How should molten-salt heating be specified for industrial heating elements?
Specify molten-salt heaters from the salt type and operating temperature first: Incoloy or 316L for nitrates, higher-grade alloys for chlorides, with freeze protection and drain-down defined by the salt's freezing point. Keep watt density low, typically 2–4 W/cm², to limit sheath overheating. Match diameter, power, terminal-housing IP rating and flange or threaded mounting to the tank and thermal expansion. Control via sheathed thermocouples on the sheath or immersed in salt, interlocked with over-temperature and low-level cutouts. Accept on insulation resistance, dielectric and leakage tests, plus a full-load heat-up curve.