Short Wave Infrared

The InfraGas Short Wave Irradiator Modular System

CoProcess® has developed an innovative proven energy efficient product, fully featured with its InfraGas® short-wave infrared heat irradiator that uses combustible gas as a source of energy for heating and or drying manufactured products, therefore improving productivity and quality on any surface (web) manufacturing or converting process.

The technique enhances the performance of the traditional drying technologies used by many thin-web manufacturing applications such as Pulp and Paper, Textiles, Non-Woven’ s and its converting and finishing process, like coating, impregnation, surface treatment and many more.

CoProcess has over 20 years of experience in removing drying limitations in production lines within the pulp and paper industry. The InfraGas® technology has been successfully in operation for well over 15 years. Each installation is customized to work optimally with the specific paper machine it is designed for, thereby, optimizing paper output and lowering energy costs. The technology holds several patents and implementation of the technology starts with rigorous design and simulations prior to the construction of the CoProcess System so it fits the customer energy needs.

The units are modular and are easily installed to the existing paper machines irrespective of configuration and size.

The CoProcess technology has been considered by many as a completly new concept in building efficiencies and reducing costs in the paper industry.

Using combustible gas as a source of energy, the InfraGas® solution can produce short wave length high penetrating infrared energy. Without much machine modification and a low budget investment CoProcess’ solution can serve many purposes and production needs, adding unprecedented temperature control or drying capacity to the process.

Several references can be visited and customers can be contacted to give references on their achievements. Some references can report improvements from a common 8% up to 20% productivity increase. There are several installations operating successfully for over 10 years.

Method of Operation

Using combustible gas as a source of energy, the InfraGas® solution produces short wave-length high penetrating infrared energy that effectively enhances process productivity.

The traditional infrared systems, using gas, produce long wavelengths (metallic emitters) which limit its application to drying of coatings or simply additional drying capacity similar to the traditional cylinders. Until some time ago, to generate infrared in short wavelengths one had to use electric lamps with high operational and maintenance costs. However, the new generation of ceramic technologies permits the production of short wave infrared emitters using gas as the source of energy with low fuel consumption. The high efficiency energy conversion minimizes the fuel use allowing, in addition, results of CO2 emission reductions for those mills contemplating carbon credits based in the Kyoto Protocol.

Currently, oil and natural gas are considered the main sources of energy for the next few decades.

This advanced and effective technology has been successfully employed in several drying applications on impregnation, cellulose pulp, paper and paper coatings.

The adequate use of these new drying techniques by means of short wave infrared radiant energy permits a significant increase in drying capacity of a paper machine or drum formers in general, especially when its use is made together with the traditional drying cylinders, enhancing drying capacity typically between 8% to 20%, with no need of high investment or machine rebuild. Besides, the InfraGas® irradiator can fit on small places and can be easily installed simultaneously with a felt or wire change.

Productivity increase and Energy savings for:

Paper machines
Pulp Drying machines
Paper Coating machines
Impregnation Lines
Flexography printing on paper box
Non-woven drying
Paint drying lines in general

Features of this technology:

Using combustible gas as a source of energy, the InfraGas® solution can produce short wave length high penetrating infrared energy that effectively and efficiently will enhance process productivity.

The micro porous flexible ceramic feature produces infrared emission in the Medium and Short wavelength spectrum, creating the appropriate penetrating energy to dry the paper efficiently.

Net energy efficiencies greater than 65% are commonly achieved.
Instantaneous turnoff time makes it very safe.
There is no wasted energy for cooling down required.
One controlled adjustment guaranties no hazardous emissions are present.
No need to extract gases to outside the building, they are safe and can be strategically used to benefit overall

Thermal efficiency.
Fast Cross machine Moisture Control Actuator.

The main advantages for the customers are:

Energy efficiency with substantial costs savings.
Reduced machine space requirements
Improve overall machine energy efficiency, productivity.
Very safe and simple to maintain and operate.

Examples of industrial uses for the InfraGas® systems are:

Pulp and Paper Industry
Paper Manufacturing
Paper Converting
On Machine and Off Machine -coating lines
On Machine and Off Machine - impregnation lines or similar
Corrugators
Textiles
Woven textiles, several finishing process can use this technology to improve productivity.
Non-Woven’s, the impregnation lines are natural candidates for this use with impressive results on productivity.