TraceBOOST | Enhanced Tube Tracing System

TraceBOOST installed on industrial pipe showing tube tracing system

Improve Heat Transfer Efficiency While Reducing Steam Consumption and Circuit Count

Request a Quote Configure Product Buy Online

Why TraceBOOST Improves Heat Transfer

TraceBOOST®

Conductive heat transfer path

Conventional Tracing

Primarily convective heat transfer

How TraceBOOST Improves Heat Transfer

TraceBOOST enhances conventional tube tracing by converting a primarily convective heat transfer process into a more efficient conductive one.

A specially formed aluminum enhancer wraps around the tracer tube and conforms to the surface of the pipe. Heat transfer compound fills microscopic air gaps between the tubing, enhancer, and pipe wall, creating a much larger conductive heat transfer path.

This improved thermal contact allows the system to deliver significantly more heat into the process pipe while using fewer tracers.

Designed for easy retrofit applications, the TraceBOOST enhancer installs over existing tracer tubing, eliminating the need to remove and replace installed tracing systems. Unlike competing solutions that often require extensive rework, TraceBOOST can be added to existing steam tracing infrastructure with minimal disruption, reducing installation costs, labor requirements, and downtime while improving thermal performance.

Thermal Performance Comparison

TraceBOOST vs Bare Tube temperature contour comparison showing enhanced heat distribution

Thermal imaging clearly demonstrates the superior heat distribution achieved by TraceBOOST compared to conventional bare tube tracing. The enhanced conductive path ensures more uniform and efficient heat transfer to the process pipe.

This visual comparison illustrates why TraceBOOST delivers better performance with fewer tracers and lower steam consumption than conventional tube tracing systems.

Proven Performance Benefits

38%

Reduction in Tracer Circuits

vs conventional tracing

45%

Capital Cost Savings

system design & installation

45%

Steam Consumption Savings

operational efficiency

50%

Fewer Tracers Needed

reduced circuit complexity

Results from a recent case study comparing bare tube versus TraceBOOST tracing on applications requiring multiple circuits and average process temperature maintenance.

Best-Fit Applications

TraceBOOST is ideal for pipe heating applications where the heating medium temperature is significantly higher than the process maintenance temperature and the goal is maintaining an average process temperature rather than precise wall temperature control.

Heavy Oil Processing
Delayed Coking Units
Asphalt Processing
Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC)

Chemical Processing
Acrylic Acid Processing
Caprolactam Production
Food Processing

Chocolate Processing
Plastic Recycling
Freeze protection for piping and vessels

Common TraceBOOST Applications

Heavy Oil

Delayed Coking

Asphalt

Chemical Processing

Food Processing

Chocolate Processing

TraceBOOST vs Conventional Tube Tracing

Feature	Conventional Tracing	TraceBOOST
Heat Transfer Method	Primarily Convective	Enhanced Conductive
Pipe Contact Area	Minimal	Large Conductive Surface
Tracer Quantity	Multiple Required	Fewer Tubes Needed
Circuit Count	Higher	Reduced
Steam Consumption	Higher	Lower

When to Choose TraceBOOST vs ControTrace

Choose TraceBOOST

Maintaining average process temperature
Large temperature difference between steam and process
Conventional tracing requires multiple tracers
Seeking lower infrastructure cost
Standard heating maintenance applications

Choose ControTrace

Uniform pipe wall temperature required
Precise temperature control needed
Smaller temperature differential
Highly critical thermal processes

TraceBOOST System Components

TraceBOOST system components may include straight pipe enhancers, flexible fitting enhancers, continuous coiled tracer tubing, heat transfer compound, stainless steel banding and buckles, S-Line® pre-insulated tubing, and optional bolt-on jackets for valves and inline equipment.

Configure Your System

Use these tools to specify the right TraceBOOST components for your application and plan your installation. Both tools are available as downloadable Excel sheets for detailed planning and documentation.

STEP 1: Coverage Chart

Determine the optimal number of tracing runs per pipe length based on the steam pressure, maintenance temperature, pipe size, and other factors.

Download Excel

STEP 2: BOM Calculator

Determine the required TraceBOOST components for your system. Input your pipe size, length, and application parameters to generate a complete bill of materials with part numbers and quantities.

Download Excel

The CSI Sales team is happy to help walk you through how to configure your system. Please use the "request a quote" form on this page and someone will reach out to you as soon as possible.

Installation Overview

TraceBOOST installs using conventional tube tracing practices with the addition of the aluminum enhancer and heat transfer compound. Follow these basic steps:

Install tracer tubing per design specifications
Position TraceBOOST enhancers along the tracer line
Apply heat transfer compound to fill air gaps
Secure enhancers using stainless steel banding
Complete system insulation per application requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

How does TraceBOOST improve heat transfer compared to conventional tube tracing?

TraceBOOST converts primarily convective heat transfer into enhanced conductive transfer. An aluminum enhancer wraps around the tracer tube and conforms to the pipe surface, while heat transfer compound fills microscopic air gaps. This creates a much larger conductive path, allowing significantly more heat transfer with fewer tracers.

What applications is TraceBOOST best suited for?

TraceBOOST is ideal for applications where the heating medium temperature is significantly higher than the process maintenance temperature, and average process temperature maintenance is the goal. Best-fit applications include heavy oil processing, delayed coking, asphalt processing, chemical processing, food processing, and chocolate processing.

Can TraceBOOST be installed using conventional tube tracing practices?

Yes. TraceBOOST uses conventional tube tracing installation methods with the addition of the aluminum enhancer and heat transfer compound. No specialized equipment or techniques are required, making it easy to retrofit or integrate into existing tracing systems.

What cost savings can I expect from TraceBOOST?

Real-world case studies show up to 38% reduction in tracer circuits, 45% capital cost savings, and 45% reduction in steam consumption compared to conventional tube tracing. Actual savings depend on your specific application and system design. Contact a CSI engineer for a detailed evaluation.

When should I choose ControTrace instead of TraceBOOST?

Choose ControTrace when you need uniform pipe wall temperature, precise temperature control, have a smaller temperature differential, or are working with highly critical thermal processes requiring active feedback control. TraceBOOST is optimized for maintaining average temperatures with minimal control requirements.