Concrete Curing Temperature Makes a Difference

May 22, 2017

Concrete Blankets Concrete Insulation Blankets Construction Industry Cooling Products Cooling Solutions Curing Curing Concrete in Cold Weather Hot Weather Concreting Powerblanket Ice Process Cooling

How Warm Does it Have To Be To Pour Concrete?

Whether the conditions are hot or freezing, the ideal concrete curing temperature should be maintained at about 55°F to achieve the optimum concrete strength.

Curing the Hoover Dam

At its completion in 1935, the Hoover Dam was the largest dam in the world and a marvel of labor and engineering. The first pour began on June 6, 1933. Rather than being a single block of concrete, they built the dam as a series of individual columns. The trapezoidal columns rose in five foot lifts. This method allowed the tremendous heat produced by the curing concrete to dissipate. If the dam were built in a single continuous pour, the concrete would have gotten so hot that it would have taken 125 years for the concrete to cool to ambient temperatures. The resulting stresses would have caused the dam to crack and crumble away (The Story).

The heat and dryness of Nevada posed additional complex problems with the pour and concrete curing temperature. When the concrete was first poured, river water circulated through cooling coils of 1″ thin-walled steel pipes. Once the concrete had received a first initial cooling, chilled water from a refrigeration plant on the lower cofferdam circulated through the coils to finish the cooling (The Story).

Concrete Curing is an Art

We live in a world where faster always seems better; however, concrete that cures too quickly or under hot concrete curing conditions can actually result in weak or unstable concrete. If concrete is cured in cooler ambient temperatures (32°F to 50°F) with moisture continually present, strength gain will be slow but the concrete will eventually reach a high strength. Concrete should not be allowed to get hotter than 90°F or to dry out during the curing period.

Best Concrete Curing Temperature

By “best” we mean “most thoroughly,” not the fastest. High temperatures mean faster curing, but fast curing equates to weaker strength in the end. The following study by Paul Klieger in the Portland Cement Association Research Bulletin 103 illustrates this concept.

Concrete Cure Time Chart with Temperature

At an age of 1 day the 120°F concrete was strongest and the 25°F concrete was weakest. By 7 days the high-temperature cured concretes had no more strength than the 73°F concrete or even less. By the age of 28 days the high-temperature concretes were weaker than the 73°F concrete. From 28 days to 1 year the 55°F concrete was considerably stronger than the 73°F concrete. All of this suggests that, provided there is continuous curing, concrete cured at about 55°F for the first 28 days ultimately reaches the highest strength (Concrete).

Hot Weather Concrete Temperature Limits

Hot weather concreting doesn’t simply involve temperature. High ambient temperatures, winds, and relative humidity all play a role in “hot weather.” Under hot heather conditions, the primary curing issue is having the top of the slab of concrete dry much faster than the bottom. As concrete dries it shrinks. This means that the top will be shrinking while the bottom is not. This creates internal problems with the concrete that will result in a damaged slab. The top and the bottom of the pour need to cure at the same rate (Placing).

Concrete Curing Temperature Solutions

Is it too HOT?

Powerblanket ICE is portable cooling equipment that will keep newly poured concrete safe from heat. Portable, insulated, and efficient, Powerblanket ICE effectively regulates the temperature of concrete under both regular and hot conditions.

The Powerblanket ICE Circulation Blanket is combined with either a cooler or chiller to achieve optimum results. The Circulation Blanket draws heat to the blanket in order to cool the concrete.

Use Powerblanket’s patented heat-spreading technology in reverse–the cooling blanket draws heat away and lowers the temperature of the concrete.
Blanket cover and insulation are the same as the robust system used in Powerblanket heating products
Portable
Control the curing speed of newly poured concrete even in hot conditions

Is it too COLD?

Can you pour and cure concrete in the winter? Powerblanket concrete curing blankets provide a manageable way to cure concrete effectively and confidently in the cold weather months. Even in warm weather, Powerblanket curing blankets increase production by rapidly curing with consistent, even heat.

Cure concrete 2.8 times faster than conventional, insulated blankets
Produce cold weather concreting strength of up to 3,925 psi in 72 hours
Maintain moisture throughout hydrating process
Easily installed and removed
Prevent a freeze cycle
Thaw ground and frost from job site prior to pour
Reduce downtime & increase profitability
Maintain ACI compliance for cold weather concreting

Works Cited

“Placing Concrete in hot or cold weather”. Sakrete Blog. 16 May 2017. http://www.sakrete.com/media-center/blog-detail.cfm/bp_alias/Placing-Concrete-in-hot-or-cold-weather

“The Story of Hoover Dam – Essays”. Bureau of Reclamation. 16 May 2017. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/history/essays/concrete.html

Process Heating Engineering: Tank Heaters

by Launa Albrecht

March 8, 2017

Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Freeze Protection Industrial Heating Blankets Process Temperature Control Tank Heater Temperature Control

Powerblanket® Engineer Favorite #2

The second installment of the Powerblanket Engineer Favorites comes to us from Coastal Drilling. Coastal Drilling is a drilling company serving the South Texas drilling market, providing both daywork and turnkey contracts along with operating inland barge rigs in the shallow waters of the Gulf Coast.

An Oily Problem

In the winter when the three phase horizontal separator used during drilling operations was not being used, or the contents weren’t constantly flowing, the dirty oil water froze, consequently plugging the pipes. This halted operations until they could melt the blockage with torches.

The Need for Custom

Previous to discovering Powerblanket, Coastal Drilling used torches as the best possible solution because nothing pre-made could resolve this frozen dilemma. A blanket for this kind of tank required multiple cut outs in order to fit properly and to apply heat to as much surface area as possible. Powerblanket engineers had an immediate hurdle to jump, as there were no technical drawings of the tank to help create the design. Instead, the team scanned the tank with a 3D scanner, which allowed for the correct location of each cutout.

