Method and apparatus for microwave utilization

摘要

A process for drying and/or pathogen reduction as well as an apparatus for same. The process comprises the steps of: feeding a sample containing water onto a mesh conveyor belt; transporting the sample into a heated chamber having an air flow about, around and through the sample; exposing the sample to at least two sources of microwaves in non-parallel alignment to each other; and collecting the sample. The at least two sources of microwaves are from a split waveguide assembly, producing microwaves which are essentially 90o out of phase to each other. The heated chamber is between approximately 75oC and 125oC. The convection heating supplements the microwave heating thereby both heating the sample from the outside in and also from the inside out. The microwave frequency is between 915MHz and 1000MHz, preferably approximately 915MHz.