Abstract: A processing apparatus that includes: a pump; a microwave chamber; and at least one solid-state radio frequency source. The pump pumps a diary product through the microwave chamber; the solid-state radio frequency source includes one or more antennas and/or waveguides; the processing apparatus has a sensor and a control system, the sensor is configured to measure at least one property of the dairy product and at least one property of radiation reflected from the diary product, and a signal from the sensor is utilized by the control system to control the solid-state radio frequency source; a chamber is arranged between the microwave chamber and the solid-state radio frequency source so that the solid-state radio frequency source is free from contacting a wall of the microwave chamber, the chamber is cooled by a cooling unit that is configured to cool the radio frequency source.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for conditioning air using a liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE) as a pre-dryer, in combination with a direct evaporative cooler (DEC). The LAMEE and DEC can be arranged inside a process plenum configured to receive and condition air for delivery to an enclosed space. The LAMEE can circulate a liquid desiccant to remove moisture from the air, before passing the air through the DEC. As a result, the DEC can cool the air to lower temperatures and improve overall efficiency. In an example, a regeneration system can regenerate at least some of the liquid desiccant prior to recirculation through the LAMEE. In an example, the DEC can use removed water recovered in regeneration as make up water for the DEC. In an example, a liquid to air or liquid to liquid heat exchanger can cool the liquid desiccant, prior to recirculation through the LAMEE.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for constructing articles with cured pressure-sensitive adhesives comprising (i) a coater that applies a curable adhesive to a membrane; (ii) a cross-linking apparatus adapted to receive said membrane with said curable adhesive, said cross-linking apparatus comprising a light source positioned a first predetermined height above an aperture plate having an aperture therethrough, wherein said aperture plate is positioned a second predetermined height, said first predetermined height and said second predetermined height selected to define an exposure area of light emitted from said light source on to said curable adhesive to form a composite product; and (iii) a roll adapted to receive said composite product, said roll adapted to control a speed at which said membrane with said curable adhesive is exposed to light from said light source.

Abstract: A process for drying granular polymeric material, comprising the steps of: dehumidifying the granular polymeric material by means of a first flow of gas at a first temperature of between 100° C. and 150° C.; heating the dehumidified granular polymeric material to a second temperature, greater than the first temperature; drying the granular polymeric material heated to the second temperature, by applying a predefined vacuum level; and transferring the dried granular polymeric material to a feed hopper (40) provided upstream of a working machine (100).

Abstract: A carbon-polymer complex is provided and includes a porous carbon material and a binder, wherein the porous carbon material includes a material obtained from carbonization of a raw material including rice husk, the raw material having a silicon content of at least 5 wt %, the raw material is heat treated before carbonization, and the raw material is treated by an alkali treatment after carbonization to reduce the silicon content, the porous carbon material having a specific surface area of at least 10 m2/g as measured by the nitrogen BET method, a pore volume of at least 0.1 cm3/g as measured by the BJH method and MP method, and an R value of 1.5 or greater, wherein the porous carbon material includes mesopores having pore sizes from 2 nm to 50 nm and obtained from the alkali treatment of the raw material after carbonization, the porous carbon material further includes macropores and micropores.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preserving a plant material. The method comprises applying a composition comprising a microwave attractant to the plant material; and then drying the plant material while exposing the plant material to microwave energy, wherein the microwave energy heats the plant material to a temperature effective to inactivate the majority of any browning enzymes in the plant material, and wherein the microwave attractant results in the heating of the plant material occurring at a rate whereby browning of the plant material by the browning enzymes during heating is substantially prevented. Also disclosed are uses of the preserved plant material.

