| The global effort invested in the development of industrial applications of microwaves is much less important than that implied in communication and radar research. We believe that education and information diffusion should contribute in changing the consumers and industry perception of microwave heating to a more enthusiastic and realistic one. The use of microwaves as heat source is a rapid, clean process that produces a uniform heating. Microwave systems include two main elements: the power generator and the applicator. Slot waveguides, widely operated in radar applications since the second world war, can be used as radiating applicators.; The project consists in the design of an microwave energy applicator using slot waveguides as radiating sources. This applicator should treat products having different dielectric properties, of various forms and ensure a uniform heating. The project include three main parts. We start with a bibliographic research to define the theoretical principles of slot waveguides. Then, we realize the mechanical and electrical design of an adjustable slot waveguide. Finally, the experimental part of the project consists in comparing the measured radiation pattern with the simulation results and characterizing the slot waveguide with high power tests. This study will provide us with a good understanding of the effect of variating the adjustable parameters on the radiation.; After studying the behaviour of a slot waveguide, we can use a number of prototypes in a cavity to concentrate the radiation at a strategic position or use the adjustable slot waveguide as a test bed with different dielectric product for industrial applications. |
