ENHANCED CONTROL OF A MICROWAVE HEATING SYSTEM

摘要

A method for controlling a microwave heating system is provided. The method may be used with a system having a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber and includes measuring the value of one or more microwave system parameters. Suitable parameters can include, for example, net microwave power discharged, the temperature of the liquid in the microwave chamber, the flow rate of liquid through the microwave chamber, and the speed of the conveyance system disposed within the microwave chamber. The measured value of the selected parameter is then compared to a target value for that parameter in order to determine a difference. Based on the difference, one or more actions can be taken in order to start, stop, or alter the operation of the microwave heating system.

主权项

1. A continuous process for heating a plurality of articles in a microwave heating system, said process comprising:
(a) passing said articles through a microwave chamber; (b) introducing microwave energy into said microwave chamber via at least one microwave launcher; (c) heating said articles in said microwave chamber using at least a portion of said microwave energy to provide heated articles, wherein said articles are submerged in a liquid medium during said heating; and (d) subsequent to said heating, cooling said heated articles in a quench zone to provide cooled articles, wherein said heating is sufficient to increase the minimum temperature of said articles to at least 80° C. in not more than 5 minutes and wherein said cooling is sufficient to reduce the temperature of said heated articles by at least 30° C. in not more than 6 minutes.