Abstract: A container and apparatus for preparing dental prosthetics. The container comprises a body having an interior and a top edge, a penetrable lid sealably secured to the top edge and containing a quantity of glazing liquid mixture liquid less than a volume of the body and a quantity of gas having a density greater than air. The apparatus comprises the container, a lid penetrator operable to form at least one penetration through the lid at at least one dipping location, an arm adapted to hold at least one dental prosthetic and pass each dental prosthetic through the at least one penetration into and thereafter out of the glazing liquid mixture, and wherein the arm is adapted to move the at least one dental prosthetic in a drying path after dipping in the glazing liquid mixture so as to form a consistent glazing layer thereover.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for constructing articles with cured pressure-sensitive adhesives comprising (i) a coater that applies a curable adhesive to a membrane; (ii) a cross-linking apparatus adapted to receive said membrane with said curable adhesive, said cross-linking apparatus comprising a light source positioned a first predetermined height above an aperture plate having an aperture therethrough, wherein said aperture plate is positioned a second predetermined height, said first predetermined height and said second predetermined height selected to define an exposure area of light emitted from said light source on to said curable adhesive to form a composite product; and (iii) a roll adapted to receive said composite product, said roll adapted to control a speed at which said membrane with said curable adhesive is exposed to light from said light source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pasteurizing and drying cannabis plant materials using a microwave-vacuum chamber. The pasteurizing and drying are carried out with no use of ionizing radiation and with rapid drying. Pasteurization is done at a temperature and for a time period that are sufficient to reduce microorganisms to an acceptably low level, while not significantly reducing the psychoactive compounds in the material. In the process, the pressure inside a vacuum chamber is reduced to a first pressure less than atmospheric. The material is maintained in the vacuum chamber at the first pressure at a pasteurizing temperature while irradiating the material with microwave radiation. The pressure is then reduced to a second pressure lower than the first pressure and the material is maintained in the vacuum chamber at the second pressure for a time period at a dehydrating temperature lower than the pasteurizing temperature while irradiating the material with microwave radiation.

Abstract: A process for fast humification and non-fermentative bio-stabilization of solid and/or liquid, vegetal and/or animal organic material, comprising the following phases: an initial phase of preparation and pre-treatment of said organic material, for preparing activated and mixed material brought to a substantially neutral pH; a next phase wherein said activated and mixed material at a substantially neutral pH is treated in a reactor, in which it is re-mixed and irradiated with radio frequencies conveyed by waveguides for a given time; a final phase of post-processing the material treated in the reactor, adapted for producing a biostabilized organic product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating soil with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a magnetron antenna (9) for generating microwave radiation with a relatively high frequency; a wave guide (16) connected to the output of the magnetron antenna (9); downward directed tubular members (18, 19) connected to the wave guide (16); a manifold (17) arranged between the two tubular members (18, 19) and the wave guide (16); a tuner unit (26) arranged on the wave guide (16); and cooling means (22, 22?, 22?) for cooling the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the soil. The invention also relates to a cable (24) provided with a single high-voltage cable and one or more low-voltage cables and/or a number of optical cables which are arranged in a shared cable.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum-drying organic materials such as foods and bioactives has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated so as to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and evenly distribute the microwave energy across the vacuum chamber 34. The microwave-transparent window 36 in the chamber is arranged so the organic material to be dried is moved across it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately encounters the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arcing.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum-drying organic materials such as foods and bioactives has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated so as to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and evenly distribute the microwave energy across the vacuum chamber 34. The microwave-transparent window 36 in the chamber is arranged so the organic material to be dried is moved across it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately encounters the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arcing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing phyllosilicate minerals are provided. In some embodiments, the phyllosilicate mineral is clay. In some embodiments, the phyllosilicate mineral is bentonite clay.

Abstract: A conveyor oven according to some embodiments has a first mode and a second mode of operation and includes a tunnel in which food is cooked, a conveyor for moving the food through the tunnel, a first set and a second set of one or more burners, each set configured to generate heat for the tunnel, and a controller responsive to the detection of an absence of food in the tunnel, the controller configured to change operation of the first set of one or more burners and the second set of one or more burners from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation based at least in part upon the detection of the absence of food product from the tunnel.

Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR<(0.2)PI. This allows for a relatively high microwave power to be maintained in each cavity. Batch microwave drying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for microwave vacuum-drying of organic materials such as food products. The dehydration apparatus (20) has a vacuum chamber (24) with an input module (28) at one end and a discharge module (32) at the other. The vacuum chamber has access doors (80) spaced between the input end (30) and the discharge end (34) which provide operator and maintenance access. Microwave generators (86) are mounted on each access door and arranged to radiate through a microwave chamber and microwave-transparent window on the access door into the vacuum chamber. A pair of rollers (60) in the vacuum chamber rotates the container of organic material (112) about a horizontal axis, and a chain drive (64) pulls the containers along the rollers through the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for dehydrating organic material in batches has a processing unit (22) having a microwave-vacuum chamber (34), an input module (28) and an output module (30), with a conveyor (54) for moving the material through the chamber on a microwave-transparent window. A material reservoir (68) is arranged to receive the material exiting the output module. A conveyor (78) external to the vacuum chamber conveys material that exits the reservoir to the input module. The vacuum chamber (34), reservoir (68) and external conveyor (78) are in fluid communication to operate at a common, reduced pressure. The organic material passes through the vacuum chamber multiple times to equilibrate and dry to the desired degree.

Abstract: A method for producing foams containing biological materials is described. A solid or semi-solid paste is formed by combining biologically active material with a protecting agent in an aqueous solvent. The paste formed is allowed to set, and may optionally then be apportioned into the desired shape. The paste may be frozen to allow formation of ice crystals to act as porogens. Subsequently, the paste is exposed to travelling wave radiant energy under vacuum (t-REV) for drying. This causes the solvent to boil off, leaving dried material containing the biologically active material, the protecting agent, and a relatively low water content. Biologically active materials which can be used include cells, microbial cultures, live attenuated microbes, probiotics, yeasts, enzymes, vaccines, proteins, and any heat-sensitive biological material. By directing energy via a travelling wave through a sample, good control of temperature and process conditions can be achieved.

Abstract: A former unit (20) as a drying apparatus includes a horizontally oriented main casing (21). Space inside the main casing (21) is divided into four irradiation zones (31-34). Each of the irradiation zones (31-34) contains one tray unit (10). Each of the tray units (10) contains four metallic transfer trays (14) aligned in the vertical direction, with a distance between the transfer trays (14) set to half a wavelength of a microwave (?/2) or larger. Each of the transfer trays (14) carries wet PTFE powder. In the irradiation zones (31-34), the tray units (10) sequentially move from the first irradiation zone (31) to the fourth irradiation zone (34), and the microwave is laterally applied to the transfer trays (14).

Abstract: A method of making a honeycomb structure comprises the step of providing a honeycomb body including a first end face and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb body includes a ceramic and/or a ceramic-forming material. The method further includes the step of providing a first non-metallic extension and a second non-metallic extension along a longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body. The first non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the first end face and the second non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the second end face. The method further includes the step of exposing the honeycomb body and the non-metallic extensions to microwaves to dry the honeycomb body.

Abstract: Methods of reducing transient temperature variations in a microwave drying process for drying partially dried ceramic logs are disclosed. The methods include sending the logs through an output microwave dryer having multiple applicators, each applicator being capable of generating an adjustable amount of microwave power. A transient drying model is employed based on microwave-drying process parameters to determine a predicted log exit temperature at the output end of the output microwave dryer. The exit temperature of each log is measured. The transient drying model, which is used to control the amount of microwave power applied, is adjusted based on a difference between the predicted and measured log exit temperatures.

