ELECTRIC HEATING
Introduction:
Electric heating is a process in which electrical energy is converted to
heat. When current is passed through a conductor, the conductor becomes hot
(resistance heating).
When a magnetic material is
brought in the vicinity of an
alternating magnetic field, heat
is produced in the magnetic
material (induction heating).
When an electrically insulating material was subjected to electrical
stresses; it too underwent a temperature rise (dielectric heating).
ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC HEATING:
Economical
Cleanliness
Pollution free
Ease of control
Uniform heating
High efficiency
Automatic protection
Heating of non-conducting materials
Better working conditions
Less floor area & High temperature
DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC HEATING:
The electrical hazard of shock and fire caused by electricity is an issue.
There are a cost associated with Electric heat requires a larger electrical
service than normal.
Modes of transfer of heat:
The transmission of the heat energy from one body to another because of
the temperature gradient takes place by any of the following methods:
1) Conduction
2) Convection
3) Radiation
CONDUCTION:
One molecule of substance gets heated and transfers
the heat to the adjacent one and so on. The rate of the conduction of
heat along the substance depends upon the temperature gradient.
Ex: Refractory heating, the heating of insulating materials, etc.
CONVECTION:
In this mode, the heat transfer takes place from one part to
another part of substance or fluid due to the actual motion of the molecules.
Ex: Immersion water heater.
RADIATION:
In this mode, the heat transfers from source to the substance to
be heated without heating the medium in between. It is dependent on
surface. Rate of heat radiation is given by Stefan’s law.
Essential requirements of good heating element:
High-specific resistance
High-melting point
Low temperature coefficient of resistance
Free from oxidation
High-mechanical strength
Non-corrosive
Economical
Resistance heating:
Direct resistance heating:
The electric current is made to pass
through the substance to be heated or charge itself. The electric current while
passing through charge products I^2R loss which appears in the form of the
heat thus charge is heated up. Few examples of this heating method are
resistance welding, electrode boiler for heating water, salt bath furnace
Indirect resistance heating:
Current is passed through heating element
and I^2R loss is produced which appears in the form of heat. This heat is
passed on to the substance or charge to be heated by radiation and
convection.e.g. room heater, hair drier, soldering iron, immersion water
heater, hot plate, frying pan, electric oven etc.
Radiant or Infrared heating:
Heat energy from an electric lamp is
focused on the charge to be heated. The heat energy is transferred
through electromagnetic radiations. This is used for drying the paint on
objects.
Arc heating
Direct arc heating: An arc is made to strike between electrodes and charge
itself. The heat energy of arc is absorbed by the charge and thus heating is
done.
Indirect arc heating: An arc is made to strike between two electrodes. The
heat of arc is then passed on to the charge through radiation.
Electron bombardment heating:
Bombardment of electron causes heating
Causes of failure of heating elements:
Formation of hot spot
Oxidation
Embrittlement due to gain growth
Corrosion
Mechanical Failure
Induction heating
The coil is magnetically coupled with the metal to be heated which acts as
secondary. An electric current is induced in this metal when the AC current
is passed through the primary coil.
The following are different types of induction furnaces:
1) Core type (low frequency) induction furnaces.
2) Coreless type (high frequency) induction furnaces.
Core type furnaces: they operate similar to a two winding transformer.
They are classified into three types. They are
1. Direct core type
2. Vertical core type
3. Indirect core type