Heating device

Abstract

Provided is a heating device capable of improving the heating efficiency of a heating target by microwave irradiation. 【Solution means】A heating device including a microwave irradiation unit 3 configured to irradiate a heating target 14 with microwaves, and a recovery unit 105 configured to recover a fluid generated from the heating target 14 irradiated with microwaves. The microwave is, for example, an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 300 MHz or more and 30 GHz or less. The heating target 14 includes, for example, metal. Further, the heating target 14 includes, for example, non-metals such as oil, organic substances, and water. When the heating target 14 is irradiated with microwaves, the heating target 14 is heated, and non-metals having melting points and boiling points lower than those of metals become fluids and separate from the heating target.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some aspects of the present invention relate to a heating device.

Background Art

[0002] When heating an object to be heated, the object to be heated may be irradiated with microwaves.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of some aspects of the present invention is to provide a heating device capable of improving the heating efficiency of an object to be heated by microwave irradiation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The heating device according to the embodiment includes a microwave irradiation unit configured to irradiate an object to be heated with microwaves, and a recovery unit configured to recover the fluid generated from the object to be heated irradiated with microwaves.

[0006] In the above heating device, the object to be heated may be a metal.

[0007] In the above heating device, the fluid may be a liquid, and the recovery unit may include a liquid recovery unit configured to recover the liquid.

[0008] In the above heating device, the liquid recovery unit may be disposed below the object to be heated in the direction of gravity.

[0009] In the above heating device, the liquid recovery unit may include a drain pan for receiving the liquid.

[0010] In the above heating device, the liquid recovery unit may be connected to the drain pan and further include a drain pipe through which the liquid flows.

[0011] In the above heating device, the liquid recovery unit may be connected to the drain pipe and further include a tank for storing the liquid.

[0012] In the above heating device, the fluid may be a gas, and the recovery unit may include a gas recovery unit configured to recover the gas.

[0013] In the above heating device, the gas recovery unit may include a gas recovery pipe connected to the irradiation chamber in which the object to be irradiated with microwaves is disposed.

[0014] In the above heating device, the gas recovery unit may include a liquefaction device for liquefying the recovered gas. The liquefaction device may cool and liquefy the recovered gas.

[0015] The above heating device may further include a holding member for holding the object to be heated, the holding member being provided with an opening for allowing the fluid to pass through to the recovery unit.

[0016] In the above heating device, the holding member may rotate.

[0017] In the above heating device, the holding member may move parallelly.

[0018] In the above heating device, the holding member may be a stage, and the object to be heated may be arranged on the stage.

[0019] In the above heating device, the holding member may have a hollow shape, and the object to be heated may be arranged inside the holding member.

[0020] In the above heating device, the holding member having a hollow shape may rotate.

[0021] The above heating device may further include a conveying device for conveying the object to be heated to the microwave irradiation unit.

[0022] In the above heating device, the conveying device may include a pushing portion configured to push the object to be heated.

[0023] In the above heating device, the conveying device may include a roller conveyor.

[0024] The above heating device includes an irradiation chamber in which the object to be irradiated with microwaves is arranged, and a pre-heating chamber connected to the irradiation chamber. The object to be heated before being irradiated with microwaves may be arranged in the pre-heating chamber.

[0025] The above heating device may further include a gas environment adjusting device for making the gas environment in the irradiation chamber the same as the gas environment in the pre-heating chamber.

[0026] The above heating device includes an irradiation chamber in which the object to be irradiated with microwaves is arranged, and a post-heating chamber connected to the irradiation chamber. The object to be heated after being irradiated with microwaves may be arranged in the post-heating chamber.

[0027] The above heating device may further include a gas environment adjusting device that makes the gas environment in the irradiation chamber the same as the gas environment in the chamber after heating.

[0028] The above heating device may further include a feeder configured to supply the object to be heated before being irradiated with microwaves to the microwave irradiation region.

[0029] In the above heating device, the fluid may be at least one of oil and water.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heating device capable of improving the heating efficiency of an object to be heated by microwave irradiation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are schematic. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in light of the following description. Also, it goes without saying that there are portions where the dimensional relationships and ratios are different between the drawings.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the heating device according to the embodiment includes a microwave irradiation unit 3 configured to irradiate a heating target 14 with microwaves, and a recovery unit 105 configured to recover a fluid generated from the heating target 14 irradiated with microwaves. The microwave is, for example, an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 300 MHz or more and 30 GHz or less.

[0034] The heating target 14 includes, for example, metal. The heating target 14 includes, for example, ceramic. Also, the heating target 14 includes, for example, non-metals such as oil, organic matter, and water. In the present disclosure, oil includes emulsion. When the heating target 14 is irradiated with microwaves, the heating target 14 is heated, and non-metals having a melting point and a boiling point lower than those of metal and ceramic become fluids and separate from the heating target. The heating target 14 may be reduced by being irradiated with microwaves. The heating target 14 may be sintered or melted and solidified by being irradiated with microwaves.

[0035] The fluid generated from the heating target 14 includes liquid and gas. The recovery unit 105 may include a liquid recovery unit 106 configured to recover liquid. Examples of the liquid include water, oil, and organic matter. The recovery unit 105 may include a gas recovery unit 107 configured to recover gas. Examples of the gas include vaporized water, vaporized oil, and vaporized organic matter.

