Analysis of the Influence of the Gas Infrared Heater and Equipment Element Relative Positions on Industrial Premises Thermal Conditions

Abstract

The creation of local heated areas in large-sized premises using systems based on gas infrared heaters has recently become the most rational alternative in terms of energy efficiency. However, the lack of information about the thermal characteristics in such areas limits the effective application of these systems. To determine the main thermal parameters characterizing the scheduled thermal conditions in heated local working areas of industrial premises, experimental and mathematical modeling of heat transfer processes in a closed area with the presence of equipment in it was carried out. The experimental area was equipped with a gas infrared heater and a model of the equipment (a horizontally oriented panel). The system of equations of thermal conductivity, radiant heat transfer, as well as energy and Navier–Stokes was solved by the finite element method. A significant influence of the equipment position on the temperature field and the air movement hydrodynamics in the local working area has been established. The equipment presence in the room intensifies the air movement due to thermal convection and, as a result, a more uniform temperature distribution over the local working area was obtained. Analysis of the obtained results shows the possibility to control the temperature fields’ formation in local working areas during the gas infrared heater operation by varying the position and configuration of the equipment in the room.