High Power Radio Frequency Heating for Innovative Thermal Applications

射频（RF）加热是节能的，甚至适用于大规模的商业应用，但主要是在低功率的实验室规模使用平行电极为基础的施加器设计。为了在工业应用中采用射频加热技术，我们需要研究使用更高功率水平的可行性。我的研究计划的目标是通过进行一项开创性的研究，探索高功率射频加热的三种应用，以提高食品和农产品的质量和安全。工作包1：储藏小麦粉中害虫的杀灭与目前的熏蒸方法相比，通过选择性加热杀灭害虫是一种创新、安全、环保且具有成本效益的方法。它可以在不牺牲寄主产品质量的情况下消灭不同生命阶段的害虫。高功率RF加热对于有效的靶向加热极其重要，因为短的治疗时间限制了热平衡。我们将进行高功率射频选择性加热用于害虫防治的理论和实验研究。本研究将分析射频加热速度水平对目标昆虫死亡率、射频处理后面粉品质和能耗的影响。工作包2：生物柴油生产增强传统碱催化生物柴油生产中的酯交换过程是一种能量密集型过程，需要高的热动能进行转化。找到一种有效的方式来提供热动能是很重要的。我们将研究RF功率、温度、停留时间、催化剂类型和醇/油摩尔比的最佳组合。本研究还将测试射频施加器的设计（电极形状、尺寸和配置）。工作包3：固液提取增强天然药用化合物的提取（例如，抗癌化合物）的性能可以通过快速RF加热得到显著改善。当嵌入细胞壁结构的微孔中的水分子经受高功率RF能量时，蒸汽压的快速上升可导致细胞壁微结构的破裂和感兴趣的分子从细胞壁内部到外部的扩散速度的增加。本文以鬼臼毒素为模型化合物，研究了连续溶剂流填充床萃取系统。我们还将确定细胞壁破裂的影响。很明显，这三个领域的研究成果将产生重大的积极影响，并将增加加拿大各种生物资源的价值。该计划还将通过先进和创新的跨学科研究为HQP提供高质量的培训。

Radio frequency (RF) heating is energy efficient and suitable even for large-scale commercial applications, but has been implemented mostly at a low power laboratory-scale using a parallel electrodes based applicator design. To adopt RF heating technology in industrial applications, we need to investigate the feasibility of using higher power levels. The goal of my research program is to enhance the quality and safety of food and agricultural products by conducting a pioneering study that explores three applications of high power RF heating. WORK PACKAGE 1: DISINFESTATION OF PEST INSECTS IN STORED WHEAT FLOUR Disinfestation of pest insects by selective heating is innovative, safe, environmentally friendly, and cost effective compared to the current fumigation method. It can eliminate pest insects at different life stages without sacrificing host product quality. High power RF heating is extremely important for efficient targeted heating because short treatment time limits thermal equilibrium. We will conduct theoretical and experimental studies of high power RF selective heating for pest insect control. The investigation will analyze the effects of level of RF heating speed on target insect mortality, post RF treatment flour quality, and energy consumption. WORK PACKAGE 2: BIODIESEL PRODUCTION ENHANCEMENT The transesterification process in conventional base-catalyzed biodiesel production is an energy intensive process requiring high thermal kinetic energy for the conversion. It is important to find an efficient way to provide the thermal kinetic energy. We will investigate the optimum combination of RF power, temperature, residence time, catalyst type, and molar ratio of alcohol/oil. The study will also test the RF applicator's design (electrode shape, size, and configuration). WORK PACKAGE 3: SOLID-LIQUID EXTRACTION ENHANCEMENT The extraction of natural medicinal compounds (e.g., anti-cancer compounds) can be significantly improved by fast RF heating. When the water molecules embedded in the micro-pores of the cell wall structure are subjected to high power RF energy, the rapid rise in vapour pressure can result in the rupture of the cell wall microstructure and an increase in the diffusion speed of molecules of interest from inside the cell wall to outside. We will study a continuous solvent flow packed-bed extraction system with podophyllotoxin as a model compound for extraction. We will also determine the effects of cell wall rupture. It is clear that the results of these three areas of research will have a significant positive impact and will add value to a wide array of bioresources in Canada. The program will also provide quality training for HQP through advanced and innovative interdisciplinary research.