Effect of mode-stirrer configurations on dielectric heating performance in multimode microwave applicators

Abstract

Abstract-In this paper, several mode-stirrer configurations are compared in order to establish their influence on the electric-field uniformity within an irradiated dielectric sample inserted in a microwave-heating applicator. Two different scenarios are evaluated with metallic sheets moving inside the multimode applicator. The different stirrer configurations are tested and compared for low-, medium-, and high-loss dielectric sample materials. Additionally, a straightforward procedure based on a generalized plane-wave approach is proposed and evaluated as a computationally efficient alternative for calculating the electric-field distribution inside materials processed in these microwave applicators with mode stirrers. Although very different electric patterns are achieved depending on stirrer geometry and sample permittivity, the plane-wave approach has been shown to provide a very good approximation for medium and high lossy dielectric materials.

Finite Element Analysis of Mode Stirrer Impact on Electric Field Uniformity in a Microwave Applicator

“…Hence, mode stirrers are made of highly reflective materials like metals. Mode stirrers can also be of various shapes, e.g., reflection plates [26,27] or fan-like shapes. [25,28] The presented work investigates the influence of a fan-like mode stirrer on EM field uniformity with the help of FE simulation, so the further text deals with the usage of computational methods for solving such problems.…”

“…This approach offers a new way -a time-efficient, quasi steadystate analysis -to solve such highly dynamic problems. A simulation of differently shaped mode stirrers was presented by Plaza-Gonzales et al [26,27] Authors ran a set of consecutive 2D FE analyses where the mode stirrers (reflection plates) rotated. From this analysis, the EM field distributions dependent on the mode stirrers' configuration were evaluated.…”

Uniform Electric Field Distribution in Microwave Heating Applicators by Means of Genetic Algorithms Optimization of Dielectric Multilayer Structures

“…When comparing this technique with mode-stirring results obtained in [7] and [8], one can conclude that this technique is capable of avoiding edge overheating and, thus, it is a better alternative for producing a more uniform electric field distribution when high-loss materials must be heated.…”

Effect of mode stirrers in a multimode microwave-heating applicator with the conveyor belt

“…3 One of the methods to achieve the uniform distribution of heat inside a microwave cavity is through the use of mode stirrers. Most of the microwave ovens in household as well as in industrial appliances 4,5 did a study to know the effect of mode stirrers on the behavior of the electric field inside a microwave cavity. However they only performed simulations on a 2-dimensional cavity, which is different from the real scenario.…”