Infrared radiation heating system
A laboratory scale of IR heating system consisted of two electric
IR emitters (245 60 mm size) of 1000 W capacity (6 kw/m2),
230 V which emit radiation at wavelength of 2e10 mm (Ceramicx
Ireland Ltd, Cork, Ireland). The schematic drawing of the IR heating
system is shown in Fig. 1, which has the IR emitters fixed to a frame
connected to a metallic arm by which the IR emitters are moved
and stationed at the heating position or idle position. The vertical
distance between the IR heaters in the heating position could be
adjusted by tightening and loosening of the nut moving on the
screws provided on the space bar. An aluminum wave guard is
installed at the top of the upper emitter and bottom of the lower
emitter and acts as a radiation reflector by focusing IR radiation
towards the fruit holder in order to minimize the heat loss to the
surrounding and improve the heating uniformity of the jujube
surface. A rotatable custom-designed fruit holder has a set of fingers
to hold jujubes with a firm grip by adjusting the finger positions
and shaft length.