Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	Experimental and Numerical Characterization of he Radio-Frequency Drying of Textile Materials (II) [PDF]
AUTHORS	M. Baginski, R. Broughton, D. Hall and L. Christman 1990 25 2 104-113
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Abstract The experimental and numerical characterization of radio-frequency drying of textile materials drawn at a constant speed through an RF drying chamber is investigated here. The study focuses on modelling, via a numerical simulation of the electromagnetic phenomenology of the experimentally determined thermal and electrical behaviour of a 1/10 scaled version of a prototype industrial drying system. A wet textile fabric (35% cotton 65% polyester) is drawn parallel to a 21 element electrode array contained within an approximately rectangular metal structure. Internal dielectric drying of the material is induced by molecular motion, which produces heat caused by rapid electric field reversals. The experimental system is designed to facilitate efficient power transfer using a 10-Kw, 22 MHz power generator. The drying rate of the fabric is experimentally determined as a function of through-put speed and position. A finite element routine serves as the basis of the computer modelling. The results show good agreement between the simulated and experimentally determined data. Key Words: RF drying, Dielectric drying, Textile materials, Finite element analysis, Arc-over, Modeling, 65/35 Polyester/cotton blend.