[0036] The oil may be water-soluble or water-insoluble. The oil may contain at least one of a surfactant, a rust inhibitor, and a preservative. The oil may be mixed with water to form an emulsion. Examples of the oil include cutting oil and mold release agent. Examples of the cutting oil include mineral oil, animal and vegetable fats and oils, synthetic oil, and mineral oil, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0037] In addition, the oil may be rolling oil, extrusion processing oil used in extrusion processing, drawing processing oil used in drawing processing, press processing oil used in press processing, forging oil used in forging processing, hydraulic oil leaked from a processing machine during metal processing or cutting, cooling oil, rust preventive oil, and oil adhering to the heating target 14 from a machine for processing the heating target 14 such as lubricating oil.

[0038] Examples of the organic substance include a surfactant and silicone oil.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid recovery unit 106 is disposed below the heating target 14 in the gravitational direction when irradiated with microwaves. The liquid recovery unit 106 may include a drain pan 15 that receives the liquid detached from the heating target 14, a drain pipe 17 connected to the drain pan 15 through which the liquid flows, and a tank 21 connected to the drain pipe 17 that stores the liquid 28. A valve 17a may be provided between the drain pan 15 and the drain pipe 17. The valve 17a suppresses the entry of outside air into the irradiation chamber 36 described later.

[0040] The heating device according to the embodiment may further include a holding member 425 that holds the heating target 14 when irradiated with microwaves. The holding member 425 is, for example, a stage, and the heating target 14 is disposed on the stage. The holding member 425 is provided with an opening, for example, through which the liquid detached from the heating target 14 heated by irradiation with microwaves permeates into the liquid recovery unit 106. The opening may be one or a plurality.

[0041] The liquid that has detached from the object to be heated 14 heated by microwave irradiation falls into the drain pan 15 through the opening of the holding member 425. The liquid collected in the drain pan 15 is sent to the tank 21 through the drain pipe 17.

[0042] The heating device according to the embodiment may further include an irradiation chamber 36 in which the object to be heated 14 irradiated with microwaves is disposed. The microwave irradiation unit 3 irradiates the object to be heated 14 disposed in the irradiation chamber 36 with microwaves. The irradiation chamber 36 can be sealed from the outside when, for example, the microwave irradiation unit 3 irradiates microwaves. The bottom of the irradiation chamber 36 may form the drain pan 15.

[0043] The irradiation chamber 36 is provided with, for example, a carry-in door 410A for carrying the object to be heated 14 into the irradiation chamber 36 and a carry-out door 410B for carrying the object to be heated 14 out of the irradiation chamber 36.

[0044] The gas recovery unit 107 may include a gas recovery pipe 20 connected to the irradiation chamber 36, a suction pump 24 that sucks the gas in the irradiation chamber 36 into the gas recovery pipe 20, and a liquefaction device 25 that liquefies the recovered gas. The gas that has detached from the object to be heated 14 heated by microwave irradiation is recovered from the irradiation chamber 36 by the suction pump 24 through the gas recovery pipe 20 and sent to the liquefaction device 25. The liquefaction device 25 cools, for example, the recovered gas to liquefy the gas.

[0045] The object to be heated 14 may contain a single metal or may contain a metal compound such as an alloy. Examples of metals include iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), tin (Sn), cerium (Ce), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), sodium (Na), bismuth (Bi), and gallium (Ga).

[0046] The sintering temperature of iron (Fe) is, for example, 1200 °C. The melting point of iron (Fe) is 1538 °C. The sintering temperature of nickel (Ni) is, for example, 1200 °C. The melting point of nickel (Ni) is 1495 °C. The sintering temperature of copper (Cu) is, for example, 800 °C. The melting point of copper (Cu) is 1085 °C. The sintering temperature of gold (Au) is, for example, 800 °C. The melting point of gold (Au) is 1064 °C. The sintering temperature of silver (Ag) is, for example, 750 °C. The melting point of silver (Ag) is 962 °C. The sintering temperature of aluminum (Al) is, for example, 500 °C. The melting point of aluminum (Al) is 660 °C. The sintering temperature of cobalt (Co) is, for example, 1100 °C. The melting point of cobalt (Co) is 1455 °C.

[0047] The object to be heated 14 may contain one type of metal or a plurality of types of metals. Examples of metal compounds include alloys composed of a plurality of metal elements, alloys composed of metal elements and non-metal elements, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal chlorides, metal carbides, metal borides, and metal sulfides, but are not particularly limited. As alloy components, the metal raw material may contain, for example, silicon (Si), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), carbon (C), boron (B), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), palladium (Pd), lanthanum (La), gold (Au), potassium (K), cadmium (Cd), indium (In), molybdenum (Mo), and sulfur (S), etc.

[0048] The shape and size of the object to be heated 14 are not particularly limited. The object to be heated 14 may be solid or may be composed of powder. The object to be heated 14 may be plate-shaped or sheet-shaped. The object to be heated 14 may contain a compact of metal powder. The object to be heated 14 may contain a fragment of metal. The object to be heated 14 may be a briquette.

