TW201240527A - Wood heater with enhanced microwave barrier system - Google Patents

Abstract

An optimized microwave barrier assembly for use in conjunction with a microwave wood heater. The barrier is configured to allow microwaves to pass therethrough in a TMab mode, where a is 0 and b is an integer between 1 and 5. The barrier assembly is also configured to maintain a pressure differential across a window of the barrier assembly. Such a configuration can reduce or eliminate arcing in the barrier assembly, even at low pressures.

Description

201240527 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to microwave heating systems suitable for heating wood. [Prior Art] Electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave radiation, is a conventional mechanism for delivering energy to an object. The ability to electromagnetically penetrate and heat an object both quickly and efficiently has proven to be advantageous in a variety of chemical and industrial processes. In addition, since the use of microwave energy as a heat source is generally non-invasive, microwave heating is particularly advantageous for processing "sensitive" dielectric materials (such as foods and drugs) and even for heating materials having a relatively poor thermal conductivity ( Such as wood). However, the safe and efficient application of microwave energy complexity and nuances (especially on a commercial scale) has severely limited its use in several types of industrial processes. Wood is one of the most widely used building materials available due to its wide applicability to a variety of applications, its recyclability and its relatively low cost. However, since wood is a natural product, its physics and structure I. Biomass can differ substantially not only in different species but also in different locations within different trees or even in the same wood block. In addition, wood is generally hygroscopic, which affects its dimensional stability and its biochemical composition makes it susceptible to attack by insects and fungi. Accordingly, several types of wood treatment processes have been developed to enhance wood stability through modification of its chemical, physical and/or structural properties. Examples of the processing include impregnation treatment, coating treatment, thermal modification, and chemical modification. The latter two processes typically change the properties of the wood to a more severe level than in other cases, and therefore these types of processes typically involve more complex solutions and systems in I60979.doc 201240527. For example, many chemical and thermal processing processes can be carried out under vacuum and/or in the presence of one or more processing chemicals. As a result, the commercialization of these types of technologies has been limited and many challenges have to be overcome in order to modernize such processes. Therefore, there is a need for a commercial scale system that is more efficient and more cost effective for one of chemical or heat treated wood. There is also a need for an industrial scale microwave heating system that is suitable for use in a wide variety of processes and applications, including wood processing, and is cost effective. [SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for producing a system for chemically modifying, drying, and/or thermally modifying wood, the system comprising: at least one microwave generator for generating microwave energy; a microwave heater for receiving a bundle of wood; and a microwave distribution A system for directing microwave energy from the at least one microwave generator to the interior of the microwave heater. The microwave distribution system includes a first TMfl6 waveguide and a second. a waveguide and a barrier assembly coupled between the first waveguide and the second TMfl6 waveguide and disposed between the two, wherein the alpha system 0 and the 6 series are an integer between 1 and 5. The barrier assembly includes at least one sealing window member for isolating the first TMw waveguide from the second waveguide from one another while permitting at least a portion of the microwave energy to pass from the first TM & waveguide to the second TMfli waveguide. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system for producing chemically modified, dried and/or thermally modified wood, the system comprising: at least one microwave generator 'for generating microwave energy; a microwave heating And for receiving a wood bundle; and a microwave distribution system for directing at least a portion of the microwave energy from the at least one microwave generator to the interior of the microwave heater. The microwave distribution system includes a first mode converter, a second mode converter, and a ΤΜα6 barrier assembly disposed therebetween, wherein "the system is an integer between the hexadecimal and 6 series 1 and 5. The first mode The total electrical length between the converter and the second mode converter (extending through and including the electrical length of the TMw barrier assembly) is equal to a non-integer number of competing modes of microwave energy passing through the ΤΜαδ barrier assembly A half wavelength. A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for producing a chemically modified, dried and/or thermally modified wood, the method comprising: (4) generating microwave energy; (b) applying the microwave energy At least a portion is directed to a microwave heater, wherein the directing comprises passing at least a portion of the microwave energy in the TMai mode through a barrier assembly while maintaining a pressure differential across the barrier assembly, wherein the system is "6" And an integer that is between 5 and (c) heating one of the microwave heaters by at least a portion of the microwave energy passing through the barrier assembly. Embodiments According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heating system is provided. A heating system configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention can include a heat source, a heating vessel (e.g., a heater), and an optional vacuum system. In general, a heating system configured according to the examples of this month may be suitable for use as an independent heating unit or may be used in conjunction with or in conjunction with a chemical reactor for a wide variety of processes. A heating system configured in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In one embodiment, a heating system of the present invention can be used to heat wood 160979.doc 201240527 cellulosic material. The lignocellulosic material may comprise any of the materials including cellulose and lignin and, if desired, other materials such as hemicellulose: examples of lignocellulosic materials may include, but are not limited to, wood, bark, Hemp, marijuana, sisal, jute, crop stalks, nut shells, coconut shells, straw and stalk shells and stems, corn slightly, slag, conifers and = leaf bark, corn cobs and other crop residues And in any of the sets of embodiments, the 'lignocellulosic material can be wood. The wood can be conifer or a broadleaf tree. Examples of suitable wood species may include, without limitation, pine, fir, spruce, poplar, oak, maple, and mountain. In embodiments, the wood may include red oak, wool, or Pacific white maple. In another embodiment, a mountain species comprising, for example, light pine, European red pine, Torch, Long pine, Short pine or Pinus elliottii, wherein the latter four may be collectively referred to as "Southern: 2. Processed by a heating system according to an embodiment of the invention: a spoonable combination. Non-limiting examples of suitable forms of wood include, but are not limited to, shredded wood, wood fiber, wood flour , wood chips, flowers, wood and wood. In the embodiment, in the invention, the technology of the board, thick plate, * plate, beam, broken: material; = trunk or wood. Any other profile: two or two, defined by the upper dimensions. The term 'nominal size' as used herein refers to the size of the wood using the name I60979.doc 201240527. The nominal size can be larger than the measured size. A dry "2x4" can have a 丨.5 inch 吋χ 3 5 using a nominal size of "2x4". 'II: Actual size' but still, ^解' Unless otherwise stated, the dimensions mentioned herein are usually nominal. In one embodiment, the wood may have = σ 2 & dimensions: a length or longest dimension; a width or a second long dimension; and - a twist or a maximum size. Each of the dimensions may be substantially the same or one or more of the 4 dimensions may differ from one or more of the other dimensions. According to one embodiment, the length of the wood can be at least 6 inches, at least E, 乂 1 foot, at least 3 feet, at least 4 feet, at least 6 feet, or at least 1 foot. In other embodiments, the width of the wood may be at least 0.5 inches, at least i inches, at least 2 inches, at least

: at least 8 inches, at least 12 inches or at least 24 inches and/or no more than W feet, no more than 8 feet, no more than 6 feet, no more than 4 feet no more than 3 feet, no more than 2 feet, no More than 丨 feet or no more than 6 inches. In still another embodiment, the thickness of the wood may be at least 吋25 inches, at least 英5 inches, at least 0. 75 inches, at least i feet, at least h5 feet or at least 2 feet and/or no more than 4 feet, no more than 3 feet, no more than 2 feet, no more than 1 foot, and/or no more than 6 inches. According to one embodiment, the wood may comprise one or more solid wood blocks, engineered solid blocks, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term "solid wood" means wood that is at least 10 cm in size but otherwise has any size (e.g., wood having dimensions as previously described). As used herein, the term "engineered solid wood" means the smallest dimension of solid wood (eg, at least one dimension is at least 10 cm) but consists of several smaller woods 160979. Doc 201240527 The body is formed and is at least one of the wooden bodies. The smaller wood bodies in the engineered wood may or may not have one or more of the dimensions previously described with respect to the wood. Non-limiting examples of engineered wood may include wood laminates, fiberboard, oriented strand board, plywood, wafer board, pellet board, and laminated veneer lumber. In the examples, the wood can be grouped in bundles. As used herein, " bundle" refers to two or more pieces of wood that are stacked, placed, and/or fastened together in any suitable manner. According to one embodiment, a bundle can include a plurality of panels that are stacked and coupled to one another via a belt, strip or other suitable device. In one embodiment, the two or more pieces of wood may be in direct contact, or in another embodiment, the pieces of wood may use at least one spacer or "sticker" disposed therebetween. And at least partially separated. In one embodiment, the bundle can have any suitable size and/or shape. In one embodiment, the bundle may have at least 2 feet, at least 4 feet, at least 8 feet, at least 10 feet, at least 12 feet, at least 16 feet, or at least 20 feet and/or no more than 6 feet, no more than 40. Feet or a total length or longest dimension of no more than 25 feet. The bundle may have at least ^ feet, at least 2 feet, at least 4 feet, at least 6 feet, at least 8 feet and/or no more than 16 feet, no more than 12 feet, no more than 1 foot, no more than 8 feet, no more than 6 Feet or no more than one foot height of 4 feet or a second long size. In one embodiment, the bundle may have at least 1 foot, at least 2 feet, at least 4 feet, at least 6 feet, and/or no more than 2 feet, no more than 16 feet, no more than 12 feet, no more than 1 foot. No more than 8 feet or 160,979. Doc 201240527 No more than 6 feet in width or shortest size. The total volume of the bundle containing the space between the plates, if any, may be at least 5 cubic feet, at least 1 cubic foot, at least 250 cubic feet, at least 375 cubic feet, or at least 500 cubic feet. According to one embodiment, the weight of the wood bundle introduced into the reactor and/or heater of one or more of the heating systems (eg, prior to heating or processing) (or one or more items to be processed) The cumulative weight of the article or load may be at least 100 pounds, at least 5 pounds, at least 1, pounds or at least 5,000 pounds. In one embodiment, the bundle can be cubic or cuboid in shape. In another embodiment, one or more of the heating systems of the present invention may be used to chemically modify, dry, and/or thermally reform the wood' to produce chemically modified, dried, and/or thermally upgraded wood. Wood that has been dried and/or thermally modified may be referred to as heat treated "wood" such that the term "heat treated wood" refers to wood that has been heated, dried, and/or thermally modified. As used herein, the term "thermically modified" means to modify the chemical structure of at least a portion of one or more wood blocks at least 4 points without an exogenous treatment agent. In an embodiment, a heating system (which will be described in detail later) may be used to heat and/or dry the wood during a thermal upgrading process to thereby provide a thermally modified wood bundle. According to one embodiment, the thermal modification may occur simultaneously with heating and/or drying of the wood in a wood heater and/or dryer, while in another embodiment 'can be heated in a wood heater or dryer And / or dry the wood without thermal modification. As used herein, the term "dry" means to cause or accelerate at least a portion of one or more liquids or otherwise thermally removable components via heat addition or other suitable form of energy. Doc •9- 201240527 Chemically or otherwise removed from wood—or at least—partially or additionally heat-removable components of multiple liquids. The thermal upgrading process may involve the transfer of wood with - or a plurality of heat transfer agents (such as 'for example, water vapor, one, ^/lj heated inert steam (such as nitrogen or air) or even liquid transfer... The step of contacting the carcass (such as a heated oil)). In another embodiment, a radiation heat source can be used during thermal upgrading. The thermally modified wood may have a moisture content substantially lower than one of the untreated wood and may have enhanced physical and/or mechanical properties such as, for example, increased flexibility, resistance to decay and biological attack. Higher resistance and increased dimensional stability. In yet another embodiment, a heating system configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention can be used to chemically modify wood. As used herein, the term "chemically modified" means the chemical structure that at least partially upgrades at least a portion of one or more wood blocks in the presence of one or more exogenous treating agents. Specific types of chemical upgrading processes can include, but are not limited to, acetylation and other types of esterification, epoxidation, etherification, guanidation, methylation, and/or melamine treatment. Non-limiting examples of suitable treating agents may include anhydrides (eg, acetic acid needles, stearic acid, crotonic acid needles, maleic acid needles, propionic acid needles or butyric anhydride); hydrazine chloro- ketone; carboxylic acid; Cyanate; aldehyde (eg, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde or difunctional aldehyde); gas aldehyde; dimethyl sulfate; alkyl vapor; β-propiolactone; acrylonitrile; epoxide (eg, ethylene oxide) , propylene oxide or butylene oxide); difunctional epoxide; borate; acrylate; citrate, and combinations thereof. The process for chemically modifying the wood may include a chemical upgrading step followed by a heating step. Chemical modification can be carried out in a chemical upgrading reactor. Doc -10- 201240527 During the quality or reaction step, the wood may be exposed to one or more of the source treatment agents previously described, the one or more exogenous treatment agents being compatible with the functional groups of the untreated wood (eg At least a portion of the hydroxy group reacts to thereby provide a chemically modified wood. Between the chemical steps, one or more thermally initiated chemical reactions may occur, which may or may not be derived from an external energy (eg, thermal or electromagnetic energy, including, for example, microwave energy). beginning. The specific details of the chemical upgrading process vary among many types of chemical modifications, but most chemically modified woods may have enhanced structural, chemical and/or mechanical properties compared to untreated wood. Contains low hygroscopicity, high dimensional stability, biohazard and insect resistance, increased resistance to decay and/or high weatherability. In one embodiment, the wood can be euthanized in a wood acetylation reactor. Ethylation can include replacing the hydroxyl groups on the surface or near the surface with an acetamidine group. In one embodiment, the treatment agent utilized during the acetylation may include a concentration of at least 50 wt%, at least 60 wt%, at least 70 wt%, at least 8% by weight, at least 90 wt%, at least 98 〜 The % or 1 乙 acetic anhydride and the remainder, if any, include acetic acid and/or one or more diluents or an acetonitrile catalyst. In one embodiment, the treatment agent for acetamylation may comprise a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride having at least 8 〇: 2 〇, at least 85: 15, at least 90: 10, or at least 95: 5 Anhydride to acid weight ratio. Prior to acetylation, the wood may be dried using a kiln drying process, a vacuum degassing process, or other suitable means to reduce its moisture (e.g., water) content to no more than 25 wt% and no more than 20 wt. /. , not more than 15 wt% 'not more than 12 wt%, not more than 9 Wt% or not more than 6 wt%. During the acetylation period, it can pass 160979. Doc -11 - 201240527 The wood is contacted with the treatment by any suitable method. Examples of suitable contact methods can include, but are not limited to, steam contact, spraying, liquid soaking, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the temperature of the processing vessel may be no greater than 5 (rc, no greater than 4 (rc or no greater than 30 C, and at least 25 psig, at least 5) during the time the wood is in contact with the treating agent. 〇 psig, at least 75 psig and/or no greater than 500 psig, no greater than 25 psig or no greater than 15 psig. Once the contacting step is completed, at least a portion of the liquid treatment (if present) may be discharged from the reactor as needed and Heat may be added to initiate and/or catalyze the reaction. In one embodiment, microwave energy, thermal energy, or a combination thereof may be introduced into the vessel to increase the temperature of the wood to at least 5 Torr. 