In 2022, the global heating equipment market was worth about USD 119.7 billion. Experts predict it will grow by about 7.7% every year from 2023 to 2030. This growth is because more money is being spent on construction, and people want industrial heating solutions that use less energy. Also, governments are offering rewards and benefits for using heating systems that save a lot of energy, which is making more people want these kinds of heaters. This is all making the market for heating equipment get bigger and bigger.
Let us understand what are the different methods of industrial heating solutions, their benefits, and their applications.
Different Types of Industrial Heating Solutions
Process heating systems are vital components across industries, employing diverse fuel sources and heating techniques to provide the right amount of heat in various manufacturing processes.
Let’s delve deeper into some of these methods:
1 Combustion or Fuel-Based Heaters
Combustion process heaters are crucial in industrial heat generation, employing the burning of gases, liquids, or solids like oil, natural gas, coal, wood chips, and ethanol. This combustion process involves introducing air or oxygen to enable the fuel to produce heat. Two primary methods define how this heat is transferred to the materials undergoing processing.
In direct heating, the combustion gas directly interacts with the material, swiftly and efficiently raising its temperature. On the other hand, in indirect heating, the material to be processed is heated in a separate vessel, preventing direct contact with the combustion gas. This method is preferred when the material might be sensitive to direct heat exposure. The choice between direct and indirect heating relies on factors like material sensitivity, required temperatures, and specific industrial needs, each method offering unique advantages for diverse industrial applications.
2 Electric Process Heaters
These rely on the passing of electric currents through resistive heating elements to generate heat. These elements can be utilised to heat materials directly or indirectly in tanks, vessels, or circulation vessels.
3 Heat Recovery and Exchange Systems
These systems rely on heat exchangers to efficiently transfer heat from one material to another. For instance, the manufacturing facility uses heat exchangers to get the heat produced by an exothermic chemical reaction and use it to heat another material.
4 Boilers and Thermal Fluid Systems
Boilers operate by burning fuel to create steam, offering a reliable method for heating in various industries. This process provides several benefits, including easy transport, minimal toxicity, high efficiency in generating heat, and cost-effectiveness. Boilers stand as one of the most commonly used industrial heating solutions in manufacturing plants due to their versatility. However, their operation can be intricate, necessitating consideration of multiple factors to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
On the other hand, thermal fluid heating systems function differently, using a liquid heat transfer medium that circulates through the heater and out to the heat transfer consumers. These systems typically utilise organic or synthetic oils, allowing operation at high temperatures without requiring significant pressure, unlike boilers. This difference in operation makes thermal fluid systems a viable alternative in applications where high-temperature heating is required, offering a safer and more controlled heating method compared to traditional boiler systems.
5 Hybrid Systems
These innovative setups merge different energy sources, combining fuel-based and electric heating systems. For example, a paper manufacturer company can use a fuel-based dryer with the combination of an electric infrared dryer to dry paper.
Benefits of Industrial Heating Solutions
Selecting the right heating solutions for a particular manufacturing process is crucial. It offers a host of advantages that are as follows:
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Cost Efficiency
Optimal heat transfer and generation enhance efficiency. This leads to energy consumption and reduces overall operational costs.
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Simplified Installation
Quality systems come with comprehensive heating and control solutions that can be tailored to meet specific space requirements. This ensures rapid assembly and installation on-site.
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Centralised Control
With advanced instrumentation and controls, these systems can be remotely managed. It helps in providing ease of operation and oversight.
Innovative Industrial Heating Solutions from Marathon Heaters
Marathon Heaters stands as a leading industrial heating solutions manufacturer in India, providing extensive experience and expertise in this sector. With a history spanning decades, the company has earned a reputation for introducing pioneering products in the global heating equipment industry. Led by experienced professionals, Marathon heaters caters to a diverse clientele worldwide. They are focused on manufacturing and supply of thermal engineering products, accessories, and services built to specific client needs. Presently, the company fulfils the requirements of both local and international customers by delivering top-notch heating equipment. Additionally, Marathon Heaters possesses exceptional capabilities in crafting tailor-made heating elements, ensuring that they meet the unique needs of their clients with precision and quality. With efficient and engineered delivered solutions, they are backed up with efficient service and application support. Visit their website to know more.