[0049] When the object to be heated 14 is a molded body of a metal material, when forming the metal raw material into a molded body, a pressure of, for example, 1 MPa or more, 100 MPa or more, or 200 MPa or more and 2000 MPa or less, 1900 MPa or less, or 1800 MPa or less may be applied to the metal raw material. By applying pressure, the metal solid produced by heating the object to be heated 14 and sintering or melting and solidifying the metal tends to become dense. Examples of the pressurization method include uniaxial molding, cold isostatic pressing (CIP) molding, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) molding, and roller pressing.

[0050] The holding member 425 may contain a heating accelerator that promotes the heating of the object to be heated 14 irradiated with microwaves.

[0051] The heating accelerator may contain an absorption material that absorbs microwaves in a temperature range at least partially lower than the temperature range in which the metal raw material of the object to be heated 14 absorbs microwaves. The absorption material has a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal raw material. At least a part of the temperature range in which the absorption material absorbs microwaves is lower than the temperature range in which the metal raw material absorbs microwaves. The temperature range in which the metal raw material absorbs microwaves is, for example, 300°C or more and 1200°C or less, 450°C or more and 1100°C or less, or 600°C or more and 800°C or less. The temperature range in which the absorption material absorbs microwaves is, for example, 25°C or more and 1000°C or less, 50°C or more and 1000°C or less, 75°C or more and 1000°C or less, 100°C or more and 1000°C or less, 250°C or more and 900°C or less, or 400°C or more and 600°C or less.

[0052] It is preferable that at least a part of the temperature range in which the absorption material absorbs microwaves overlaps with the temperature range in which the metal raw material absorbs microwaves. Since the absorption material absorbs microwaves in a temperature range at least partially lower than the temperature range in which the metal raw material absorbs microwaves, it generates heat earlier than the metal raw material. Therefore, the absorption material can heat the metal raw material before reaching the temperature range in which the metal raw material absorbs microwaves.

[0053] Therefore, when the heating accelerator contains an absorption material, the temperature of the metal raw material reaches the temperature range where it absorbs microwaves more quickly, and it is possible to shorten the heating time of the metal raw material. Further, since the absorption material absorbs microwaves in a temperature range that is at least partially lower than the temperature range where the metal raw material absorbs microwaves, it is possible to suppress the heating accelerator from being heated more than necessary. Therefore, even while the metal raw material irradiated with microwaves is sintered or melted, the heating accelerator containing the absorption material can maintain a stable shape.

[0054] The absorption material includes, for example, a carbon material. Examples of the carbon material include carbon black, amorphous carbon, graphite, silicon carbide, carbon resin, and metal carbides, but are not particularly limited. The absorption material may include a metal raw material, a metal nitride, a metal oxide, a metal boride, etc. that absorb microwaves in a temperature range that is at least partially lower than the temperature range where the metal raw material to be heated absorbs microwaves. The absorption material may be these compounds. The absorption material preferably does not contain volatile components. By the absorption material not containing volatile components, it is possible to avoid microwaves being absorbed by the volatile components.

[0055] The heating accelerator may include a heat insulating material that has higher microwave permeability than the metal raw material and absorbs microwaves to a lesser extent than the metal raw material. The heat insulating material has a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal raw material. Since the heat insulating material absorbs microwaves to a lesser extent, even when irradiated with microwaves, the degree of heat generation is low, and it exhibits a heat insulating effect. Further, since the heat insulating material has a higher melting point than the metal raw material, even when irradiated with microwaves, its shape remains stable. Therefore, even while the metal raw material irradiated with microwaves is sintered or melted, the heating accelerator containing the heat insulating material can maintain a stable shape.

[0056] The heat insulating material may contain a metal oxide or a metalloid oxide. Examples of metal and metalloid oxides include, but are not particularly limited to, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), magnesium oxide (MgO), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and titanium oxide (TiO2). For example, the melting point of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is 2072 °C. The melting point of silicon dioxide (SiO2) is 1710 °C. The melting point of magnesium oxide (MgO) is 2852 °C. The heat insulating material may be these compounds.

[0057] The heating accelerator may contain a reducing material that reduces the metal raw material. The reducing material has a melting point higher than that of the metal raw material. Examples of the reducing material include carbon and silicon carbide. The carbon material used as the absorption material can also function as the reducing material.

[0058] The heating accelerator may consist only of the heat insulating material, may consist only of the absorption material, may consist only of the reducing material, may contain a mixture of the heat insulating material and the absorption material, may contain a mixture of the absorption material and the reducing material, may contain a mixture of the reducing material and the heat insulating material, or may contain a mixture of the heat insulating material, the absorption material, and the reducing material. Also, the heat insulating material, the absorption material, and the reducing material may have overlapping properties and functions. For example, the carbon material can function as both the absorption material and the reducing material.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, when irradiating the object to be heated 14 with microwaves, a contact member 420 containing a heating accelerator may be brought into contact with the object to be heated 14. The contact member 420 contacts, for example, the upper surface of the object to be heated 14. The contact member 420 may be movable in the direction of gravity. The contact member 420 may contain a heating accelerator. By sandwiching the object to be heated 14 between a holding member 425 containing a heating accelerator and a contact member 420 containing a heating accelerator, the heating of the object to be heated 14 is promoted.

