Performance and Application of Far Infrared Rays Emitted from Rare Earth Mineral Composite Materials

Abstract

Rare earth mineral composite materials were prepared using tourmaline and cerous nitrate as raw materials. Through characterization by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, dynamic contact angle meter and tensiometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it was found that the composite materials had a better far infrared emitting performance than tourmaline, which depended on many factors such as material composition, microstructure, and surface free energy. Based on the results of the flue gas analyzer and the water boiling test, it was found that the rare earth mineral composite materials could accelerate the combustion of liquefied petroleum gas and diesel oil. The results showed that the addition of Ce led to the improvement of far infrared emitting performance of tourmaline due to the decrease of cell volume caused by the oxidation of more Fe2+ ions and the increase of surface free energy. The application of rare earth mineral composite materials to diesel oil led to a decrease in surface tension and flash point, and the fuel saving ratio could reach 4.5%. When applied to liquefied petroleum gas, the composite materials led to the enhanced combustion, improved fuel consumption by 6.8%, and decreased concentration of CO and O2 in exhaust gases by 59.7% and 16.2%, respectively; but the temperature inside the flue increased by 10.3%.

Biological effects of melt spinning fabrics composed of 1% bioceramic material

“…In previous years, people had believed that the optimal wavelength most effective for life is between 8 and 14 mm. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Numerous published medical studies have used FIR with a heat supply source to demonstrate that the FIR wavelength increased skin microcirculation in rats, improved blood flow of arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients, extended survival of skin grafts, and had other health-promoting effects. [17][18][19][20][21][22] However, these studies have utilized an FIR application with a heat source dependent on electricity, which is inconvenient for wider application during everyday life.…”

“…This study created and researched a new type of ceramic compound that emits an effective electromagnetic wavelength, as confirmed by previous molecular biology studies. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Our earlier publications investigating bioceramic materials (ceramic materials that emit high-performance FIR rays) focused primarily on the basic medical science of cells and animal models, and we showed that bioceramic materials promote microcirculation and have other effects by upregulating calcium-dependent nitric oxide and calmodulin in different cell lines. 12,16 An inhibitory effect of bioceramic material on murine melanin cancer cell (melanoma) growth was reported.…”

Effect of Heat Treatment on Far Infrared Emission Properties of Tourmaline Powders Modified with a Rare Earth

“…F ar infrared materials are categorized as absorptive materials and emissive materials. The emissive materials have been widely used in fields such as agriculture, 1 energy saving, 2 and medical treatment 3 . Tourmaline is a kind of borosilicate complex mineral belonging to the trigonal space group of R 3 m , whose general chemical formula can be written as XY 3 Z 6 Si 6 O 18 (BO 3 ) 3 W 4 , where X is Na + , Ca 2+ , K + , or vacancy; Y is Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , Al 3+ , Fe 3+ , Mn 3+ , Cr 3+ , Ti 4+ , or Li + ; Z is Al 3+ , V 3+ , Cr 3+ , or Mg 2+ ; and W is OH − , F − , or O 2− , 4 which has excellent thermoelectricity and piezoelectricity and can radiate in the far infrared region as well 5,6 .…”

“…Applying a high emissivity coating on a furnace wall can increase the thermal efficiency of the furnace 7 . Liang et al 2 applied the tourmaline to fluidal fuel for reducing fuel consumption and pollution caused by combustion. In above literatures, 2,7 the higher the emissivity of the materials, the better the effects of the saving energy.…”

“…Liang et al 2 applied the tourmaline to fluidal fuel for reducing fuel consumption and pollution caused by combustion. In above literatures, 2,7 the higher the emissivity of the materials, the better the effects of the saving energy. Therefore, the far infrared emission property of tourmaline needs further improvement for industrial applications.…”