至少, at least 65 ° C , at least 80 ° C and / or to not more than 175. (:, not more than 150. (: or not more than 120 C ' while maintaining one of the pressure in the reactor is at least 75 Torr, at least 1,000 Torr, at least 1,200 Torr or at least 2,000 Torr and/or no greater than 7,700 Torr, no greater than 5,000 Torr, no greater than 3,500 Torr or no greater than 2,500 Torr. According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the heat added to the reactor may be from a non- a microwave source is delivered to the wood, such as The package 'comprises at least 5 〇 wt%, at least 75 wt%, at least 90 wt% or at least 95 wt% of one of the acetic acid heat vapor streams, while the remainder comprises acetic anhydride and/or diluent. In an embodiment, hot steam (a portion of which may be condensed on at least a portion of the bundle of wood being treated) may be introduced into the reaction vessel for at least 20 minutes, at least 35 minutes, or at least 45 minutes, and/or no more than 180 minutes, no greater than 150 minutes or no more than 120 minutes. After the reaction step, the "chemically wetted" chemically modified wood may comprise at least one chemical component that can be removed by heat and/or vaporization, such as I60979. Doc -12· 201240527 As used throughout this application, the term "cheinically-wet" or "chemical-wet" means at least partially as a result of a chemical treatment or modification. A wood in which one or more chemicals are present in a liquid phase. A "chemically wetted" bundle of wood means that at least a portion thereof is at least partially chemically wetted by one of the bundles of wood. Some examples of the one or more chemicals may comprise reactants, impregnations, reaction products, or the like. For example, when the wood is deuterated, at least a portion of the residual acetic acid and/or sour liver can be removed by vaporization. As used herein, the term "acid wet" refers to wood containing residual acetic acid and/or anhydride. An "acid wet" wood bundle is one in which at least a portion of the wood bundle is at least partially acid wetted. According to an embodiment of the invention, the chemically wet or acid wet wood may comprise at least 20 wt%, at least 30 wt%, at least 4 wt% or at least 45 in % and/or no more than 75 wt%, no more than One or more heat removable or vaporizable chemicals, such as, for example, acetic acid and/or anhydride, of 60 wt% or no more than 5 wt%. As used herein, the term "thermally removable" or "vaporizable" chemical component means that one component can be removed by heat and/or vaporization. In one embodiment, the vaporizable or thermally removable component or chemical can include acetic acid. Next, at least a portion of the one or more thermally removable chemicals can be removed from the chemically wetted wood via flash vaporization. In one embodiment, the pressure in the reactor can be from at least 1, 〇〇〇, at least 00 Torr, at least 18 Torr or at least 2,000 Torr and/or no greater than 7,700 Torr, no greater than 5 The crucible is not more than 3,500 Torr, not more than 2,500 Torr or not more than 2, and one of the pressures of the chin rest is reduced to atmospheric pressure to achieve a flashing step. In another embodiment, the pressure of the reactor can be reduced by a pressure from an elevated pressure (as described above) or atmospheric pressure by 160,979. Doc 201240527 A pressure of less than 1 Torr, no more than 75 Torr, no more than 5 Torr, or no more than one Torr to achieve a steaming step. According to one embodiment, the amount (eg, chemical content) of the __ or plurality of thermotropic chemical components remaining in the chemically wet wood after the flashing step may be at least 6 wt%, at least 8 wt 〇 / . At least 10 wt%, at least 12 wt% or at least 15 and/or not more than 60 Wt%, not more than 40 wt%, not more than the child wt%, not more than wt0/〇, not more than 20 wt% or not more than 15 Wt〇/. . According to an embodiment, the step of heating may be carried out after the chemical upgrading step to further heat and/or dry the chemically modified (or chemically wetted) wood to thereby provide a chemically modified, heated and/or dried Wood bundle. As used herein, a bundle or other item or material is referred to as "heated" for convenience only to indicate that the temperature of at least a portion of the bundle has risen above the ambient temperature. Similarly, as used throughout this application, a bundle or other item or material is referred to as "dried" for convenience only to indicate that at least the bundle has been heated by (in some embodiments) heating. A portion of at least some of the thermally removable chemicals are removed. In one embodiment, the heating step is operable to further reduce the amount of one or more thermally removable chemical components present in the wood. The energy utilized during the heating step may be suitable for heating, and/or drying any of the radiation, conduction and/or convection energy of the wood. In one embodiment, the heater can be a microwave heater. In another embodiment, another source of heat may be utilized to directly or indirectly (via, for example, a hot gas injection, a jacketed or heat traceable container or other means) to heat at least a portion of the container, such as (for example In terms of) one or more side walls. In this embodiment, the sidewalls can be heated to at least 45. 〇, at least 55 ° C or to 160,979. Doc •14- 201240527 Less than 65°C and/or no more than 115°C, no more than 105°C or no more than 95°C. The heating step can be carried out under any suitable conditions, including pressures above, at or near atmospheric pressure. Various heating systems suitable for use in the production of chemically modified and/or thermally modified wood will be discussed in detail later. Specific implementation examples. The heating step can be practiced such that at least 5%, at least 65 Å, of the total amount of one or more of the thermally removable chemical components remaining in the chemically wet wood is removed. At least 75% or at least 95%. In one embodiment, this may correspond to removing at least 100 pounds, at least 250 pounds, at least 500 or at least 1,000 pounds of total liquid. As a result of one of the heating steps, in one embodiment, the heated or dried chemically modified wood may comprise no more than 5 wt%, no more than 4 wt%, based on the initial (preheated) weight of the bundle. More than 3 no more than 2 wt% or no more than 1% of the one or more thermally removable chemicals (eg, acetic acid). In addition, the chemically modified wood that is heated or dried based on the initial (preheated) weight of the wood may have no more than 6 wt%, no more than 5 wt%, no more than 3 wt%, no more than 2 wt% or no More than 1 wt% or no more than 0. 5 wt°/. One of the water content. In one embodiment, the wood may have a water content of approximately 0% after the thermal step. In one embodiment, the chemical upgrading step and the heating step can occur in a single container. In another embodiment, the chemical upgrading step and the heating step can be carried out in separate vessels such that the internal volume of the chemical upgrading reactor and the heater are different in position. As used herein, the "internal volume J" of a container refers to the space encompassed by the container as a whole, including any volume defined by the container's (or one or more) doors when closed or within the door. . Doc •15· 201240527 As used herein, the term “different in position” means that the internal volume does not overlap. When the chemical upgrading reactor and heater comprise separate vessels, various types of wood conveying systems can be utilized to The wood is transported between the two containers. In one embodiment, the delivery system can include rails (as illustrated in Figure 1), rails, belts, hooks, rollers (as illustrated in Figure 3), strips, trucks, motorized vehicles , stacker, pulley, turntable (as illustrated in Figure 2) and any combination thereof. Various embodiments of wood treatment facilities capable of producing chemically modified and/or thermally modified wood will now be discussed in detail with respect to Figures 1 through 3. Referring now to Figure 1, an embodiment of a wood processing facility is illustrated as including a chemical upgrading system 20, a heating system 30, a delivery system 40, and a stock storage area 6A and a finished material storage area 6 b. The chemical upgrading system 20 includes a chemical upgrading reactor 22, a reactor heating system, and a reactor pressurization/depressurization system 26. The heating system 3 includes a heat shield 32, an energy source 34, and a selective heater pressurization/decompression system 36. The conveyor system 40 includes a plurality of conveyor sections 42a through 42e for transporting wood between the storage areas 60a, 6'b, the reactor to and the heater 32, as explained in detail below. In operation, one or more bundles of wood may be removed from the stock storage area 6A via the transfer section 42a. Although illustrated in the figures as including rails or rails, it should be understood that the conveyor sections 42& can include any type of conveyor mechanism suitable for moving wood between the storage zone 6A and the reactor 22. As shown in Figure i, wood can then be introduced or loaded into reactor 22 via an open reactor inlet door 28. Thereafter, the first reactor inlet door 28 can be closed to allow 160979. Doc 201240527 The wood disposed in reactor 22 is chemically modified according to one or more of the processes set forth above. Once the reaction is complete, the chemically wet wood can be withdrawn from the reactor 22 and sent to the heater 32. According to one embodiment, the chemically wet wood can be removed from the reactor 22 via the reactor inlet door 28 and delivered to the heater 32 via the transfer section 42b. In another embodiment, the wood can be exited via a selective reactor The door 29 is removed and delivered to the heater 32 via the delivery section 42c, as shown in FIG. 1 . Next, the chemically wetted wood can be introduced or loaded into the heater 32 via an open heater inlet door 38, which can then The open heater inlet door 38 is closed to thereby form a fluid seal between the heater inlet door 38 and the body of the heater 32 prior to heating of the starting wood. When the reactor outlet door 29 is selected and the heater outlet door 39 is selected, the outlet doors 29, 39 can be located generally other than the respective reactor inlet door 28 and heater inlet door 38 of the reactor 22 and the heater 32. On the opposite end. In various embodiments, during heating of the wood within the heater 32, the pressurization system 36 can be used to maintain a pressure within the heater 32 to no greater than 550 Torr, no greater than 450 Torr, no greater than 350 Torr, and no greater than 25 Torr. Support, no more than 200 Torr, no more than 15 Torr, no more than 1 〇〇 or no more than 托托. In one embodiment, the vacuum system is operable to reduce the pressure in the heater 32 to no more than 10 mTorr (10-3 Torr), no more than 5 mTorr, no more than 2 mTorr, no More than 1 mTorr, no more than 〇. 5 mTorr or no more than 毫1 mTorr. Additionally, when the heater 32 includes a microwave heater, one or more of the features (including, for example, a microwave choke, one or more microwave emitters, and the like) may be used in detail later. Introduce energy to the heater 32 160979. Doc •17·201240527 in the interior of 'heating and/or drying at least a portion of the wood bundle contained therein. According to one embodiment, the wood treatment facility 1 can include a plurality of reactors and/or heaters. Any number of reactors and/or heaters can be employed and the reactors and/or heaters can be configured to any suitable configuration. For example, the wood treatment facility 10 can utilize at least one, at least two, at least three, at least five, and/or no more than one, no more than eight, or no more than six reactors and/or heaters. . When multiple reactors and/or heaters are employed, the containers can be paired in any suitable combination or ratio. For example, the ratio of reactor to heater can be 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3, 3:1, 2:3, 3:2, 1:4, 4:1, 4 : 2, 2: 4, 3: 4, 4: 3 or any feasible combination. According to an embodiment, one or more of the reactors and/or heaters may include separate inlet and outlet doors, while in another embodiment, one or more of the reactors and/or heaters may include A single door for loading and unloading timber. In one embodiment, the heated and/or dried wood may be removed from the heater 34 via the heater inlet door 38 and transported via the delivery section 42d to the storage area 60b. Another selection system, the wood may be selected via an option The heater exit door 39 (if present) is withdrawn and delivered via section 42e to the storage area 6〇b, as illustrated in FIG. Various configurations of wood processing facilities employing multiple reactors and heaters configured in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described with respect to circles 2 and 3. Turning now to Figure 2, a wood processing facility 110 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The wood treatment facility 11 includes only a plurality of reactors (illustrated as 122a' 122b, 122η) and a plurality of heaters (illustration 160979. Doc •18- 201240527 is 132a, 132b, 132η). Each of the reactors 122a, 122b, 122n and each of the heaters 132a, 132b, 132n, according to one embodiment, includes a single door for selectively permitting access to the wood of each container. 128a, 128b, 128n, 138a, 138b, 138n. Additionally, the wood treatment facility 110 can include a rotatable platform (illustrated as a turntable 140) that is operable to position a bundle of wood 1〇2 such that it can be in various directions (generally from arrow 19〇a to 190c indicates) transporting the bundle of wood between reactors 122a, 122b, 122n, heaters 132, 132b, 132n and a storage area 160. Referring now to Figure 3, another embodiment of a wood processing facility 21 is shown to include a plurality of chemical upgrading reactors (illustrated as 222a, 222n) and a plurality of heaters (illustrated as 232a, 232b, 232n). As shown in Figure 3, each of the reactors includes a respective reactor inlet gate 228a, 228n and a selective reactor outlet gate 229a, 229n. Similarly, each of the heaters 232a, 232b, 232n includes a heater inlet door 23 8a, 238b, 238n and a selected heater outlet door 239a, 239b, 239n. The delivery system 240 shown in Figure 3 includes a plurality of segments 242a through 242j and 244a through 244e operable to transport wood to the reactors 222a, 222n and heaters 232a, 232b, 232n, from the reactors and The heater transports the wood and transports the wood between the reactors and the heaters. Although illustrated as including a continuous belt segment, the conveyor system 240 can include one or more segments that include any suitable transport mechanism, as discussed in detail above. According to one embodiment, in operation, wood loaded into the first reactor 222a via the delivery section 242a can be introduced through the reactor inlet door 228a. One 160,979. Doc •19·201240527 Once the chemical upgrading process is complete, the chemically wet wood can be removed from the reaction is 222a via the reactor inlet door 228a and can then be transported to the heater 232a via the respective transport sections 242e, 242f, 242g. One of 232b or 232n. In an alternate embodiment, the wood removed from reactor 222a can be removed through reactor outlet port 229a via delivery section 244a prior to being conveyed to heater 232a, 232b or 232n, as previously described. Alternatively, the wood treated in reactor 222n can be loaded, chemically modified, and delivered to one of heaters 232a, 232b, 232n in a similar manner as previously described. Thereafter, one or more chemically flooded wood bundles may be heated and/or dried for delivery to one or more of the heaters 232a, 232b, and 23 2n in accordance with one or more of the methods set forth herein. In one embodiment, at least one of the heaters 232a, 232b, and 232n can include a microwave heater. Once the heating step is completed, the heated and/or dried bundles can be passed from the respective inlet gates 238a, 238b, 238n or via respective outlet gates 239a, 239b, 239n (when present) from the heaters 232a, 232b and 232η is extracted. Subsequently, the end-view modified beam is removed from the heater inlet doors 238a, 238b, 238n or the heater exit doors 239a, 239b, 239n, which may be via the transport segments 242h, 242i, 242j or 244c, 244d, 244e The beam is delivered to subsequent processing and/or storage. The chemical upgrading process previously discussed can be carried out at any suitable scale. For example, the wood treatment facility described above may include a laboratory scale, a pilot plant scale, or a commercial scale wood treatment facility. In one embodiment, the wood treatment facility used to produce the chemically modified and/or thermally upgraded wood may have at least 5 feet, a slab foot, at least i million board feet, and at least 2. One of the annual production of 5 million board feet or at least 5 million board feet. 160979. Doc -20- 201240527 Scale facilities. As used herein, the term "plate foot" means a volume of wood expressed in units of 144 cubic feet. For example, a board with 2 inches of inches x 36 inches has a total volume of 288 cubic feet or 2 feet. The internal volume (i.e., "internal reactor volume") of a single chemical upgrading reactor and/or the internal volume of a single heater (i.e., "internal heater volume") may be at least 1 〇〇 cubic feet, at least 500 cubic feet, at least ^(9) cubic feet, at least 2,500 cubic feet, at least 5, 〇〇〇 cubic feet, or at least 1 〇〇〇〇 cubic feet to accommodate commercial scale operations. Even when implemented on a commercial scale, chemical and/or thermal upgrading processes as set forth herein can be performed with relatively short total cycle times. For example, according to one embodiment, the total cycle time of the chemical and/or thermal upgrading process performed using one or more systems of the present invention (from the time of the initial upgrading step to the time the heating step is completed) It can be no more than 48 hours, no more than 36 hours, no more than 24 hours or no more than 12 hours, no more than 1 hour, no more than 8 hours or no more than 6 hours. This is in contrast to many conventional wood treatment processes that can have a total cycle time that lasts for days or even weeks. According to an embodiment of the invention, the wood treatment facility of the invention may comprise one or more steam containment chambers and/or aeration structures for substantially isolating the external environment during transport of the wood (ie, immediately following the chemistry) Chemically modified wood that is chemically wetted with the environment of the reforming reactor and the heater. The vaporization chamber and/or the venting structure can be coupled to a venting system that removes at least one of the gaseous environments from the containment/venting region. Doc • 21·201240527, thereby minimizing the leakage of one or more undesired vapor-state chemicals into the external environment. Additional details and an embodiment of a wood treatment facility employing a vapor containment chamber and/or a venting structure will now be described in more detail with respect to Figures 4a through 4d. Figure 4a is a plan view of one of the vaporization chambers 360 of a chemical upgrading reactor 322 and a heater 332. The vapor containing chamber 36 is operable to partially or nearly completely isolate the external environment when the wood is transferred from the chemical upgrading reactor 322 to the heater 332 via a transfer zone 361 located between the reactor 322 and the heater 332. With a chemically modified wood bundle. As used herein, the term "isolation" refers to the inhibition of fluid transfer between one or more regions, zones or zones. According to an embodiment, the vapor containment chamber 36A can be coupled to a venting system (not shown in Figure 4a) that is operable to remove at least a portion of the steam and gas from the interior of the steam to 360, thereby reducing, Leakage of one or more of the thermally removable chemical components contained within the interior of the reactor 322, within the interior of the heater 332, and/or from the chemically modified wood bundle to the external environment is minimized or prevented. In one embodiment, the chemical upgrading reactor 322 can include a reactor inlet gate 328 for receiving a wood bundle from an external environment and for discharging the wood from the chemical upgrading reactor 322 after chemical upgrading. One of the bundles exits the door 329. Additionally, heater 332 can include a heater inlet gate 328 for receiving a chemically modified, chemically wetted wood bundle exiting from chemical reforming reactor 322. According to one embodiment, heater 332 may also include a heater outlet gate 339 for separating a bundle of wood from heater 332 from heater inlet door 338. In one embodiment, the individual reactor inlets 160979. Doc • 22- 201240527 Door 328 and heater inlet door 338 and reactor outlet door 329 or heater outlet door 339 (when present) may be positioned on substantially opposite ends of reactor 322 or heater 332 to allow reactor The respective central elongated shafts 322 and heaters 332 (shown as shafts 370a, 370b in Figure 4b) can extend through respective inlets 328, 338 and outlets 329, 339. In one embodiment, the reactor 322 and the heater 332 are axially aligned with each other such that the central elongated shafts 370a, 370b of the figure are substantially aligned with each other' while in another embodiment, the shaft 3 70a, 370b can be parallel to each other. As used herein, the term "substantially aligned" means that two or more containers are configured such that the maximum acute angle formed between the intersections of their respective central axes of elongation is no more than 2 inches. . In some embodiments, the maximum acute angle between the intersections of the two elongated axes of the substantially aligned containers may be no more than one turn. No more than 5. No more than 2. Or no more than 1. . In certain