ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the characteristics of microwaves, dielectric properties of microwaves, microwave interaction with materials, and elucidates the special effects of microwave heating in various applications. A material may have several dielectric mechanisms or polarization effects that contribute to its overall permittivity of an electric field. Carbon materials can be used as media for heat absorption to avoid thermal runaway. According to their microwave absorption characteristics, materials may be classified as conductors, insulators, and absorbers. Energy associated with microwaves is lower than the energy of Brownian motion which is not strong enough to even break chemical bonds. Microwaves cause higher boiling points due to the superheating effect. The boiling point of a liquid undergoing microwave irradiation was investigated. Manufacturing biodiesel using microwave represents a fast, easy and effective route with advantages of a short reaction time, a low methanol/acidified oil mass ratio, an ease of operation, reduced energy consumption and all with lower production cost.
