Open Access

ARTICLE

Computer Modelling of the Energy Distribution within Wood throughout Microwave Processing

M. Daian¹, A. Taube², G. Torgovnikov³, G. Daian⁴, Y. Shramkov⁵

1 Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Burnley Campus, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond Victoria 3121 Australia
2 Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Industrial Research Institute Swinburne, Swinburne University of Technology, 533 - 545 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, 3122, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3 CRC Wood Innovations, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, 1 Water Street, Creswick, Victoria 3363 Australia
4 CRC Wood Innovations, Faculty of Land and Food Resources, The University of Melbourne, Building 142, Parkville, Victoria 3363 Australia
5 Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Industrial Research Institute Swinburne, Swinburne University of Technology, 533 - 545 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, 3122, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Computers, Materials & Continua 2008, 8(3), 165-172. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmc.2008.008.165

Abstract

Microwave wood modification and treatment technologies become more and more essential within the wood industry due to their technical and economical advantages. Microwave processing of wood involves many complicated physical phenomena and requires a very careful control of variables (such as intensity of microwave power, loading period, maximum temperature, etc.) in order to reduce structural deformations of the processed wood. To optimise and minimise the project design engineers' work, modelling and simulation of the microwave energy-wood interaction represents an indispensable tool.
This research work has been undertaken with the aim to design and optimise microwave applicators for microwave pre-drying of wood so that to achieve uniform modification of wood in the cross section without generating considerable checks in conjunction with an optimal utilisation of the energy.
A practical and innovative way capable to control the intensity and distribution of the microwave energy and hence to enhance the microwave modification pattern within wood/timber was theoretically accomplished through 3D electromagnetic simulations and presented within this paper. The theoretical computer simulation values were used as indicative information for the experimental tests. The timber pieces modified by using the new designed microwave wood modification system, demonstrated the benefits of microwave modelling technique and also the effectiveness of the microwave applicator device for the wood modification.

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