How is Infrared Radiation Produced?
Every object with a temperature above absolute zero emits infrared energy. This is because there exists in every object a measured amount of heat, so each object has the ability to radiate heat from itself. The object that radiates heat is called the emitting source, and the object to which it radiates heat, having a lesser amount of heat content, is called the target. There are several physical laws that explain the properties of infrared radiation. The Stefan-Boltzman law of radiation states that as the temperature of a heat source is increased, the radiant output increases to the fourth power of its temperature. The conduction and convection components increase only in direct proportion with the temperature change. In other words, as the temperature of a heat source is increased, a much greater percentage of the total energy output is converted into radiant energy. For the purpose of this handbook, we will address only those sources of infrared heat used in industrial heating applic
