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IR Technique for Studies of Microwave Assisted Drying

a a a a
Michal Araszkiewicz , Antoni Koziol , Anita Lupinska & Michal Lupinski
a
Division of Chemical and Biochemical Processes, Faculty of Chemistry , University of
Technology , Wroclaw, Poland
Published online: 23 Apr 2007.

To cite this article: Michal Araszkiewicz , Antoni Koziol , Anita Lupinska & Michal Lupinski (2007) IR Technique for Studies of
Microwave Assisted Drying, Drying Technology: An International Journal, 25:4, 569-574, DOI: 10.1080/07373930701226989

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 Drying Technology, 25: 569–574, 2007
Copyright # 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0737-3937 print/1532-2300 online
DOI: 10.1080/07373930701226989
IR Technique for Studies of Microwave Assisted Drying
Michal Araszkiewicz, Antoni Koziol, Anita Lupinska, and Michal Lupinski
Division of Chemical and Biochemical Processes, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Technology,
Wroclaw, Poland
This article examines the idea of using an infrared technique in
obtaining temperature profiles in solid particles heated with micro-
waves. The geometry of a cylinder and a regular prism made from
thermally and structurally different materials (potato and gypsum)
Downloaded by [Aston University] at 21:20 22 August 2014
were tested. A suitability of the IR photography for visualization
and quantification of temperature distribution in heated samples
has been confirmed. Symmetrical temperature profiles were
detected in cylinders in contrast to non-symmetrical ones in prisms.
Keywords Drying; IR technique; Temperature profiles
INTRODUCTION
Drying is one of the most energy-consuming processes in
the industry. A promising option to make this process
more effective and profitable is heating by exposing a dry-
ing material to the high-frequency electromagnetic field in
the range of microwaves. Due to its specific features,
microwave energy used for drying provides many advan-
tages over convective heat supply, such as volumetric heat-
ing (heat generation takes place in the whole volume of the
material), easy process control (turning microwaves on and
off is instantaneous, so practically the thermal lag does not
exist), and selectivity (heat is generated mostly in wet
material zones). As an air stream is needed to remove eva-
porated moisture rather then to supply heat, the risk of
overheating the material surface is minimal. It is widely
acknowledged that microwave-assisted drying proceeds
faster and more efficiently than hot air drying, mainly
because of the same direction of heat and mass transfer.[1,2]
Fluidization—the process of drying granular materials by
convective heat transfer from a hot air stream—can also
be improved by using microwave energy as intense motion
of particles in the fluidized bed compensates for nonuni-
form electric field strength and accelerates removal of eva-
porated moisture.[3] The changes in material characteristics
and transport phenomena that take place within the small,
Correspondence: Michal Araszkiewicz, Division of Chemical
and Biochemical Processes, Faculty of Chemistry, University of
Technology, 53-373 Wroclaw, ul. Norwida 4=6, Poland; E-mail:
michal.araszkiewicz@pwr.wroc.pl
569
single particle may, however, strongly affect the microwave-
assisted drying of the bed of particles, either fixed or flui-
dized.[4]
Microwaves have been used in various branches of
industry for more than 50 years. Their success in food
processing gave reason for other industrial applications
where subtle delivery of thermal energy is very important.
Sintering of powdered metals, fabrication of transparent
ceramics, drying of pharmaceuticals, and drying of biopro-
ducts can be listed as examples.[5–7] Microwave irradiation
is also used for improving gas permeability in mem-
branes.[8] Despite many industrial applications, micro-
waves are still of interest to scientists, as the phenomena
resulting from internal heat generation have not yet been
comprehensively examined and sufficiently explained.
This work is a continuation of the authors’ studies on
the use of microwaves in drying, in which we regarded
the process from the macroscopic point of view (the
bed of particulate material)[2] and from the microscopic
viewpoint (single particle).[9] The main difference between
the microscopic and macroscopic viewpoints lies in the
material-to-wavelength ratio, which determines the pen-
etration depth of microwaves and thus governs the heat gen-
eration. In case of heating individual particles with
dimensions smaller than the microwave wavelength, the
whole volume of the material is easily penetrated with an
electromagnetic energy. Thus, heat generation throughout
the dried material should be more or less uniform if moisture
content distribution is also uniform. However, the actual
temperature distribution is not as uniform as can be
expected, and the highest temperatures exist in the material
core. This phenomenon leads to the same direction of the
mass and heat transfer toward the solid surface, which is
advantageous over convective heating.
The most important finding from our previous studies
was nonuniform temperature distribution within the
small (comparing to the wavelength of applied micro-
waves) spherical particle. This phenomenon was also
observed by Remmen,[10] Datta,[11] Schlunder,[12] and
Meredith.[13] Therefore, to calculate properly the influence
 570 ARASZKIEWICZ ET AL.