[0060] In order to uniformly heat the object to be heated 14, the object to be heated 14 may be rotated with respect to the microwave irradiation unit 3. For example, the heating device according to the embodiment further includes a turntable 440 that rotates the object to be heated 14 disposed on the holding member 425. A shaft 430 is connected to the turntable 440, and the turntable 440 rotates about the shaft 430. The longitudinal direction of the shaft 430 is, for example, parallel to the irradiation window of the microwave irradiation unit 3 and perpendicular to the main traveling direction of the microwave irradiated from the microwave irradiation unit 3.

[0061] When rotating the object to be heated 14 with the turntable 440, the contact member 420 in contact with the upper surface of the object to be heated 14 may be rotated. The contact member 420 may be rotated passively as the object to be heated 14 rotates. A shaft 435 may be connected to the contact member 420. An opening may be provided at the center of the contact member 420, and the shaft 435 may be inserted into the opening. A sleeve 431 into which the shaft 435 is inserted may be provided in the irradiation chamber 36. The longitudinal directions of the shaft 435 and the sleeve 431 are parallel to the shaft 430, and the centers of the shaft 430 and the shaft 435 are on the same line. The contact member 420 rotates about the shaft 435.

[0062] When the object to be heated 14 contains a metal oxide, the metal oxide is reduced by irradiating the object to be heated 14 with microwaves. When the object to be heated 14 contains a metal, when the object to be heated 14 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the sintering temperature and near the melting point, a dense sintered body is likely to be obtained. Therefore, the object to be heated 14 may be heated to 1400 °C or higher, or 1500 °C or higher by microwaves. When melting and solidifying the object to be heated 14, the object to be heated 14 may be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point.

[0063] When the object to be heated 14 is heated, the components contained in the object to be heated 14 may be liquefied and vaporized, generating liquid and gas from the object to be heated 14. If the liquid and gas generated from the object to be heated 14 continue to exist in the irradiation chamber 36, they may adhere to the object to be heated 14 and the inner wall of the irradiation chamber 36. Further, when the irradiation of the microwave ends and the temperature in the irradiation chamber 36 decreases, the liquid and gas adhering to the object to be heated 14 and the inner wall of the irradiation chamber 36 may solidify.

[0064] The liquid and gas generated from the object 14 to be heated may be impurities. Therefore, it is not preferable that the liquid and gas generated from the object 14 to be heated adhere to the object 14 to be heated again. Further, if the liquid and gas generated from the object 14 to be heated adhere to the microwave transmission window of the microwave irradiation unit 3, the irradiation efficiency of the microwave decreases, which is not preferable. Further, when a measuring device such as a thermometer is provided in the irradiation chamber 36, if the liquid and gas generated from the object 14 to be heated adhere to the measuring device, the measuring accuracy of the measuring device may decrease, which is not preferable.

[0065] Further, when the object 14 to be heated before being heated contains oil, when the oil is heated, toxic gases such as benzene and toluene may be generated.

[0066] However, since the heating device according to the embodiment includes a recovery unit configured to recover the fluid generated from the object 14 to be irradiated with microwaves, it is possible to suppress the liquid and gas generated from the object 14 to be heated from adhering to the object 14 to be heated, the inner wall of the irradiation chamber 36, the microwave transmission window, and the measuring device. Further, it is possible to suppress the diffusion of toxic gas around the heating device.

[0067] The heating device according to the embodiment may further include a pre-heating chamber 400 connected to the irradiation chamber 36. The object 14 to be heated before being irradiated with microwaves is disposed in the pre-heating chamber 400. The pre-heating chamber 400 is provided with a loading door (not shown) for loading the object 14 to be heated from the outside to the inside. A loading door 410A is disposed between the pre-heating chamber 400 and the irradiation chamber 36, and the loading door 410A is opened when moving the object 14 to be heated from the pre-heating chamber 400 to the irradiation chamber 36.

[0068] Before heating, the chamber 400 can function as a load lock chamber. For example, the heating device may include a gas environment adjustment device that makes the gas environment in the irradiation chamber 36 the same as the gas environment in the chamber 400 before heating. For example, a gas introduction pipe 255 and a gas discharge pipe 260 are provided in the irradiation chamber 36, and a gas introduction pipe 256 and a gas discharge pipe 261 are provided in the chamber 400 before heating.

[0069] With the irradiation chamber 36 sealed, the gas in the irradiation chamber 36 is discharged from the gas discharge pipe 260, and a gas of a desired composition is introduced into the irradiation chamber 36 from the gas introduction pipe 255, whereby it is possible to set a desired gas condition in the irradiation chamber 36. Also, with the chamber 400 before heating sealed, the gas in the chamber 400 before heating is discharged from the gas discharge pipe 261, and a gas of a desired composition is introduced into the chamber 400 before heating from the gas introduction pipe 256, whereby it is possible to set the gas in the chamber 400 before heating to desired conditions.

[0070] The gas introduced into the chamber 400 before heating and the irradiation chamber 36 may be an inert gas. Examples of inert gases include argon (Ar) and helium (He). The gas introduced into the chamber 400 before heating and the irradiation chamber 36 may be a neutral gas. Examples of neutral gases include nitrogen (N2), dry hydrogen (H2), and ammonia (NH3). The gas introduced into the chamber 400 before heating and the irradiation chamber 36 may be a reducing gas. Examples of reducing gases include hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon gases (CH4, C3H8, C4H 10 etc.).

