The Most Powerful Carbon Infrared Emitter in the World

For decades infrared emitters have been successfully used in industrial heating processes to dry coatings, form plastics and to manufacture solar cells. Since the 1990s, carbon infrared emitters have helped to save up to 30% in energy consumption in many processes.

In October, the manufacture of the world’s most powerful carbon infrared emitter was brought on stream at Heraeus Noblelight in Kleinostheim, Germany. Carbon emitters can now be manufactured in lengths up to 5 metres.

To date, the most powerful carbon emitters measure 2.5 metres long with a nominal power of around 14kW, which is twice the power output which could previously be achieved by carbon emitters of such lengths. New long, high power carbon emitters operating at the effective medium wavelength, with a very fast response time will give a homogenous and even heating in one length.

The wavelength of infrared radiation has a significant influence on the process. Shortwave radiation penetrates deeply into large components and heats these rapidly and evenly. Medium wave radiation is effectively intensified at surfaces and is also very easily absorbed by water, glass and many plastics so that it is readily directly converted into heat.

Changing over to medium wave carbon infrared emitters can help to provide significant savings in energy costs. Comprehensive tests demonstrate that carbon emitters require up to 30% less energy than conventional shortwave emitters in the drying of water-based paints and lacquers. The CIR® carbon emitter has been matchless on the market for years as it combines medium wavelength radiation at high power with very fast reaction times in heating coatings, glass and plastics.

When drawing, laminating, embossing or stamping foils, infrared emitters which cover the total web width are of great advantage. Carbon infrared emitters heat the surface of plastic materials exactly at the surface, for example directly in front of the embossing slot, and homogenously over the web width.

Very long carbon emitters are also advantageous in the heating of coatings on tracks, strips and rollers.

Long Carbon Emitters Increase Safety
Conventional medium wave infrared emitters offer powers up to 60kW/m² with reaction times of the order of 2-3 minutes. In the event of an unanticipated stoppage of the conveyor belt, conventional medium wave emitters need to be swivelled away or screened, both actions taking some time, in order to prevent damage to the web. Carbon emitters have power ratings up to 150 kW/m², they have reaction times of the order of seconds and can be almost immediately switched off in the event of belt stoppage.
Heraeus Noblelight offers the complete palette of infrared from NIR near infrared to CIR medium wave carbon infrared, carries out trials with materials to be heated and advises on the selection of the optimum emitter for specific processes.

Heraeus has more than 40 years experience of infrared emitters, both for end-users and for large OEMs. It carries out practical tests and trials using customers’ own materials in its in-house Application Centres, to establish the best process solutions.

Heraeus Noblelight GmbH with its headquarters in Hanau and with subsidiaries in the USA, Great Britain, France, China, Australia and Puerto Rico, is one of the technology and market leaders in the production of speciality light sources. In 2008, Heraeus Noblelight had an annual turnover of 92.5 Million € and employed 735 people worldwide. The organisation develops, manufactures and markets infrared and ultraviolet emitters for applications in industrial manufacture, environmental protection, medicine and cosmetics, research, development and analytical laboratories.

Heraeus, the precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a global, private company with over 155 years of tradition. Our businesses include precious metals, sensors, dental and medical products, quartz glass, and specialty lighting sources. With product revenues approaching € 3 billion and precious metal trading revenues of € 13 billion, as well as over 13,000 employees in more than 110 companies worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.

Further Information:

Readers:
Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
Reinhard-Heraeus-Ring 7
D-63801 Kleinostheim
phone +49 6181/35-8545, fax +49 6181/35-16 8545
E-Mail hng-infrared@heraeus.com
Press:
Dr. Marie-Luise Bopp
Heraeus Noblelight GmbH,
phone +49 6181/35-8547, fax +49 6181/35-16 8547
E-Mail marie-luise.bopp@heraeus.com