of microwaves on the temperature profile in the heated
material, not only the moisture content should be taken
into account, but also the shape and size of the particle.
It is obvious that a high temperature gradient within a
small heat-sensitive particle can be undesirable, as it can
lead to internal stresses and reduced product quality.[14]
On the other hand, a high thermal gradient improves dehy-
dration, so in order to achieve the best result, a proper
analysis of heat generation and temperature distribution
inside material seems to be crucial.
The magnitude of heat generation within the material
depends on its dielectric properties and the amount of
water trapped in the solid matrix. Because dielectric
properties depend on temperature, the knowledge of inter-
nal temperature profiles is essential for process calculation.
In order to determine temperature distribution across the
heated material, special arrangements need to be underta-
ken. The high-frequency electromagnetic field precludes
Downloaded by [Aston University] at 21:20 22 August 2014
taken. The IR camera was used for searching nonunifor-
mity of temperature distribution in this rare product, which
appears to be very heat sensitive.[22]
An analysis of published information does not bring a
clear picture regarding temperature distribution in micro-
wave-assisted processes. Though the researchers agreed
that the maximum of temperature exists inside the
material, the particular temperature distributions are dif-
ferent and the explanation of these differences is not appar-
ent. Moreover, it is hard to foresee a real magnitude of
temperature distribution according to the microwave
power level, type of material, and its geometry. In general,
there is lack of background knowledge on all phenomena
that may occur during microwave-assisted drying. This
work is one of steps in a systematic analysis of the influence
of microwave-induced heat generation and sample
geometry on internal temperature distribution in a small
volume of the material placed in the microwave cavity.

effective temperature measurement within the material Chosen experimental materials are typical and easy to pro-
placed in a microwave cavity. Moreover, simultaneous ceed with.
temperature reading is frequently difficult or even imposs- The prime objective of this work was to validate the
ible. This is the case when the heated material moves across possibility of using an IR technique for temperature deter-
the microwave cavity as in microwave-assisted fluidization. mination and to visualize and quantify temperature pro-
So far, the material temperature was measured either with files inside the solid samples of different shapes made
thermocouples during the break in microwave heating[15–17] from different materials and exposed to various levels of
or with fiber-optic sensors that are not sensitive to micro- microwave irradiation.
wave irradiation.[18,19] Both methods of temperature read-
ing fail, however, when a complete temperature profile
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND TAKING OF IR PICTURES
inside material is needed because the number of points
The experimental setup consists of a laboratory micro-
for temperature measurements is limited. Other disadvan-
wave dryer with continuous supply of microwave energy
tages of these methods are that taking proper temperature
at the incident power set at 100, 300, and 500 W. The fol-
readings takes too long and there is a risk of cooling the
lowing geometries were selected as model shapes: a cylinder
tested material. Also, to insert temperature sensors, some
holes of different depths have to be drilled, and good con-
tact of the sensor tip with the material has to be secured.
The infrared (IR) technique allows determination of
temperature distribution inside the heated material (by
recording surface temperature in a cross section of the
material) and estimation of the real influence of microwave
irradiation on the internal temperature distribution. Also,
it takes less time to take an IR picture than temperature
readings, especially if the whole picture of temperature dis-
tribution is needed.
The use of IR in microwave-assisted drying was first
examined by Ohlsson in 1987, where the sample was cut
after microwave heating, and the IR picture of its cross sec-
tion was taken.[20] Also, Kelen and coworkers[21] used the
IR technique to obtain a 3D visualization of temperature
distribution in three levels of the corn starch bed heated
with microwaves. The experimental results were used
mainly for verification model results. The IR technique
was also used for determination of temperature distri-
bution in kamaboko (traditional Japanese seafood), for FIG. 1. Experimental set up and principle of measurements: A: heating
which the IR photos of the material cross section were the sample, B: cutting the sample in half, C: taking IR picture.
 INFRARED TECHNIQUE FOR STUDIES ON MICROWAVE DRYING 571

and a regular prism with a triangle base (Fig. 1). Such

different shapes were intentionally chosen because the
existence of sharp edges in the prism might have an influ-
ence on the internal temperature distribution. On the other
hand, the cylinder has only two flat bases and no sharp
edges, so a different heating pattern can be expected.
The cylinder was 20 mm in diameter and 60 mm long; the
60-mm-long prism had a regular base with a 35-mm edge.
FIG. 2. Example of IR picture of cross section of a gypsum cylinder.
Two sets of two identically shaped solid samples (the cylin-
der and the prism) were prepared from gypsum. Prior to
experiments, the solid samples were immersed in distilled the temperature profiles were determined from the
water for approximately 3–4 min to fill the pores with IR pictures.
water. Initial moisture content was in the range of 0.6–
0.7 kg=kg. The same procedure was repeated for fresh
RESULTS
potatoes, from which the identical shapes were formed.
The experimental results were grouped into two main
Due to their high initial moisture content (approximately
sections, for the cylinder and for the prism. Each section
4 kg=kg), the potato samples were not artificially wetted
contains results for samples made from gypsum and
before experiments.
Downloaded by [Aston University] at 21:20 22 August 2014