[0071] After placing the object 14 to be heated in the pre-heating chamber 400, the pre-heating chamber 400 is sealed, and the gas conditions in the pre-heating chamber 400 are made the same as the gas conditions in the irradiation chamber 36. Then, the transfer door 410A between the pre-heating chamber 400 and the irradiation chamber 36 is opened, the object 14 to be heated is moved into the irradiation chamber 36, and by closing the transfer door 410A, it is possible to prevent outside air from entering the irradiation chamber 36.

[0072] The bottom surface of the pre-heating chamber 400 and the bottom surface of the irradiation chamber 36 may form a series of stages 1. The heating device according to the embodiment may further include a transfer device for moving the object 14 to be heated from inside the pre-heating chamber 400 into the irradiation chamber 36. The transfer device may include a pushing portion 11 configured to push the object 14 to be heated from inside the pre-heating chamber 400 toward the irradiation chamber 36. The pushing portion 11 includes, for example, a rod and reciprocates between the pre-heating chamber 400 and the irradiation chamber 36.

[0073] The heating device according to the embodiment may further include a post-heating chamber 401 connected to the irradiation chamber 36. The object 14a after being irradiated with microwaves is placed in the post-heating chamber 401. An unloading door 410B is arranged between the irradiation chamber 36 and the post-heating chamber 401, and the unloading door 410B is opened when moving the object 14a from the irradiation chamber 36 to the post-heating chamber 401. The post-heating chamber 401 is provided with an unloading door 411 for unloading the object 14a from the inside to the outside.

[0074] After heating, the chamber 401 can function as a load lock chamber. For example, the heating device may include a gas environment adjustment device that makes the gas environment in the irradiation chamber 36 the same as the gas environment in the chamber 401 after heating. For example, a gas introduction pipe 257 and a gas discharge pipe 262 are provided in the chamber 401 after heating. With the chamber 401 after heating sealed, the gas in the chamber 401 after heating is discharged from the gas discharge pipe 262, and a gas with a desired composition is introduced into the chamber 401 after heating from the gas introduction pipe 257, so that the gas in the chamber 401 after heating can be set to desired conditions.

[0075] Before carrying the object to be heated 14a out of the irradiation chamber 36 into the chamber 401 after heating, the chamber 401 after heating is sealed, and the gas conditions in the chamber 401 after heating are made the same as the gas conditions in the irradiation chamber 36. Then, the carry-out door 410B between the irradiation chamber 36 and the chamber 401 after heating is opened, the object to be heated 14a is moved into the chamber 401 after heating, the carry-out door 410B is closed, and then, the carry-out door 411 of the chamber 401 after heating is opened to carry the object to be heated 14a out of the chamber 401 after heating, thereby preventing outside air from entering the irradiation chamber 36.

[0076] The heating device according to the embodiment may further include a transfer device that moves the object to be heated 14a from inside the chamber 401 after heating to the outside. The transfer device may include a caterpillar conveyor 19 configured to carry the object to be heated 14a out of the chamber 401 after heating to the outside.

[0077] In the heating device according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a carry-in port 412 and a carry-out port 413 are provided in the irradiation chamber 36. The heating device shown in FIG. 4 includes a transfer device for the object to be heated 14 that penetrates the irradiation chamber 36 through the carry-in port 412 and the carry-out port 413. The transfer device includes, for example, a roller conveyor 31 on which the object to be heated 14 flows on the upper surface, and a pressing portion 11 that presses the object to be heated 14 on the roller conveyor 31. A plurality of objects to be heated 14 flow on the roller conveyor 31, and each of the plurality of objects to be heated 14 may be continuously irradiated with microwaves in the irradiation chamber 36.

[0078] The position where the microwave irradiation unit 3 is provided in the irradiation chamber 36 is arbitrary. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a microwave inlet is provided below the position where the object 14 to be heated in the irradiation chamber 36 is arranged in the direction of gravity. The microwave irradiation unit 3 may include, for example, a microwave generation unit 2 that generates microwaves, a microwave transmission window 103 through which the microwaves generated by the microwave generation unit 2 pass, and an air curtain supply device 6 that suppresses the attachment of volatile substances in the irradiation chamber 36 to the surface of the microwave transmission window 103. The microwave transmission window 103 is made of, for example, quartz glass. The air curtain supply device 6 suppresses the attachment of volatile substances to the microwave transmission window 103 by supplying an air curtain along the microwave transmission window 103. The same applies to the heating devices shown in other figures.

[0079] Further, the heating device may include a fan 130 in the irradiation chamber 36 for diffusing microwaves. When the fan 130 rotates and the surface of the fan 130 reflects microwaves, the microwaves are stirred, and the position of the dead spot where the intensity of the microwaves generated by the interference of the microwaves in the irradiation chamber 36 is weak changes over time. Thereby, it is possible to uniformly heat the object 14 to be heated. In the heating devices shown in other figures, a fan may also be provided in the irradiation chamber 36.

[0080] The gas recovery unit 107 may include an analyzer 155 that analyzes the components of the gas recovered from the irradiation chamber 36. The analyzer 155 is connected to, for example, a pipe 150 branched from the gas recovery pipe 20. Examples of the analyzer 155 include a gas chromatograph (GC), a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC / MS), an infrared spectrometer, and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In the heating devices shown in other figures, the gas recovery unit may also include an analyzer.

