The industrial applications of industrial heaters are quite diverse. They are used in many industries—such as the oil and gas, chemical, plastics, food, and other commercial enterprises—to convert fuel, electricity, or another energy source into thermal energy, using the conduction, convection, and radiation methods of heat transfer. This thermal energy can then be used to carry out various processes with efficiency, effectiveness, and affordability. From providing heat for various industrial operations to raising the temperature of things for industrial purposes, industrial heaters have many uses. Let’s look at some of the key ones.

Key uses of industrial heaters

Using industrial heaters in the aluminum processing industry

It is necessary to preheat molds in the aluminum processing industry, and, to do so safely and reliably, you have to achieve a specific temperature and maintain it for a specified duration. Using an industrial heater makes this possible. You can select the right heating power, the desired airflow, and other process parameters to get the required temperature, and use a remote system to precisely monitor and control the heater.

Using industrial heaters in the construction industry

The industrial heaters that are commonly used in the construction industry include screw plug heaters, inline heaters, over the side heaters, duct heaters, and infrared heaters. You can use these heaters for various construction-related processes such as the removal, circulation, and ventilation of air and temperature maintenance for the storage of cement and other materials. Industrial heaters can assist in preheating fuel for mixing cement and in the pouring and curing of cement for the construction activities.

They can also help with drywall installation and with preventing pipes from freezing. Additionally, the heaters can help thaw the frozen ground in the winter and provide sufficient heat to ward off hypothermia and keep construction workers safe and comfortable.

Using industrial heaters in the plastics industry

The plastics industry makes use of industrial heaters in various processes such as injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, and rotational molding. Formed tubular heaters, band heaters, cartridge heaters, strip heaters, and cluster heaters are useful for forming, melting, mixing, blowing, cutting, and extruding plastic. There are screw plug heaters and flanged heaters for heating waxes, lubricant oils, gases, and corrosive liquids. As these heaters allow for rapid heating and precision accuracy in temperature maintenance and heat distribution, they can increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce the processing time.

Using industrial heaters to preheat or dry parts

Many industrial processes use oil and greases to lubricate the machinery, and it is often necessary to remove the residues from these before running new machine operations. You can undertake the removal by washing the parts and then using hot air to dry them thoroughly. With an industrial heater, you can direct hot air on the parts and blow off any residual water or moisture. By drying and preheating the parts, you can ensure that the machinery will remain in good order for its next industrial operation.

Using industrial heaters for paint and powder coat drying

Infrared heaters or hybrid industrial heaters that combine infrared and convection heating technologies are useful for drying and curing paints and powder coating. Hybrid heaters are especially well-suited for drying water-based coatings and then also drying the layer of moist saturated air that forms over the surface. The digital controls of these industrial heaters allow for precise temperature measurements, and they can produce a uniform, low-intensity heat for providing superior finishes. With the auto shut down feature, the heater will stop working in case of overheating, and there will be fewer incidences of workplace accidents.

Before getting an industrial heater, it will help to ascertain and identify your manufacturing process requirements. Once you know what you need to get out of your process, it will be easier to select the proper heating equipment. For the selection, you might take into consideration the maintenance the heater will require, its safety features, and its repeatable controls.

In addition to getting the system specifications right, it will be a good idea to conduct preliminary tests using sample parts or material. That will give you a better idea of the heater’s feasibility and allow you to select the right one for the application.