Remarks on Various Applications of Microwave Energy

Microwave energy is an alternative energy source that is receiving a considerable amount of attention from researchers for a wide spectrum of applications. The fundamentally different method of transferring energy from the source to the sample is the main benefit of utilizing microwave energy; by directly delivering energy to microwave-absorbing materials, conventional issues such as long heating periods, thermal gradients, and energy lost to the system environment can be minimized or avoided. Furthermore, the penetrating capacity of microwave allows volumetric heating of samples. These attributes of microwave energy make utilizing it very attractive for industrial applications as an alternative to conventional processing methods. The reality is otherwise however, and limited literature is found in any given area of work. Despite the lack of focus, in most published cases, the utilization of microwave energy has produced improved results compared to conventional methods with reduced heating times or reaction temperatures. This review provides a general overview of reported applications of microwave energy in the open literature. It also attempts to summarize the results obtained for various common uses and highlights some applications that have not gathered as much attention as anticipated.

[1]  E. Lester,et al.  Increased coal grindability as a result of microwave pretreatment at economic energy inputs , 2005 .

[2]  Zhongxiang Fang,et al.  Microwave-vacuum heating parameters for processing savory crisp bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) slices , 2007 .

[3]  I. Alibas Ozkan,et al.  Microwave drying characteristics of spinach , 2007 .

[4]  K. Khalid,et al.  Drying of silica sludge using microwave heating , 2004 .

[5]  S. Suib,et al.  Microwave-assisted desulfurization of NOx storage-reduction catalyst , 2007 .

[6]  Kaew Saetiaw,et al.  Comparison of microwave and thermal cure of epoxy–anhydride resins: Mechanical properties and dynamic characteristics , 2005 .

[7]  H. Tay,et al.  Morphology and properties of denture acrylic resins cured by microwave energy and conventional water bath. , 2004, Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials.

[8]  M. Maskan,et al.  Microwave assisted drying of short-cut (ditalini) macaroni: Drying characteristics and effect of drying processes on starch properties , 2005 .

[9]  Bernd Niemeyer,et al.  Desorption of Odor-Active Compounds by Microwaves, Ultrasound, and Water , 2005 .

[10]  Christian James,et al.  The influence of processing and product factors on the quality of microwave pre-cooked bacon , 2006 .

[11]  Effect of dielectric properties on moisture leveling in microwave‐assisted drying of laminar materials , 2001 .

[12]  L. Gonçalves,et al.  Microwave assisted drying of macadamia nuts , 2006 .

[13]  Xianjun Li,et al.  Research on the effect of microwave pretreatment on moisture diffusion coefficient of wood , 2005, Wood Science and Technology.

[14]  R. Roy,et al.  Microwave sintering of Ni–Zn ferrites: comparison with conventional sintering , 2003 .

[15]  Xiaodong Zheng,et al.  Postharvest control of blue mold rot of pear by microwave treatment and Cryptococcus laurentii , 2006 .

[16]  Xu Zhi-jun,et al.  Microwave enhanced exhaust conversion of internal combustion engines , 2001 .

[17]  P. Heng,et al.  Microwave drying of granules containing a moisture-sensitive drug: a promising alternative to fluid bed and hot air oven drying. , 2005, Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin.

[18]  Antonio Marsaioli,et al.  Evaluation of short cut pasta air dehydration assisted by microwaves as compared to the conventional drying process , 2005 .

[19]  Mecit Halil Oztop,et al.  Optimization of microwave frying of potato slices by using Taguchi technique , 2007 .

[20]  Lihan Huang,et al.  Automatic control of a microwave heating process for in-package pasteurization of beef frankfurters☆ , 2007 .

[21]  A. Andrés,et al.  Drying of cherry tomato by a combination of different dehydration techniques. Comparison of kinetics and other related properties , 2007 .

[22]  M. Hawley,et al.  A study of microwave reaction rate enhancement effect in adhesive bonding of polymers and composites , 2003 .

[23]  F. Karatas,et al.  Variations of vitamins (A, C and E) and MDA in apricots dried in IR and microwave , 2007 .

[24]  Y. Ikeda,et al.  NOx storage-reduction catalyst for automotive exhaust with improved tolerance against sulfur poisoning , 2000 .

[25]  L. Chia,et al.  Practical microwave curing studies for undergraduates , 1999 .

[26]  A. Manivannan,et al.  Dewatering of fine coal slurries by selective heating with microwaves , 2007 .

[27]  Paola Russo,et al.  Microwave improvement of catalyst performance in soot oxidation without additives , 2007 .