Infrared Heaters

Infrared Heaters are devices which employs radiations in the infrared wavelength range for heating various bodies. No direct physical contact is needed in such kind of heating, as electromagnetic radiations can travel in the absence of any media (absolute vacuum). The relation between temperature and wavelength can be obtained by Stefen-Boltzmann law. IR heaters are used in industrial manufacturing processes such as, curing of coatings, preheating of plastic before forming, welding of plastics, glass processing, and food processing.
Infrared Heaters are classified according to the wavelengths they emit.

Near infrared (NIR) or Short-wave infrared heaters:

These operate at filament temperatures above 1800 degree Celsius and, reach high power densities of the order 100 kWper square meter , when arranged in a field. Their peak wavelength is well below the absorption spectrum for water,NIR heaters are unsuitable for many drying applications, as their peak wavelength is much below the absorption spectrum. Primarily used for heating silica, where a deep penetration is desired.

Medium-wave and Carbon (CIR) infrared heaters:

These heaters operate at a filament temperatures of 1000 degree Celsius. They attain maximum power densities of up to 60 kW per sq. meter (medium-wave) and 150 kWper sq. meter(CIR).