embodiments, reactor 322 and heater 332 can be configured in a side-by-side configuration (not shown). According to an embodiment shown in Figure 4a, the vapor containing chamber 36 is sealingly coupled to the reactor 322 and the heater 332 such that during transport of the wood bundle from the reactor 322 to the heater 332 the external environment is substantially The transfer zone 361 is isolated. As used herein, the term "sealedly coupled" means that two or more items are attached, fastened, or otherwise associated such that the junctions from such items substantially reduce or substantially avoid fluids leakage. In one embodiment, the reactor inlet door 328 and/or the heater outlet door (when present) may be open to the external environment, while the reactor outlet door 329 and/or the heater inlet door 338 may be directed to the steam containment chamber 360. The interior is open thereby being transported between reactor 322 and heater 332 via transfer zone 361 160979. Doc •23- 201240527 Isolation of the external environment from steam or gas from chemical reactor 322, heater 332 and/or chemically wetted wood beams. The vapor containment chamber 360 can be configured in any suitable manner. In one embodiment illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, the vapor containment chamber 360 includes four generally upstanding walls 342a through 342d coupled to the day sheet structure 344 and a floor (not shown). Although illustrated in the drawings and in the case of being generally attached to the ceiling structure 344, one of the steam outlet conduits 349 for removing steam and gas from the interior of the steam containing chamber 360 may alternatively be attached to the walls 342a through 342d. One or to the floor. Additional details regarding the removal of steam and gas from the vapor containment chamber 360 will be explained in more detail later. In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the walls 342a-342d can include at least one blast plate for controlling a direction of pressure release in the event of an explosion or rapid pressurization within the vapor containing chamber 360. Or blast wall 343. In one embodiment, the blast plate 343 can be attached to the ceiling 344 and/or floor (not shown) of the steam containment chamber 360. The blast plate or wall 343 can be spliced, tethered or otherwise fastened to another structure of the steam accommodating chamber 36〇 to avoid or reduce that the blast plate or wall 343 will exit the steam accommodating chamber 360 due to an explosion. The possibility that the direction arbitrarily bulges at an undesired speed. The blast plate or wall 343 can have a substantially solid surface (as shown in Figure 4b) or can include a plurality of slats or grooves (not shown, generally Μ. to "Μ U non-blast plate / wall 343 The section is constructed of a high strength material such as, for example, precast concrete slabs, concrete blocks or steel plates. Although illustrated herein as having four walls, it should be understood that various other shapes may be employed. Steam storage room. 160979. Doc • 24· 201240527 As illustrated in Figure 4c, the vapor containment chamber 360 can be equipped with a plurality of vents 370a, 370b for selectively permitting fluid to flow from the external environment into the interior of the vapor containing chamber 36. In one embodiment, the vents 370a, 370b are one-way vents that permit fluid to flow from the external environment into the vapor containing chamber 360 (as indicated by arrows 380a, 380b in Figure 4c), but reduce, inhibit Or substantially preventing fluid from flowing out of the interior of the vapor containing chamber 36 to the external environment. Examples of external fluids that may flow into the venting chamber 360 via vents 370a, 370b include ambient air or one or more inert gases such as nitrogen. In one embodiment, the vents 370a, 370b can be configured to maintain a predetermined pressure differential between the interior of the steaming chamber 360 and the external environment. The vent 370a' 370b can control the rate at which fluid from one of the external environments is drawn into the vapor containing chamber 360 by maintaining a predetermined pressure differential between the interior and exterior environment of the vapor containing chamber 360. To maintain a relatively constant pressure differential between the interior and exterior environment of the vapor containing chamber 36, the vents 37a, 370b may be equipped with means for varying the vent based on the pressure differential across the vents 37a, 37b. One of the degrees of openness of 370a, 370b is a control mechanism (eg, an electronic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a mechanical magazine). When the pressure difference between the external environment and the interior of the steam containing chamber 360 is too high, the vents 370a, 370b are wide open, and similarly, when the pressure difference is too low, the vents 370a, 370b are oriented toward one Turn off location movement. In an embodiment, the vents 370a, 370b may be loaded with a spring and offset toward the closed position such that when the pressure difference between the vapor containing chamber 36 and the external environment is below a threshold, the vent is closed 37〇a, 37〇b, but when steaming 160979. Doc -25- 201240527 When the pressure in the vapor storage chamber 360 is lower than the external environment by more than the threshold pressure difference, the vents are open, to allow the external fluid to be drawn into the steam storage chamber 360. Further, when the vent holes 370a, 37Qb are loaded with springs, the vent holes help to maintain the interior of the steam accommodating chamber 36 by automatically opening wider when the pressure difference is high and automatically moving toward the closed position when the pressure difference is low. - A substantially constant pressure difference from the external environment. In one embodiment, the vapor storage chamber is maintained at a low pressure during delivery and can be maintained at least 〇. 〇5水柱英#, at least 0#柱英作或至纽Η水柱英 忖 and/or no more than 1 〇 water column English time, no more than ^ water column inch number or not greater than 0. 5 water column miles always do * work in one embodiment, vent 3, 370b is configured to permit at least 2 exchanges per hour, at least 4 exchanges, or at least 5 exchanges from steam The accommodating chamber then extracts a rate to draw fluid from the external environment (e.g., ambient air) into the steam accommodating chamber 360, wherein one exchange is equal to one volume of the steam accommodating chamber 360. As used herein, the term "number of exchanges per hour" refers to the total number of times the total volume of fluid in the system is replaced per hour, which is obtained by dividing the volumetric flow rate of steam removed from the system by the total system. Volume to calculate. In an embodiment, the vapor containing chamber 36 is sized such that the reactor 322 and the heater 332 (eg, the internal volume of the positioning reactor and the heater) are at least 2 feet apart, at least 4 feet, or at least 6 feet apart. And/or no more than 50 degrees, no more than 3 feet or no more than 2 feet. In one embodiment, the length of the chamber can be the same or substantially the same as the distance between the reactor W and the heater W. According to the embodiment, the steam capacity is 160,979. Doc -26 · 201240527 The ratio of the length of the chamber 360 to the total length of the reactor 322 and/or the total length of the heater 332 may be at least 〇. 1:1, at least 0. 2:1, or at least 0. 3:1 and / or no more than 1:1, no more than 0. 6:1 or no more than 0. 5:1. When the spacing between the reactor 322 and the heater 332 is minimized, the reactor outlet door 329 and the heater inlet door 338 may be capable of contacting each other during the opening process, "in this embodiment, the reactor outlet door 329 and heating. The inlet door 338 can be configured to nest/overlap each other (but not in contact with each other) when both are fully open. Figure 4d is a side elevational view of a wood processing facility 416 including a reactor 322, a heater 332, and a vaporization > fly containment chamber 360 disposed therebetween. Figure 4d additionally illustrates an embodiment of a product vapor removal system or structure 4 employed adjacent the exit gate 339 of the heater 332. The product vapor removal system 4A can be configured to deliver steam from the outlet gate 339 of the heater 332 and away from the area near the exit gate 3339 (e.g., recovery chamber). This configuration can be substantially reduced and in some embodiments can substantially prevent vapor from the chemically treated wood bundle exiting the heater 332 and/or vapor exiting the reactor and/or heater 332 from escaping to External Environment β As shown in Figure 4d, the vapor containment chamber 360 and the product vapor removal system 4 can be coupled or otherwise operatively coupled to a common venting system 4〇2. The venting system 4〇2 is used to extract steam and gas from the vapor containing chamber 360 and/or to pass it through the product vapor removal system 400. Although Figure 4d illustrates a common venting system 4 〇 2 for both the A* 谷纳室 360 and the product vapor removal system 4 个别, individual ventilation may also be used for each containment/venting area of the wood treatment facility. System 0 is implemented in Figure 4d, product u moved (four) Tongshi package 160979. Doc -27-201240527 includes a venting hood 404 and a venting chamber 406 disposed between the venting hood 404 and the heater 332. Vent hood 404 and plenum 406 can be coupled to venting system 402, and venting system 402 draws steam from hood 404 and/or plenum 406. The plenum 406 can be configured to receive a chemically modified bundle of wood through the heater outlet door 339 (which opens into the plenum 406). The venting chamber 406 can be equipped with a venting chamber outlet 4〇8 through which the chemically modified wood material passes to a cooling position below the venting hood 404. In one embodiment, the venting chamber outlet 408 can be equipped with a door 4 〇 9 that substantially isolates the exterior environment from the interior of the plenum chamber 4 when closed. When the venting chamber is equipped with such a door, the venting chamber may also be equipped with venting holes (not shown) similar to the venting holes 37A, 37 of the steam accommodating chamber 36 先前 previously described with reference to Figure 4c. However, in another embodiment, the plenum outlet 4〇8 is configured to continually permit fluid to pass from the external environment into the interior of the plenum chamber 4〇6. In this embodiment, the plenum outlet 4〇8 is fully open to permit free flow of fluid therethrough. Alternatively, the plenum outlet 408 may be partially covered with a flexible material (eg, a suspended VISQUEEN sheet or a VISQUEEN strip) that permits passage of chemically treated wood bundles therethrough, but at least partially inhibits The free flow of fluid through it. In the practice of the present invention, the plenum 406 can be completely eliminated and the venting shroud 404 can be positioned adjacent the exit gate 339 of the heater 332. As shown in Figure 4d, the venting system 4〇2 can include one or more vacuum generators 4丨0, a processing device 412, a drain 414, and a plurality of steam outlet conduits 349a through 349c. The vacuum generator 41 is operable to pass through 160979. Doc • 28 · 201240527 The mouth ducts 349a, 349b, 349c draw steam from the steam holding chamber 360, the venting hood 404 and/or the venting chamber 406. The processing device 412 is operable to remove or change the composition of at least a portion of one or more components of vapor extracted from the vapor containing chamber 360, the venting shroud 404, and/or the plenum 406 via the vacuum generator 410. Examples of suitable processing devices may include, but are not limited to, scrubbers, thermal oxidizers, catalytic oxidizers or other catalytic processes and/or precipitators. According to one embodiment, the flow director 414 is operable to The steam flow in the steam outlet conduits 349a, 349b, 349c is directed to distribute the venting system between the steam/flying chamber 360 and the product vapor removal structure (eg, the hood and/or the plenum 406). The total venting capacity of 2 is used to adjust the total venting capacity of vacuum generator 410. The term "total venting capacity" as used herein refers to the maximum vapor volume that can be removed via a vacuum generator or other source system, expressed as a time based rate. For example, the distribution of the total venting capacity among the vapor containing chamber 360, the venting shroud 404, and/or the plenum chamber 〇6 can be advantageous for accommodating various steps of a chemical upgrading process. In the embodiment, the 'drain 414 is operable to evenly distribute the total venting capacity (generally denoted as "Xj") such that 〗 〖 is provided to the vapor containing chamber 360, Va is provided to the venting cover 4〇4 and The helium is provided to the plenum 406. In another exemplary embodiment, the diverter 414 can distribute more venting capacity to one of the three regions (such as, for example, 36 暴), such that The V3X is supplied to the steam containing chamber (10), the & provides = venting hood 404 and the VeX is provided to the venting chamber 4 〇 6. The wood processing facility 416, heart item 160979 will now be described in detail with respect to Figure 4d. Doc • 29-201240527 EXAMPLES A first wood bundle (herein represented by the parent "c") can be loaded into the chemical upgrading reactor 322 via a reactor inlet gate 328 and chemically treated. At the same time, a second wood bundle (here represented by the mother B) can be introduced into the heater 332 via the heater inlet door 338 and heated and/or dried. "When the bundle C&B is chemically modified respectively Chemical modification and force are performed in the mass reactor 322 and the heater 332. When hot/dry, the third wood bundle (indicated by the letter "a" herein) can be removed from the venting chamber 406 and positioned below the vent 404, as generally shown in Figure 4d. Once the bundle A has been sufficiently dried, it can be removed from the venting cover 4〇4 and transported to a storage area (not shown, then the drainer can be used to adjust the distribution of the total venting capacity of the venting system 402 to increase the dispensing. The amount of ventilation capacity to the steam is accommodated to 360, and the amount of ventilation capacity allocated to the ventilation hood is reduced. Next, after the heating of the bundle "B" is completed, the heater inlet door 338 and the heater exit σ gate 339 can be Any residual vapor or gas that is continuously open and present in the heater 332 can be removed and passed through the vapor containing chamber 360 prior to entering the venting system. In the embodiment, the heater 332 can be emptied. This includes extracting an external fluid (eg, ambient air or other inert gas) into the system through the vent hood 404 and the plenum 406 (when present). The external fluid can then enter the heater 332 via the heater exit gate 339 and Passing through the interior of the heater 332 before exiting the heater 332 via the heater inlet door 338 and being bound into the vapor containing chamber 36. Once in the vapor containing chamber 36G, the external fluid is Remove any residual vapor or gas of the interior of the can 332 plus Executive 4〇2 exchanging at least 2 times per hour, at least four times per hour, or at least 6,160,979 per hour switching means vent system. Doc 201240527 One exchange rate is drawn from the steam holding chamber 360. For example, if the venting system has a total volume of 100 cubic meters and the rate of steam removal is 200 cubic meters per hour, then the number of exchanges per hour will be (2 〇〇 cubic meters / hour) / (100 cubic meters) m) or exchange 2 times per hour. Once the external fluid and residual vapor/gas 'bundle B have been removed from the vapor containment chamber 360, it can be removed from the heater 332 via the heater exit gate 339, through the plenum 406 (if present), and positioned below the vent 404 Cooling and/or further drying of the bundle B' is as previously discussed in detail. The heater outlet gate 339 can then be closed prior to sequentially opening the reactor outlet gate 329 and the reactor inlet gate 328. Thereafter, a venting system 402 can be used to evacuate residual vapor or gas from the interior of the chemical upgrading reactor 322. In one embodiment, an external fluid (eg, ambient air or other inert gas) may be drawn into the reactor 322 via the reactor inlet gate 328 and worn before exiting into the vapor containing chamber 360 via the reactor outlet gate 329. Passing through the interior of reactor 322. As explained above, the external fluid and any residual steam or gas may then be exchanged at a rate of at least 2 exchanges per hour, at least 4 exchanges per hour, or at least 6 exchanges per hour via steaming outlets 349a. The accommodating chamber 360 is withdrawn. Thereafter, the bundle C can be removed from the chemical upgrading reactor 322 via the reactor outlet gate 329 and passed through the vapor containing chamber 36 along a delivery path 399. In one embodiment, the 'product venting system 4〇2 can be used to Gas and steam are withdrawn from the vapor containing chamber 36〇 during the transfer of the bundle between the reactor 322 and the heater 332. The chemical wetting bundle C can then be introduced into the interior of the heater 332 via heater inlet gate 338 prior to heating of the starting bundle C. Next, the reactor inlet gate 328, the reactor outlet gate 329, and the heater inlet 160979 can be closed in sequence. Doc -31 · 201240527 Before the door 338, the fourth bundle (not shown) was loaded into the inner crucible of the chemical upgrading reactor. The distribution of the total venting capacity to the steam accommodating chamber 36 ’ can be reduced to simultaneously increase to the venting hood 4 〇 4 to thereby cool and/or further dry the bundle B. A fifth bundle (not shown) is assembled in a loading zone (not shown) or near the reactor inlet door 328 prior to repeating the steps mentioned above to process a new wood beam 歹i. It will be understood that in the sequence of operations set forth above, some of the steps may be carried out in the order illustrated, and some steps may be performed simultaneously and/or the order of the steps may be interchanged. The above sequence of steps is included merely to illustrate one exemplary method of operating wood processing system 416. Microwave Heating System According to one embodiment, one or more of the heating systems set forth above may include a microwave heating system that utilizes microwave energy to heat one or more items or items. In addition to an embodiment of the wood processing facility set forth above, a microwave heating system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is also widely applicable to a wide variety of other processes. It should be understood that although the process herein is primarily directed to heating "wood" or "wood bundle", the processes and systems described herein are equally applicable to heating one or more of them! m, object or load application. Examples of other types of applications that may utilize microwave heating systems as set forth herein may include, but are not limited to, ambient temperature vacuum ceramics and metal sintering, melting, brazing, and heat treatment of various materials, in one embodiment, The microwave heating system can include a vacuum system (eg, a microwave vacuum heater) and can be used for vacuum drying of materials such as minerals and semiconductors, vacuum drying of foods such as fruits and vegetables, and ceramic J60979. Doc •32- 201240527 Vacuum drying of porcelain and fiber molds and vacuum drying of chemical solutions. Turning now to FIG. 5, a microwave heating system 420 is configured to include at least one microwave generator 422, a microwave heater 430, a microwave distribution system 440, and an optional vacuum system 450, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. . The microwave energy produced by the microwave generator 422 can be directed to the microwave heater 43A via one or more components of the microwave distribution system 440. Additional details regarding the components and operation of the microwave distribution system 440 will be discussed in detail later. When present, the vacuum system 450 is operable to reduce the pressure in the microwave heater 43 to no more than 550 Torr, no more than 450 Torr, no more than 350 Torr, no more than 250 Torr, no more than 200 Torr, no greater than 15 〇, no more than 1 〇〇 or no more than 75 托. In one embodiment, the vacuum system is operable to reduce the pressure in the microwave heater 430 to no more than 1 〇 milliTorr (1 〇 3 Torr), no more than 5 mA, no more than 2 mTorr, Not more than 丨 milliTorr, no more than 毫 5 milliTorr or no more than 〇. 1 mTorr. Each of the components of the microwave heating system 42A will now be discussed in detail in τ. Microwave generator 422 can be any device capable of producing or generating microwave energy. As used herein, the term "microwave energy" refers to electromagnetic energy having a frequency between _MHz and 30 GHz. As used herein, the term "in" is intended to include the recited endpoints. For example, the number "between" may be between x, y or Any value. In one embodiment, the various configurations of the microwave heating system 420 can utilize a frequency of 915 MHz - a frequency or a frequency of 2 45. 