Fully coupled CEM/CFD modelling of microwave heating in a porous medium

Computational results for the microwave heating of a porous material are presented in this paper. Coupled finite difference time domain and finite volume methods are used to solve equations that describe the electromagnetic field and heat and mass transfer in porous media. These equations are nonlinearly coupled through the dielectric properties which depend both on temperature and moisture content. By investigating the resonant behaviour in two-dimensional microwave cavities, the FD-TD scheme is validated. Validation of the microwave power distribution in 3-D microwave enclosures is compared with other numerical results available. 3-D temperature distribution in a biomaterial is validated against experimental results. Results using the proposed fully coupled approach are discussed and analyzed. The model is able to reflect the evolution of both temperature and moisture fields as well as energy penetration as the moisture in the porous medium evaporates. Moisture movement results from internal pressure gradients produced by the internal heating and phase change. The model is validated by comparison to some published results for simpler problems.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Greenwich

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Dincov, Dusko D.

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Parrott, Kevin
• Pericleous, Kyriacos A

• QC Physics

Language dc:language

en