Microwave research for the food industry-some recent and future applications

Thomas Ohlsson, Birgitta Wäppling-Raaholt, Lilia Ahrné, Ulla Karin Barr

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

There are several advantages of microwave energy applications for the food industry. Microwave heating is rapid, clean and can be directed to heat the food alone. Still the number of applications in the food industry is relatively low. When heating foods in a microwave oven, the temperature profile is determined by the electromagnetic as well as the heat transfer equations. Heating uniformity is however also influenced by position, composition and geometry of food as well as package [1]. Direct uniform volume microwave heating of foods can be done while the food is being transported in microwave transparent tubes using a combination of two concentric microwave modes. Modelling of microwave energy distribution and the resulting heat transfer in the food is an essential component of modern microwave research. Using newly developed 3-dimensional software for microwave thawing and heating of frozen foods, the design of food components and packaging can be optimised to the desired temperature distribution. Microwave-assisted drying has advantages of shorter time, energy savings and improved food quality. Understanding the fundamentals of the coupled heat/water/microwave distribution is important for improving the control of the microwave drying process. Microwave measurements give rapid information about the properties of the foods. It can be used for determination of the storage time of fish on ice or in frozen storage or to detect foreign objects, such as stones, glass, down to a size of a few mm, combining microwave measurements with multivariate analysis methods.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating
Number of pages4
PublisherMicrowave Application Group
Publication date2005
Pages285-288
ISBN (Electronic)8890180420, 9788890180422
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
Event10th International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating 2005 - Modena, Italy
Duration: 12 Sep 200515 Sep 2005

Conference

Conference10th International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating 2005
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityModena
Period12/09/200515/09/2005
Sponsor3V Cogeim, ALTER s.r.l., CEMA, CMS S.p.A. Costr. Meccaniche, Microwave Engineering Company, MILESTONE S.r.l.

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