Abstract: A method and system for drying a honeycomb structure having an original liquid vehicle content includes exposing the honeycomb structure to a first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 20% and about 60% of the original liquid vehicle content, exposing the honeycomb structure to a second electromagnetic radiation source different from the first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content, and exposing the honeycomb structure to convection heating until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing liquid from a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filtration apparatus using vacuum pressure, compressed air and radiant heat to facilitate extraction of water from a suspension and an air flow within the vacuum chamber to remove the evaporate as a cost-efficient and resource-efficient means of filtering and drying solids in large volumes of suspension to remove interstitial and chemically bound liquids, resulting in up to 100% total solids.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device that removes humidity/moisture from a container or enclosed area. The device includes a plastic housing having a cavity chamber. A silica desiccant is in the cavity chamber. A color indicator indicates if the silica desiccant is active. A polyester screen/filter is heat welded to the raised circles on the bottom inside of the cavity chamber of the plastic housing. The polyester screen/filter ensures that the silica desiccant stays inside the housing even when the device is reactivated in a microwave or oven. A cover with a number of holes may be placed over the screen/filter and the screen/filter may be welded to the cover. The cover and housing may be made out of food safe polypropylene.

Abstract: The drying oven of the present invention comprises a holey plastic plate that can make planetary rotation. The drying mechanisms may consist of classical resistance heaters, blowing heaters and/or coolers, and ultraviolet, infrared and microwave radiation sources in horizontal, vertical or intermediate angle arrangements. There is an absorbent material in a reservoir so as to absorb the excess energy transmitted by the system. The present system completes the drying procedure quickly with full automatization within a standard period without deteriorating the sample and reveals a product which is ready to further processing.

Abstract: A method of making a honeycomb structure comprises the step of providing a honeycomb body including a first end face and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb body includes a ceramic and/or a ceramic-forming material. The method further includes the step of providing a first non-metallic extension and a second non-metallic extension along a longitudinal axis of the honeycomb body. The first non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the first end face and the second non-metallic extension is positioned with respect to the second end face. The method further includes the step of exposing the honeycomb body and the non-metallic extensions to microwaves to dry the honeycomb body.

Abstract: Microwave drying of ceramic honeycomb logs using a customizable cover that can take the form of a flexible wrap or a rigid cover is disclosed. The cover can be in the form of a wrap disposed directly in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. The cover can also be a rigid cover disposed adjacent but not in contact with the leading edge of the log surface. At least a portion of the trailing edge of the log can remain uncovered either by having windows in the wrap or by the rigid cover only covering the leading edge of the log surface. The customizable cover can be configured to compensate for log shape deformities as well as or in addition to the adverse effect on log shape cause by the drying differential created by passing a log through a microwave drying station leading-edge first.

Abstract: A microwave source is used in conjunction with a waveguide and microwave window aperture to direct controlled microwave energy into the housing of a filter. The microwave energy will heat and vaporize any fluid present on the filter material, preventing the filter from “wetting” and becoming unusable.

Abstract: An installation for drying organic matter, especially kitchen and food wastes or other biological matter, including matter that contains packaging residues, napkins, straws or the like. The installation comprises the following components: (a) a vacuum mixer (M) having a closable charging opening for introducing the organic matter and a closable discharge opening, disposed at the bottom or laterally towards the bottom, for the dried matter, (b) at least one vacuum pump (VP) for evacuating the air in the mixer to generate the vacuum, the pump being connected to at least one evacuation tube mounted above the maximum filling level in the housing of the mixer (M), (c) a heater (H) for heating the organic matter, (d) at least one condenser (K), connected to the air evacuation duct (AL) of the vacuum pump (VP) and having a cooling unit (KA) connected thereto to condense the evacuated air, and (e) a discharge duct (AW) for the condensate obtained from the evacuated air by cooling in the condenser (K).

Abstract: A method of drying an organic pigment is provided which includes an under-depressurization microwave drying step of irradiating the organic pigment with microwaves under depressurization and drying the organic pigment. A method of processing a phthalocyanine pigment and a method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member are also provided each of which utilizes the drying method.

Abstract: A method for cooking a product in an electromagnetic oven. In one embodiment product is conveyed to a convection oven. The product is then cooked to a moisture content of between about 3% and about 20%. The product is then conveyed to an electromagnetic oven where the moisture content is reduced to below 2.5%. The combination of the convection oven and the electromagnetic oven reduces the moisture gradient within the product which results in decreased post packaging stress cracks.