'The two frequencies are generally designated as suitable for the industrial microwave frequency to produce β. 】 音 丨 γ ^ The example of the company can include (but not limited to) magnetron, speed adjustment 160979. Doc •33- 201240527 Pipes, traveling wave tubes and gyrotrons. In various embodiments, one or more microwave generators 422 can be capable of delivering (eg, having one of the following maximum outputs) at least 5 kW, at least 30 kW, at least 50 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 65 kW 'at least 75 kW, at least 100 kW, at least 150 kW, at least 200 kW, at least 250 kW, at least 350 kW, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 600 kW, at least 75 0 kW or at least 1,000 kW and/or no more than 2,500 kW, no more than 1,500 kW or no more than 1,000 kW. Although illustrated as including a microwave generator 422, the microwave heating system 420 can include two or more microwave generators configured to operate in a similar manner. Microwave heater 430 can be any device capable of receiving and using microwave energy to heat one or more items, including, for example, wood bundles or wood bundles. In one embodiment, the amount of heat or energy provided by the microwave heater 430 is at least 75°/〇, at least 85%, at least 95. /. Or substantially all of it can be provided by microwave energy. Microwave heater 430 can also be used as a microwave dryer that can be further operative to dry one or more items disposed therein using microwave energy as set forth herein. Turning now to Figure 6, an embodiment of a microwave heater 530 is illustrated as including an present body 532 and access for selectively permitting and blocking access to one or more objects of the interior 536 of the microwave heater 530. Or pass one of the doors 534. In the embodiment, the container body 532 of the microwave heater 530 can extend along the -center extension axis 535, which can be oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, as illustrated in the ®6. The container body can have any cross-section of any suitable shape or size. In the embodiment, the cross section of the container is 160979. Doc • 34· 201240527 may be rounded or rounded, while in another embodiment, the section may be elliptical. According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape and/or shape of the container body 532 can be changed by the direction of elongation A. In another embodiment, the shape and/or size of the cross-section can remain substantially the same. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the container body 532 of the microwave heater 530 includes a horizontally elongated, cylindrical container body having a circular cross-section. U-wave heater 53 0 can have a total maximum internal dimension or length L and a maximum inner diameter D, as shown in FIG. In one embodiment, l may be at least 8 feet, at least 1 foot, at least 16 feet, at least 2 feet, at least 30 feet, at least 50 feet, at least 75 feet, at least 1 foot, and/or no more than 500. Feet, no more than 35 feet, no more than 25 feet. In another embodiment, D can be at least 3 feet, at least 5 feet, at least 1 foot, at least 12 feet, at least 18 feet, at least 2 feet, at least feet or at least 30 feet, and/or no more than 25 feet. No more than 2 feet or no more than 15 feet. In one embodiment, the ratio of the length (l:d) of the length of the microwave heater 53 to its inner diameter (L:D) may be at least 1:1, at least 2:1, at least 3:1, at least 4. 1 to eve 6. 1. At least 8:1, at least 1〇:1 and/or no more than 5〇丨 is not greater than 4〇:1 or no more than 25:1. Micro heating = § 530 can be constructed from any suitable material. In one embodiment the microwave heater 530 can include at least one electrically conductive and/or highly reflective material. Examples of suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, selected carbon steel, stainless steel nickel 0 gold, aluminum alloys, and copper alloys. The microwave heater 53 can be nearly finished: constructed from a single material' or a variety of materials can be used to construct various portions of the microwave heater. For example, in one embodiment, the microwave plus 160979. Doc 05-201240527 Heater 530 can be constructed from a first material and can then be coated or layered with a second material on at least a portion of its interior and/or exterior surface. In one embodiment, the coating or layer may comprise one or more of the metals or alloys listed above. In another embodiment, the coating or layer may comprise glass, polymer or other. Dielectric material. The microwave heater 530 can define one or more spaces suitable for receiving a load. For example, 'in one embodiment, the microwave heater 530 can be configured to receive and hold one or more wood bundles (Figure One of the reception spaces is not shown in the middle. The load (e.g., wood) can be positioned within the interior 536 of the microwave heater 530 in a static or dynamic manner. For example, in one embodiment in which the load is statically positioned in the microwave heater 53A, the load can be relatively inactive during heating and a static positioning device (not shown) can be used (such as, for example, a A shelf, a platform, a parked van, a stopped drive belt or the like is held in place. In another embodiment in which the load is dynamically positioned within the microwave heater 530, the load can be in motion during heating for at least a portion of the heating using one or more dynamic positioning devices (not shown). Examples of dynamic positioning devices may include, but are not limited to, continuous moving belts, rollers, horizontal and/or vertical oscillating platforms, and rotating platforms. In one embodiment, one or more dynamic positioning devices may be used in a substantially continuous process And one or more static positioning devices can be used in a batch or semi-batch process. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave heater 53A may also include one or more sealing mechanisms to reduce, inhibit, minimize, or substantially prevent fluid and/or microwave energy entering and exiting the interior 536 of the container during processing. leakage. Figure 160979. Doc-36 - 201240527 6 Illustrated that the container body 532 and the door 534 may each have a respective body side sealing surface 531 and a door side sealing surface 533. In one embodiment, the body side sealing surface 531 and the door side sealing surface 533 may form a fluid seal directly or indirectly between the door 534 and the container body 532 when the door 534 is closed. A direct seal can be formed when at least a portion of the body side sealing surface 53 1 and the door side sealing surface 533 are in direct physical contact with each other. The door 534 may be at least partially compressed against the door side sealing surface 533 and the body side sealing surface 53 at least partially compressed for fluidly isolating the interior of the microwave heater 530 from one or more of an external environment (not shown in FIG. 6). An elastic sealing member forms an indirect seal between the door 534 and the container body 532. Examples of the elastic sealing member may include, but are not limited to, a 〇-shaped ring, a spiral wound cymbal, a flaky cymbal, and the like. According to one embodiment, the procedure entitled "Spraying Testing", which is described in the document entitled "Helium Leak Detection Techniques" published under the title of "Helium Leak Detection Techniques" issued by Alcatel Vacuum Technology, is subjected to the use of a Varian model No. 93 8-41. When one of the air leak tests is performed by B1, the direct or indirect sealing formed between the container body 532 and the door 534 may allow the microwave heater 530 to have no more than 1 at or near the junction of the body 532 and the door 534. 〇_2托. L / s, no more than 1 〇 -4 Torr / sec or no more than 10 Torr / sec. In one embodiment, the fluid seal may be particularly advantageous when the environment inside the microwave heater 530 includes a low pressure and otherwise challenging processing environment. The microwave heater configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may also include a microwave choke for suppressing or substantially preventing the gate 534 of the microwave heater 530 from the container body 532 when the door 534 is closed. Energy leakage (example 160979. Doc • 37- 201240527 such as 'at or near the junction of the door 534 and the container body 532'. As used herein, the term 'barrier' means that a microwave container is operable to apply microwave energy. Any device or component that reduces the amount of energy leaking from the container or escaping the container during the period. In one embodiment, the choke can be operable to reduce the amount of microwave leakage from the container by at least 25%, at least 50°/when compared to when a choke is not employed. At least 75% or at least 90% of any device. In one embodiment of the invention, the microwave choke is operable to allow no greater than 5 cm from a container with a wideband isotropic radiation monitor (300 MHz to 18 GHz) of a Narda Microline Model 8300 5 〇mW/cm2 (mW/cm2), no more than 25 mW/cm2, no more than 10 mW/cm2, no more than 5 mW/cm2 or no more than 2 mW/cm2, microwave energy can be self-heated through the choke The device leaked. Further, the microwave choke configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is operable to substantially inhibit even under full vacuum conditions as compared to conventional microwave chokes, which typically fail when subjected to low air pressure. Microwave energy leaks. For example, in one embodiment, a microwave choke as described herein can inhibit leakage of microwave energy from the heater to a pressure in the microwave heater as set forth above. 450 Torr, no more than 350 Torr' no more than 250 Torr, no more than 200 Torr, no more than 1 Torr or no more than 75 Torr. In one embodiment, a microwave choke as described herein can inhibit leakage of microwave energy from the heater to a pressure of no more than 10 mTorr in the microwave heater as set forth above (1〇3)托), no more than 5 mTorr, no more than 2 mTorr, no more than 1 mTorr, no more than 〇5 mTorr or no more than 0. The degree of 1 mTorr. Further, according to an implementation of the present invention 160979. Doc -38 - 201240527 One example of a microwave choke can maintain its leak prevention level on a large unit, such as, for example, having at least 5 kw, at least 3 〇 kw, at least 5 〇 kw, at least 60 kW, at least 65kW, at least 75kw, at least 1〇〇kw, at least 150 kW, at least 200 kW, at least 250 kw, at least 35〇kw, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 600 kW, at least 750 k\V or at least 1, Microwave heaters with a microwave energy input rate of 000 kW and/or no more than 2,500 kW, no more than ι,500 let... or no more than 1,000 kW. In one embodiment, when microwave energy is introduced into the container even at the level of microwave energy and vacuum pressure as set forth above (eg, during the heating step), arcing does not occur substantially near the choke 650. . As used herein, "arc" refers to an undesired, uncontrolled discharge resulting at least in part by ionization of a surrounding fluid. Arcing (which can damage equipment and materials and cause a substantial fire or explosion hazard) has a lower threshold at lower pressures (especially low pressure (e.g., vacuum) pressure). Conventional systems often limit the rate of energy input to minimize or avoid arcing. However, the microwave heater configured according to an embodiment of the present invention can be operated at a pressure system of no more than 550 Torr, no more than 450 Torr, no more than 350 Torr, no more than 250 Torr, and no more than 200 Torr. , not more than 100 Torr, not more than 75 Torr, not more than 1 〇 milliTorr (1 〇 -3 Torr), not more than 5 mTorr, not more than 2 mTorr, not more than 1 mTorr, not more than 〇·5 mTorr Or not greater than 〇1 mTorr and/or at least 50 Torr or at least 75 Torr, at least 5 kW, at least 30 kW, at least 50 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 65 kW, at least 75 kW, at least 100 kW, at least 150 kW, at least 200 kW, at least 250 kW, at least 3 50 kW, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 6 kW, at least 160,979. Doc -39- 201240527 750 kW or at least l, 〇〇〇 kW and / or no more than 25 〇〇 kw, no more than 1,500 kW or no more than l 'OOO kW to receive microwave energy and can be introduced to A microwave heater (referred to as a vacuum microwave heater or a vacuum microwave dryer as desired) and substantially no arcing at or near the choke * is now provided for closure in Figure 7a The gate 634 substantially inhibits a section of one of the embodiments of the microwave choke 650 that is a leakage of microwave energy between a gate 634 of a microwave heater and a vessel body 632. As shown in Figure 7a, when the door 634 is closed and the respective door side 633 and body side 63 丨 sealing surfaces are in direct or indirect contact with each other, at least a portion of the microwave damper 650 cooperatively defines or is formed in the door 634 and the container body. Between 632. In an embodiment, there may be a fluid sealing member 66 selected to inhibit, minimize or substantially prevent leakage of fluid entering and exiting the microwave heater, as previously discussed. Fluid seal member 660 (when present) can be coupled to container body 632 or (as shown in Figure 7a) coupled to the door. According to an embodiment shown in Figure 7a, the microwave choke 65 defines a first radially extending baffle cavity 652, a second radially extending baffle cavity 654 and a microwave heating shutdown The door of the door is at least partially disposed at a radially extending baffle diversion wall 656 between the first choke chamber 652 and the second choke chamber 654. In one embodiment illustrated in Figure 7a, the first choke chamber 652 is defined between the container body 632 and the choke deflector wall 656 when the door 634 is closed, while the second choke chamber 654 At least partially placed in . The gate 634 is interposed between the baffle diversion wall 656 such that the baffle diversion wall 656 is substantially coupled to the door 634. The first choke chamber 652 can be used for the microwave heater I60979. Doc -40· 201240527. p is open and can be positioned radially between the interior of the microwave heater and the fluid seal formed when the component is present. In a preferred embodiment of the invention (not shown in Figure 7a), the second choke chamber 654 can be at least partially defined by the container body 632 so that the second choke chamber 654 can be closed when the door is closed Positioned between the container body 632 and the baffle diversion wall 656 such that the baffle diversion wall 656 is substantially coupled to the container body 632. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the second choke chamber 305 is reliably extended when the door 634 is closed. In the embodiment, 'at least 40%, at least 60%, at least 8% or at least 9% of the total length of the second choke chamber... when the door 634 is closed, reliably closes the first choke chamber 654. extend. The total length of the first choke chamber 652 and/or the second choke = 654 (defined in the letter "L" in Figure 〜) may be at least the main wavelength length of the microwave energy in the microwave heater 1/; 16 times, at least "8 times, at least 1/4 times and/or no more than 丨 times, no more than 3/4 times or no more than ι/2 times. The first choke chamber 652 and/or the second choke chamber 654 are at least 1 foot long, at least 丨. 5 feet, at least 2 feet or at least 2. 5 feet and: no more than 8 feet, no more than 6 feet or no more than 5 feet. As illustrated in Figure 7b, a relative extension angle 1 can be defined between the direction of extension of the first choke chamber 652 (specified by line 690) and the direction of extension of the second choke chamber (designated by line 692). . In various embodiments, the relative extension angle Φ can be no greater than 60. No more than 45. No more than 30. Or not greater than 15 In some embodiments, the direction of extension of the first choke chamber 654 may be substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the first choke chamber 652, as depicted in Figure 7a. Doc 201240527 Referring now to Figure 7c, a partial isometric section of a microwave choke is provided. As shown in Figure 7c, the baffle diversion wall 656 can be integrally formed into the door 634. According to an embodiment, the flow guiding wall 656 can include a plurality of spaced apart open ends 67〇 circumferentially disposed along the flow guiding wall 656. In one embodiment, the spacing between the centerlines of each of the gaps may be at least zero. 5 inches, at least 2 inches, at least 2 inches or at least 25 inches and/or no more than 8 inches, no more than 6 inches or no more than 5 inches. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the flow blocker 650 can include a removable portion 651 that is removably spliced to the container body 632 or door 634. In one embodiment, the removable portion 651 can be removably coupled to the door 634. As used herein, the term "removably coupled" means to attach one of the portions of the choke that can be removed without substantially damaging or destroying the container body, the flow blocker and/or the door. Pick up. In one embodiment, the 'removable spoiler portion 651 can include at least a portion or all of the flow guiding wall 656. Figure 7d illustrates a microwave choke having at least one removable portion 651. In one embodiment illustrated in Figure 7d, the flow guiding wall 656 can be brought into contact with the removable choke portion hi. Removable spoiler portion 651 can include a plurality of removable spoiler segments 653a-653e that are each removably coupled to door 634 or container body 632 (not shown) (in an embodiment, The removable baffle portion 651 can include at least 2, at least 3, at least 4 'at least 6, at least 8 and/or no more than 16, no more than 12, no more than 1 〇 or no more than 8 removable choke segments 653. According to an embodiment in which the removable choke portion 65 1 has a large annular diameter, the embodiment can be individually removed. The spoiler segments 653a to 653e can have a large arc 160979. Doc •42· 201240527 Shape, as shown in Figure 7d. The removable baffle portion 651 can be secured to the door 634 or container body 632 according to any conventional method, including, for example, bolts, screws, or any other type of suitable removable fastening device. In one embodiment, the removable baffle portion 651 can be magnetically fastened to the door 634 or the container body 632. Partially depending on the desired fastening method, the removable baffle portion 651 can have a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes. For example, as illustrated in Figures 7e-7h, the removable baffle portion 651 can define a generally G-shape (as shown in Figure 7e) 'generally J-shaped or U-shaped (as shown in Figure 7f) A section of a general [shape (shown in the figure) or a general 1 shape (shown in Figure 7h). In operation, the removable resistor can be attached, removed, and/or subsequently replaced without removing the portion of the container body 632 and/or the door 634 or substantially machining the container body 632 and/or the door 634. The streamer portion 651 is to resume normal operation of the microwave heater. