Abstract:
A microwave heater capable of heating a bundle of wood and equipped with an optimized system for introducing microwave energy into the heater is provided. Also provided is an enhanced system for launching and dispersing within the heater. The system uses one or more TMab microwave launchers to emit microwave energy in the interior of the microwave heater in a TMab mode, where a is 0 and b is an integer between 1 and 5. The TMab launchers can be configured to emit microwave energy through an open outlet that faces generally parallel to the nearest wall of the heater. In certain situations, it can be advantageous to use at least two TMab microwave launchers having open outlets that face towards one another. In certain situations, it can be advantageous to use at least two TMab microwave launchers located on generally opposite sides of the microwave heater. In certain situations, the system can also include one or more moving reflectors for dispersing microwave energy emitted from the TMab microwave launchers.
Abstract:
An optimized microwave barrier assembly for use in conjunction with a microwave wood heater. The barrier is configured to allow microwaves to pass therethrough in a TMab) mode, where a is 0 and b is an integer between 1 and 5. The barrier assembly is also configured to maintain a pressure differential across a window of the barrier assembly. Such a configuration can reduce or eliminate arcing in the barrier assembly, even at low pressures.
Abstract:
A commercial scale microwave system that includes a heater having enhanced heat distribution and minimized void space. The enhanced heat distribution can be provided by a unique launcher and/or reflector configuration disposed in the interior of the microwave heater. The microwave system can be operated to prevent the wood from both overheating (which results in scorching) and under-heating (which results in inadequate drying and/or inadequate thermal- modification). The microwave heating system can provide enhanced microwave energy distribution for large quantities of wood, even large quantities of wood heated under vacuum and/or in the presence of one or more chemical reagents.
Abstract:
A commercial scale system and process for chemically modifying wood and then heating the chemically-modified wood. The system/process separates the chemical modification step from the heating step by utilizing two different vessels for the modification and heating steps. The system and process can, in certain situations, include a containment room for preventing escape of vapors from a chemical wood modification reactor, a wood heater, and/or a chemically-modified bundle of wood as the bundle is transported from the wood modification reactor to the wood heater.
Abstract:
A microwave heater capable of heating a bundle of wood and equipped with an optimized system for launching and/or dispersing microwave energy. The microwave launching system can include one or more split microwave launchers at least partly disposed in the interior of the heater. The microwave dispersing system can include one or more moving reflectors for rastering microwave energy emitted from the split launchers.
Abstract:
A microwave heater capable of heating a bundle of wood and equipped with an optimized system for introducing microwave energy into the heater. The system uses a high-efficiency elongated waveguide launcher having a plurality of launch openings defined in relatively thin walls. The waveguide launcher can exhibit a launch efficiency of at least 50 percent, thereby providing substantially energy savings over conventional waveguide launchers.
Abstract:
A microwave heater equipped with a microwave choke and suitable for heating wood under vacuum. The microwave choke inhibits leakage of microwave energy between a door of the heater and a main vessel body of the heater without causing arcing at the choke, even at low pressures. In certain situations, the microwave choke can be configured with side-by-side choke cavities. In certain situations, the microwave choke can be removably coupled to the door and/or vessel body for easier fabrication, installation, and/or replacement.