Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	Thermodynamics of Microwave (Polarized) Heating Systems [PDF]
AUTHORS	B. Adu, L. Otten, E. Afenya and P. Groenvelt 1995 30 2 90-96
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Abstract The equation governing the behavior of microwave (polarized) heating systems is presented. The basic difference between microwave (polarized) and conventional (non-polarized) heating systems is shown. The influence of a polarizing electric field on system properties, parameters, and behavior is derived. Characteristics predicted by the derived equations are discussed in relation to published observations. It is revealed that in addition to concentration, temperature, and pressure gradients, the existence of an electric field intensity gradient during microwave drying may produces an additional driving force for mass transport. Thus, at the same concentration, temperature and pressure, an assisting electric field intensity gradient may reduce the activation energy for microwave drying processes and increase microwave mass transfer rates for volatile polar or polarizable molecules over that of conventional heating. A new phenomenological equation, that accounts for the effect of an electric field gradient on mass transfer rates during microwave heating is presented Key Words: Thermodynamics, Microwave, Polarized, Heating systems, Mass transfer.