Powerblanket Solution

Powerblanket provided Coastal Drilling with custom made heating blankets that wrapped the tank with the necessary cutouts. The size of the tank required two separate heating blankets. Two heating blankets allowed for an easier installation, and it allowed the designers to put more power into the blanket to ensure enough power to keep up with the cold winter temperatures. Now, operations did not have to stall for the water to thaw, consequently saving Coastal Drilling time, money and headaches.

Custom Solutions: Tank Heaters

Powerblanket Tank Heaters maintain temperature, heat, provide freeze protection, and/or optimize flow for viscous and temperature sensitive materials.

Why Choose Powerblanket Tank Heaters?

Maintain optimal temperatures for temperature sensitive materials
Custom designed to fit any tank and/or process heating engineering project
Provide ultimate freeze protection
Available in 120, 208 or 240VAC
Enjoy the peace of mind that your valuable materials are protected

IBC Heater Solutions for Sensitive Products

by Launa Albrecht

January 27, 2017

IBC Tank IBC Tote Industrial Heating Blankets Temperature Control Tote Heaters

IBC Heater blankets are an excellent temperature control solution for your sensitive products.

Simplify with an IBC (intermediate bulk container) Heater Jacket

Most chemicals and industrial supplies have stringent storage and temperature requirements. Cold temperatures can be particularly troublesome. If you store chemicals or other industrial supplies in large totes, it’s difficult to find an effective heating solution. How do you keep an IBC/tote tank, full of chemicals, at optimal temperatures? Do you store chemicals and/or other temperature-sensitive materials? Are you concerned about freeze prevention or temperature control? Rather than hope that your stacked IBCs keep each other warm, invest in a solution that will save you time, money, hassle, and preserve your sensitive products.

IBC Heater Solutions

Powerblanket has the solution. Powerblanket IBC heater blankets provide safe, consistent heat, ensuring your totes are stored at optimal temperatures. Our standard IBC heater blankets fit 250 gallon, 275 gallon, 330 gallon, 350 gallon, 450 gallon and 550 gallon totes.

Powerblanket IBC Heater Jacket Cross Section

A Powerblanket IBC heater offers consistent, and regulated heat distribution at a fraction of the cost of other IBC heater alternatives. The advanced insulation prevents heat loss and will protect down to -40°F/-40°C. The heating element within the blanket allows for more surface area contact, conserving energy and greatly reducing hot and cold spots.

All Powerblanket IBC Tote Heater models come with an insulated top which reduces heat loss from your application.

Designed to be durable and weather resistant
Safely heat and protect a wide variety of chemicals and materials
Includes adjustable digital thermostatic controller
Provide an insulated full-wrap design
Provide easy access with a removable top
Deliver uniform heat to temperature sensitive products
Preserve expensive materials without scorching or burning
Prevent waste by maintaining consistent temperatures
Raise material temperatures as high as 145 ºF / 62 ºC (± 5 ºF/3 ºC), depending on ambient conditions
ETL certified to UL and CSA safety standards

5 Helpful Tips for Winter Construction Efficiency

by Launa Albrecht

December 16, 2016

Bulk Material Heater Bulk Material Warmer Concrete Blankets Construction Industry Curing Concrete in Cold Weather Ground Thawing Heated Walkway Mat Hot Box Pallet Freeze Protection Pallet Heater Pallet Warmer Propane Tank Heater Safety SummerStep Heated Snow Mat Winter Preparation

5 Tips for Winter Construction

Working outside during the cold winter months presents many obstacles; however, some jobs will not wait for better circumstances. Below are some tips and solutions to improve winter construction.

1) KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES SAFE

Train your employees in proper winter construction precautions. Encourage everyone to wear layers of loose-fitting clothing, to stay dry, and to protect from the wind and sun with gloves, hats and sunscreen. If conditions become too cold/dangerous, employees should have access to shelter.

On the work site, remove ice and snow regularly to prevent slips and falls. This can be a full-time job depending on the weather. The act of shoveling snow can also be extremely strenuous, especially for those individuals who do not engage in regular cardiovascular activity. According to the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 11,000 people seek shoveling-related hospital treatment each year for injuries (93%) or cardiac issues (7%). To save time, energy, and your employees health, use Summerstep heated safety mats to keep the walkways on your construction site clear.

Summerstep Snow Melting Mats

, Protect personnel from winter weather conditions and keep stairs, doorways, walkways, and ramps free from snow and ice
Prevent slips and falls
More convenient than shoveling snow
More effective for snow and ice melting than harsh chemicals (less damaging to the environment, reusable, won’t damage concrete or other flooring surfaces)
Will melt approximately 2 inches of snow per hour when operating
40 Watts/Sq ft heated area
The ONLY snow melting mat product made in the USA

2) MAINTAIN INTEGRITY OF CONCRETE

Winter construction cold-weather operations aren’t just about safety. While most construction tasks can be carried out in cold weather, some operations, such as concrete work, can take much longer and even fail without proper precautions.

If concrete is to reach necessary strength levels, it can’t be allowed to freeze for the first 24 hours after being poured or placed. Sheeting the concrete can ensure the required temperature and moisture necessary for curing, if the weather isn’t too severe. In severe conditions, supplemental heating systems or enclosures must be brought in to maintain the integrity of the concrete.

Powerblanket Concrete Blankets provide a manageable way to cure concrete in the cold weather months, save you time and money, and come in various lengths and sizes. We have you covered.

Powerblanket Concrete Curing Blankets

Cure concrete 2.8 times faster than conventional insulated blankets
Produce cold weather concreting strength of 3,925 psi in 72 hours
Maintain moisture throughout hydrating process
Easily installed and removed
Maintain ACI compliance for cold-weather concreting Certified to UL and CSA standards

3) DON’T LET FROZEN GROUND SLOW YOU DOWN

When it’s cold and the ground freezes, the job suffers. Often prep for winter construction takes longer than the actual job. Some industrial companies try heating the ground with massive coils or large heating systems, which become expensive and cumbersome. This approach requires rental fees and transporting equipment.

