ABSTRACT
Microwave Heating .................................................................................... 107 6.5 Which Electrode System to Use ........................................................................................... 108
6.5.1 Types of Electrode Systems ...................................................................................... 108 6.5.1.1 Through-Field or Flat-Plate Electrode ....................................................... 108 6.5.1.2 Staggered Through-Field or Rod Electrode ............................................... 109 6.5.1.3 Stray-Field Electrode ................................................................................. 109
6.5.2 Size of the Electrode System .................................................................................... 109 6.6 Important Facets of the Design of the RF Heater................................................................. 110
6.6.1 How to Achieve Reliability ....................................................................................... 110 6.6.2 Design of the Conveyor System ................................................................................ 111
6.6.2.1 Ovens with Flat-Plate Electrodes ............................................................... 111 6.6.2.2 Ovens with Staggered Through-Field Electrodes ...................................... 112
6.6.3 Generator Cooling System ........................................................................................ 112 6.6.4 Oven Airow System ................................................................................................ 112 6.6.5 Arc (Flash) Suppression............................................................................................ 113
Most of the published knowledge concerning industrial RF heaters and dryers is derived either from marketing literature issued by manufacturers or from the rather limited practical experience of academic contributors and journalists. To date, very little authoritative and in-depth information has been made available that is truly useful to purchasers and users of such machines.
