Infrared Application of the Month #1:
Drying PVC Varnish on PES Tissue
A manufacturer of waterproof tissue (used for tarpaulins, sailboat sails etc.) sought a more efficient method to dry their plastics. They chose a fast mediumwave system from Heraeus Noblelight. The new system increased line speed by nearly 2x, saved energy thatks to two heating zones, and eliminated the risk of fire in the process.
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Infrared Application of the Month #2:
Germ Reduction of Contaminated Roll Dough Trays
A large-scale baking facility required a disinfection system to decontaminate roll dough trays. Their previous method employed ultraviolet radiation. A new system from Heraeus Noblelight uses efficient infrared radiation, ensuring germ reduction. The new system was easy to retrofit into the line, and requires only two cycle times per day.
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Tech Center Spotlight:
Short Wave NIR Heaters
Shortwave single tube NIR heaters from Heraeus are suited for situations requring high temperatures in the shortest possible time. And because these Heraeus NIR lamps are manufactured in standard configuration designs, matching the right heater to your application is a snap. These heaters offer high radiation density in a small area; optimized reflection; practically no heating-up and cooling-down times; and a long list of other advantages.
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Special Designs:
Ring Heater
Designed for horizontal use, this shortwave ring heater, internally focused for intense rapid heat-up of rods, stakes etc. is made of quartz glass, has a diameter of 8 mm, a two-sided connection, and is available with or without the Heraeus gold reflector.
A wide assortment of ring heaters are in stock at Heraeus. Click HERE to for details.
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Technical Learning: Advantages of IR Technology, Part 4
Low Environmental Impact Both Inside and Outside the Plant
Electric IR heating can help manufacturers respond to more stringent environmental regulations. Many manufacturers and finishers are replacing solvent-based paints with water-based paints and powder coatings to satisfy the emission restrictions imposed by new air quality standards. It generally takes longer to cure water-based paints and powders than those that are solvent-based. Because electric IR can increase the heating rate of the coated surface, manufacturers can recover the production efficiencies lost in the switch to water based paints and powders.
Compared to forced-air convection ovens, electric IR heating units draw less air from surrounding space. The environment in and around the electric IR oven is cleaner, because coatings (such as powder) stay on the product. This means less make-up air and a lower space conditioning bill if the manufacturing facility is conditioned. IR units also deliver less waste heat to their surroundings, which can be a significant benefit in warm climates, and they are much quieter, with no burner or large blowers. They do not produce any on-site NOX or SOX emissions.
Value for Investment
Because of its relatively low capital cost, easy installation, reliable operation and efficient use of energy, electric IR heating provides an excellent value for your investment.
Summary of Benefits
In summary, electric IR units offer many advantages to manufacturers:
- Heating rate can be controlled from very low values to very high values
- Higher heating rates mean faster production using less floor space
- Heating rate can be switched on or off in a matter of minutes or seconds, meaning no off-cycle losses
- Heating rate profile through the oven can be varied to optimize product processing
- IR ovens can be zoned to apply heat only where needed without heating the entire product
- Electric IR is an environmentally friendly process, with no on-site NOX or SOX emissions, far less thermal emissions than convection ovens, and virtually no noise emissions
- Electric heating is inherently cleaner than fossil fuel heating; thus, less clean-up is required
- Electric IR can dry/cure coatings very rapidly when the radiation penetrates the coating and heats from within
- In some cases, a coating can be dried/cured in an electric IR oven without heating the entire product, thus protecting heat-sensitive areas and saving energy
- In many cases, drying/curing of coatings with IR results in higher quality finish
- Electric IR is efficient because the energy is transferred directly from the heat source to the product.
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Contest: Win a FREE iPod!
Readers of Noblelight News know that infrared technology from Heraeus Noblelight offers innovative, efficient solutions to myriad process heating applications. Infrared heat is suited to many challenges.
Now here's a challenge for our readers. This one is aimed at those currently using infrared heat. Submit a brief (100-200 word) summary of your application, with a brief "before" and after" explanation if applicable, and include a photo (jpeg please). Send it to admin@noblelight.net with the subject line "Contest." The winner will be announced in an upcoming issue. Please note that all entries and photographs become the property of Heraeus Noblelight and may be put to promotional/editorial use at our discretion.
We'll also have a contest for those of you not yet using infrared; look for that one soon.
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That's it for this month's issue of Application Notes for IR Heating. Feel free to encourage your colleagues to subscribe. Just click HERE to send them an invitation to subscribe. It's quick, easy, FREE, and no-obligation.
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