Powerblanket has considered the difficulties and delays associated with winter construction and cold/freezing temperatures and has created a solution. With Powerblanket’s patented heating technology you can prep the ground with little to no effort or supervision on your part.

Powerblanket ground thawing blankets have a higher power density and hotter temperature than our concrete curing blankets. The higher power is iideal for ground thawing applications and curing epoxy or resins.

Why Powerblanket Ground Thawing Blankets?

High power density thaws frozen ground quickly
Remove frost prior to concrete pour
Melt snow and ice from roofs, walkways, and construction areas
Easily placed and removed for repeated use in harsh winter weather
Can be used to cure epoxy and resins
Certified to UL and CSA standards

4) KEEP MATERIALS WARM

Masonry, roofing, paint, and plaster/stucco materials are all sensitive to cold weather. Maintaining the integrity of these materials is critical for their success in winter construction.

Powerblanket Hot Boxes save you money by keeping your products from freezing without the risk of overheating. The Hot Box pallet warmer is easily assembled, taken apart. Hot boxes are ideal for cold wea
ther storage, freeze protection, transporting, job site heating, remote location use, and winter roofing. Standard Hot Boxes hold product between 100°F and 120°F (38°C and 49°C) and optional adjustable thermostatic controllers allow temperatures to be precisely controlled.

Powerblanket Hot Boxes:

Quick and easy assembly
Preserve temperature sensitive material
Heat materials and palletized products: adhesives, shingles, paint, caulk, resins epoxies, etc.
Access doors on two sides.
Certified to UL and CSA standards

5) USING A PROPANE HEATER

Winter construction professionals often use temporary, propane-powered heating equipment on the jobsite, making it easier to finish projects on time and on budget. In addition to providing more comfortable working conditions, propane-powered heaters can also maintain the ambient temperatures necessary for common tasks like drywall installation or painting. However, like any portable heating device, propane-powered heaters must be used and maintained properly.

When temperatures get too low, the propane will not flow consistently or effectively, and you may lose your heat altogether. Propane-tank efficiency will fall substantially as the temperature drops. As the temperature drops, so does the pressure in your propane tank, and the pressure in your propane tank directly affects the volume of propane you have to work with. Your extraction rate (how quickly and smoothly you can extract propane from the tank) will suffer as well. Without a heating source to assist in the pressure maintenance of your tank, you will have to keep it as full as possible in order to keep it working, even if temperatures are mildly cold.

Powerblanket Propane Tank Heater

Powerblanket has the best propane tank heating solution on the market. These heating blankets will help maintain pressure and efficiency on just about any size tank. All Powerblanket heating blankets are certified to UL and CSA safety standards

Benefits of Powerblanket Propane Tank Heaters:

Increase performance and efficiency of propane tanks
Eliminates unnecessary cylinder refills in cold weather
Even heat distribution in the areas where it is needed most
Save money by optimizing gas and material usage
Certified to UL and CSA standards

Heated Walkway Mat-NEW!

by Launa Albrecht

October 13, 2016

Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Heated Walkway Mat Industrial Heating Blankets SummerStep Heated Snow Mat

What is more beautiful than fresh, untouched snow in morning light? A clear walkway that you didn’t have to shovel or salt! Snow is beautiful, but that beauty comes with a cost: shoveling, slippery stairs, ice, repeat. Many home and business owners would love a quick winter fix. Powerblanket is pleased to announce the newest member of the PB family that will make your winter snow maintenance a breeze: the SummerStep™ heated walkway mat.

CLEAR A PATH WITHOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ROCK SALT

While rock salt may be the most economical solutions for snow and ice accumulation, rock salt can cause problems for pavement, concrete, and vegetation. Rock salt can seep into the porous surface of your concrete and make a home inside. This makes the concrete more prone to deterioration. Salt crystals inside of concrete also draw water toward them, increasing the saturation potential of concrete by 9%. Depending on the thaw/freeze cycle of your winter, your concrete could experience some significant damage. Asphalt surfaces, brick and stone used in home walkways, and landscaping also suffer from the salt/water infiltration and freeze/thaw cycles, though not quite as much as does concrete. Since plants cannot “sweat off” salts like animals, they have to shed leaves/twigs. Salt also reduces soil quality and attracts water to itself, which makes it harder for root systems to pull the water into the plant.

With the SummerStep heated walkway mat, these environmental side effects are completely avoided. Save your concrete, pavement and vegetation.

SNOW MELTING MATS

SummerStep™ heated snow mats are ideal for both residential and industrial applications. Using the same technology as the Powerblanket, the SummerStep heated walkway mat uses radiant heat to clear the path of ice and snow. Snow and ice have the potential to lead to many hazards that delay productivity, increase cost, and cause accidents. Prevent those hazards and the accumulation of additional ice and snow with SummerStep. Enjoy the convenience of a portable snow melting mat that is designed to be outside all winter long. SummerStep™ outdoor snow melting mats keep stairs, doorways, ramps, walkways and alleyways safe and secure from slip and fall accidents. Prevent hazards created by icy winter weather when you use these snow traction mats.

Save time and money
Keep walkways clear of ice and snow for your safety
Environmentally safe, requires no chemicals
Durable and long-lasting
More convenient than shoveling snow
Peace of mind warranty
Reliable. Even in the worst conditions, SummerStep keeps the path clear
The ONLY snow melting mat made in the USA

Stairs, sidewalks, driveways, ramps, doorways, and narrow walkways remain free from snow when you use SummerStep snow melting mats.

Epoxy Curing: The Economic Approach

by Marlo Stradley

April 6, 2016

Composite Curing Composites Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Customization Epoxy Epoxy Curing Industrial Heating Blankets Wind Blade Repair

Epoxy curing has its challenges. Most resins for composite construction need post curing heat assistance. There are different approaches you can take for post curing temperature control. But of all the tactics and options available, there are really only two kinds: those that cost a lot of money and those that don’t.

