System Uses Magnetic Fields To Provide Heat

System Uses Magnetic Fields To Provide Heat ENERGY Alternative Fuels 30-6-3 Imagine a heat source you can tap 400 ft. away! That's what MagTec Energy claims with its new portable heating system. Designed for all kinds of uses in agriculture, construction, or any industry that needs temporary heat and lots of it, the MagTec system is said to be efficient, effective and environmentally friendly. "We see all kinds of uses in agriculture," says Randy Wear, vice president, MagTec Energy, LLC. Suggested applications include grain drying and temporary heating of shops and other buildings. MagTec's XE 1300 produces more than 1 million btu's of dry heat that will warm and keep areas dry as well. And, it does it on the cheap. Most portable heating devices run in the 60 to 70 percent efficiency range; that is, only 60 to 70 percent of the btu's in the fuel are available as heat. MagTec claims 92 to 94 percent energy efficiency and no open flames or boiler pressure concerns. Virtually all other portable heating systems use a burner of some sort. Having no open flames eliminates fire hazards and makes it possible to work in flammable areas. "Our heat source is magnets," says Wear. "We capture the energy in eddy currents." Eddy currents are disruptions in magnetic fields. The concept itself is not new. The idea of creating eddy currents was first discovered in 1851. As moving magnetic fields intersect with a conductor, electrons flow within the conductor causing resistive heating. You might have seen an electric "induction" countertop cook stove that uses alternating magnetic fields to heat iron-based cooking pans. The ceramic-glass cooking surface never gets hot. The changing magnetic field "induces" eddy currents in the base of the cooking pan. Energy is transferred instantly without heating the cooking surface, so no heat is lost to the ambient air. Water boils in 5 seconds. Shut off the magnetic fields, and heating stops in the pot. MagTec has developed a system of magnets and collector plates to induce industrial strength eddy currents. The system is used to heat a solution of propylene glycol. The solution is pumped via circulation hoses to remote fan-powered 200,000 btu/hr. heat exchangers up to 400 ft. away. Waste heat - air heated by the operating components - is also captured and can be moved via ductwork to work areas in the immediate vicinity of the trailer mounted XE 1300. Also included on the trailer are motorized reels for the circulation hoses and the propane or diesel generators needed to power the electro-magnetic fields. The propane-powered XE 1300 is priced at $8,390. The diesel-powered unit is priced at $9,940. Advanced testing is being done to adapt the system for grain drying. "We're testing attaching a couple of sets of magnets on fans," says Wear. "We have data showing they can increase ambient air 8 degrees. When drying corn, if you raise the ambient temperature 8 degrees you can shut the fans off three to four days earlier." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, MagTec Energy, LLC, 2829 South University Drive, Fargo, N. Dak. 58103 (ph 701 478 5117; toll free 877 624-4328; fax 701 235-4847; info@magtecenergy.com; www. magtecenenergy.com).

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