What is Infra-red?

Suppliers of infra-red heating and curing solutions for industrial and domestic applications

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Infra-red Heating

What is Infra-red?

Infra-red (sometimes spelt 'infrared') is a very radiant form of heating. It heats objects and people directly, without the need to heat up the air in between.

Infra-red radiation occupies a part of the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and radio waves. The prefix 'infra' is Latin for 'below' and refers to the wavelengths that are 'below' the red end of the visible spectrum.

Infra-red is generally split into three wavelengths: - Short-wave or 'Near' Infra-red, Medium-wave Infra-red and Long-wave or 'Far' Infra-red. For each of these types of infra-red there is a wide choice of types of emitter (and wavelength). Selection of the correct type for a particular application is usually critical.

Short-Wave Infra-red
The emitter operates white-hot. It is sealed in a quartz enclosure which may be tubular or shaped like a spot lamp bulb. Tubular emitters are available in a range of lengths and require an appropriate reflector system (focused or diffusing) to concentrate the heat on the target. The spot lamp types have integral reflectors. Short-wave emitters are very responsive. They may be switched on and off within seconds but generally require electronic control.
Industrial installations may be designed with very high power densities and these give correspondingly high rates of product heating. Industrial short-wave infra-red is available in our Solar range of products and short-wave 'people' heaters are available in our commercial and leisure products range.
Medium-Wave
The emitter operates at bright red heat. It is generally located in a quartz tube but is not sealed. Some designs use metal emitters on an insulating panel. Tubular and 'cassette' emitter configurations are available. Recent designs of cassettes provide much better performance than earlier linear types. Response times vary considerably between different designs. Industrial medium-wave infra-red is available in our FLARE range of products and medium wave panels can easily be retro-fitted to existing hot air or contraflow ovens.
Long-Wave
The emitter operates at dull red or 'black' heat. Several designs are available including tubular metal clad types or ceramic plaques. Metal clad emitters are very robust but energy intensity is limited and response times are relatively slow.

Infra-red radiant heating is simple, energy efficient and flexible. The efficiency of heat transfer between source and product is much higher than for hot air systems. This brings a number of benefits.

Process times are improved. Energy costs are reduced. Space is saved. Control is improved.

The basic principle is simple, but a successful installation can be achieved only by a thorough analysis of process requirements and by careful design. Infra-red technology can be applied to most industrial heating problems:

Infra-red Systems can provide a complete service. Because we have a wide range of demonstration equipment and measuring instruments we can offer:-

Feasibility tests in our demonstration lab.
Loan of equipment for on site trials.
Design, manufacture and installation of tailor made production equipment.
Design and manufacture of tailor made control panels

We also undertake the design, manufacture and installation of product handling systems and integration of new and existing equipment.

See all these systems and more live at our Demonstration Lab in Nottingham.

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