduces viscosity of highly viscous materials before entering a pump inlet by applying radio-frequency heating to the volume of material in a cage of rods that serve as electrodes surrounding a perforated inlet conduit. Applications include heavy hydrocarbonaceous materials such as tar and pitch in reservoirs, and sludge accumulating within oil storage tanks, ships, and barges. A mixer can be added to aid the process.

The invention provides a heater station (2) for heating fluids flowing in an undersea pipe network, the station comprising at least one heater duct (6) made of conductive material designed to be connected to an undersea pipe (4) for transporting fluids, and at least one solenoid (8) wound around a portion of the heater duct and electrically powered to heat the heater duct portion by electromagnetic induction.

A skin effect heating system for long pipelines includes a heater cable disposed in a ferromagnetic or other conductive heat tube, the heater cable and heat tube cooperating to produce heat that is applied to the carrier pipe. The heater cable includes a conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, and then a semiconductive outer layer or “jacket.” The semiconductive jacket contacts the inner surface of the heat tube, where the charge density of the return current carried by the heat tube is at its highest. The semiconductive jacket material has a resistivity that is sufficiently low to reduce or eliminate arcing events such as corona discharge by allowing accumulated charge on the heat tube to dissipate. The resistivity is also high enough to prevent the return current from flowing into or through the semiconductive outer layer, so that heat production capacity of the system is maximized.

A method for the manufacture of an electrical heating unit for use in an exhaust gas system and the use of an electrical heating unit obtainable by this method are described. The method comprises forming the electrical heating unit as a single piece by additive layer manufacturing. An exhaust gas system comprising the electrical heating unit and a downstream catalyst article is also described.

Methods, system and devices for deploying an MI cable heater down-hole into a hydrocarbon reservoir are provided, wherein one or more MI cables are housed inside a protective jacket, and connected to a pump-in device. The pump-in device allows the cable to be deployed by pumping fluid down-hole, and the pump-in device catches the fluid and pulls the cable down-hole, even in a horizontal well.

A method for heating oil shale underground in situ. Shale oil and fuel gas can be obtained from an underground oil shale seam in situ, and the fuel gas can also be obtained from an underground coal seam in situ. Wells are drilled downwardly reaching an operation region of an underground oil shale ore bed. Electricity for partial discharge of the ore bed is conducted into electrodes, and a plasma channel is formed in the ore bed and subjected to breakdown by the electricity; after the resistance of each of two electrode regions is lowered, the two electrodes are used for conducting currents into the plasma channel in the oil shale ore bed; the oil shale ore bed is heated under the resistance heating function of the plasma channel; and released heat is used for realizing thermal cracking and gasification of fixed organic carbon in the oil shale ore bed.

The present disclosure relates to a deposit heater for heating an area of ground. The teachings thereof may be embodied, in particular, in inductive heaters useful for an oil sand, oil shale, extra-heavy oil, or heavy oil deposit. Some embodiments may include a deposit heater comprising: a first AC generator; a second AC generator; and an electrical conductor loop arranged at least partially within the area of ground. The conductor loop may be coupled to both generators. The first generator provides a first alternating current to a first region of the conductor loop and the second AC generator provides a second alternating current to a second region of the conductor loop.

A heater includes: a plate-like first heater substrate; an electrical heating wire that is provided on a first surface of the first heater substrate in a parallel circuit; electrodes that are connected to the electrical heating wire to allow current to flow in the electrical heating wire; and a plate-like cover substrate that covers the first surface of the first heater substrate, the electrical heating wire, and the electrodes with a second surface thereof. The electrical heating wire of the heater generates heat, so that the amount of heat is supplied. A honeycomb structure includes at least one heater that is provided so as to surround an outer wall thereof.

The invention relates to a device for heating a fluid (2), comprising a heating body (4) having a through passageway (6, 8) for the fluid and provided with at least one groove (14) on its outer surface; at least one electrical resistance (24) housed in the at least one groove (14) of the heating body. The device further comprises at least one closure plate (20) of the at least one groove (14) overlying the at least one resistance (24).