The Use of Microwave Energy at Thermal Treatment of Grain Crops

Abstract

Thermal treatment is used for different grain crops during the processes of drying, disinfection, and preparation to feeding, etc. The high cost of the processes is caused by the cost of energy and the energy-output ratio of the processes. The development of the processing regimes with the use of electric technologies in general and electromagnetic fields in particular can reduce the cost of the mentioned processes. When IR and MW fields are used, there occurs the direct heating of the grain material without the coolant, due to the effect of the field on water molecules in the kernels. As the grain is a colloid capillary-porous substance, moisture can be in a bound or free state that affects the properties of the material and the thermal processes in it. The use of the special programs gives vast possibilities for the design of such equipment. Using of MW fields allows reducing the cost of the thermal treatment 15-20% depending on the process and type of the processing material.