Post Curing Epoxy Resins

When it comes to epoxy curing, most every epoxy resin, especially those used in composite and carbon fiber construction, has to cure and post cure at high temperatures. Normal ambient temperatures, even during hottest summer months, are never enough. Take Gold Coast Yachts for example. Gold Coast Yachts manufactures high-end, carbon-fiber yachts. Their assembly process used to involve a very expensive and time-consuming procedure for post curing the large carbon frames.

Before Gold Coast starting using Powerblanket® Curing Blankets, they had to post cure their carbon fiber structures in large ovens. But get this; they had to construct those large ovens themselves. When you have to post cure structures as large as Gold Coast does, you’re not going to find a curing oven big enough. Instead, Gold Coast had to essentially construct rooms around the carbon-fiber body, so they could then pump enough heat into the enclosed space for the post cure to set properly. If this sounds expensive and time consuming, it’s because it was.

Once Gold Coast started using our curing blankets, however, they began saving thousands of dollars and hours (even days) worth of time. We were able to customize the right size curing blankets for them to use in insulating and heating their structures for post curing perfection.

Big yachts made of carbon fiber aren’t the only large-scale dilemmas for epoxy curing. We also have several clients in the wind turbine business who use our blankets to cure the seams in those gigantic blades that go on the wind mills we all see generating so much electricity. Imagine trying to find or build an oven for one of those.

Now, the question is: what can our curing blankets do for your curing needs? Whether you have big or small parts to cure and post cure, Powerblanket curing blankets can save you the time and money associated with curing ovens. Curing ovens are expensive, and they’re limited in size and transportability. Our curing blankets, on the other hand, have no such limitation and are much, much easier on the pocket book. We have many standard sizes and we can quickly design and build custom sizes at a very reasonable cost. So when you have curing needs, look no further than here.

Freeze Protection for Chemical Injection Tanks

by Jen Reyes

March 29, 2016

CID2 Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Customization Freeze Protection Industrial Heating Blankets

As versatile as chemical injection tanks are, they are no match for cold weather, not on their own at least. The big poly containers you see strewn all over oil fields and water treatment plants are truly helpful when it comes to storing and accessing the valuable liquids they hold. But you may have noticed something else about them: they’re plastic. As such, they have no insulating qualities. So how do you protect your temperature-sensitive liquids from freezing?

Chemical Injection Tanks and Freeze Protection

Maybe you’re thinking: so what? Lack of insulation doesn’t really matter for the warm part of the year. But for the cold parts of the year, it definitely does. Come winter and frozen tanks become a huge pain. Chemical injection tanks are commonly used to maintain flow, to reduce corrosion, and to improve operations associated with the treatment of fluid sources. If your tank freezes, all of these important functions freeze too.

Oil rig with red sunset in background To counteract this problem, Powerblanket offers custom heating solutions for chemical injection tanks. Whatever the size or shape of your injection tanks, Powerblanket’s custom solutions team can design a durable heating blanket for it, a blanket that will be easy to install when you need it, and easy to remove when you don’t.

Our proprietary blend of material and technology produces a heating solution that wraps your injection tank in a durable insulating blanket that spreads electrical heat evenly and safely throughout the entire application area. So when it comes to chemical injection tanks, don’t give them the cold shoulder. Give us a call today and start on a custom solution that meets your needs.

Custom Heating Solutions for Welding Prep

by Jen Reyes

March 24, 2016

Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Customization Industrial Heating Blankets Programmable Logic Controller Welding Prep

with person in welding mask with sparks

Prepping pipes and other surfaces for welding can be a real challenge since metal surfaces often need to be hot before you begin. If the metal isn’t hot enough before you start welding, it will affect the cooling rate. If a weld cools too quickly, the metal could go into shock and cause fabrication hydrogen cracking. When you preheat and postheat the metal, it allows for better hydrogen diffusion; up to 1000 times more diffusion at 250 °F (121 °C) than at room temperature (68 °F, 20 °C). As more hydrogen diffuses after the weld is complete, the risk of cracking is significantly reduced. That’s why Powerblanket has created custom heating solutions for welding prep, to enable preheating for any welding job.

Welding Prep: Bringing the Heat

man in helmet welding pipes

Preheating pipe can be achieved through various means. Some of these include: furnace heating, torching, electrical strip heaters, induction heaters, and radiation heaters. Whatever you do to preheat your metal, it’s imperative to do so properly. Having the needed monitors and controls in place will allow you to maintain the necessary interpass temperature to make certain the surface doesn’t drop below the necessary preheat range.

Can you do this with traditional preheat methods such as torching and induction heaters? It’s not impossible, but it is tedious and tricky. That’s why we eliminated all the guess work at Powerblanket to bring you an innovative heating solutions for welding prep. With the Powerblanket 400 custom heat blanket, we can build you a quick and easy-to-use preheat product that you can use for your specific welding needs.

Powerblanket 400:

Up to 300 watts per square foot
Temperatures up to 400 °F (204 °C)
Durable silicone-coated, fiberglass shell
Utilizes high efficiency aluminum heat-spreading technology
120/208/240 VAC options available
Ideal for epoxy curing, welding prep, manufacturing processes, and much more
Integrated temperature control, for precise control ask about our temperature control options

Grave Digging and Ground Thawing

by Justin Hawkes

March 16, 2016

Agriculture Epoxy Epoxy Curing Ground Thawing Industrial Heating Blankets

We’re gradually approaching warmer weather now, but it’ll still be some time before the ground thaws and makes digging a lot less difficult. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to our Ground Thawing Blankets. For those in concrete, grave digging, utility maintenance, or any other digging / ground-prep-related project, Powerblanket® Ground Thawing Blankets can be a really big help.

From Grave Digging to Concrete Prep

Whether you’re laying concrete or preparing a funeral plot, our ground thawing blankets can make the process a whole lot easier. Powerblanket Ground Thawing blankets help to thaw frozen ground prior to digging. And in the case of preparing ground for a funeral in the winter or early spring, ground-thawing assistance can make the process run a lot smoother. Here are some words from a satisfied customer who used our ground thawing blankets for their business:

“Your blankets are absolutely excellent. Thanks to Powerblanket, we were able to quickly thaw the ground and complete our job. In fact, we estimate a savings of 10 hours per site, equaling a savings of $5,000 already. Calculating this into our thousands of sites, the savings are huge! We are excited about the time and money Powerblanket has saved us and look forward to future savings.”