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of individually removable spoiler segments 653a through 653e can be individually and individually attached to door 634 and/or container body 632. Subsequently, one or more of the reversible block segments 653 and/or the entire removable baffle portion 65 may be individually removed when one or more portions of the microwave choke become damaged or otherwise require replacement. The crucible can be detached or removed from the container body 632 or the door 634 individually and individually and with one or more new (eg, replacement) removable spoiler segments 653 and/or a new removable spoiler portion 651. replace. In one embodiment, the removable spoiler segment 653a can be detached from the container body 632 or door 034 and then reattached to the container body 632 or door 634 (eg, removed therefrom and replaced) The number of 653b, 653c, 653d, and/or 653e may be at most or not greater than the removable portion 160979. Doc • 43- 201240527 651 The total number of spoiler segments 653a to 653e. Microwave heaters 53 0 (generally shown in Figure 6) can be classified as a single mode cavity, a multimode cavity, or a quasi-optical cavity, depending on how the microwave energy is represented. As used herein, the term "single mode cavity" refers to a cavity that is designed and operated to maintain the microwave energy therein as a single, specific mode pattern. Frequently, the design and nature of a single mode cavity can limit the size of the container and/or how a load can be positioned within the chamber. Thus, in one embodiment, microwave heater 530 can include a multi-mode or quasi-optical mode cavity. As used herein, the term "multi-mode cavity" refers to a cavity or chamber in which microwave energy is excited into a plurality of standing wave patterns in a half random or unguided manner. As used herein, the term "quasi-optical mode cavity" refers to a cavity or chamber in which most, but not all, of the energy is directed toward a particular area in a controlled manner. In one embodiment, a multi-mode cavity has an energy density higher than a quasi-optical cavity near the center of the container, and the quasi-optical cavity can utilize the quasi-optical properties of microwave energy to more closely control and direct to the cavity The emission of energy in the interior. Turning back to the microwave heating system 42A illustrated in Figure 5, the microwave distribution system 440 is operable to transfer or direct at least a portion of the microwave energy produced by the microwave generator 422 into the microwave heater 430, as discussed briefly above. . As schematically shown in Fig. 5, the microwave distribution system 44A can include at least one waveguide 442 operatively coupled to one or more microwave emitters (illustrated as emitters 444a through 444c). The microwave distribution system 44A may include one or more microwave mode converters 446 for varying the microwave energy passing therethrough and/or for selectively routing microwave energy to the microwave emission 160979, as desired. Doc • 44- 201240527 One or more of the 444a to 444c or multiple microwave switches (not shown). Additional details regarding the particular components and various embodiments of the microwave distribution system 440 will now be discussed in detail below. Waveguide 442 is operable to deliver microwave energy from microwave generator 422 to one or more of microwave emitters 444a through 444c. As used herein, the term "waveguide" refers to any device or material that is capable of directing electromagnetic energy from one location to another. Examples of suitable waveguides can include, but are not limited to, coaxial cables, coated fibers, dielectric filled waveguides, or any other type of transmission line. In one embodiment, waveguide 442 can include a waveguide section for transporting microwave energy from microwave generator 422 to one or more of the ones of emitters 444a through 444c. Waveguide 442 can be designed and constructed to propagate microwave energy in a particular primary mode. As used herein, the term "mode" refers to a pattern of generally solid-state profile fields of microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention, waveguide 442 can be configured to propagate microwave energy in a TE叮 mode, where $ is an integer from one of the ranges of 1 to 5; In another embodiment of the invention, waveguide 442 can be configured to propagate microwave energy in a chirp mode, where & 〇 and b is an integer from one of the ranges of 1 to 5. It will be understood that as used herein, the above defined ranges are used throughout the description to illustrate the mode of microwave propagation. Further, in some embodiments, when two or more components of a system are described as "TMa6" or "ΤΕ" components, 'for each component, the value of β6' and/or ^ Can be the same or different. In one embodiment, the values of alpha, Λ, Λ: and/or; are the same for each component of a given system. 160979. Doc •45- 201240527 The shape and size of the waveguide 442 can depend, at least in part, on the desired mode of microwave energy that will pass through it. For example, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the waveguide 442 can include a TE"waveguide having a generally rectangular cross-section, while in another embodiment, at least a portion of the waveguide 442 can include a TMai> having a generally circular cross-section. ;waveguide. According to an embodiment of the invention, the circular section waveguide may have a diameter of at least 8 inches, at least 丨〇 吋, at least 吋 2 inches, at least 24 inches, at least 36 inches, or at least 4 inches. . In another embodiment, the rectangular section waveguide may have a short dimension of at least 丨 吋, at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, and/or no more than 6 inches, no more than 5 inches, or no more than 4 inches. And the long dimension may be at least 6 inches, at least 丨❶ 吋, at least 12 inches, at least 18 inches and/or no more than 5 inches, no more than 35 inches, or no more than 24 inches. As schematically illustrated in Figure 5, the microwave distribution system 44A can include one or more mode transition segments 446 that can be tailored to change the mode of microwave energy passing therethrough. For example, mode converter 446 can include a mode for changing at least a portion of the microwave energy from a TMai mode to a mode & mode to mode converter. In another embodiment, the mode switching section 446 can include one of the microwave energy conversion and emissions for receiving the TMW mode energy and in a mode to the TMai mode converter. α, 6, work, and The values may be within the ranges set forth above. The microwave distribution system 44A may include any number of mode converters 446, and in one embodiment may include at least i of various locations located within the microwave distribution system 440, At least 2, at least 3 or at least 4 mode converters. Turning again to Figure 5, the microwave distribution system 440 can be included for use via the waveguide 160979. Doc-46·201240527 442 receives microwave energy from generator 422 and emits or discharges at least a portion of the microwave energy to one or more microwave emitters 444 in the interior of microwave heater 430. The term "microwave emitter" or "emitter" as used herein refers to any device capable of emitting microwave energy into the interior of a microwave heater. The microwave distribution system according to various embodiments of the present invention may employ >>, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least ό, at least 8, at least 10, and/ Or no more than 1 、, no more than 5 〇 or no more than 25 microwave emitters. The microwave emitters can be of any suitable shape and/or size and can be constructed of any material, including, for example, selected carbon steels, stainless steels, nickel alloys, aluminum alloys, and copper alloys. In one embodiment in which the microwave distribution system 440 includes two or more microwave emitters, each emitter can be made of the same material, while in another embodiment, two or more emitters can be Made of different materials. In operation, microwave energy generated by one or more microwave generators 422 can be routed or directed via waveguide 442 to one or more mode converters 446 (right present). Thereafter, the microwave energy in the waveguide 442 can be split into two or more separate microwave portions as desired before being directed to one or more microwave emitters (illustrated as 4443 to 444c in FIG. 5) (eg, At least three parts as shown in Figure 5). Microwave emitters 444a through 444c may be partially or integrally disposed within microwave heater 43A and operable to introduce or emit at least a portion of the microwave energy passing therethrough via one or more spaced apart emission locations to the heating In the interior of the vessel 430, thereby heating and/or drying the articles, articles or loads disposed therein, including, for example, or a plurality of bundles of wood. The various aspects of the microwave heating system will now be discussed in detail below. Doc •47- 201240527 Specific configuration and details of the example. Turning now to Figures 8 through 10, several embodiments of a microwave heating system configured in accordance with the present invention are provided. Although illustrated as being configured to receive and heat a bundle of wood, it should be understood that the microwave heating system set forth below may be adapted to be used in any of the other processes and systems previously described and in which microwave heating is used. Used in a system or process. Further, it should be understood that all of the elements and components set forth below may be adapted for use in any of the microwave heating systems configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, although described with reference to a particular figure or embodiment. Turning now to Figures 8a and 8b, an embodiment of a microwave heating system 72 is illustrated as including a microwave heater 73A and for delivering microwave energy from a microwave generator (not shown) to the heater 73. One of the microwave distribution systems 740. In various embodiments, a vacuum system (not shown) is operable to reduce the pressure in the interior of the microwave heater 730 to, for example, no greater than 550 Torr, no greater than 450 Torr, and no greater than 35 Torr. No more than 3 〇〇 不 no more than 250 Torr, no more than 200 Torr, no more than 15 Torr, no more than 1 〇〇 不 no more than 75 Torr and / or no more than 1 〇 milliTorr (1 〇. 3 Torr), no more than 5 mTorr, no more than 2 mTorr, no more than 1 mTorr, no more than 〇5 mTorr or no more than 〇". Several features of one or more embodiments of the microwave heating system 72A are discussed in detail below. Turning now to Figure 8a, the microwave distribution system 74 is illustrated as including an elongated waveguide emitter 760 that is at least partially and integrally disposed within the interior of the microwave heater 730. As shown in Figure 8a, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can extend substantially horizontally within the interior of the microwave heater 73. Doc -48- 201240527. As used herein, the term "substantially horizontal" means 10 in the horizontal plane. Inside. In one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the elongated waveguide emitter 76 to the total length of the interior space of the microwave heater 730 can be, for example, at least zero. 3:1, at least 〇·5:1, at least 〇75:1 or at least 〇9〇:ι. In an embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 extending horizontally horizontally may be located at an upper or lower half of the interior volume toward the microwave heater 73A and may be disposed at least partially or integrally vertically. Above the heater inlet door 738 and a selected heater outlet door (not shown), the optional heater outlet door (if present) is disposed on one of the substantially opposite ends of the microwave heater 73. As used herein, the terms "upper" and "lower" hoarding refer to the area in the vertical or lower vertical portion above the internal volume of the container. In one embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter 76 can be, for example, integrally disposed within the upper third, quarter, or fifth of the internal volume of the microwave heater 730. In yet another embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can be disposed, for example, within the lower third, quarter, or fifth of the total internal volume of the microwave heater 730. . To measure the "top" or "lowest" fraction of the total internal volume described above, from the uppermost or lowermost wall of the container to the desired portion of the profile (for example, one-third, four A portion of the cross-section of the container from which one or one-fifth of the central elongate shaft extends may extend along the central elongate axis to thereby define the "topmost" or "lowest" fractional volume of the inner container space. As shown in Figure 8a, the microwave heater 730, which can be configured to receive and heat a bundle of wood, includes a heater inlet door 738 that can optionally be configured to allow a bundle of wood bundles 7〇2 to be introduced into a One of the bundle receiving spaces 739 160979. Doc -49- 201240527 Restrictor (not shown). Although illustrated as being in direct contact, it should be understood that the bundle 702 can also include one or more spacers or "adhesives" disposed between the panels. In an embodiment (not shown), the microwave heater 73A may also include a cymbal located at the end of the microwave heater 730 opposite the heater inlet door 738. When the microwave heater 73A includes a separate heater exit gate 739, the bundle 702 can optionally be loaded via the inlet gate 738, passed through the microwave heater 730 and unloaded via the outlet gate 739, rather than being loaded and unloaded through the heater inlet door 738. . Reference to "inlet" and "outlet" doors in this embodiment is not limiting, and bundle 7〇2 may optionally be loaded via door 739, passed through microwave heater 730, and unloaded via door 738. Moreover, in another embodiment * (for example) where no exit door 739 is selected, the bundle 702 can be loaded (inserted) from the entry door 738 and unloaded (removed) from the entry door 738. In an embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can be positioned in the microwave heater 730 substantially below or below the beam 7〇2 (not shown) such that when the beam 702 passes to the interior of the heater 73〇+ When it is inside the heater and/or through the interior of the heater 73, it is not necessary to move, remove, withdraw or otherwise reposition the elongated emitter. Referring now to Figure 8b, a partially detailed isometric view of an elongated waveguide emitter is provided. In one embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter is substantially hollow and includes one or more side walls. The one or more side walls are configured in a variety of ways such that the elongated waveguide emitter has a variety of cross-sectional shapes. For example, in an embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter can have a single sidewall that is substantially circular or elliptical in cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, as shown here, 160979. As shown in doc 201240527, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can include four substantially planar sidewalls 764a through 764d that are configured to impart a generally rectangular lateral (or in another embodiment, square) profile configuration. Transmitter 76〇. The extended waveguide transmitter 760 can be configured to propagate and/or transmit microwave energy in any suitable mode, including te^ and/or ΤΜβέ modes, as discussed in detail above. According to one embodiment, the elongated waveguide emitter 76 can include an elongated TExy emitter, and in one embodiment, can be implemented with commercially available rectangular waveguide sizes, such as WR284, WR43〇4 WR34 (^ The particular dimensions of the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can be any suitable size, and in one embodiment, can be custom made. As illustrated in Figure 8b, one of the elongated waveguide emitters 76 or The plurality of sidewalls may define a plurality of emission openings for discharging or emitting microwave energy into the interior of the microwave heater 730. Although illustrated in the figure, defining a plurality of generally rectangular shapes with rounded ends Elongated grooves 767a through 767e, but the emission openings 767 & to 767e can have any suitable shape. Each of the elongated grooves 767a through 767e can define a length (designated "L" in Figure 8b) And a width (designated as "w" in the ribs). In one embodiment, the length to width (L:W) ratio of the elongated grooves 767 & to 7676 can be, for example, at least 2: 1. At least 3:1, at least seven or at least 乂1. Additionally, the elongated grooves ^~ to %~ can be oriented at various angles relative to the horizontal plane as shown in Figure 8b. In one embodiment, the elongated grooves 767a through 767e can be relative to the horizontal (for example) At least 1 〇, at least 20, at least 30, and/or, for example, no greater than 8 〇, no greater than 7 〇, or no greater than 60. An angular extension. In one embodiment, Elongation groove 160979. Doc -51 - 201240527 Each of 767a through 767e can have the same shape, size, and/or orientation. The shape 'small size and/or orientation' of the individual elongated grooves 7673 to 7676 may be different in one embodiment. The change in shape, size and/or orientation of the elongated grooves 767 & to 7676 can affect the distribution of energy emitted from the elongated waveguide emitter 76. Although shown as uncovered in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8b, one or more of the transmit openings 767 may be substantially covered by one or more overlay structures (not shown) adjacent to the launch opening, the one or The plurality of cover structures are operable to prevent flow of fluid into and out of opening 767 but allow microwave energy to be discharged therefrom. As shown in Figure 8b, emission openings 767 & 767e may be at least partially or integrally emitted from the elongated waveguide One or more of the side walls 76A to 764d are defined by one or more of the sides 76. In one embodiment, at least 50%, at least 75, or at least 85% or at least 9% of the thickness of the emission opening to the %~ can be defined by one or more sidewalls 764a through 764d, for example. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8b, the emission opening 76 or 76 can be defined, at least in part or in whole, by two substantially upstanding sidewalls 764a, 764c. As used herein, the term "substantially upright" is used. Means 3 垂直 in the vertical plane. Inside. In one embodiment, the elongated emitter 76's sidewalls 764 & to 764 (1 may be relatively thick, while in other embodiments, the sidewalls 76 轺 to 764 (1 may be relatively thin for example 5 The average thickness of the sidewalls 764a to 764d (designated as X in Figure 8b) may be 'at least 1/32 (0. 03125) English „才, at least 1/8 (〇 125) miles, until the evening 3/16 (0. 