MICROWAVE DRYER FOR CERAMIC ARTICLES

摘要

A process and an apparatus are provided for drying molded ceramic objects using a combination of microwave heating and air ventilation. The objects are heated rapidly in a first microwave cavity oven while applying a relatively light flow of air. The objects are then maintained at a constant temperature in a second microwave oven while applying a heavy flow of air to evaporate water. The oven cavities are in a common enclosure divided by a partition with separate magnetron generators mounted in each portion. Ventilating ducts connected to an air source supply air to the cavities. Molds carrying the objects are fed by a belt into each cavity in a controlled heating and drying sequence to produce large quantities of ceramic objects with minimum cracking and warping. The power and space requirements are also reduced.