Our patented blend of technology and our use of durable materials enable us to deliver high watt density throughout the entire area of application, making ground thawing through electrical heat transfer safe and highly efficient. So when it comes to preparing a plot for burial, use our ground thawing blankets to make the task much easier.

Why Powerblanket® Ground Thawing Blankets?

High watt density thaws frozen ground fast
Quickly remove frost prior to digging
Melt snow and ice from ground prior to digging
Easily installed and removed
Easily transportable
Safe and certified to national safety standards

Some Things to Remember

Remember that thawing ground goes a lot faster if you first manually remove as much snow and ice as you can. If you have a foot of snow, remove it all, then apply the blankets. A foot of snow can add a day to the process if not removed first.

Secondly, thawing frozen ground through a layer of grass can be problematic. The grass tends to hold the blanket up and away from the frozen ground, making the thawing process much longer than it would be with bare ground. If a Powerblanket ground thawing blanket is left in place too long, it WILL kill the turf. So if keeping the turf healthy and intact is the goal, then don’t use a ground thawing blanket. However, if you’re trying to thaw the ground for digging purposes, then remove the grass first.

Powerblanket® Hot Box and Curing Blankets for Post Curing

by Brian Hall

March 8, 2016

Bulk Material Heater Bulk Material Warmer Certification Composite Curing Composites Concrete Blankets Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Epoxy Epoxy Curing Hot Box Industrial Heating Blankets

When it comes to post curing, maintaining ideal temperature is a must. And if you’re post curing small to medium sized parts, then you may find yourself using expensive ovens, or else taking a whole lot of time and money to build your own. Thankfully, you don’t need to do either of these with the Powerblanket Hot Box on hand.

The Powerblanket Hot Box

Our Hot Box product (sometimes referred to as a Bulk Material Warmer) works great at maintaining the needed temperature for post curing small to medium sized parts. Its durable construction allows for secure and lasting installation, while its ease of setup makes it transportable and storable. The Powerblanket Hot Box can be easily assembled, disassembled, and reassembled. It gives you the option of bringing your parts to the Hot Box or bringing the Hot Box to your parts. Our Hot Boxes hold product at a temperature of up to 120° F, and the optional adjustable thermostatic controllers allow temperatures to be controlled with precision.
So if you need to keep your epoxy cures at temperature for prolonged periods of time, a Powerblanket Hot Box just might be the thing for you.

Our Premium Hot Box (HB64PRO-1440) Offers:

A larger footprint (48” x 48”)
An internal steel frame (48” internal height)
The highest wattage (1440 Watts)
A controller for precise temperature regulation

Post Curing with Powerblanket Curing Blankets

Of course, after talking about the Hot Box, you may be thinking: “yeah, but what if what I need to cure is bigger than 48” x 48”? Well, there are two simple answers to this question. Depending on your application needs, we could build a custom size Hot Box for you. But if one of our flat curing blankets would work better, we would certainly suggest this as an option.

If you have curing needs that go well beyond what our Hot Boxes can handle, in regard to size and temperature, then our curing blankets are the ideal answer. Our high-temp flat blankets have high watt densities and produce higher temperatures for post curing epoxies and resins that require ranges beyond 100° F – 120° F, up to 400°F. What’s more, these blankets can be made to cover large areas simply and effectively. So whether it’s carbon fiber construction, wind blade repair, floor coatings, or some other resin post curing application, Powerblanket has a solution for it.

Concrete Blankets From Powerblanket®

by Justin Hawkes

March 4, 2016

Concrete Blankets Concrete Insulation Blankets Construction Industry Curing Concrete in Cold Weather Freeze Protection Industrial Heating Blankets Winter Preparation

Cement Curing Blankets

Cement curing has always been a challenge in cold weather. Historically, experts have employed many different methods in order to aid in and speed up the curing process. Some methods are better than others. The best, in our opinion, is using concrete curing blankets from Powerblanket. Here’s why:

Concrete Curing Blankets

Why Electric Curing Blankets?

When placing concrete in cold weather, protecting the asset (the concrete) is not optional. For years now, experts have used insulated blankets to both protect the concrete and speed the curing process at the same time. Concrete cures due to a chemical reaction that generates heat as a byproduct. So insulating the concrete allows that heat to be trapped and used to aid in the curing process. Concrete cures fastest in very warm conditions, so this makes the use of an insulated blanket a practical and theoretically sound practice.

Of course, the use of traditional concrete curing blankets isn’t the only method employed among professionals. Other common curing interventions include:

Chemical additives
Hydronic heating systems
Electrically-powered concrete curing blankets
Poly/tarp cover with forced air heat applied

Sometimes the circumstance will allow for the luxury of a postponed pour, in order to take advantage of an expected temperature change. But more often than not, schedules and deadlines make it imperative to institute curing assistance to get through less-than-favorable weather.

This is where Powerblanket Concrete Curing Blankets come in. As much as traditional curing blankets aid in protecting and accelerating the curing process, Powerblanket curing blankets provide both insulation and heat, protecting and accelerating all the more. Our patented blend of technology delivers an even distribution of electrical heat to the surface area of the blanket, trapping the heat of the chemical reaction in the concrete and adding the additional heat needed to accelerate the process even further.

Since Powerblanket Cement Curing Blankets insulate and heat, they effectively accommodate the hydration of the concrete as well. How well do they really work? Take a look at our case study to see an example of curing nearly three times as fast with our blankets.

The technology behind Powerblanket curing blankets serves to achieve several primary objectives, including:

Preventing damage as a result of freezing in the early stage of curing
Producing sufficient, specified strengths in a timely manner
Insuring durability and long-term structural integrity
Keeping projects on schedule, regardless of weather

So before you’re faced with a project that must go on despite inclement temperatures, make sure you have a plan on how to protect your concrete and keep your deadlines met. When considering the options you have before you, we’re confident you’ll find our solution to be the best answer out there.

