TAZ - Topical Conference: Industrial Applications of Microwave & Radio Frequency Processing

View this topical's sessions 29 and109

Topical Overview: This topical will supply practical information on how to apply Microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) technologies to new and existing processes.  MW & RF have seen considerable progress in the last decade as effective tools in advanced materials processing.  Traditionally, these dielectric heating technologies have seen successful applications in the process operations of heating, drying, tempering, and curing across a wide range of industries.  Building on these successful applications, advances in the manufacture of advanced materials are evolving as these highly efficient electromagnetic processing tools are harnessed to yield materials with improved qualities and properties.

You will learn about the following topics:
• Drying Heat Sensitive Materials - The unique manner in which microwaves evaporates solvents such as water or alcohol without the need for high temperature auxiliary heat, also permits drying at low temperatures, thereby providing a means for the removal of such solvents from heat sensitive materials..
• Microwave Assist for Chemical Processing - Focus on the scale-up and commercialization of microwave assisted processes and equipment.  Applications for catalysts, pharmaceuticals, proppants, additives, electroceramics, and nanomaterials.
• Conventional and Emerging Applications – MW & RF have proven themselves in select industries such as food, rubber, plasma and drying.  Emerging applications in polymers, sintering metals and advanced materials will be covered.
• Decision Making – Evaluating critical factors for deciding when to use a microwave process including examples of resulting installations.
• Improved Materials Performance   - Microwave processing has been shown to efficiently sinter, melt and braze metallic materials, often exhibiting better mechanical properties. Review findings and discuss the commercial prospects and implications of the developed technology.
• Optimizing System Performance - Microwave heating systems range in size and complexity from small consumer microwave ovens to large multi-chamber conveyor systems.  Evaluate considerations for system design to achieve an optimal balance between cost and performance.

Associated Events:
Sustainability Short Courses
 Microwave and Radio Processing Frequency Tools for Science and Industry, MW & RF Technology Fair Sunday, April 6, 9am-5pm, $499

Topical Conference Proceedings : A complete 2008 Spring Meeting Proceedings CD-ROM will be available for $90 at the conference and may be ordered in advance using the conference registration form. All submitted papers received prior to the pre-conference deadline will be included and where papers are not submitted, paper proposal abstracts will be used. E-mail addresses for all authors will also be included.