Benefits Of Infrared Emitters | Anderson Thermal Devices
By: Seo5 Consulting
Submitted: 2011-04-09 02:27:11 | Word Count: 561
There are many process applications where infrared radiation is far superior in performance than convection heating. The benefits of infrared emitters are covered in detail in this article.
Three infrared emitter options:
[ advertisement ]
. Shortwave: high-intensity emitters such as T3 and T4 quartz tungsten filament lamps.
. Medium wavelength: medium-intensity infrared emitters such as coil or wire filaments in unsealed quartz envelopes or panels; metal ribbon emitters; and ceramic emitters.
Infrared emitters placed as part of a process system will likely be smaller in overall size than convection, resulting in lower overall material and fabrication costs. The smaller footprint can possibly save a substantial amount of floor space.
Tip 2: Rapid Response
The ability of electric infrared emitter heaters to heat up and cool down rapidly is paramount to any discussion about infrared vs. convection oven systems. Electric infrared can be turned on and off quickly like a light bulb. Infrared heaters take only seconds to reach full power. The electromagnetic waves become thermal energy that radiates to the product very quickly. The ability of electric infrared to heat a product is limited only by the product's ability to absorb infrared energy.
Conversely, gas convection systems need time to heat up and to cool down. To heat a given substrate to temperature using convection, the oven must reach its operational temperature, and the substrate must be subjected to that heated environment for the time needed for it to reach its optimal temperature. The convection oven may take many minutes to reach its operational temperature.
Tip 3: Control and Configuration Flexibility
Electric infrared emitters offer the user a high degree of control flexibility. As noted previously, electric IR can be turned off and on in a short time. In addition, electric infrared heaters can be programmed to provide heat-up and cool down cycles that suit products sensitive to overheating. Infrared emitters can deliver heat at low rates similar to a convection oven -- or heat that is more than 20 times greater. Electric infrared ovens can have multiple zones, each with a different heat profile.
Independently controlled heating, drying and curing zones can be incorporated into a single oven.
Tip 4: Faster Speeds
Due to the faster heating rates and the high degree of control available with electric infrared process heating, most products can be heated faster than in a convection oven. Thus, it is possible to decrease the dwell in the oven and increase the throughput.
Tip 5: Increased Efficiency
The use of electric infrared may enable some manufacturers to make better use of their production facilities by delivering per-product processing costs that are comparable to, or lower than, those of a gas convection oven.
Electric infrared will deliver a higher amount of input energy to the product than a gas convection oven. An electric infrared oven does not require a long startup time as might be required with a convection system.
When infrared is the heat source, heat is delivered directly to the product and not into a carrier medium such as air. Infrared radiation can be directed to precisely heat only select areas of an assembly without overheating other areas that may be heat sensitive.
Author Resource:-
While it makes sense to consider both infrared emitters and convection systems, be sure to understand what advantages infrared heating can offer your process and company. For more information please visit www.andersonthermal.com.