[0081] A porous partition 16 may be disposed between the position where the object 14 to be heated in the irradiation chamber 36 is placed and the gas recovery section 107. Examples of the porous partition 16 include punched metal. The porous partition 16 may be disposed between the position where the object 14 to be heated in the irradiation chamber 36 is placed and the liquid recovery section 106.

[0082] When the object 14a to be heated is made of metal, the object 14a heated by the heating device may be put into the molten metal 29 in the melting furnace 22. It is preferable that at least a part of the metal contained in the molten metal and at least a part of the metal contained in the heated object 14a are the same. The molten metal 29 may be monitored by the camera 26. For example, a metal casting may be manufactured by putting the molten metal in which the object 14a to be heated has melted into a mold and solidifying the molten metal in the mold.

[0083] For example, the object 14a heated by the heating device is reduced and has no oxide film, so it is suitable for being put into the molten metal. In addition, since the non-metal in the object 14a heated by the heating device has been liquefied or vaporized and removed, it is suitable for being put into the molten metal. Specifically, even if the object 14a from which the oxide and the non-metal have been removed is put into the molten metal, gas, steam explosion, ignition, noro, and blisters are unlikely to occur. In addition, since the object 14a from which the oxide has been removed has high wettability with respect to the molten metal, it is likely to sink into the molten metal. The object 14a that has sunk into the molten metal allows heat to easily transfer to the inside, so the melting rate is fast.

[0084] Even in the heating device shown in the figures other than FIG. 4, the heated object may be put into the molten metal. Since the other components of the heating device shown in FIG. 4 are the same as those of the heating devices shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the description is omitted.

[0085] The method of transporting the object to be heated 14 is not particularly limited, and the object to be heated 14 may be directly transported by a transport device, or as shown in FIG. 5, the object to be heated 14 placed in the tray 30 may be transported by a transport device. An opening 32 for allowing the fluid generated from the object to be heated 14 irradiated with microwaves to pass through may be provided on the bottom surface of the tray 30. One object to be heated 14 may be placed on one tray 30, or as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of objects to be heated 14 may be placed on one tray 30.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the object to be heated 14 before being carried into the irradiation chamber 36 may be monitored by the camera 27. A window 5 for temperature observation may be provided in the irradiation chamber 36, and the temperature inside the irradiation chamber 36 may be measured by the non-contact thermometer 4 from outside the irradiation chamber 36. The non-contact thermometer is, for example, a radiation thermometer. The radiation thermometer measures the temperature of the measurement object based on the emissivity of the measurement object. The radiation thermometer is, for example, a fiber-type radiation thermometer. The temperature of the object to be heated irradiated with microwaves and carried out from the irradiation chamber 36 may be measured by the non-contact thermometer 200. Other components of the heating device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as those of the heating device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so the description is omitted.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 426 for holding the object to be heated 14 may have a hollow shape. The holding member 426 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The holding member 426 may include a portion 8 containing a heating accelerator and a portion 13 not containing a heating accelerator. For example, the portion 8 of the holding member 426 containing the heating accelerator is arranged at a position irradiated with microwaves, and the portion 13 of the holding member 426 not containing the heating accelerator is arranged at a position not irradiated with microwaves. The object to be heated 14 is arranged inside the holding member 426. At least a part of the object to be heated 14 may be in contact with the portion 8 of the holding member 426 containing the heating accelerator.

[0088] An opening 9 for allowing the fluid generated from the object 14 to be heated to permeate to the outside of the holding member 426 may be provided in the portion 8 including the heating accelerator of the holding member 426. An opening 113 for allowing the fluid generated from the object 14 to be heated to permeate to the outside of the holding member 426 may be provided in the portion 13 of the holding member 426 that does not include the heating accelerator.

[0089] The holding member 426 having a hollow shape may be disposed in the irradiation chamber 36 such that the central axis is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The heating device may include a rotating device 18 that rotates the holding member 426 about the central axis of the holding member 426. The object 14 to be heated inside the holding member 426 may rotate due to frictional force as the holding member 426 rotates, or may not rotate. By irradiating the holding member 426 with microwaves while rotating the holding member 426, the holding member 426 is heated uniformly, and the object 14 to be heated inside the holding member 426 is also heated uniformly.

[0090] The shape of the object 14 to be heated is not particularly limited. However, when the holding member 426 has a cylindrical shape, the object 14 to be heated may have a disc shape. For example, the object 14 to be heated may be disposed inside the holding member 426 such that at least a part of the outer peripheral portion of the disc-shaped object 14 to be heated contacts the inner peripheral portion of the holding member 426.

[0091] The object 14 to be heated may be pushed by the pushing portion 11 from the loading-side opening of the holding member 426 having a hollow shape, and the object 14 to be heated inside the holding member 426 may be moved toward the unloading-side opening. The object 14 to be heated may be supported by the supporting portion 111 from the unloading-side opening of the holding member 426 so that the object 14 to be heated inside the holding member 426 does not fall. The pushing portion 11 and the supporting portion 111 move at a constant speed while sandwiching the object 14 to be heated. The axis of the pushing portion 11 and the axis of the supporting portion 111 may penetrate through the opening provided in the irradiation chamber 36.