Read the Case Study for Evidence that Powerblanket Cement Curing Blankets:

Cured concrete 2.8 times faster than conventional insulated blankets
Cured concrete 1.7 times faster without adding additional heat (un-powered)
Produced cold weather concreting strength of 3,925 psi in 72 hours

Additional Features:

Maintain moisture throughout hydrating process
Maintain ACI compliance for cold-weather concreting

Powerblanket® Custom Heaters

by Marlo Stradley

February 17, 2016

Certification CID2 Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Customization Industrial Heating Blankets Instrumentation Heaters Tank Heater Valve Heaters

Custom heaters are an absolute necessity to the year-round continuity of many different industries. However, getting the right custom heating solution for your particular application can be a challenge, not to mention a considerable expense. Thankfully, with Powerblanket custom heaters, you don’t have to worry about either of these speed bumps.

Custom Heaters The Way You Need Them

When it comes to customizing a heating product to an application that requires unique specifications, you can often equate the process to high costs and long turn-around times. However, with Powerblanket’s approach to custom heating solutions, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank or waiting forever for a solution that you needed yesterday. In fact, Powerblanket can turn around a custom heating solution in two weeks’ time. (A lot of the time, we can even do it in one week.)

Powerblanket’s patented technology delivers safe and regulated heat to whatever you need to protect or heat. Our easy-to-install, durable, and economical heating blankets can cover your assets in the coldest conditions and in the most demanding processes. If you can build it, store it, or use it, we can cover and heat it. The point is, Powerblanket custom heaters can be designed to insulate, protect, and regulate temperature on many, many different applications and in varying circumstances.

If you’re in need of a custom heater for a large storage unit, a tank, a cylinder, a valve, an instrumentation unit, a silo, a piping system, or any other conceivable application, it all starts with giving us a call or filling out a custom heater application. Actually, getting a customized heating solution from us is as easy as:

Contacting us to tell us about the details and needs of your application. (Most of our custom projects start with a simple phone call to one of our reps. After that, you can send any and all information we’ll need to produce the proper heating solution for you. But if you want a more hands off approach, we can come onsite and get all the details on our own.)
Having us design a custom heating solution for your application. (Whether you choose to send us information or decide to have us visit you onsite, we’ll get all the details and feedback we need from you so that our expert design engineers can design the right solution for you.)
Having us build your custom solution and shipping it to you within two weeks. (Sometimes, we can even turn a project around in as little as one week.)

Powerblanket Custom Heaters Offer:

Quick turn-around (normally ships within one to two weeks)
The ability to answer varying levels of customization
Certification to UL and CSA safety standards
Easy installation and use

The Powerblanket® RR-80 Barrel Heater: Product Spotlight

by Brian Hall

February 11, 2016

Barrel Heater Drum Heater Drum Warmers Freeze Protection Industrial Heating Blankets Spray Foam Heater

Whether you need to maintain temperature for chemicals, food product, paint and other coatings, water, or any other temperature sensitive material, Powerblanket Barrel Heaters are the ideal solution. What’s more, if you need to keep a liquid or other solution just above room temperature, our RR-80 Barrel Heater is just the thing you need.

The Powerblanket RR-80

The Powerblanket RR-80 is the perfect heating solution for keeping your barrel storage just above room temperature. With 120 Volts and 400/800 watts, the RR-80 rapidly ramps up to a max temperature of 80° F—give or take a few degrees of normal variance. (In case you’re wondering, the fact that this blanket Rapidly Ramps up to a fixed 80° F is the reason we call it the RR-80.)

Powerblanket® Rapid Ramp technology provides an accelerated heating time that quickly raises the temperature of fluids to 80° F. This rapid ramp happens in the initial phase, while the blanket is pumping out all 800 watts of heat. Once the blanket reaches 80° F, however, it brings the power consumption down to 400 Watts (or 3.33 Amps) in order to merely maintain 80° F. You see that’s one major benefit our technology has over traditional band heaters. Most band heaters will just keep heating your product until it’s far hotter than it needs to be. And even band heaters with thermostats are less than reliable, applying heat to only a small area of a barrel.

On the other hand, the Powerblanket® BH55RR-80 Barrel/Drum Heater allows you to safely and efficiently control the temperature of whatever you’re storing in drums or barrels. Additionally, our barrel and drum heaters work with both steel and poly containers, you can use the same unit on both types, whereas, you usually need different silicone band heaters for different barrel types

Powerblanket® BH55-RR-80 Barrel Heater Benefits

Cinch straps ensure a tight fit
An ideal solution for storing polyurethane spray foam
Energy-efficient
Safe for indoor and outdoor use
Water-resistant
Works on both poly and steel containers
Prevents product waste by safely maintaining consistent temperatures
Patented heat spreading plane eliminates hot and cold spots from forming

Powerblanket at the 2016 SPFA: Showcasing Spray Foam Heaters

by Jeff Cheney

February 8, 2016

Custom Heater Customization Industrial Heating Blankets Spray Foam Heater Tank Heater

If you’re in the spray foam business, then you know what a big deal the SPFA Convention and Expo is. Since we are in the business of keeping you in the spray foam business year round, we’re here again this year, at the 2016 SPFA Convention in Orlando, Florida, showcasing our spray foam heaters for cold weather application.

Orlando and Spray Foam

Oftentimes, when we think of polyurethane spray foam, we think how efficient it is at keeping warm air in and cold air out (or maybe that’s just how we northerners think). So it might seem an interesting place to hold an insulation expo, in a city that rarely sees any cold temperatures at all. However, it’s important to remember that spray foam does just as well at keeping hot air out and cool air in: making it a must for those hot Orlando summers, as well as the mild Orlando winters.

We want to make sure everyone is aware that we have a booth at the SPFA convention again this year. We’ll be demoing spray foam heaters for all attendees to see. Come over at take a look for yourself at how you can apply spray foam in the coldest conditions. In addition to this demo, one of our savvy engineers will be available to answer any questions you might have regarding the technicalities of the technology; also known as, “Ask an Engineer.”