1875) Ying Yu and / or (for example) no more than 1/2 (〇 5) English, no more than 1/4 (G. 25) Miles, no more than 3/16 (() 1875) English leaves or no more than 1/8 (〇·125) British time. According to one of the elongated waveguide emitters 760 160979. Doc • 52·201240527 or an embodiment in which a plurality of sidewalls are relatively thin, the elongated waveguide emitter 760 can have a microwave emission efficiency of at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%. The microwave energy is emitted into the interior of the microwave heater 73. As used herein, the term "microwave emission efficiency" can be defined by converting the result of the following equation to a percentage: (total energy introduced into the emitter - total energy emitted from all openings in the emitter) + ( The total energy introduced into the emitter). The transmit openings 767a through 767e can be configured along the elongated waveguide emitter 760 in accordance with any suitable configuration or configuration. In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 8b, the emission openings 76 7a through 76 7e can include a set of first emission openings (e.g., emission openings 767a, 767b) disposed on one side of the emitter 760 and disposed a first emission opening (eg, a pair of emission openings 767 (: to 7676) on another substantially opposite side of the elongated waveguide emitter 76. According to an embodiment, the first emission opening group and the second emission The sets of openings may be axially staggered from each other such that corresponding openings (e.g., openings 767a, 767c shown as pairs of pairs or openings 780a and openings 767b, 767d shown as pairs of pairs or openings 78b) are not axially aligned with each other Although illustrated in Figure 8b as having only two pairs of emitter openings 780a, 78〇b, it should be understood that any desired number of pairs of emitter openings may be utilized. According to one embodiment, each pair of emitters 780a, 780b A firing opening disposed on one side of the elongated waveguide emitter 760 (eg, both the opening 767a of the pair 780a and the opening 767b of the pair 780b disposed on the sidewall 764a) and disposed at the emitter 760 Another launch opening on the opposite side (e.g., in Figure 8b, both are placed on side wall 764c and open to 78 〇a. Doc -53- 201240527 mouth 767c and the opening of 780b 767d). In one embodiment, the openings 767a, 767c and the openings 767b, 767d disposed on opposite sides of the elongated waveguide emitter 760 are axially aligned, while in another embodiment, the oppositely spaced openings 767a 767c and openings 767b, 767d may form a plurality of "near neighbors" pairs (eg, launch pairs 780a, 780b include "near neighbors" openings 767a, 767c and openings 767b, 767d, respectively). In one embodiment, for example, when an even number of firing openings are used, one or more of the single-ended emitting openings can be independent without forming a pair with any of the other openings. In one embodiment, the separate opening may be open at one end, such as the end opening 7 6 7 e shown in Figure 8b. According to an embodiment in which pairs 780a, 780b include pairs of adjacent open pairs, at least one of the transmit openings 767a through 767d of the transmit opening pair 780a, 780b can be configured to cancel as close to the neighbor pair 780a One or more of the other emission openings 767a through 767d of 780b are reflected back to at least a portion of the microwave energy in the interior space of the waveguide 760. For example, the microwave energy reflection caused by opening 767a of 780a can be at least partially, substantially, or substantially entirely offset by the configuration of another opening 767b of 780a. In a similar manner, the microwave energy reflection caused by opening 767c of 780b can be offset, at least in part, substantially or nearly entirely, by the configuration of another opening 767d of 780b. Moreover, in one embodiment, each of the emission openings 767a through 767d of the pair of openings 780a, 780b is transferred into the interior of the microwave heater 730 when the emission openings 767a through 767d are disposed proximate to the adjacent pair. The total amount of energy may be equal to one of the total amount of microwave energy introduced into the emitter 760 of 160,979. Doc • 54- 201240527 rate. For example, in a case where the emitter includes N pairs of emission openings and a single-ended opening, the fraction of microwave energy emitted from each pair of emission openings (and/or unpaired openings or single-ended openings) It can be expressed by the following formula: 1 / (N+1). Thus, the total amount of energy emitted by each of pairs 780a, 78〇b may be equal to the introduction to elongated waveguide emitter 760 according to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8b (where N-2). 1/(2 + 1) or 1/3 of the total energy in the middle. Similarly, in this embodiment, the energy emitted from an unpaired emission opening (e.g., single-ended opening 767e in Figure 8b) can be expressed by the formula " (N+o. Thus, the embodiment shown in Figure 8b) The emission opening 76 can also emit approximately 1/3 of the total energy introduced into the elongated waveguide emitter 76. Another embodiment of a microwave heating system 82 is provided in Figures 9a through 9h. As shown in Figure 9a, the microwave heating system 820 includes a microwave heater 82 and a microwave distribution system 84 that is operable to deliver microwave energy from a microwave generator (not shown) to the heater 820. In one embodiment The microwave heating system 820 can also include a vacuum system for reducing the pressure in the microwave heater 83 to less than a large rolling pressure (not shown in the figures, the microwave heater 830 can be included for A bundle of wood (or other load) is introduced into one of the heater inlet doors 838. The microwave heater 830 can include a heater heater 830 disposed generally opposite the heater inlet door 838. One of the heaters A door (not shown in Figure 9a). Additionally, the microwave heater 830 can include a plurality of spaced apart emission openings located at various locations along one or more of the outer sidewalls 831 of the microwave heater 830 (such as in Figure 9a) The illustrations show the emission openings of 841a, 841b.) The emission is 160979. Doc-55-201240527 Openings 841a, 841b are operable to accommodate one or more components of microwave distribution system 840' thereby facilitating transmission of microwave energy into microwave heater 830. Additional details regarding the microwave distribution system 840 will now be discussed in more detail with respect to Figures 9b through 9h. Turning to Figure 9b' provides a top cross-sectional view of one of the microwave heaters 830, specifically illustrating a plurality of microwave emitters 844a through 844d that directly or indirectly face the opposing sidewalls 831a, 83b of the microwave heater 83A. . The term "indirect coupling" as used herein refers to one or more intermediate devices used to at least partially connect one or more emitters to a container. Transmitters 844a through 844d are operable to transmit microwave energy into the interior of microwave heater 830 via one or more open outlets 8453 through 845d, as shown in Figure 9b. Although illustrated in Figure 9b as including four emitters 844a through 844d', it should be understood that microwave heater 830 can include any desired number of emitters. In an embodiment (not shown), the microwave heater 830 can include two additional emitters that are axially positioned to the left of the emitters 844a, 844b of Figure 9b and/or to the right of the emitters 844c, 844d. These additional transmitters (not shown) may face in the same direction and/or in different directions. For example, in one embodiment shown in Figure 9b, the transmitters 844 & 844d are shown facing in opposite directions. Further, in an embodiment (not shown), the microwave heater 830 can include Four additional transmitters configured in a manner similar to the transmitters 844 & 844d illustrated in Figure 9b, as further explained below. Microwave transmitter 844 can be positioned along microwave heater 830, within microwave heater 830, or near microwave heater 83, according to any suitable configuration. At 160979. Doc - 56 - 201240527 In one embodiment, the microwave transmitter 844 can be configured to include two transmitter pairs. Individual emitters within the pair may be located on substantially the same side of microwave heater 830 (e.g., the pair includes emitters 844a and 844d and the other pair includes emitters 844b and 844c) or on substantially opposite sides of microwave heater 830 Up (eg 'the pair includes microwave emitters 844a and 844b and the other pair includes 844c and 844d). As used herein, the term "substantially opposite side" or "opposite side" means that two emitters are positioned such that the radial alignment angle defined therebetween is between at least 90. To 180. In the scope. The "radial alignment angle (β)" is defined as the angle formed between the two straight lines drawn from the center of each emitter to the center axis of the container. For example, Figure 9 (shows an exemplary emitters 845 and 846a defining a radial alignment angle therebetween. The radial alignment angle between two emitters positioned on substantially opposite sides of a container can be at least丨2〇, at least 150, at least 165, and/or no more than 18 〇 or substantially 丨 (10). In one embodiment, the two emitters can be positioned on generally opposite side walls, as shown in the middle and the outer Illustrated, while in another embodiment, two oppositely disposed emitters can be positioned at or near the vertical top or bottom of the heater (not shown). In which - or more emitter pairs are located in one In an embodiment of the individual emitters on the generally opposite sides of the microwave heater (eg, emitter 84 of FIG. 9b and 844a or emitters 84 and 844d), the individual emitters within the pair may also Axially aligned with each other. As used herein, the term "axial alignment" refers to an axial alignment angle in which two emitters define a range from 〇 to 。. Used, "axial alignment 160979. Doc •57· 201240527 角” can be defined by the angle formed between the shortest line drawn between the centers of each emitter (which also intersects the elongated axis of the container) and one line drawn perpendicular to the axis of elongation. In Fig. 9d, the 'axial alignment angle α is formed between the line 85〇 drawn between the centers of the exemplary emitters 845 and 846 and the line 852 perpendicular to the elongated axis 835a. In one embodiment, the axially aligned emitters can define at least 0° and/or, for example, no more than 3 inches. Or an axial alignment angle of no more than 15〇. In another embodiment, the individual emitters within a pair may be located on substantially the same side of a microwave heater. As used herein, the term "substantially the same side" or "the same side" means that the two emitters have a radial alignment angle β that is in a range from at least or equal to 0 to 90. The exemplary emitters 845 and 846b in Figure % are located on substantially the same side of the microwave heater because the radial alignment angle (e.g., βζ) defined therebetween is no greater than 9 〇. . In one embodiment, the two emitters disposed on the same side of a microwave heater are at least 0 and/or no greater than 60. No more than 3 inches. And no more than 15. Or a radial alignment angle of approximately 0°. In one embodiment in which one or more transmitter pairs comprise individual transmitters (eg, transmitters 844a and 844d or transmitters 844b and 844c in the outside) on substantially the same side of a microwave heater, The individual emitters within the pair may also be axially adjacent to each other. As used herein, the term "axially adjacent" means that two or more emitters are positioned on the same side of a microwave heater such that no other emitters on the other side are disposed between the axially adjacent emitters. . According to one embodiment of a microwave distribution system comprising two or more relatively positioned microwave emitter pairs, from the first pair 160979. A transmitter of doc-58.201240527 is disposed on substantially the same side as one of the emitters of the second pair, thereby forming an axial pair of adjacent emitter pairs. As illustrated in Figure 9b, each of the microwave emitters 844 & to 844 £ can define a respective open outlet 845a to 845d for transmitting microwave energy to the interior of the microwave heater 830. The open outlet can be positioned to emit energy into the interior of the microwave heater 8 3 按 in any suitable pattern or in any suitable orientation. For example, in one embodiment shown in Figure 9b, the open exit of the axially adjacent emitter (e.g., the outlets 845a, 845d of the emitters 844a, 844d and the outlets 845b, 845 of the emitters 844b, 844c) (〇 may be oriented to face each other in a direction substantially parallel to one of the outer sidewalls to which the emitters are coupled (eg, sidewalls 83 la of emitters 844a, 844d and sidewalls 83 lb of emitters 844b, 844c) This discharges microwave energy in a general direction. As used herein, the term "substantially parallel" means within a parallel plane. In one embodiment, at least one of the open outlets 845 & to 845d may The energy is directed to discharge energy substantially parallel to the axis of elongation of the microwave heater 83 (designated as line 835 in Figure 9b). According to one embodiment, at least one of the open outlets 845a through 845d can be oriented One of the heaters 830 has an axial midpoint. As used herein, the "axial midpoint" of a container is defined by a plane orthogonal to the elongated axis 835 and to the point 839 of the elongated axis 835, such as the parent fork, such as Shown in Figure 9b. In an implementation Wherein each of the open outlets 845a through 845d is oriented toward the axial midpoint of the heater 83A such that the open outlets 845a, 845b of the front side emitters 844a, 844b substantially face the backside emitters 844c, 844d Open outlets 845c, 845d' are depicted in Figure 9b. Doc-59-201240527 According to an embodiment 'in operation, microwave energy produced by one or more microwave generators (not shown) may be delivered to transmitters 844a through 844d via transmitters 842a through 842d, transmitters 844a through 844d Energy is emitted into the interior of the microwave heater 830. Although not illustrated in Figure 9b, any number or configuration of microwave generators can be used to produce microwave energy for use in the microwave heating system 82A. In one embodiment, a single generator can be used to supply energy to the heater 830 via the waveguides 842a through 842d and the transmitter 844, while in another embodiment, the heating system 82 can include two or two More than one generator. According to another embodiment, one of the one or more microwave generators may be utilized to network substantially simultaneously from at least one, at least two, at least three or all four of the microwave emitters 844 & to 84 Launch microwave energy. In one embodiment, one or more of the transmitters 844a through 844d can be coupled to a single generator and energy from the generator can be distributed among the transmitters using one or more microwave switches. In another embodiment, one or more of the transmitters 844a through 844d may have a separate dedicated generator such that at least 75%, at least 9%, or substantially all of the microwave energy produced by the generator is routed To a single transmitter. Additional details regarding specific embodiments of microwave generators, waveguides and transmitters, and their operation are provided later in relation to Figures a and 丨丨b. The microwave energy propagating from the waveguide segments 842a through 842d can be in any suitable mode, including, for example, a T1VU mode and/or a TEj^ mode, where β, x, x, and less have values as previously defined. In one embodiment, waveguide segments 842a through 842d each include a meandering waveguide segment, wherein segments 842 & and 842 (1 are configured to penetrate sidewall 83 1 a and segments 842b and 842c are configured to penetrate sidewall 83 Lb 160979. Doc • 60·201240527 and extends radially toward the interior of the microwave heater 830 toward the elongated shaft 835, as shown in Figure 9b. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the mode of microwave energy propagating through the waveguide segments 842a through 842d can be varied (or simultaneously) within the interior of the microwave heater 830. For example, in one embodiment, TEj〇 produced by a microwave generator (not shown in Figure 9b); mode energy may pass through one or more mode transition segments (represented as a mode converter in Figure 9b) 85〇a to 85 0d) are then emitted into the microwave energy as mode energy. The mode converter can have any suitable size and shape and any suitable number of mode converters can be used in the microwave distribution system 840. In one embodiment, one or more of the mode converters 850a through 850d may be disposed outside of the interior space (volume) of the microwave heater, while in another embodiment, the mode converters 85a through 850d may be partially Placed internally or integrally within the interior of the microwave heater 83. The mode converters 850a through 850d can be located in or near the side walls 831a, 831b, or (as illustrated in Figure 9b) can be external to the side walls of the microwave heater 830 83 la, 83 lb apart. According to an embodiment in which the mode converters 850 & 850d are partially or integrally disposed within the heater 830, the microwave energy can initially enter the microwave heater in a TE叮 mode, and subsequently At least a portion of the energy may be converted such that at least a portion of the energy emitted from the emitters 844a through 844d into the interior of the microwave heater "o" may be in a TM& mode. In one embodiment, waveguide segments 842a through 842d can include TExy waveguide segments that are operable to transfer microwave energy from the generator to heater 83A in a -TE^ mode. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the TE, y waveguide segments 842a through 842d can be integrated into the transmitter 160979. Doc-61-201240527 844a to 844d, as shown in Figure 9b. When energy passes through the mode converters 850a through 850d from the waveguide sections 842a through 842d, the energy is converted into a mode. Subsequently, the mode converters 850a to 850d are exited. The 6 mode energy can then pass through a respective TMa before being discharged into the heater 83A via the TM&open outlets 845a through 845d. <) Waveguide sections 843a to 843d, illustrated in Fig. 9b, are integrally disposed within the interior of the microwave heater 830 and spaced apart from the sidewall 833 thereof. According to another embodiment illustrated in Figure 9e, the microwave heating system 820 can include one or more reflectors 890a through 890d positioned adjacent the open outlets 845a through 845d and operable to reflect or scatter from the emitter stack. The microwave energy that is emitted into the microwave heater 830 by 牝. In one embodiment, the reflectors can be fixed or stationary reflectors to reflect or scatter energy when the position of the reflector does not change. In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 9e, one or more of the reflectors 890 can be a movable reflector operable to change position to reflect or scatter microwave energy into the microwave heater 830 . Each movable reflector 89 〇 & to 89 〇 in Figure 9e has a respective reflective surface 891a to 891d for reflecting or scattering the energy emitted from the microwave emitters 84A to 844d. It is shown that each reflective surface can be spaced apart from the outer sidewalls 831a, 83 lb and can be positioned such that one or more of the respective emitter openings 84^ to 845d of the emitters 84A to 844d face their respective reflective surfaces 89la To 89Id, reflective surfaces 891 & to 891 (1 are again positioned to contact, direct or reflect at least a portion of the microwave energy from emission openings 845 & 845d. In one embodiment, from microwave emitters 84 to 84 At least a portion or substantially all of the microwave energy emitted by the chirp may at least partially contact each of the 160979.doc-62 - 201240527 reflector surfaces 891a through 891d and may be at least partially reflected or scattered therefrom. In one embodiment One or more of the reflective surfaces 89 la to 89 Id may be oriented to face one direction substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the outer sidewalls 831a, 83 lb. In one embodiment, the reflector surfaces 8913 to 891d may be Systematic, In other embodiments, one or more of the reflector surfaces to 89Id may be non-planar. