A FEM model for microwave absorption and heat transfer in a microwave combination washer dryer

Abstract

Applications for the use of microwaves reach far and wide in various industries. Commonly known is the use of microwaves to heat foodstuffs. Research and development conducted in the development of a microwave combination washer dryer required the development of a system model, allowing for the development of a control system. Considered in this work is the propagation of microwaves within the system along with the heat transfer throughout the system. This paper presents a FEM model based on the geometry of the prototype combination washer dryer. Model results are validated by practical measurements using the combination washer dryer laboratory prototype. The model is at the time of writing undergoing final validation, with preliminary results indicating that the model fairly accurately represents the system. The simulation and practical system were compared by calculating the average of the absolute value of the difference between the data sets. Three of the five temperature points logged have an average absolute temperature difference of less then 0.7°C and the final two points logged have an average absolute difference of 1.2°C and 2.5°C respectively