Abstract: A wood treatment method and apparatus employing a bundle support structure to support a bundle of wood during transportation and treatment of the bundle. The bundle support structure rests on a movable cart during transportation of the bundle, but is detached from the movable cart during treatment of the bundle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is concurrently, or generally concurrently, heated (using microwave/millimeter wave energy) and exposed to a reactant. The wave energy and the reactant act to increase the difference in either the magnetic susceptibility or other separation properties between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through an appropriate separator to separate the particles of interest. Optional steps are disclosed for purifying selected particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient microwave drying of extruded honeycomb structures are disclosed. The methods include conveying first and second sets of honeycomb structures in opposite directions through multiple applicator cavities. Each honeycomb structure has a moisture content MC, and the honeycomb structures within each cavity define an average moisture content MCA between 40% and 60% therein. The methods include irradiating the first and second sets of honeycomb structures within the cavities with microwave radiation having an amount of input microwave power PI that results in an amount of reflected microwave power PR from the honeycomb structures, where PR<(0.2)PI. This allows for a relatively high microwave power to be maintained in each cavity. Batch microwave drying methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for drying flexible tubular casings by microwaves, in particular for drying coated or uncoated food casings, and also to the use of microwaves for drying such casings. In addition, the invention relates to an integrated system for producing and drying flexible tubular casings by microwaves.

Abstract: The invention relates to extraction apparatus and method for obtaining essential oils and essence and pigments from odorous raw materials by microwave radiation heating under sub-critical conditions, which has advantages of easy operation, higher extracting temperature and efficiency. The microwave chamber has a power level of 100 W to 1,500 W and its microwave radiation has a frequency at 915 MHz or 2,450 MHz. The extraction process can be performed without any preheating necessary. A condenser unit is operated at temperatures between ?20° C. and 15° C. for cooling the gas extractive flowing out of the extraction unit. Because both volatile aromatic compounds and pigments of the odorous raw materials can be extracted successfully, the extracted essence is colorful. Since the extraction process by microwave radiation heating is free from adding any organic solvent and/or any artificial chemical compound, the extraction apparatus and method applied are really environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A method of drying a honeycomb formed article, in which the honeycomb formed article can be dried in a short time while prohibiting occurrence of defects such as deformation, breakage and the like. There is provided a drying method of an unfired honeycomb formed article including raw material composition containing ceramics raw material, water, and binder, and having a plurality of cells, the cells being separated by partition walls to be passage of fluid, and electromagnetic wave drying is performed to dry the honeycomb formed article after the honeycomb formed article is preheated by steam.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a ceramic fired body includes forming a composition of ceramic raw material containing water to make a ceramic molded body. The ceramic molded body is irradiated with a microwave under a depressurized atmosphere of about 1 KPa or more and about 50 kPa or less to dry the ceramic molded body. The ceramic molded body is fired to make the ceramic fired body.

Abstract: A seed cotton dryer comprises an array of electromagnetic wave energy generators in a cotton gin, a cotton picker/stripper. An appropriate amount of energy is used to evaporate a considerable amount of moisture in the seed cotton without producing enough energy to pop the cotton seeds. Seed cotton dried by wave energy is much easier to separate the cotton seeds and lint from leaves, stems and other plant parts. The seed cotton is preferably transported through the dryer in a conduit having flat sides which reflects the wave energy more efficiently than through a round conduit. Provisions are made to prevent arcing in the transport conduit when extraneous metal pieces are inadvertently mixed with the seed cotton. In some embodiments, heated air from a diesel engine is used to dry crops as they are being harvested.

Abstract: There is provided a method for drying a honeycomb formed article 1. The method has the first step, where an unfired honeycomb formed article 1 having a plurality of cells separated by partition walls made from raw material composition containing a ceramic raw material, water, and a binder is heated and dried by microwave drying or dielectric drying, and a second step, where the honeycomb formed article 1 is dried by hot air drying, where hot air whose humidity was adjusted to have a wet-bulb temperature of 50 to 100° C. using a hot air drying apparatus 11 after the first step is passed through the cells. The method can dry a honeycomb formed article in a shorter period of time with inhibiting generation of a defect such as a deformation or breakage.

