An infrared heater is a heating device that releases heat to the environment through infrared radiation . In everyday life, it is sometimes inaccurately called a reflector . Radiant energy is absorbed by the surrounding surfaces, turning into thermal energy, heats them, which in turn give off heat to the air. In addition, with the help of IR heaters, it becomes possible to heat locally only those areas in the room in which it is necessary without heating the entire volume of the room; the thermal effect of infrared heaters is felt immediately after switching on, thus avoiding pre-heating of the room. These factors reduce energy costs.
Content
Construction
The main structural element of an infrared heater is a radiator emitting infrared radiation due to heating. Electric heaters usually use a tubular electric heater (heating element) or an open (or protected by a quartz tube) spiral, in gas ones - a metal grid or a black coated tube or a ceramic plate with special holes heated by natural gas burning through it, film heaters.
For a more directional heating and protection of the case and its contents from overheating, a reflector made of a highly reflective and heat-resistant metal is used. If the radiator has a compact form, then the reflector is made in the form of a paraboloid of rotation, if linear - a parabolic cylinder . To soften and partially expand the radiation pattern, the reflector is sometimes made opaque or bumps are applied to it.
If the heater is designed to be placed in a place accessible to people or pets, the radiator is additionally protected with a metal grid or a transparent partition.
Types of infrared heaters
Depending on the range of radiation , infrared heaters are divided into:
- Shortwave;
- Medium wave;
- Longwave.
By type of energy source are distinguished:
- Electric;
- Gas ;
- Petrol [1]
- Water;
- Diesel;
By installation method:
- Mobile (portable)
- Stationary - floor, wall, ceiling, suspended
Application areas
Depending on the radiation range and energy source used, infrared heaters can be used for various purposes:
- Additional heating;
- Independent heating;
- Local (spot heating) in the room;
- Heating in the room;
- Local outdoor heating:
- Anti-icing systems;
- Use during construction works in winter:
- Thermomats for heating concrete and soil;
- Heated outdoor events.
Ceramic infrared emitter
A ceramic infrared emitter consists of a resistive heating cable, completely immersed in a suitable ceramic material. Due to the total immersion, the energy generated by the heating cable is transferred to the surrounding material. This protects the heating cable from overheating and increases its service life. The material used for laying the heating cable is non-conductive and should have good absorption and emission properties in the required infrared wavelength range. Taking into account these criteria, ceramic infrared emitters of various geometries are produced.
Ceramic infrared emitters are ceramic bodies, part of the surface of which is used as a radiating surface with an integrated heating coil. Moreover, ceramic infrared emitters allow you to place the thermocouple stationary in the immediate vicinity of the heating cable.
The ceramic infrared emitter was invented by Elstein-Werk. The basic model of a ceramic radiator with a screw base was patented on March 24, 1949. In parallel with this, a flat ceramic IR emitter was developed, which allowed building up large infrared heating areas. A patent for flat ceramic infrared emitters was issued to Elstein-Werk on March 8, 1950.
In the 80s of the 20th century mobile petrol ceramic infrared emitters were manufactured in the USSR intended for tourists and summer residents, as well as for hunters and fishermen such as the Everest produced by the Arsenal plant in Leningrad and the Luch of the Frunze plant named after. 50th anniversary of the Kirghiz SSR [2]
See also
- Gas infrared heater
- Thermal umbrella
- Heating
- Infrared heating
- Teplokovrik
Notes
- β Anar Bratello. Primus "Ray". Universal IR heater 1987 . The appeal date is January 9, 2019.
- β FAQ on primuses and TP (rus.) (Neopr.) ? . Metal forum. The appeal date is January 9, 2019.