Ferrite Microwave Technologies Fluid & Chemical Heating Microwave System is a processing solution for fluids, chemicals, and formulations. It uniquely applies high-intensity electromagnetic energy to formulations flowing in cylindrical tubes, pipes, or housings. This in-line microwave heating system applies heat to initiate a reaction or change in state to the required end product. It produces results often impossible to achieve with traditional surface heating technologies.
Fluid & Chemical Processing: Applications
In-line microwave heating systems for fluid and chemical processing have been successfully applied to a wide range of chemical and industrial formulation process applications. These systems are available in both benchtop and commercial production scales. Although most of these processes are confidential to our end users, many have been proven at our in-house testing facility. The proven fluid and chemical processes for this microwave system include:
- Biofuels
- Chemical formulations
- Polymeric resin heating
- Pharmaceutical ampule heater
- Petrochemicals with ionic fluid
- Chitin extraction with ionic fluid
- Nutraceuticals from plant extracts
- Plastic recycling using chemical solvent
- Extraction of oil from tar sands using ionic fluid
- Cellulose and other casings for protein emulsions
Benefits of Utilizing Microwave Systems for Heating
The benefits to utilizing our unique, ultra-rapid microwave heating systems for chemicals and fluid processing include:
- Improved product quality resulting from more heating, and reduced residence time
- Longer production runs due to the reduction of scale or burn-on from hot surface processors
- Reduced cost of system maintenance and cleaning between production runs
- Reduction, or even elimination of additives or catalysts due to faster reaction kinetics during a chemical heating or curing process
- When used in combination with ionic fluids, Microwave Assisted Extraction greatly improves the speed and yield of a chemical extraction, when compared to conventional processes
- Due to the volumetric ionic heating process, the center of any chemical, fluid, or industrial product stream may reach a higher temperature than the surrounding fluid. This is the exact opposite achieved when using conventional surface heaters, and enhances the thermal process
Fluid & Chemical Heating Microwave Systems: Our Designs
Ferrite Microwave Technologies offers a series of modularized benchtop and commercial in-line microwave heating systems for fluids and chemicals. These are available with 915MHz or 2,450MHz microwave generators or transmitters. To maximize efficiency, our patented single-mode applicators ensure a uniform energy field is focused and located at the exact position as the product flowing through the heating tube. Customized designs to meet specific process specifications and production floor footprints are available upon request. Multiple generators can be used for applications requiring greater than 100kW of power output. The operating parameters per module are as follows:
Specifications
| Single Module Process Specification | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Throughput | 1 GPM (250 kg/hour) | 8 GPM (2,000 kg/hour) |
| Max. Temperature | 932°F (500°C) | 932°F (500°C) |
| Max. Pressure | 200 psig (14 Barg) | 200 psig (14 Barg) |
Materials & Options
| Design Options | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Generator Frequency | 2,450MHz | 915MHz |
| Applicator Material | Aluminum (SS is an option) | Aluminum (SS is an option) |
| Product Tube* | 99.8% Alumina Ceramic | 99.8% Alumina Ceramic |
| Tube Size | 3/8″ (10mm) to 1″ (25mm) | 1.5″ (38mm) to 2.5″ (63mm) |
| Standard Tube Fitting | Stainless Tri-Clamp Ferrule (Alternatives are available) | Stainless Tri-Clamp Ferrule (Alternatives are available) |
Dimensions
| Generator Control Panel, & Applicator Dimensions | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1’0″ (0.30m) 1’7″ (0.48m) 2’8″ (0.83m) | 6’0″ (1.83m) 2’8″ (0.81m) 2’9″ (0.84m) |
| Width | 0’8″ (0.20m) 0’11” (0.27m) 1’0″ (0.30m) | 2’6″ (0.76m) 0’9″ (0.23m) 2’0″ (0.61m) |
| Height | 1’3″ (0.37m) 1’7″ (0.48m) 3’2″ (0.97m) | 9’3″ (2.82m) 4’0″ (1.22m) 8’2″ (2.49m) |
Utility Specifications
| Utilities | Benchtop | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Power Output | 2 to 15 kW | 100 kW |
| Electricity | 3 to 20 kW | 115 kW |
| Magnetron Cooling Water* | 0.9 to 0.54 GPM (3.5 to 20 LPM) | 27 GPM (100 LPM) / 100 kW Generator |
Actual process performance and specifications will depend on the throughput, properties, and heating range of product.
*To eliminate the need for once through cooling water, we strongly recommend the use of a closed circuit package for commercial applications.
To learn more about Ferrite Microwave Technologies systems for fluid & chemical heating, please contact our support team. We look forward to discussing your current process, and working together to find a solution based on your needs.
