Automating trace heating designs from plant 3-D models

As capital projects grow in size and complexity, the necessity for compressing engineering and design schedules is becoming an important aspect of project execution. The design of trace heating, because it occurs near the end of the design phase and because of the need to coordinate across several disciplines, has not always been in step with construction schedules of projects. However, the technology now exists to complete electrical trace heating design from data extracted directly from the plant 3-D model database. Advanced trace heating design software systems can now provide high quality deliverables and maintain accuracy through project completion. This paper will look at the advancements of trace heating design software, which allows the designer to create the trace heating deliverables directly from the 3-D model database. It will also demonstrate the usefulness of the software as both a document control and material management tool and the additional value in verifying accuracy on an on-going basis.