Process panel heaters or IR panel heaters are used by a number of industries and businesses thanks to their efficiency and long lifespan. A typical design of an IR panel heater includes a size ranging between 6? and 12?, along with an additional 6? for length. The average watt density that one can receive from the heater is from 3 – 25 watts/sq. However, the heaters can be customized according to the industry and the type of product being manufactured.
Advantages of Process Panel Heaters
Compared to convection heaters, process panel heaters provide a number of benefits to industrial clients.
- Provision of Instant Heat: Conventional heaters take a certain amount of time to warm up and reach the required temperature. Convection ovens are known to heat the air surrounding the component, which takes time. IR panel heaters waste no time in transferring the heat directly into the required component. This is a great method for applications where heat is required for surface curing such as powder coating.
- Minimal Floor Space Usage: As the standard sizes of IR panel heaters are up to 12?, there is very little usage of space. IR panels can also be designed to be used in a vertical position.
- Lower Monthly Costs: These industrial heaters are designed to only use a certain amount of energy. IR panel heaters can reduce your electric and heating costs by at 70%. Also, it is cheaper to purchase an infrared heater with a lower heat rate than a convection heater with a higher heat rate.
- Flexibility to include Convection Option: There are certain products that require the moisture to be removed completely before the heating process. To aid customers, many process panel heater manufacturers include the option of convection in an IR panel heater. Here, the convection process can be used to eradicate the moisture in the oven before the component is heated.
- Saving Energy: IR heaters take minimal time to reach complete operational temperature. Also, IR heaters generally utilize 600 watts of power as compared to 1500 watts from a convection heater. This makes IR heaters much more energy efficient.
- Ease of Usage: Depending on the type and size of the heater, the process heaters are relatively easy to use. Many manufacturers also provide technicians who can easily help you to assemble and service the heater on a regular basis. They can also help to supply the important accessories such as control devices, thermocouples, and power supply equipment.
- Environment Friendly Benefits: Infrared panel heaters do not produce carbon monoxide or any kind of toxic gas and by products. They do not require fire or fuel lines as a power source because most industrial IR heaters are electric. This makes them environment friendly and extremely useful in extreme industrial applications.
- Option of Multiple Heaters: There are applications that require heating for specific areas rather than balanced heating. If the area is a large one, manufacturers offer the option of providing multiple heaters. If the area is a small one, a single heater with multiple heat zones can be provided.
- Ease of Customization: Manufacturers can also create customized panels that can provide heating or cooling solutions. For example, if an application requires a certain amount of air movement during the heating process, then manufacturers can create a ceramic based board with holes for the airflow. Infrared heaters with an in-built airflow combination are also offered.
The benefits that industries can receive by using process heaters are numerous. Its versatility makes it one of the best options when it comes to industrial heating and product curing.