[0092] The irradiation chamber 36 is provided with a loading hatch 115, and the object to be heated 14 may be carried into the irradiation chamber 36 from the loading hatch 115. The heating device may include a drive unit 116 that opens and closes the loading hatch 115. The object to be heated 14 carried into the irradiation chamber 36 is pushed by the pushing part 11 and moves inside the hollow holding member 426 having a hollow shape.

[0093] The irradiation chamber 36 is provided with an unloading hatch 117, and the object to be heated 14 may be unloaded from the irradiation chamber 36 through the unloading hatch 117. The heating device may include a drive unit 118 that opens and closes the unloading hatch 117. For example, the unloading hatch 117 may be provided on the bottom surface of the irradiation chamber 36. The object to be heated 14 irradiated with microwaves is pushed by the pushing part 11 and moves from inside the holding member 426 onto the unloading hatch 117, and when the unloading hatch 117 opens, it falls below the irradiation chamber 36. Since the other components of the heating device shown in FIG. 7 are the same as those of the heating device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the description is omitted.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 8, the heating device may include a feeder 166. The feeder 166 may be a feeder. The raw material 340 of the object to be heated 14 supplied from the feeder 166 may be carried into the irradiation chamber 36 by the pushing part 325, and the object to be heated 14 may be irradiated with microwaves. The pushing part 325 may be held by a guide 335. An opening 9 for allowing the fluid generated from the object to be heated 14 to pass through may be provided on the stage 1 in the irradiation chamber 36.

[0095] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the object to be heated 14 may be loaded and unloaded from below the irradiation chamber 36 in the direction of gravity. As shown in FIG. 9, the heating device includes a loading stage 34 below the irradiation chamber 36. The pushing part 11 moves the object to be heated 14 on the loading stage 34 onto the movable stage 40. The heating device may include a stopper 41 to prevent the object to be heated 14 from falling from the movable stage 40.

[0096] The movable stage 40 is movable in the vertical direction. The movable stage 40 may be provided with an opening for allowing the fluid generated from the object to be heated 14 to pass through. As shown in FIG. 10, when the object to be heated 14 is placed thereon, the movable stage 40 rises, and the object to be heated 14 is carried into the irradiation chamber 36 from the opening at the bottom surface of the irradiation chamber 36. The heating device may include a enclosure 50 surrounding the periphery of the object to be heated 14 disposed in the irradiation chamber 36. The enclosure 50 contains, for example, a heating accelerator. A reflecting plate 225 for reflecting microwaves may be provided in the irradiation chamber 36.

[0097] The heating device may include a press 205 for applying pressure to the object to be heated 14 on the movable stage 40. An insulating layer 215 and a heating promotion member 220 may be provided on the pressurizing surface of the press 205. The heating promotion member 220 contains a heating accelerator. For example, the insulating layer 215 is disposed between the pressurizing surface of the press 205 and the heating promotion member 220. The heating promotion member 220 contacts the object to be heated 14 when the press 205 applies pressure to the object to be heated 14. The insulating layer 215 suppresses the heat of the object to be heated 14 and the heating promotion member 220 heated by microwaves from moving to the press 205. The insulating layer 215 and the heating promotion member 220 may be fixed to the press 205 by a jig 230.

[0098] The heating device may irradiate the object to be heated 14 with microwaves while applying pressure to the object to be heated 14 with the press 205. The pressure applied to the object to be heated 14 is, for example, 1 MPa or more, 100 MPa or more, or 200 MPa or more, and 2000 MPa or less, 1900 MPa or less, or 1800 MPa or less, but is not particularly limited. By irradiating microwaves while applying pressure to the object to be heated 14, the object to be heated 14 after heating tends to become dense. Further, the press 205 may apply pressure to the object to be heated 14 even after the irradiation of microwaves to the object to be heated 14 is completed.

