Infrared
Infrared (IR) waves occupy that part of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequency beyond that of visible
light. In contact with material, the IR waves are either reflected, transmitted or absorbed. Absorbed
waves are transformed into heat and the temperature of the material increases. The main commercial
applications of IR heating are drying low moisture foods such as breadcrumbs, coca, flour, grains, malt
and tea. It is also used as an initial heating stage to speed up the initial increase in surface temperature.