Far-infrared gas heater - Its concept and application

Far-infrared heating is a radiant heating system which has come to be highlighted based on the fact that high molecular substances have higher absorptivity. Radiant heating was considered effective for heating in high temperature ranges while the far-infrared heating can be said to be a type of radiant heating applicable to lower temperature heating such as drying paint and heating food. In 1982, Osaka Gas initiated the development of far-infrared gas heater, which was followed by research and development of combustion technology, heating technology, and control technology, and all these efforts successfully resulted in practical use in 1984 and subsequent marketing of the far-infrared gas heaters. The far-infrared gas heater was developed through experiments and researches on characteristics of the spectral radiant energy of far-infrared radiant substances and effects of far-infrared heating. As of November in 1987, heating installations which incorporate this type of heaters have amounted to 47 units. As compared with a conventional hot air heating system used for paint heating for example, the far-infrared heating system has accomplished considerable reduction in heating time and subsequently let to 30% of energy saving and 50% of space saving.