Infrared Radiation: What Kind of Heating Method Is It?

Infrared radiation is frequently mentioned in various articles, particularly in reference to carbon fiber infrared heating tubes, as a form of radiant heating. So, what is radiant heating? Today, I will provide a detailed explanation of thermal radiation, one of the three modes of heat transfer.

The Process of Radiative Heat Transfer

Radiation is a method of energy transfer using electromagnetic waves. Objects emit radiation for various reasons, and the phenomenon of emitting radiation due to heat is referred to as thermal radiation. In nature, every object continuously emits thermal radiation into the surrounding space while simultaneously absorbing thermal radiation emitted by other objects. Under an infrared scanner, all objects will display some temperature indication or scanning image, except for a theoretical pure blackbody, which exhibits no thermal radiation.

Characteristics of Radiative Heat Transfer

The natural processes of radiation and absorption collectively result in heat transfer between objects via radiation, also commonly known as infrared radiation heat exchange. When an object is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings, the net radiative heat transfer is zero. However, this does not imply an absence of radiation exchange in the environment; rather, the energy radiated by objects in the environment is equal to the energy they absorb, achieving a relative balance where the processes of radiation and absorption are continuously active.

Radiative Heat Transfer versus Conduction and Convection

Unlike radiation, the other two heat transfer modes, conduction and convection, require a medium for energy transmission, such as solid materials, air, water, or other gases and liquids, including their mixtures. Radiation does not require a medium and can occur even in a vacuum, making it the most effective method of heat transfer in vacuum environments. This distinction is a fundamental characteristic that sets radiation apart from conduction and convection. When two objects are separated by a vacuum, neither conduction nor convection can occur, with only radiation heat transfer possible.

Practical Examples and Energy Conversion

The energy carried by sunlight is transmitted through the vast vacuum of space to Earth by means of thermal radiation, where it is absorbed and utilized by all living things. Everyday items such as thermos flasks and vacuum-insulated mugs utilize the principle of vacuum insulation to achieve thermal insulation and temperature separation. Another unique aspect of radiation heat transfer is that it involves not only the transfer of energy but also the conversion of energy forms; energy is emitted as radiant energy and converted back to thermal energy upon absorption.

Experimental Observations

Experiments have demonstrated that an object’s ability to radiate is temperature-dependent, and at the same temperature, different objects exhibit varying capabilities for radiation and absorption. An ideal material known as a blackbody can absorb all radiated energy, although such materials are rare in real life. This variability in the absorption of infrared radiation by different materials is why different types of heating tubes are selected based on the product when using carbon fiber heating tubes for drying materials.

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