High intensity radio frequency heating of packaged articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency (RF) energy heating systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting and launching RF energy due to the wavelength, which affects the heating process of articles, leading to non-uniform heating and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that involves passing articles through a liquid contact zone with an initial thermal regulation zone, an RF heating zone, and a subsequent thermal regulation zone, where RF energy is used to increase the temperature of the articles by at least 20°C, with a nonlinear travel path and energy-absorptive components to enhance energy absorption and uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RF energy is used to heat articles, then heating speed and efficiency are improved, but non-uniform heating and transmission inefficiency occur due to wavelength limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the heating process into distinct zones: an initial thermal regulation zone for temperature uniformity, an RF heating zone for rapid heating, and a subsequent thermal regulation zone for cooling. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function, resolving the contradiction between fast heating and uniform temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid medium serves as an intermediary between the RF energy source and the articles. The liquid contact zones facilitate thermal regulation and enhance energy absorption, acting as a mediator that improves both heating efficiency and temperature uniformity while reducing direct RF transmission issues.
2Power
If RF energy intensity is increased to improve heating efficiency, then heating rate increases, but energy absorption efficiency decreases due to wavelength transmission losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid hydraulics (liquid contact zones) to enhance RF energy absorption and transmission. The liquid medium improves energy coupling between the RF source and articles, increasing effective energy absorption while maintaining efficient power utilization and reducing transmission losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and parameters of the liquid medium (temperature, flow rate, composition) to optimize RF energy absorption at different stages of the heating process, maximizing energy efficiency while maintaining high heating rates in the RF heating zone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves uniform and efficient heating of articles, with a significant temperature increase at the geometric center, while maintaining energy absorption efficiency and minimizing thermal degradation.
Implementation Method 1
heating the articles on the convey line with RF energy in the RF heating zone to thereby increase the average temperature at the geometric center of the articles by at least 20° C.
Implementation Method 2
regulating the temperature of the articles on the convey line in the initial thermal regulation zone to promote temperature uniformity of the articles
Implementation Method 3
passing a plurality of articles through a liquid contact zone of an RF heating system
Data Source
AI summary
Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.