M. Righi, J. L. Herring and W. J. R. Hoefer
Second International Workshop on Transmission Line Matrix (TLM) Modeling - Theory and Applications, Munich, Germany, October 29-31 1997, pp 285-294.
A time domain model based on the TLM method for the RF drying of wood in a vacuum kiln has been developed. The model is capable of addressing critical issues for the wood industry such as drying time of wood, penetration of the electromagnetic field into the wood and evaluation of critical location where arcing may occur. The control and optimization of all of these variables leads to a highly efficient drying process yielding dry wood faster and with higher quality compared to traditional convection drying. In addition the modeling of mass transfer and heat diffusion processes allows us to monitor temperature and moisture pressure in the wood so that critical values are not exceeded.