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of the non-planar reflector surfaces 89^ to 891d may be defined as One of the curvatures illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in Figure %. Reflector surface 891 & to 891 <1 may be smooth or may have one or more convex bodies. As used herein, the term "convex" refers to a region of a reflector that is operable to scatter surface from which it is not reflected. In one embodiment, a convex body may have a generally convex shape as illustrated by the example of the convex bodies 893a, 893b shown in the drawings and 9g. In another embodiment, a convex body can have a generally concave shape such as, for example, a dimple or other similar indentation. According to an embodiment of the invention, the "to (10) of one or more reflectors may be a movable reflector. The movable reflector may be any reflector operable to change position. In an embodiment, The "to 890b" of the movable reflector can be an oscillating reflector that can be moved in a specified pattern, such as, for example, a substantially downward pattern or a pattern that rotates about an axis. In one embodiment, the 'removable reflector' can be a randomly moveable reflector that is operable to move in any of a wide variety of random and/or unplanned movements. The movable reflectors 890a to 890 (1 can be movably coupled to the microwave heater 830 according to any suitable method. For example, in an embodiment illustrated in Figure 9i The microwave heater 830 can include a reflector driver system (or actuator) 899 for the movable reflector 890 within the interior space of the heater 830. As shown in Figure 9i, the reflector driver system 899 can One or more support arms 892' are included that securely occlude the reflector 890 to an oscillating shaft 893. To cause the shaft 893 to rotate and thereby move the reflector 890 in an ingress and egress pattern (as generally indicated by arrow 880) Indicating that a motor 898 can rotate a wheel 896 (the linear shaft 895 can be largely offset from the center). As indicated by arrow 881, the shaft 895 can be rotated substantially as the wheel 896 rotates. Mode movement ' thereby causing a lever arm 894 to rotate about the pivot 893 about the pivot 897, as generally indicated by arrow 882. Thus, the reflector 890 can be moved as generally indicated by arrow 880 and operable to at least partially reflect Movement of 890 One of the patterns is determined to reflect or scatter at least a portion of the microwave energy emitted from the discharge opening 845 of the microwave reflector 844. A further embodiment of a microwave heating system 920 is shown in Figures 10a through 10f. As illustrated in an embodiment of 〇a, a microwave heater 930 includes a heater inlet door 938 for loading a wood bundle 9.02 into the interior of the heater 930 and for removal from the microwave heater 930. One of the bundles 902 is a heater exit door 93 9. Although illustrated in Figure 10a as including a separate inlet door 938 and outlet door 939, it should be understood that in another embodiment the microwave heater 930 may only be used for A single door is loaded from both the interior of the microwave heater 930 and the unloaded wood bundle 902. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 &, the heater inlet door 938 and the heater outlet door 939 160979 .doc • 64 - 201240527 may be located on generally opposite sides of the microwave heater 93Ό such that the beam 902 may generally pass through the heater 930 via a transport mechanism such as, for example, a truck (not shown). Microwave heating system The system 92 can include a vacuum system (not shown) for controlling one of the pressures in the heater 930. As shown in Figure 10a, the microwave heating system 920 can include a microwave distribution system 940, the microwave distribution system including A plurality of spaced apart emission openings 94A through 94"d in one of the outer sidewalls 93 1 of the microwave heater 93. Each of the firing openings 941 is operable to receive energy for emitting energy to the interior of the microwave heater 930 One of the microwave emitters (not shown) may be disposed at least partially or integrally within the interior of the microwave heater 93. Particular embodiments of one or more types of microwave emitters will be discussed in more detail later. According to one embodiment, the microwave energy produced by a microwave generator (not shown) may pass through the external TE叮 to ΤΜαί) mode converters 950a through 950d (which convert the energy passing therethrough into a ΤΜβί) mode) Transmission through the waveguide segments 942a through 942d is performed in a ΤΕ^ mode. The resulting TMai) mode microwave energy can then exit mode converters 950a through 950d via respective waveguide segments 942e through 942h, as illustrated in Figure 1a. Thereafter, at least a portion of the microwave energy in the TMfl6 waveguide sections 9426 to 942} can pass through the respective barrier assemblies 97〇& to 97〇d before entering the microwave heater 930 via the waveguide segments 942i through 9141. As used herein, the term "barrier assembly" may refer to any device that is operable to fluidly isolate a microwave heater from an external environment while still permitting microwave energy to pass therethrough. For example, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the respective barrier assemblies 970a through 970d may each include at least one sealing window member 972 & 160979.doc • 65· 201240527 to 72d which may be Microwave energy permeable, but providing a desired degree of fluid isolation between each upstream 942e to 942h TMai waveguide section and downstream 942i to 9421" each of the waveguide sections. As used herein, the term "sealing window" "Member" means a window member configured in one of the following ways: it will provide sufficient fluid isolation between the two spaces on either side of the member to allow a pressure differential to be maintained across the window member. Additional details regarding a particular embodiment of the barrier assembly 97〇& to 97〇 will now be discussed with respect to FIG. 1A. The barrier assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is even at high energy throughput. Arcing is also minimized or eliminated at low and/or low operating pressures. According to one embodiment of the invention, each barrier assembly 97〇a to 97〇d may permit energy of at least 5 kW, at least 3 kW. At least 50 kW, at least 00 kW, at least 65 kW, at least 75 kW, at least 1 kW, at least 150 kW, at least 200 kW, at least 250 kW, at least 350 kW, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 600 kW , at least 750 kW or at least 1, 〇〇〇 kW and / or no more than 2,500 kW, no more than uoo kw or no more than 1 〇〇〇 kw rate through its respective window members 972a to 972d, and microwave heater The pressure in 930 may be no more than 550 Torr, no more than 450 Torr, no more than 350 Torr, no more than 250 Torr, no more than 2 Torr, no more than 15 Torr, no more than 1 Torr or no more than 75 Torr. In one embodiment, the pressure in the microwave heater can be no more than 10 mTorr, no more than 5 mTorr, and no more than 2 mTorr. Not too large, no more than 0.5 mTorr or no more than 牦1 m. In one embodiment, microwave energy passing through the barrier assemblies 970a to 970d may be introduced to maintain the magnetic field below the threshold of arcing The value is thereby used to prevent or minimize the arcing of the barrier assembly 97〇& to 970d. 160979.doc -66 - 201240527 Now turn to Figure l〇b to provide one of the barrier assemblies 97〇 axial The barrier assembly 970 includes a first sealing window member 972a disposed in a barrier housing 973 and a second sealing window member 972b. When present, the second sealing window member 972b is operable to The first sealing window member 972a cooperates to provide a desired level of fluid isolation between the upstream (eg, 'inlet" TMai) waveguide section 975a and the downstream (eg, outlet) TM& waveguide section 975b while permitting at least a portion of the microwave energy. From the first waveguide segment 975a to the second TMfli waveguide segment 975b. According to an embodiment, the first ΤΜ "waveguide section 975 & and the second ΤΜ a6 waveguide section 975b may have a circular cylindrical cross section. In one embodiment, the waveguide sections 975a, 975b may be in which a total barrier can be placed In one embodiment, the waveguide segments can be suitably fastened or coupled to two separate waveguide portions or components on either side of the barrier assembly 970. The barrier housing 973 shown in FIG. 10B may include a first or inlet section 973a, an optional second or intermediate section 973b, and a third or outlet section 973c' wherein the first sealing window member 972a is disposed Between the first section 973a and the second section 937b and the second sealing window member 972b is disposed between the second section 973b and the third section 937c. According to an embodiment, the first section 973a, The pressure of each of the second segment 93 7b and the third segment 93 7c may be different. For example, in one embodiment, the pressure of the first segment 973a may be greater than the pressure of the first know 973b, The pressure of the second stage 973b may be greater than the pressure of the third stage 973c. The first section 973a of the barrier housing 973, Each of the second segment 937] 3 and the third segment 937 c can be held together by any suitable fastening means (not shown) such as, for example, screws, bolts, and the like. This 160979.doc • 67* 201240527 The outer 'barrier assemblies 970a through 970d may also include one or more impedance transformers that alter the impedance of the microwave radiation. An example is illustrated as the impedance transformation diameter in the embodiment shown in FIG. Stepped changes 974a, 947b for maximizing energy transfer from a microwave generator (not shown) to a load in a microwave heater (not shown). In one embodiment, the impedance transformation diameter stepwise change 974a, 974b may be located adjacent at least one of the sealing window members 972a, 972b'. In another embodiment, the stepped changes 974a, 974b may be located near the inlet waveguide 975a and/or the outlet ΤΜα6 waveguide 975b or at least partially by the inlet TMa6 Waveguide 975a and/or outlet TMei) waveguide 975b defines β. As illustrated in Figures 10a and 10b, the sealing window members 972a, 972b can include one or more disks. Each disk can have a suitable degree of corrosion resistance. Any material construction of strength, fluid impermeability and microwave energy permeability. Examples of suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, alumina, magnesia, silica dioxide, cerium oxide, boron nitride, mullite And/or a polymer (such as Teflon). According to an embodiment, the loss tangent of the disk may be no more than 2×10·4, no more than lxl〇-4, no more than 7 5χ10·5 or no more than 5xl〇-S. These discs can have any suitable profile. In one embodiment, the disk may have a profile that is compatible with the profile of adjacent waveguides 975a, 975b. In one embodiment, the sinusoidal disc may have a substantially circular cross section and may have at least 1/8, at least 1/4, at least the length of the dominant wavelength of microwave energy passing through the barrier assembly 970. 1/2 and/or no more than 1, no more than 3/4 or no more than ι/2 thickness ("X" in Figure 10b). The diameter of the disks may be at least 5%, at least 6〇%, to 160979.doc •68-201240527 of one or more adjacent waveguides 975a, 975b, 75% less, at least 90%, and/or no more than 95 %, no more than 85%, no more than 70% or no more than 60%. Each of the sealing window members 972a through 972d can be operatively coupled to the respective barrier assemblies 970a through 970d in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, each of the sealing window members 972a through 972d can include one or more sealing devices that are flexibly coupled to the barrier housing 973 and/or the sealing window members 972a, 972b. As used herein, the term "flexibly coupled" means secured, attached, or otherwise configured such that the members are held in place without direct contact with one or more rigid structures. For example, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 Ob, the barrier assembly 970 can include a plurality of elastomeric rings 982a, 982b and 984a, 984b that are compressed in various segments 973a of the barrier housing 973. Between 973c and operable to flexibly couple the sealing window members 972a, 972b into the barrier housing 973. According to one embodiment, each respective upstream resilient ring 982a, 982b and downstream resilient ring 984a, 984b are operable to substantially prevent or limit the first section 973a and the second section 973b of the barrier assembly 970 and/or Or fluid flow between the second section 973b and the third section 973c. For example, one of the procedures B1 entitled "Spraying Testing" as described in the document entitled "Helium Leak Detection Techniques" issued by Alcatel Vacuum Technology under the use of a Varian model No. 938-41. In the helium leak test, the fluid leakage rate of the sealing window members 972a to 972d and/or the barrier assemblies 970a to 970d may be no more than 10_2 Torr·sec/sec, no more than 10_4 Torr·L/sec or no more than 10_8 Torr. l / sec. Additionally, each of the sealing window members 972a, 972b can be individually operable to maintain or 160979.doc • 69·201240527 to withstand a pressure differential across the sealing window members 972a, 972b and/or the barrier assembly 970 without Breaking, cracking, destroying, or otherwise failing, the pressure difference is such as at least 0.25 atm, at least 0.5 atm, at least 〇75 atm, at least 0.90 atm, at least 1 atm, or at least 1.5 atm, and the like. Turning now to Figure 10c' provides a cross-sectional microwave heating system 920. The microwave heating system illustrated in Figures iC includes a microwave distribution system 940 including at least one pair of microwave emitters (e.g., emitters 944a and 944h) disposed on generally opposite sides of a microwave heater 930. Although shown in Figure i〇c as including a single transmitter pair, it should be understood that the microwave distribution system 940 may further include one or more additional similar (or slightly different) configurations of microwave transmitter pairs. In some embodiments, one emitter is from each pair disposed on substantially opposite sides of the microwave heater 93 0 . Further, in another embodiment (not shown in Figure 10c), the microwave distribution system 940 can include two or more vertically spaced microwave emitter columns positioned on substantially the same side of the microwave heater 93 0 In one embodiment, each side of the microwave heater 930 can include two or more vertically spaced emitter columns such that one emitter from each opposing placement pair can be positioned opposite from the other. One of the heights of one of the emitters is at a vertical height. For example, 'in one embodiment, the emitters 944a and/or 944h can be positioned at a height that is slightly higher than that depicted in Figure 10c, and another pair of emitters can be positioned such that two emitters One of the devices will be positioned on the same side of the microwave heater 930 but at a substantially lower vertical height than the emitter 944a, and the other emitter will be positioned on the same side of the microwave heater 93〇 but in One of the lower vertical heights than the emitter 944h. Moreover, although exhibits 160979.doc-70, 201240527 are shown as split emitters 944a, 944h, in one embodiment, the vertically spaced emitters can be of any of the types (or any of Type combination) microwave transmitter. The microwave distribution system 940, as shown in Figure 10c, includes a plurality of waveguide segments 942 coupled to at least one pair of microwave emitters 944a, 944h. For example, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 10c, the emitter 944a can be coupled to the waveguide segments 942a, SM2e, and 942i' and the emitter 944h can be coupled to the waveguide segments 942x, 942y, and 942z 'which are operable to microwave It can be delivered to the interior of the microwave heater 930 from one or more microwave generators (not shown in Figure 10c). In one embodiment, microwave distribution system 940 can include one or more of mode converters 947a through 947d coupled to one or more of waveguide segments 942, as shown in FIG. According to an embodiment, the mode converters 947a to 947d are operable to change the transmission mode of the microwave energy passing therethrough from a TE mode to a TMa6 mode (ie, a 'Taiwan to TMai mode converter) or Since a T1VU mode is changed to a mode (ie, one to ΤΕΧ>) mode converter). For example, as shown in FIG. 10C, mode converters 947a and 947c can each be operable to pass the microwave energy from a τελ when the microwave energy transmitted through the waveguides 942a and 942 is passed into the waveguides 942e and 942y. The mode is converted to a ΤΜα& mode. As previously discussed, the values of 〇, 厶, and especially less may be the same or different and may have the values provided above. Mode converters 947b and 947d are operative to convert microwave energy transmitted through waveguides 942e and 942i and energy transmitted through 942y and 942z from a TMa6 mode to a TE; mode; Further, in an embodiment illustrated in Figure 10c, at least one of the modulo 160979.doc -71 - 201240527 type converters 947a through 947d can include a mode converter splitter operative to both Changing the mode of microwave energy passing therethrough splits it into two or more separate microwave energy streams for discharge into the interior space of the microwave heater. According to an embodiment, the second mode converters 947b and 947d may each include a mode switching splitter at least partially disposed within the interior of the microwave heater 93A. In another embodiment, the second mode switching splitters 947b and 947d may be integrally disposed within the interior of the microwave heater 930 and may each be part of a split emitter 944a and 944h, respectively, as shown in FIG. Graphical illustration. Additional details regarding split emitters 944a, 944h will be discussed later. According to an embodiment of the invention in which the microwave distribution system 940 includes two or more mode converters in one or more waveguide segments, the total electrical length between the first mode converter and the second mode converter (Electrical length extending through and including any of the barrier assemblies (if present) may be equal to one of a non-integer half wavelength of the competing mode of microwave energy passing therethrough. As used herein, the term "electrical length" refers to the electrical transmission path of microwave energy expressed as the number of wavelengths of microwave energy required to propagate along a given path. In one embodiment in which the physical transmission path comprises one or more different types of transmission media having two or more different dielectric constants, the physical length of the transmission path can be shorter than the electrical length. Thus, the electrical length depends on a number of factors including, for example, the particular wavelength of microwave energy, the thickness and type of one or more transmission media (e.g., dielectric constant). According to an embodiment, the total electrical length between the first mode converters 947a, 947c and the second mode converters 947b, 947d (extending through and including 160979.doc • 72·201240527 ΤΜαέ) barrier assembly 970a, The total electrical length of 970h can be equal to the non-integer half-wavelength of the competition mode of microwave energy. As used herein, the term "non-integer j" refers to any number that is not an integer. Next, a non-integer half-wavelength may correspond to "multiply by λ/2, where "any non-integer." Lu's number "2" is an integer, and the number "2.05" is a non-integer. Thus, the half wavelength corresponding to one of the electrical lengths of 2.05 multiplied by the competition mode of the microwave energy will be a non-integer half wavelength of the competition mode. As used herein, the term "competitive mode of microwave energy" refers to any mode of microwave energy that propagates along a path other than the desired or target mode of microwave energy for propagation along a given path. The competition mode may include a single most popular mode (i.e., a primary competition mode) or a plurality of different non-popular competition modes. When there are multiple competing modes, the total electrical length between the first mode converter and the second mode converter (the electrical length extending through and including any of the barrier assemblies (if present)) may be equal to One of the non-integer half-wavelength values of at least one of the competing modes, and in one embodiment may be equal to one of the non-integer half-wavelength values of the primary competing mode. For example, in one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the first mode converters 947a, 947c include a center-to-center mode converter operative to dissipate microwave energy in the respective waveguide segments 942a and 942d. At least a portion of the mode is converted from a te" mode into waveguide segments 942b and 942e, and at least a portion of the microwave energy can be converted to a mode other than the desired mode. In this