Rotating Microwave Oven with Phase Transition
Application ID: 130711
A spherical water-rich load (potato) is placed on the rotating glass tray of a microwave oven some distance from the center of rotation. 1 kW of 2.45 GHz microwave power is applied via a waveguide feed. The plate rotates at 9 degrees per second. The heat transfer model involves the transition from a water-rich phase to a dehydrated phase with the corresponding changes in material properties and microwave losses. In the simulation, the rotation is performed step-wise with one step every 0.25 s and the mesh is tailored to assure mesh conformity in each angular step. The model makes use of the Phase Change Material feature that is readily available in the Heat Transfer in Solids interface. The step-wise motion that, in combination with the tailored structured mesh on the sliding mesh boundaries, assures conforming meshes, is implemented using the Events interface in COMSOL Multiphysics.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
- COMSOL Multiphysics® and
- RF Module and
- either the Heat Transfer Module, Porous Media Flow Module, or Subsurface Flow Module
The combination of COMSOL® products required to model your application depends on several factors and may include boundary conditions, material properties, physics interfaces, and part libraries. Particular functionality may be common to several products. To determine the right combination of products for your modeling needs, review the Specification Chart and make use of a free evaluation license. The COMSOL Sales and Support teams are available for answering any questions you may have regarding this.