New to this year’s event, we’ve teamed up with Dow Building Solutions to demo our heaters on their FROTH-PAK ULTRA tanks. This demo will take place at Dow Building Solutions, booth 517. So whether you stop by Dow’s booth, our booth, or both, you’re bound to see some time-saving, money-sparing, business-growing technology that will keep your business continuity prime through the winter months each year.

Custom Tank Heaters: The Perfect Approach to Heating Solutions

It would be absolutely ridiculous to assume that all tanks come in the same shapes and sizes, whether they hold water, gas, chemicals, or some other matter. We all know that this simply isn’t the case. While there are certainly standard measurements for specialty gas tanks, water tanks, and others, the range of variance between size, construction, and purpose is vast enough that there simply isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for tank protection. That’s why Powerblanket® Custom Tank Heaters are the perfect approach to the need for a heating solution.

Customized for Your Tanks and Needs

Regardless of the size of your tank, the purpose it serves, or its shape, Powerblanket can help you protect it against cold weather and keep it running at the ideal temperature year round. Our custom approach to providing tailored heating solutions to a myriad of industries and applications has allowed hundreds of customers to protect their precious assets from the ravages of cold weather.

In addition to freeze protection, our custom tank heaters enable increased efficiency in gas and other kinds of tanks. Anywhere flow rates and extraction rates are affected by temperature, Powerblanket custom tank heaters can ensure the flow of liquids and extraction of gas is always at its best. Take, for example, the nature of a gas such as propane.

When gases are stored in tanks, they are stored under considerable pressure. Due to this fact, they reside in the tank in both a liquid and gaseous state. Extracting a gas means you must evaporate some of the liquid and that evaporation process requires an input of heat energy. If the gas extraction rate is fast enough, it could cause the tank to frost up and the extraction to be impeded. However, with a custom Powerblanket propane tank heater you can keep the extraction flowing fast and full, without the side effect of frosting or icing.

What’s more, whether a tank holds gas or liquid, freezing temperatures pose big problems. Using a custom tank heater allows you to fully insulate and heat your tank to whatever temperature is best, regardless of the surrounding climate.

custom Powerblanket tank heater wrapped around a large tank Getting a custom tank heater from Powerblanket is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

Contact us with the details of your application.
We’ll design a custom tank heater for your application, based on your information and feedback.
We’ll build your custom solution and ship it to you within two weeks. (Sometimes, we can even turn a project around in as little as one week.)

In the end, there’s no reason to leave your tank out in the cold. Powerblanket can cover it and keep it safe and functioning well through the most inclement weather.

Custom Heating Solutions Don’t Take as Long as You Think

Often times when we think of customization, or taking a custom approach to something, the first thing that comes to mind is time. “How long is that going to take?” we ask ourselves. Well, in the case of Powerblanket custom heating solutions, not too long at all. Our custom approach to heating solutions doesn’t take as long as you might think. In fact, in most cases, Powerblanket can turn around a custom project in one to two weeks.

Custom is the Way to Go

Many applications can be adequately covered by our ready-to-ship product line, but there are equally as many projects that need a custom solution. Powerblanket works with many companies in a myriad of industries to supply custom heating solutions to a wide range of needs. So what does a custom heating solution process look like when working with us? We’ll show you.

Powerblanket’s custom heating solutions can be tailored to fit just about any application. If you can build it, produce it, or store it, Powerblanket can cover it. What’s more, completing a custom project with us can be summarized in three easy steps:

Contact us and tell us the details of your application. (Many of our custom projects start with a simple phone call to one of our reps. From here, you can send any and all information we’ll need to form the proper heating solution for you. Additionally, we do offer what we refer to as the white glove treatment. In other words, we can come onsite and get all the details on our own.)
We’ll design a custom heating solution for your application, based on the information and feedback we gather or you deliver to us. (Whether you choose to send us information or want us to come onsite, we will get all the details we need.)
We’ll build your custom solution and ship it to you within two weeks. (Sometimes, we can even turn a project around in as little as one week.)

Case In Point

When Enduraplas’s plastics manufacturing process needed heating assistance, Powerblanket was able to deliver a custom tank heater that increased efficiency beyond expectations. Enduraplas’s manufacturing process uses propane extensively—making their large propane tanks an invaluable asset. However, cold weather threw a real damper on the whole thing, impeding the flow of propane significantly.
With the Poweblanket custom heating solution in place, however, Enduraplas was able to run their manufacturing processes through the coldest of weather.

Gold Coast Yachts is another great example of how Powerblanket custom heating saved immense amounts of time and money. Gold Coast Yachts builds custom, carbon-fiber yachts, and the curing process for the large sections of carbon-fiber frames needs high-temperature exposure for long periods of time. Previous to implementing the Powerblanket custom curing blankets, Gold Coast had to architect, build, and utilize large custom ovens for every cure. In other words, they had to build a large shed around every frame in order to pipe heat into the enclosure and cure the resins at the proper temperature. This process, as you can imagine, took a whole lot of time, manpower, and money. With Powerblanket, however, Gold Coast Yachts was able to save thousands of dollars and hours of time on each project.

When Cenovus turned to Powerblanket to design a custom valve and transmitter heating solution, Powerblanket was able to turn the product around with ease and speed. Powerblanket set out to create a custom heating system that eliminated the risk Cenovus had of losing money to freezing valves and transmitters. After Powerblanket completed the project, Cenovous no longer had to worry about the cost associated with downtime and the thawing of frozen instrumentation and valves.

Heating and Hazardous Locations

Working in hazardous locations means you have to exercise serious caution regarding procedure, protocol, and equipment usage. What’s more, heating in hazardous locations takes all the more care and detail to make certain you aren’t adding fuel to a potential fire. This is why Powerblanket offers products certified to national safety standards.

