An air heater is a device used to heat air for various purposes, typically in industrial processes, residential heating systems, or commercial applications. It operates by passing air over a heat source, which increases the air temperature to the desired level. The heated air can then be distributed to different areas or used for specific applications, depending on the intended use of the air heater.
There are different types of air heaters, each with its own working principle and application. Some common types of air heaters include:
Electric Air Heaters: These heaters use electrical resistance elements to generate heat. When an electric current passes through the resistance elements, they heat up and transfer that heat to the surrounding air.
Gas-fired Air Heaters: These heaters use natural gas or propane as a fuel source. The gas is burned in a combustion chamber, and the heat produced is transferred to the air passing through the chamber.
Steam Coil Air Heaters: In this type of air heater, steam flows through coils, and the heat from the steam is transferred to the air as it passes over the coils.
Hot Water Coil Air Heaters: Similar to steam coil heaters, hot water is circulated through coils to transfer heat to the air.
Heat Pump Air Heaters: Heat pumps use refrigerant cycles to extract heat from the surrounding environment (air, ground, or water) and transfer it to the air being heated.
Air heaters are used in various applications, such as space heating in buildings, drying processes in industrial settings, preheating combustion air for boilers and furnaces, and in HVAC systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. The choice of an air heater depends on factors like the required heating capacity, energy efficiency, fuel availability, and specific application requirements.