potatoes and heated at different microwave power levels

The tested material was then inserted into the micro-
(100, 300, and 500 W). The last series of experimental
wave cavity and placed on the plastic stand so microwaves
results (Fig. 4) presents the analysis of non-symmetrical
could easily penetrate the particle from every direction. The
temperature distribution inside the prism-shaped particles.
experiments were conducted in a batch mode. After a 30 s
exposure to microwaves, set as a constant heating time in
all experiments, a solid sample was taken out the cavity, Cylinders—Gypsum
cut into halves, and the picture of a cross section (Fig. 1) The temperature difference between the core and the
was taken using an IR camera (model E-25 FLIR Systems, surface reached 50
C during heating with 300 and 500 W
Boston, MA). The whole measurement took about 10 s. of microwave power (Fig. 5). As expected for a symmetri-
Unfortunately, this method of temperature determi- cal sample, the profile is also symmetrical, and the
nation resulted in total destruction of the particle. So, maximum temperature rises with the microwave power
before the experiments, a large number of identical parti- level. An internal temperature profile is almost flat, with
cles had been prepared. Additional tests were performed no distinct maximum. This can be attributed to thermal
to quantify possible errors due to cooling (approximately and structural properties of the gypsum sample. Namely,
1.3
C for gypsum and 0.7
C for potatoes). Gypsum tem- the solid matrix did not change during such fast and rapid
perature rose approximately 3
C during cutting, whereas dehydration. After removing the residual water, there is a
no increase in temperature was detected when cutting little heat generated due to absorption of microwave energy
potato samples. Both errors (from cooling and cutting) by the dry material. It seems that the gypsum solid matrix
were found less than 2
C and thus were neglected.
Several parameters should be taken into consideration
in order to properly measure the temperature values with
the IR camera. This is an emissivity of the object, a dis-
tance between the camera and the object and air tempera-
ture. The exact value of emissivity for a given material was
taken from tables provided by the camera manufacturer
who, however, did not relate it to the material moisture
content. Thus, in these experiments we assumed that the
emissivity values were determined for fresh potato. All
these data were loaded into the IR camera before each
experiment. Therefore, the picture of internal temperature
distribution was believed to provide real values of material
temperature. Figure 2 presents the IR picture for a gypsum
cylinder dried with microwaves. In order to achieve the
full temperature profile, commercial software from
FLIR Systems (Therma CAMTM Reporter 2000 Basic)
was used. Figures 2 and 3 present the lines along which FIG. 3. Example of IR picture of cross section of a gypsum prism.
 572
FIG. 4. Temperature profiles A–A0 , B–B0 , C–C0 .
does not change its structure during drying and thus
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temperature distribution is uniform.
Cylinders—Potatoes
Temperature profiles for cylinders made from potato are
symmetrical (Fig. 6). There are bigger differences in inter-
nal temperature distribution, and in the particle center
the maximum of temperature is clearly visible. The
maximum temperature close to 90
C appears simul-
taneously for 300 and 500 W. The temperature reached
only 56
C at 100 W. Interestingly, the pattern of tempera-
ture distribution in a central part of the particle differs
from the one for gypsum. This phenomenon could be
attributed to: (1) strong heat generation resulting from very
high moisture content and (2) simultaneous shrinkage of a
solid structure due to rapid dehydration and thus mechan-
ical destruction of the tissue so the material matrix is not
longer uniform. This process was investigated in detail by
Wang and coworkers.[23]
FIG. 5. Gypsum cylinder; 100, 300, 500 W of microwave power, 30 s of
heating.
ARASZKIEWICZ ET AL.
FIG. 6. Potato cylinder; 100, 300, 500 W of microwave power, 30 s of
heating.
Prism with Triangle Base—Gypsum
As seen in Fig. 7, the profiles of temperature in prism-
shaped particles made from gypsum are not symmetrical,
and the maximum is always shifted toward one side. This
effect can be attributed to shorter pass form moisture=
vapor migration in the prism edge in conjunction with
nonuniform electric field within the MW cavity, which
becomes pronounced when samples with a larger cross-
sectional area are heated. This phenomenon was investi-
gated in detail in our previous paper.[24]
Prism with Triangle Base—Potatoes
Temperature profiles in shapes made from potatoes
(Fig. 8) are similar to the ones in gypsum prisms.
In addition, the maxima of temperature for each micro-
wave power level are similar. However, the temperature
line for 300 W (Fig. 8, line 300 W) reached slightly higher
values than in the gypsum case (Fig. 7). Also, the 300 W
