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Ultraviolet,
infrared, high-frequency or microwave: there are numerous
industrial applications to radiant energies (defrosting slabs
of meat, drying paper, welding plastics, etc.). They enable
energy to be directly transferred from source to material
without heating the air, and can be focused on just those
parts that need treating. Compared to conventional techniques,
they can offer energy savings of up to 80% or more. The energy
savings arising from their application has been calculated
at 480 ktoe a year, or 5% of French industry’s total energy
savings potential. It opens up important possibilities for
industry, particularly in drying and polymerising paint, of
relevance to many sectors (engineering, glass, plastics, etc.)
that are heavy energy consumers when they use traditional
techniques. Currently, only 15% of the plants that could apply
radiant technologies actually do so.
In an effort to promote their use, ADEME played a part in
founding the French RADIANT*
association. It also offers financial support for energy diagnoses
for industrial facilities and exemplary projects.
* www.radiant.asso.fr
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