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Numerical simulation of thermal runaway in alumina during microwave processing

Conference ·
OSTI ID:435669
;  [1]
  1. SCRAM Technology, Inc., Gainesville, FL (United States)
A numerical method is used to simulate heating of processed samples with microwave energy in a closed cavity. Explicit finite difference schemes for solving the unsteady equations governing electromagnetic propagation (Maxwell`s equations) and energy deposition and diffusion are coupled. Simulations are performed for processing of alumina at 2.45 GHz in a multi-mode cavity. Steady state temperature profiles are achieved if the electrical properties are assumed constant, but when more realistic temperature dependent property data are employed, local heating produces an exponential rise in temperature (thermal runaway). It is shown that by enlarging the sample for a respective cavity, thermal runaway can be avoided. The authors emphasize that understanding the parameters that influence electromagnetic intensity distributions and promote resonance is a prerequisite for developing processing methods to control sample temperature.
OSTI ID:
435669
Report Number(s):
CONF-951135--; ISBN 0-7918-1751-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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