line reached higher values than the 500 W temperature
FIG. 7. Gypsum prism; 100, 300, 500 W of microwave power, 30 s of
heating.
 INFRARED TECHNIQUE FOR STUDIES ON MICROWAVE DRYING
FIG. 8. Potato prism; 100, 300, 500 W of microwave power, 30 s of heating.
profile. There is a clear distinction between series for higher
Downloaded by [Aston University] at 21:20 22 August 2014
microwave power levels (300 and 500 W) and series for
100 W in most described cases. The values of temperature
profiles for 300 and 500 W are similar as well. The expla-
nation of this fact could be a rapid and unstable run of
dehydration in the beginning of the drying process.
Because a large amount of water still exists inside the
material, heat generation proceeds very efficiently, so such
a temporary temperature inversion may appear. This leads
to that conclusion the use of stronger microwave heating
does not always ensure better results. Additionally, stron-
ger microwave heating can increase the risk of overheating
the material. The economic factor can also be emphasized.
Non-symmetrical Temperature Distribution
The IR technique helps to obtain precise temperature
distribution in the cross section of a tested particle. There
are lines of temperature determination shown in the follow-
ing IR pictures (Fig. 9) with corresponding temperature
FIG. 9. IR picture of gypsum prism (all three lines of analysis are vis-
ible: A–A0 , B–B0 and C–C0 ).
573
profiles (Fig. 4). The tested shape has been made from gyp-
sum and has been heated with 100 W microwaves for 30 s.
All temperature profiles were derived from the same IR
picture.
The IR pictures reveal the nonuniformity of temperature
distribution inside the prism-shaped particle. This is parti-
cularly visible in Fig. 4, where two profiles exhibit double
temperature maxima. We believe that the use of the stan-
dard thermocouples method for temperature measurement
could not reveal this effect and therefore could lead to
incorrect conclusions.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
IR technique allows looking more closely into the solid
matrix from the temperature point of view. It offers an
opportunity to examine the whole temperature distribution
within the heated particle, in contrast to temperature distri-
bution from discrete measurements using the limited num-
ber of thermocouples. This method is also more precise and
sensitive for revealing local irregularity in temperature dis-
tribution. A disadvantage is the necessity of cutting the
sample to take the IR picture.
In future experimental studies, the results will be used
for verification of accessible mathematical solutions
regarding microwave-assisted drying. Also, the problem
of a relationship between the electromagnetic field strength
and the sample geometry on internal heat generation
should be mathematically determined.
The IR technique seems to be a perfect tool for obtain-
ing the picture of thermal changes within the heated
material. Moreover, this method is fast and easy to apply,
especially when microwaves are to be used to heat ther-
mally sensitive materials.
From present work, the most important conclusions are:
 The magnitude of temperature generation was
primarily dependent on the level of microwave
heating. At 500 W, the maximum temperature
reached almost 90
C in the center of a potato cyl-
inder and 85
C in the gypsum cylinder.
 Temperature distribution inside tested particles
was not uniform in most cases (exception: gypsum
cylinder; Fig. 6). The potato cylinders exhibited a
distinct temperature maximum in the geometrical
center. This is connected with a different solid
matrix structure and its reaction to rapid dehy-
dration that takes place during microwave heating.
The potato structure has a tendency to shrink and
crack simultaneously with decreasing moisture
content. This process alters the internal pore struc-
ture and can affect water transfer through the
solid, causing local nonuniformities in moisture
distribution and thus nonuniform heat generation.
 574 ARASZKIEWICZ ET AL.
In the gypsum case, the solid structure is more
resistant to changes in moisture content.
 The shape of the heated particle has also an influ-
ence on the internal temperature distribution. The
temperature profiles in cylinders were almost
symmetrical, and especially in potatoes, the tem-
perature maximum was clearly marked. The tem-
perature profiles in the case of gypsum cylinders
were flattened. The temperature profiles in prisms
were less symmetrical than in cylinders. There were
almost no differences between potatoes and gyp-
sum. A temperature maximum was observed at
one side of the particle and this phenomenon could
result from nonuniform electric field strength inside
the microwave cavity and the stagnant sample.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work was carried out as a part of the research
Downloaded by [Aston University] at 21:20 22 August 2014
project No 3 T09C05826 sponsored by the Polish State
Committee for Scientific Research.
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