Abstract: A method of drying fresh plant material wherein the fresh plant material containing a desired heat labile compound is exposed to microwave energy at an intensity and for a time sufficient to remove a majority of the water from the plant material without degrading a majority of the heat labile compound. The method is particularly suited to in-field drying of freshly harvested plant material to reduce the weight and volume of the plant material for savings transportation costs to an extraction facility while preserving at high levels the amount and activity of the desired heat labile compound.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for drying ceramic green bodies include providing one or more ceramic green bodies in a microwave heating chamber operatively connected to a microwave source and a PLC. The total mass of the ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber is determined. Microwave energy is generated with the microwave source and transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber. A transmitted power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is measured with power sensors. The reflected power of reflected microwave energy reflected back from the microwave heating chamber is also measured. The power of the microwave energy transmitted from the microwave source to the microwave heating chamber is adjusted based on the total mass of ceramic green bodies present in the microwave heating chamber, the measured transmitted power and the measured reflected power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the volume of radioactive waste materials through desiccation, pyrolysis and vitrification carried out by microwave heating. The final product of the advanced microwave system is a dryer, denser, compacted waste product. The invention comprises systems in which a layer of waste material is treated by microwaves within a hopper before deposited within the final waste container; systems in which a thin layer of waste material is treated by microwaves after it has been deposited within the final waste container; and systems in which waste material is treated by microwaves within a hopper before being deposited within the final waste container.

Abstract: Tray assemblies and methods for manufacturing ceramic articles are provided. In one embodiment, a tray assembly includes a tray body having a supporting surface operable to support a ceramic article for passage through a microwave drying apparatus during a microwave drying process and a microwave coupling cover associated with the tray body. The microwave coupling cover envelopes at least a portion of the ceramic article during the microwave drying process. The microwave coupling cover has a dielectric property such that a greater percentage of microwave energy is coupled into the ceramic article with the microwave coupling cover present during the microwave drying process than with the microwave coupling cover not present. Methods may include rotating the ceramic article when the ceramic article is about 40%-60 dry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food waste treatment apparatus that can effectively dispose food waste containing a large amount of water, rapidly dry food waste using microwaves, and remove odors and vapors generating during the drying process, thereby discharging clean air. The food waste treatment apparatus comprises a pulverizer (10) for pulverizing food waste, an endless track (20) for transferring food waste, a plurality of containers (30) installed on the upper surface of the endless track (20) for storing pulverized food waste, and a microwave dryer installed above the endless track for drying the pulverized food waste by making microwaves pass through the endless track in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the endless track (20).

Abstract: A system and method of controlling energy that is input to a material substance, for the controlled removal of moisture from the material substance, is disclosed. A controlled air flow is blown onto the material substance at a specified air flow rate over at least one specified time period such that the material substance absorbs thermal energy from the controlled air flow via at least one outer surface of the material substance. The controlled air flow is of a specified humidity level at a specified temperature level. The material substance is also irradiated with microwave energy at a first specified power level for at least a first specified time duration such that the material substance absorbs at least a part of the microwave energy and converts the absorbed microwave energy to thermal energy within the material substance. As a result, moisture is removed from the material substance in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Described are roll-to-roll or reel-to-reel thermal or rapid thermal processing tools (reactors) are used to react a precursor layer on a continuous flexible workpiece. Variants of the reactors are described, including a reactor having multiple exhaust outlets connected to a process gap of the reactor between an entrance opening and an exit opening of the process gap; a reactor including multiple gas inlets and exhaust outlets connected to a process gap of the reactor between an entrance opening and an exit opening of the process gap; a reactor including multiple gas inlets and exhaust outlets connected to a process gap of the reactor between an entrance opening and an exit opening of the process gap; and a reactor including multiple gas inlets and exhaust outlets connected to a process gap of the reactor between an entrance opening and an exit opening of the process gap.