Class I Division 1 and Class I Division 2

We understand that hazardous location heating is nothing to take lightly. And we understand that heating products should be engineered to the highest standards of quality and safety. We’ve based our business on this simple reality and are able to customize our safe and innovative heating solutions to a myriad of industries because of it. In fact, our custom heating solutions can be designed and certified to Class I Division 1 (CID1) or Class I Division 2 (CID2) safety standards. We are certified for all four gas Groups, A, B, C, and D and up to a T4 Temperature Classification. Many people who work in hazardous locations are familiar with these terms. For everyone else, here’s an explanation.

The classifications referenced as CID1 and CID2 regard the operation of electronic equipment in hazardous locations. CID1 is the identifier used for locations where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, mists or vapors could possibly exist under normal working conditions. This classification also covers locations where the same gases, mists or vapors may exist frequently due to repairs or maintenance in the area. It also includes potential scenarios where gases, mists or vapors could be leaked by faulty or damaged equipment.

CID2, on the other hand, represents all locations where concentrations of flammable gases and/or vapors and/or mists are present in the air under operating conditions outside of the norm. So CID1 covers areas where such hazards are normally present, and CID2 covers areas where such hazards aren’t normally present but certainly could be under abnormal circumstances. Most importantly, if a product is CID1 or CID2 certified, it means that product is safe to use in locations that are CID1 or CID2 rated hazardous locations.

Powerblanket provides products that are certified to either of these hazardous location equipment safety standards. So when it comes to heating in hazardous areas, Powerblanket is both an efficient and safe choice. In addition to these ratings, Powerblanket products are also certified to UL, and CSA standards. Our innovative approach to providing industry-specific heating solutions has helped our customers save a lot of time and resources to safeguard and increase efficiency among the assets that keep their businesses running. So whether it’s freeze protection, viscosity maintenance, curing assistance, or some other heat-related dilemma, Powerblanket can help, even if you operate in a hazardous location.

Propane Tanks and How to Care for Them

Whether you’re a homeowner who relies on propane for heating, or a business leader who uses if for industrial purposes, propane is a versatile and important commodity. However, as helpful as propane is to us, we often overlook the need of caring for our propane tanks year round.

Caring for Your Propane: Tank and All

When it comes to caring for your propane storage, it’s imperative that you have a working knowledge of your tank and all the potential threats that could impede its proper functionality. Understanding the warning signs of a damaged or inefficient tank is important, not only for reasons of economical operation, but for the safety of all involved.

Several factors play into the safe and efficient operation of any size propane tank. These factors include, but aren’t limited to:

Shutting off valves when the tank is not in use
Keeping reserve tanks at a minimum
Not leaving portable propane tanks inside a vehicle
Securing portable tanks properly
Replacing weathered and/or worn canisters

Knowing how to properly manage all these aspects of propane storage and usage is very important. But there are many other factors to consider, too. Matters such as storage, setup, protection, government regulations, and the warning signs of hazardous circumstances are equally important. For more information on how to care for your propane and the tank in which you keep it. Access our free e-book below.

Powerblanket Receives Manufacturer of the Year Award from UMA

by Brent Reddekopp

December 4, 2015

Agriculture Barrel Heater Bucket Heater Bulk Material Heater Bulk Material Warmer Business Leadership Composite Curing Composites Concrete Blankets Concrete Insulation Blankets Construction Industry Curing Concrete in Cold Weather Custom Heater Custom Heating Solution Customer Feedback Customization Dairy Freeze Protection Dairy Winter Preparation DEF Tote Heater Drum Heater Drum Warmers Epoxy Epoxy Curing Frac Tank Heaters Freeze Protection Freeze Protection Valve Gas Cylinder Heaters Heated Art Hot Box Industrial Heating Blankets Instrumentation Heaters Insulated Band Heater Pallet Freeze Protection Pallet Heater Pallet Warmer Pipe Heater Process Temperature Control Programmable Logic Controller Propane Tank Heater Space Heaters Specialty Gas Cylinders Heater Specialty Gas Tank Heaters Spray Foam Heater Tank Heater Tote Heaters Valve Heaters Water Tank Freeze Protection Wind Blade Repair

If you haven’t seen this headline somewhere else on the web by now, we’re happy to tell you all about it here. Utah Manufacturers Association recently awarded Powerblanket something we’re pretty happy about. Read on to learn more about the UMA Manufacturer of the Year Award.

UMA and Manufacturer of the Year

Utah Manufacturers Association (UMA), recently awarded Powerblanket the prestigious award of Manufacturer of the Year. This award is given annually to the Utah-based manufacturer that proves to be the most innovative contributor to their space. There’s even more to it than this, but we’ll get to that.

UMA has been around since 1905. The organization prides itself on offering the “voice of industry” in the state of Utah, and they’ve been doing so for over 107 years now. UMA has clearly been talking Utah economy for a long time, but talking isn’t all they do. UMA is a trade association, and their goal is to enhance and improve the business climate in the state. UMA doesn’t only offer insight and expertise in the business of manufacturing, but the organization also has considerable experience in the legislative processes of state government. This is how they can do so much to vie for the interests of Utah businesses and the overall economic prosperity of the state.

UMA’s Manufacturer of the Year Award embodies the mission of UMA in multiple ways. By awarding the company that not only proves innovative in their respective markets, but also offers leadership in their industry, UMA’s award encourages and rewards the same idealism by which their organization operates. Powerblanket was chosen to receive this award for 2015, based on the embodiment of these characteristics and more. In fact, why don’t we just give it to you in their own words. According to UMA, Powerblanket received the award “for their outstanding performance in operational excellence, economic achievement, workplace safety, community outreach, and fidelity to the principles of free enterprise.”

Powerblanket is honored to receive such accolades from a high quality establishment like UMA. The credibility of UMA and the Manufacturer of the Year Award lends a great addition to our own image and ethos as a company devoted to “operational excellence, economic achievement, workplace safety, community outreach, and fidelity to the principles of free enterprise.”

So, from all of us here at Powerblanket, thank you, UMA for this great privilege.

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