Experimental Study of a Compact Microwave Applicator for Evaporation of Airflow-Entrained Droplets

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

In many energy and process engineering systems where fluids are processed, droplet-laden gas flows may occur. As droplets are often detrimental to the system’s operation, they need to be removed. Compact engineering solutions for the removal of entrained droplets are difficult to achieve with conventional flow control and heat transfer approaches and thus droplet removal devices are hence often costly and bulky. In this study, we analyzed the potential of a compact technology based on droplet capture and in situ evaporation by microwave heating. For that, we designed a microwave applicator containing a porous droplet separator for capturing and evaporating droplets. The application of open-cell ceramic foams as filter medium reduced 99.9% of the volumetric flow of droplets, while additional microwave exposure increases reduction to 99.99%. In addition, microwave-heated foams prevent droplet re-entrainment and structure-borne liquid accumulation within foams, thus avoiding water clogging and flooding.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number6765
JournalMaterials
Volume15
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • droplet removal, evaporation, microwave heating, open-cell foams