[0099] The temperature of the object 14 to be heated may be measured by the thermometers 210a and 210b included in the press machine 205. After irradiating the object 14 to be heated with microwaves, as shown in FIG. 11, the movable stage 40 descends and carries the object 14 to be heated out of the irradiation chamber 36. The pushing part 43 pushes out the object 14 to be heated on the lowered movable stage 40 onto the roller conveyor 48. The pushing part 43 may be arranged on the pedestal 42, and the roller conveyor 48 may be arranged on the pedestal 45. The heated object 14 may be conveyed onto another conveyor 38 via the roller conveyor 48.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 12, the irradiation chamber 36 may be transportable. The object 14 to be heated in the irradiation chamber 36 moving on the roller conveyor 31 is irradiated with microwaves from the microwave irradiation unit 3, and the fluid generated from the object 14 to be heated may be discharged to the outside of the irradiation chamber 36 through an opening provided in the bottom surface of the irradiation chamber 36. A heating promotion member 140 containing a heating promoter may be fixed to the launcher of the microwave irradiation unit 3, and the microwaves transmitted through the heating promotion member 140 may be irradiated onto the object 14 to be heated. An electromagnetic wave shield 145 may be arranged in the gap of the openable and closable part of the irradiation chamber 36.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described in various embodiments as described above, it should not be understood that the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques should be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. For example, the components of the heating device shown in different drawings may be combined. Thus, it should be understood that the present invention includes various embodiments and the like not described herein.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0102] 1... Stage, 2... Microwave generator, 3... Microwave irradiation unit, 4... Non-contact thermometer, 5... Window, 6... Air curtain supplier, 8... Portion containing heating accelerator, 9... Opening, 11... Pushing part, 13... Portion not containing heating accelerator, 14... Object to be heated, 15... Drain pan, 17... Drain pipe, 17a... Valve, 18... Rotating device, 19... Caterpillar conveyor, 20... Gas recovery pipe, 21... Tank, 22... Melting furnace, 24... Suction pump, 25... Liquefaction device, 26... Camera, 27... Camera, 28... Liquid, 29... Molten metal, 30... Tray, 31... Roller conveyor, 32... Opening, 34... Loading stage, 36... Irradiation chamber, 38... Conveyor, 40... Movable stage, 41... Stopper, 42... Pedestal, 43... Pushing part, 45... Pedestal, 48... Roller conveyor, 103... Microwave transmission window, 105... Recovery part, 106... Liquid recovery part, 107... Gas recovery part, 111... Supporting part, 113... Opening, 115... Loading hatch, 116... Driving part, 117... Unloading hatch, 118... Driving part, 130... Fan, 140... Heating accelerator member, 145... Electromagnetic wave shield, 150... Pipe, 155... Analyzer, 160... Hopper, 165... Screw, 166... Feeder, 167... Driving part, 200... Non-contact thermometer, 205... Press, 210a... Thermometer, 215... Insulating layer, 220... Heating accelerator member, 225... Reflector, 230... Fixture, 255... Gas introduction pipe, 256... Gas introduction pipe, 257... Gas introduction pipe, 260... Gas discharge pipe, 261... Gas discharge pipe, 262... Gas discharge pipe, 325... Pushing part, 335... Guide, 340... Raw material, 400... Chamber before heating, 401... Chamber after heating, 410A... Loading door, 410B... Unloading door, 411... Unloading door, 412... Loading port, 413... Unloading port, 420... Contact member, 425... Holding member, 426... Holding member, 430... Shaft, 431... Sleeve, 435... Shaft, 440... Rotating table

Claims

Claim 1: A heating device comprising: a microwave irradiation unit configured to irradiate a heating target containing at least one of oil and water with microwaves to sinter or melt and solidify the heating target; a recovery unit configured to recover a fluid generated from the heating target irradiated with the microwaves; wherein the fluid includes a liquid and a gas, the liquid is at least one of the oil and the water that has not vaporized, the gas is at least one of the oil and the water that has vaporized, the recovery unit includes a liquid recovery unit configured to recover the liquid and a gas recovery unit configured to recover the gas, the liquid recovery unit is disposed below the heating target in the direction of gravity, the gas recovery unit includes a gas recovery pipe connected to an irradiation chamber in which the heating target irradiated with the microwaves is disposed, the gas recovery unit includes a liquefaction device configured to liquefy the recovered gas. Heating device. Claim 2: The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid recovery unit includes a drain pan for receiving the liquid. Claim 3: The heating device according to claim 2, wherein the liquid recovery unit further includes a drain pipe connected to the drain pan through which the liquid flows. Claim 4: The heating device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid recovery unit further includes a tank connected to the drain pan through the drain pipe and configured to store the liquid. Claim 5: The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member for holding the heating target, the holding member being provided with an opening for allowing the fluid to pass through to the recovery unit. Claim 6: The heating device according to claim 5, wherein the holding member rotates the heating target with respect to the microwave irradiation unit. Claim 7: The heating device according to claim 5, wherein the holding member has a hollow shape and the heating target is disposed inside the holding member. Claim 8: The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising: an irradiation chamber in which the heating target irradiated with the microwaves is disposed; a pre-heating chamber connected to the irradiation chamber; a gas environment adjustment device configured to introduce the same gas into the irradiation chamber and the pre-heating chamber; wherein the pre-heating chamber is for disposing the heating target before being irradiated with the microwaves. Claim 9: The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising: an irradiation chamber in which the heating target irradiated with the microwaves is disposed; a post-heating chamber connected to the irradiation chamber; ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ A gas environment adjustment device that introduces the same gas into the irradiation chamber and the post-heating chamber, further comprising, the post-heating chamber in which the object to be heated after being irradiated with the microwave is disposed, The heating device according to claim 1.

10. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding member that holds the object to be heated and includes a heating accelerator.

11. The heating device according to claim 10, wherein the object to be heated contains metal, and the heating accelerator includes an absorption material that absorbs microwaves in a temperature range at least partially lower than the temperature range in which the metal of the object to be heated absorbs microwaves.

12. The heating device according to claim 10, wherein the object to be heated contains metal, and the heating accelerator includes a heat insulating material that has higher microwave permeability than the metal of the object to be heated and absorbs microwaves to a lesser extent than the metal.

13. The heating device according to claim 10, further comprising a contact member that contacts the object to be heated and includes a heating accelerator.

14. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a press for applying pressure to the object to be heated.

15. The heating device according to claim 1, further comprising a melting furnace configured to melt the sintered or molten-solidified metal, wherein the object to be heated contains metal.

16. The heating device according to claim 15, wherein the melting furnace is configured to contain molten metal therein.

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