What Is a Space Heater?
A space heater is a type of heater that transfers heat to objects without direct contact.
Unlike conventional heating methods, space heaters don’t require physical contact with the object being heated, allowing for efficient and even heating. They are designed to transfer most of the heat energy directly to the object, minimizing energy loss. Additionally, because there’s no direct contact, the risk of fire or burns due to heat is reduced.
However, it’s worth noting that space heaters can be more expensive than traditional heating methods. Implementing the necessary equipment and technology can also be costly, and the applicability of space heaters depends on the underlying principle.
Uses of Space Heaters
Space heaters find applications across various fields. Here are a few examples of how non-contact heaters are used:
1. Industrial Applications
Space heaters play a vital role in industrial processes. They are used for tasks such as heating and melting metallic materials for casting and welding, as well as for forming and joining. In plastic molding, they facilitate the heating of plastic materials to aid in the molding process.
In glass processing, space heaters help control shaping and cooling to achieve desired shapes and properties. In semiconductor manufacturing, they are crucial for heating and heat-treating silicon wafers to produce precision components.
2. Food Processing
Space heaters are employed in food processing to remove moisture from foods through drying processes, extending shelf life and reducing weight. Heat sterilization is used to eliminate microorganisms from food products. In baking, space heaters ensure even heating for browning marks on food surfaces.
3. Medical Equipment
Medical equipment and instruments often use space heaters for heating purposes. They are essential for sterilizing surgical tools by applying high-temperature heat to kill microorganisms. In thermotherapy, space heaters are used to warm specific areas of the body, stimulating blood circulation and alleviating muscle tension.
Principles of Space Heaters
The primary principle behind space heaters is the transfer of energy through thermal radiation, with a common mechanism being the use of infrared radiation for heat transfer.
Infrared radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye but carries thermal energy. Space heaters utilize electricity or gas as an energy source and emit infrared light to heat objects.
Infrared radiation boasts excellent heat transfer capabilities, allowing it to heat objects directly through the air. Moreover, infrared rays possess specific wavelength bands that are absorbed by objects, enabling efficient heating by selecting the appropriate wavelength band for the target object.
Types of Space Heaters
Various types of space heaters are available. Here are some examples:
1. Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters operate by emitting infrared radiation to heat objects. Electric infrared heaters convert electrical energy into infrared radiation. They are utilized in a wide range of applications, including industrial heating and heating devices.
There are different types of infrared heaters, including ceramic heaters, which generate heat by passing electricity through ceramics. They are known for their quick start-up times.
2. Induction Heaters
Induction heaters employ an electromagnetic field to heat objects. A coil carrying an electric current generates an electromagnetic field that heats the object by inducing a current within the conductive material inside the object. These heaters are efficient for heating highly conductive objects and are used in cooking utensils and industrial heating equipment.
3. Microwave Heaters
Microwave heaters utilize microwaves to heat objects. Microwaves are generated by a device called a magnetron, and they heat objects by agitating water molecules’ movement. These heaters are commonly found in household microwave ovens and industrial heating devices.
4. Laser Heaters
Laser heaters use laser beams to heat objects. A high-energy light beam is directed onto an object, and the light energy absorbed by the object’s surface is converted into heat energy, warming the object. They are employed when precise heating control or localized heating is necessary.