Title: Optimisation of electric field uniformity in microwave heating systems by means of multi-feeding and genetic algorithms

Authors: E. Dominguez-Tortajada, P. Plaza-Gonzalez, A. Diaz-Morcillo, J.V. Balbastre

Addresses: Department of Information Technologies and Communications, Technical University of Cartagena, Campus Muralla del Mar s/n, E-30202 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. ' Department of Communications, Technical University of Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, E-46022 Valencia, Spain. ' Department of Information Technologies and Communications, Technical University of Cartagena, Campus Muralla del Mar s/n, E-30202 Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. ' Department of Communications, Technical University of Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, E-46022 Valencia, Spain

Abstract: In most microwave heating applications obtaining uniform heating patterns in certain regions of the applicator is a key issue. In this paper, the proposed solution for achieving electric field uniformity consists of designing the configuration of the feeding system in a multimode cavity by means of genetic algorithms. The feeding system is constituted by waveguides or slots arrays. The electric field pattern inside the cavity depends on the location of these sources and an improvement in the electric field uniformity on the product can be obtained by means of a proper design of this feeding system. Results for the curing of epoxy resin over a marble slab are presented and they show a significant improvement in the electric field uniformity over the epoxy resin.

Keywords: dielectric heating; optimisation; electric field uniformity; genetic algorithms; microwave heating; microwave industrial ovens; epoxy resin curing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2007.013134

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2007 Vol.29 No.1/2/3/4, pp.149 - 162

Published online: 09 Apr 2007 *

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