Microwave Convective Hop Dryer of Continuous-Flow Action

Introduction: a hop dryer with ultra-high frequency generators and convective heat sources for drying hops in continuous mode and electrodynamic parameters of a semi-cylindrical resonator are described. Materials and methods: CST Microwave Studio, Solid Works. Results and discussion. A hop dryer has been developed with resonators formed by semi-cylinders docked to the side surfaces, and the working branches of the corresponding non-ferromagnetic grid conveyors located under them through a gap. Inside each resonator there are semi-disks made of ceramics. The air ducts from the heat gun are connected to the resonators and the air vents are docked. Magnetrons are installed with a shift of 90 degrees along the generatrix of each resonator. In the gaps between the semi-cylinders and conveyors, non-ferromagnetic cellular agitators are installed. Conclusions: In a resonator with a generator power of 2400–2550 W, an electric field strength of 1.2–1.5 kV/cm can be provided. The effective mode of drying hops with a total capacity of the hop dryer of 27.5 kW: the capacity of the hop dryer is 100–110 kg/h, specific energy costs 0.25–0.275 kWh/kg. The economic effect of using a hop dryer will be 800–880 thousand rubles/month.