Microwave drying equipment is a type of drying device that uses electromagnetic waves as the heat source, with the material to be dried itself acting as the heating element. Below is a detailed introduction about it: • Working Principle: Microwave drying equipment utilizes high-frequency electromagnetic waves, commonly with frequencies of 2450MHz and 915MHz. Taking 2450MHz as an example, it alternates at a rate of 2.45 billion times per second, causing high-speed oscillatory motion of polar molecules. Friction between these molecules generates heat, which heats the material itself, thereby achieving drying. • Structural Components ◦ Furnace Chamber: The main part of the equipment, used to accommodate the material to be dried. Its design and material selection must ensure effective microwave transmission and uniform heating of the material. ◦ Microwave Generator: Typically a magnetron, which is the key component for generating microwave energy. ◦ Electrical Circuit: Includes power supply, timer, power divider, etc., which convert electrical energy into microwave energy and control the output power and working time of the microwaves. ◦ Furnace Door: Used to seal the furnace chamber and prevent microwave leakage. It is usually equipped with interlock micro-switches to ensure operational safety. ◦ Waveguide: Transmits the microwave power generated by the microwave generator to the furnace chamber. It is generally made of aluminum or brass. ◦ Moisture Exhaust and Cooling System: Removes water vapor evaporated from the material and cools parts such as the cavity and cathode of the microwave generator. Cooling methods include water cooling and air cooling, with air cooling being commonly used. ◦ Material Conveying System: Such as conveyor belts, used for conveying materials in continuous production. ◦ Control System: Adjusts various operating parameters of the equipment to ensure that output power, conveying speed, etc., can be controlled and adjusted according to process requirements. • Technical Features ◦ Rapid Drying: The material itself becomes the heating element, eliminating the need for a heat conduction process. Even materials with poor thermal conductivity can reach drying temperature in an extremely short time. ◦ Uniform Drying: Microwaves allow electromagnetic waves to penetrate uniformly into the interior and exterior of the object, generating heat throughout, thus avoiding the problem of external burning and internal under-drying. ◦ Energy-Saving and Efficient: Apart from minor transmission losses, there are almost no other losses, resulting in high thermal efficiency. It saves more than 1/3 of energy compared to infrared drying. ◦ Mold Prevention, Sterilization, and Preservation: Microwave drying has both thermal and biological effects, enabling sterilization and mold prevention at relatively low temperatures, while maximizing the preservation of the material's activity, vitamins in food, original color, and nutritional components. ◦ Advanced Technology: Drying can be started and stopped immediately by controlling microwave power. With the application of human-machine interfaces and PLC, programmable automated control of the drying process and drying process specifications can be achieved. ◦ Safe and Harmless: Microwave energy is confined to work within the metal-made drying chamber and waveguides, with minimal microwave leakage, posing no hazards from radiation or harmful gas emissions. • Application Fields ◦ Food Industry: Used for drying, insecticidal treatment, and mold prevention of rice and flour; withering and aroma enhancement of tea; and drying, sterilization, and disinfection of various foods. ◦ Pharmaceutical Industry: Can dry, sterilize, and disinfect medicines and pharmaceutical raw materials, such as drying of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. ◦ Chemical Industry: Used for drying and dehydration of powdered and granular chemical products, such as cobalt oxalate, lithium hydroxide, lithium cobalt oxide, etc. ◦ Other Industries: Also used for drying of wood, building materials, paper products; activation and regeneration of catalysts; and drying, sterilization, and disinfection of solid waste such as sludge.