paper, it is called the "competition mode" of microwave energy. In the embodiment of the present invention in which the desired mode of microwave energy is -TM, the competition mode of the microwave energy may be 160979.doc • 73 - 201240527 a TEW/I mode, wherein "system 1 and m are in An integer between 1 and 5. Thus, in one embodiment, the total electrical length of the waveguides 942e and 942i between the first mode converter 947a and the second mode converter 947b (extending through and including the electrical length of the barrier assembly 970a) may be equal to a non-integer half-wavelength of the TEm" pattern where "lines 1 and; "an integer between 1 and 5. In another embodiment, m may be 2 or 3. In one embodiment, 'option' The physical length and nature of waveguide section 942, mode converters 9473 to 947d, and/or barrier assemblies 970a, 970h may minimize energy accumulation within barrier assemblies 970a, 970h. For example, according to an embodiment, At least 5 kW, at least 30 kW, at least 50 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 65 kW, at least 75 kW, at least 1 kW, at least 150 kW, at least 200 kW, at least 250 kW, at least 350 lcW, at least 400 kW , at least 500 kW 'at least 600 kW, at least 750 kW or at least 1, 〇〇〇 kW and / or no more than 2,500 kW, no more than i, 5 〇〇 kW or not more than 1, 〇〇〇 kW of energy can pass through At least one sealing window member in the barrier assembly 970a, 970h when the barrier assembly is 970a or 970h (not shown in Figure 10c) The temperature of at least a portion of the display may vary by no more than 1 〇. (:, no greater than 5 〇 c, no greater than 2 ° C, or no greater than 1 ° C. In another embodiment, as set forth above, across at least A pressure differential across a sealed window member and/or a pressure within the microwave heater 930 can maintain similar results. According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 10c, on a generally opposite side of the microwave heater 930 and at least partially At least one of the individual microwave emitters 944a, 944h disposed within the interior of the microwave heater 930 can include a split reflector 'defined to emit microwave energy to the microwave heater 160979.doc • 74· 201240527 930 At least two discharge openings in the interior. Although illustrated in Figure 1a, including a single emitter pair (e.g., a first split emitter 944a and a second split emitter 944h), it is understood that the microwave The heater 93A can include any suitable number of transmitters or transmitter pairs, as set forth herein. One embodiment of a split transmitter 944 is illustrated in Figure i.d. The split transmitter 944 can include for receiving micro- A single inlet or opening 951, and a single (not shown) or two or more discharge openings or outlets 945a, 945b for emitting microwave energy therefrom. In one embodiment, a single split launch The ratio of the microwave energy inlet to the discharge outlet may be: 1. at least 1:2, at least 1:3 or at least 1:4. According to one embodiment, the mode of microwave energy introduced into the inlet 95 1 may be The modes of the microwave energy emitted via the discharge opening 945a are the same, while in another embodiment, the modes may be different. For example, in one embodiment in which split transmitter 944 includes a mode switching splitter 949, microwave energy introduced into a single inlet of one of the first sidewalls of a microwave heater can undergo a mode transition and Divided into at least two separate microwave energy portions, which can then be emitted to the internal command of the heater in a different mode as needed. For example, in one embodiment of FIG. 10D, the split emitter 944 can include a TM& waveguide section 942, one or two or more waveguide sections 943a, 943b, and disposed therebetween. A TMafc to mode conversion splitter 949. In operation, the microwave energy introduced in the "via" mode via the waveguide section 942 is at a TE, y from the respective outlets 945a, 945b of the waveguides 943a, 943b at one or two or more separate microwave energy fractions. The mode passes through the mode conversion splitter 949 at the same time or almost simultaneously. 160979.doc -75- 201240527 When the transmitter 944 includes a single discharge opening, the mode switching splitter 949 can be used only for mode converter 949 (not a splitter) that is used to change the mode of microwave energy passing therethrough. For example, in one embodiment in which the emitter 944 includes a single discharge opening (not shown in FIG. 1D), the emitter 944 can include a single ΤΜα6 waveguide section, a single TE 叮 waveguide section, and A ΤΜα6 to TE;^ mode converter 949 in between. The mode converter can be located outside of the microwave heater, partially inside the microwave heater or entirely inside the microwave heater. In operation, the microwave energy introduced in a mode via the inlet waveguide section can pass through the mode converter 949 before being discharged in a mode. The discharge opening of a single open emitter may be oriented at any suitable angle relative to the horizontal plane or may be substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the energy discharged from a single open emitter can be oriented at least 20 from the horizontal. At least 30. At least 45. Or at least 60. And / or no more than 100. No more than 90. Or no more than 80. One corner. When there are multiple discharge openings, each of the discharge openings 945a, 945b of the split emitter 944 can be oriented relative to one another such that the path of the microwave exit therefrom is defined by a relative discharge angle @' Shown. In one embodiment, the relative discharge angle between the paths of the microwave energy discharge openings 945a, 945b may be at least five. At least 15. 'At least 30. At least 45. At least 6〇°, at least 90. At least 115. At least 135. At least 14 miles. And/or no more than 180. No more than 17 inches. No more than 165. No more than 16 inches. No more than 140° and no more than 120. No more than 1〇〇. Or no more than 9〇 <^ In one embodiment, the orientation of the discharge openings 945a, 945b may also be relative to the orientation of the path of the microwave energy discharged therefrom relative to the axis of extension 948 of the waveguide segment 942. 160979.doc • 76· 201240527. In one embodiment, each of the discharge openings 945a, 945b can be configured to discharge with the first and second discharge angles (9 and φ2) of the extension axis 948 of the TM& waveguide section 942. Microwave energy. In one embodiment, 91 and q>2 may be substantially equal, as generally illustrated in Figure 3d, or in another embodiment 'one of the two corners may be larger than the other. In various embodiments, φι and/or φ2 may be at least 5. At least 10. At least 15. At least 30. At least 3 5°, at least 55. At least 65. At least 70. And / or no more than 110. , not more than 100 °, not more than 95 °, not more than 80 °, not more than 70. No more than 60° or no more than 40°. In one embodiment, the split emitter 944 can be a vertically oriented split emitter. The emitter 944 includes at least one upwardly directed discharge opening configured to emit microwave energy at an upward angle to the horizontal plane (eg, 945a) And at least one downwardly directed discharge opening (e.g., 945b) configured to emit microwave energy at a downward angle to the horizontal. Although not depicted in FIG. 1C, including vertically oriented splitting emitters 944a, 944h configured to discharge energy at an angle relative to a horizontal plane, in another embodiment, splitting emitter 944a of microwave heater 930 One or more of 944h may be oriented horizontally such that the split emitter as described above has been rotated 9 turns. . In another implementation, one or more (four) transmitters 944 & With 9 〇. Between - angle. In the embodiment (not shown), the microwave heater may comprise two or more vertically spaced horizontally oriented split emitter columns on one side of the heater and another A in the same heater. Two or more vertically spaced horizontally oriented split emitter columns on opposite sides of the body. According to this embodiment, the vertically spaced emitter columns 160979.doc • 77· 201240527 may comprise a single open emitter, a horizontally oriented split emitter, a vertically oriented split emitter, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 10c, the microwave heater 930 can include one or more (or at least two) movable reflectors 99〇3 to 99〇d positioned within the microwave heater 930. The microwave energy is transmitted to the interior of the microwave heater 930 at various locations and configured to rasterize from one or more of the one or more microwave emitters 944a, 944h or the plurality of discharge openings 945a through 945d. The reflectors 990a through 990d can have any suitable configuration, such as, for example, a configuration that includes one or more of the features previously described with respect to Figures 9f through 9h. Further, although generally illustrated as including four movable reflectors 99〇1 to 990d', it should be understood that the microwave heater 930 can include any suitable number of movable reflectors. In one embodiment 'a microwave heater comprising one of the split emitters may comprise at least 2 « movable reflectors. In another embodiment, a microwave heater may employ a total of four movable reflectors, Each defines a reflector surface extending substantially along the length of the microwave heater 930 such that two or more axially adjacent emitters "share" one or more reflectors or reflective surfaces. Regardless of the particular number of reflectors employed, each of the reflectors 99A through 990d is operable to raster at least a portion of the microwave energy exiting the emitters 944a, 944h into the microwave heater 930 via the discharge openings 945a through 945d. Thereby heating and/or drying at least a portion of the bundle or other article, article or load. As used herein, the term "rasterizing" means directing, projecting or aggregating energy onto an area. Rasterization energy involves a large degree of intentional guidance or aggregation compared to conventional reflection or scattering energy, 160979.doc -78·201240527 This can be achieved by utilizing the quasi-optical properties of microwave energy. Rasterization does not involve the use of a stationary reflective surface or a conventional mode search device (e.g., a fan) as compared to conventional means. In an embodiment, the microwave heater may comprise a plurality of split emitter pairs (eg, two or more transmitter pairs), wherein each pair includes two emitters having substantially similar configurations (eg, The article explains). In one embodiment, the #one emitters may be positioned on substantially opposite sides or on the same side of the microwave heater as previously discussed in detail with respect to Figures 9c and 9d. According to one embodiment, one or more movable reflectors 990a through 990d may be positioned (and/or positioned to face) one or more of the discharge openings of each of the microwave emitters 944. In one embodiment in which the first emitter 944a and the second emitter 94411 each comprise a split microwave emitter defining respective upwardly oriented discharge openings 945a and 945c and respective downwardly oriented discharge openings 945b and 945d, At least one movable reflector can be positioned adjacent one or more of the discharge openings 945a-945d to rasterize at least a portion of the microwave energy discharged from the split emitters 944a, 944h into the interior of the microwave heater 930 (eg, two One or more separate TE" mode microwave sections. In one embodiment illustrated in Figure i〇c, the microwave heater 93 0 may include at least four movable reflectors, each defining a respective one The reflective surface is positioned adjacent the respective discharge openings 945a through 945d of the split emitters 944a, 944h. As illustrated in Figure 1-3c, the movable reflectors 990a through 990d can be located at the bottom left quadrant of the microwave heater 930. (eg, reflector 990a), top left quadrant (eg, reflector 990b), top right quadrant (eg, reflector 99〇c), and bottom right quadrant (eg, reflector 990d). When the emitters 944a, 944h are horizontally oriented 160979.doc -79 - 201240527 split emitters or single open emitters, there may also be two or more of the reflectors 990a through 990d, as previously detailed. The reflectors 990a through 990d can be configured in two vertically spaced pairs (e.g., reflector 990a is paired with reflector 990b and reflector 990c is paired with reflector 990d) and/or configured as two horizontally spaced pairs (For example, reflector 990b is paired with reflector 990c and reflector 990a is paired with reflector 990d.) As illustrated in Figure 〇c, vertically spaced reflector pairs (e.g., reflector pairs 990a, 990b) And 990c, 990d) can be positioned adjacent the split emitters 944a, 944h such that a movable reflector is positioned adjacent each of the discharge openings 945a through 945d of the emitters 944a, 944h (eg, the discharge openings 945a through 945d face) Individual movable reflectors 990a through 990d). As illustrated in Figure 10c, movable reflectors 990b and 990c can be positioned at a height that is one higher than the respective movable reflectors 990a and 990d to enable split transmission 944a 944h may be positioned vertically between vertically spaced pairs of reflectors (eg, emitter 944a is positioned vertically between pairs of vertically spaced reflectors 990a, 990b and emitter 944h is positioned vertically with vertically spaced reflectors 990c, Between the 990d pairs. In one embodiment, the movable reflector 990 is positioned such that the reflector surface 991 opens toward one of its corresponding microwave emitters (not shown). In another embodiment, one or more of the movable reflectors 990a through 990d can be positioned to align with the central elongated axis of the microwave heater 930 or positioned to face the central elongated axis of the microwave heater 930 (FIG. 10c Not shown). The movable reflectors 990a through 990d can be coupled, directly or indirectly, to one or more of the side walls of a microwave heater and can be moved or actuated in any suitable manner. One or more of the emitters 990a through 990d may be moved along a pre-programmed (planned) path or may cause one or more to move in a random or non-repeating pattern. When multiple reflectors 990a through 990d are present, in one embodiment, two or more reflectors 990a through 990d may have the same or similar moving pattern' and in the same or another embodiment, two Or more than two reflectors 990a through 990d may have different movement patterns. According to one embodiment, at least one of the reflectors 990a through 990d can move over a generally curved path and can pass through various segments or "zones" of the total path at a certain speed and/or residence time. The size and number of zones and the speed at which the reflector moves through each zone or the residence time of the reflector in each zone depends on a variety of factors such as, for example, the size and type of the bundle, the type of wood, and the initial And the preliminary and expected characteristics of the last bundle. In one embodiment, each of the reflectors 990a through 990d may be individually driven or actuated according to one or more embodiments set forth herein, while in another embodiment 'two or two The above reflectors can be coupled to a common drive mechanism (eg, a rotating shaft to be actuated simultaneously). An example of a drive mechanism for moving a reflector 990 using an actuator 960 is shown in Figure 1A. Actuator 960 can be a linear actuator having a fixed portion 961 coupled to one of side walls 933 of the microwave heater and an extendable portion 963 coupled to a movable reflector 990. At least a portion of the fixed portion 961 can extend through the outer side wall 933 and into a bellows structure 964, thereby sealingly coupling the actuator 960 to the side wall 933, according to one of the embodiments illustrated in Figure i. In one embodiment, the bellows structure 964 is operable to reduce, minimize, or nearly prevent fluid flow in and out of the actuator 96(R) extending through the wall 933. As shown in Fig. e, the movable reflector 990 further includes a support arm 980 pivotally coupled to one of the side walls 933 of the microwave heater. As used herein, the term "pivotally coupled" means that two or more items are attached, fastened, or otherwise associated such that at least one of the items can be generally wrapped around a Move or pivot. In operation, a drive 97 causes the extendable portion 963 of the linear actuator 960 to move in an incoming and outgoing type as indicated by arrow 971. The extendable portion 963 of the linear actuator 96 allows the movable reflector 990 to move in a generally arcuate pattern, as indicated by arrow 973. Driver 970 can be controlled in any suitable manner, including, for example, using one or more programmable automatic control systems (not shown). According to one embodiment of the invention, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of unoccupied, unobstructed or open volume defined within the interior of a microwave heater. As used herein, the term "total open volume" refers to the total volume of space within the interior of the container that is not occupied by the physical barrier when a bundle of wood is not placed in the container. In one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of the total volume of the bundle of wood (including the space between the individual pieces of wood) to the total open volume of the microwave heater may be at least 2020, at least 〇25, at least 〇3〇. At least 〇·35. In some of the above embodiments, the ratio is also no greater than 0.75, no greater than 〇7〇 or no greater than 〇65. In one embodiment, the microwave heater can define an unobstructed bundle receiving space for receiving a bundle of wood. The unobstructed beam receiving space can also be configured to receive at least a portion of the microwave energy emitted to heat and/or dry one or more of the articles (or bundles). The unobstructed beam reception of the microwave heater 93 I60979.doc • 82· 201240527 The space is indicated as 951 in Figure 10c. As used herein, the term "non-blocking beam receiving space" means a space that is capable of receiving and holding a wood bundle defined within the interior of a microwave heater. In one embodiment, the unobstructed beam receiving space can define a 1:0/ volume having a similar shape and being occupied by a bundle of largest sized wood bundles that can be loaded and/or processed within the microwave heater 930. One volume inside. For example, if the maximum beam size that can be accommodated by the microwave heater is 1 〇〇〇 cubic feet, then the unoccupied beam receiving space will have 1'_cubic feet (in the embodiment) volume and One shape similar to the bundle processed within the heater 930 (e.g., the cube receiving space may be "unobstructed" because it may not include any physical obstructions permanently placed therein (eg, waveguide , a transmitter, a reflector, etc.) In one embodiment of the invention, the microwave heater may comprise a circular cross-sectional shape, and the unobstructed beam receiving space 951 may define a cuboidal volume and/or be configured to Receiving a bundle of wood having a cuboid shape, the ratio of the total open volume of the microwave heater 930 to the volume of the unobstructed bundle receiving space may be at least G.2G, at least 0.25, and at least 0'30 At least 0. 35. In some of the above embodiments, the ratio is also no greater than 75.75, no greater than 〇7〇, or no greater than 〇". According to one embodiment, the unobstructed beam receiving space 951 At least part of : defined between two or more "obstructions", including, for example, two or more emitters, reflectors, waveguides or on the same or generally opposite sides of the microwave heater 93〇 Other objects occupying a physical space within the volume of the heater. The microwave heater _ includes two opposing female doors (for example, a general phase disposed in the state of the microwave heater 160979.doc -83 - 201240527 In one embodiment of one of the inlet doors 928 and one of the outlet doors, at least a portion of the unobstructed beam receiving space 95 1 can be defined between the two oppositely disposed doors. As illustrated in Figure 10c In one embodiment, either of the emitters 944a, 944h or the movable reflectors 990a through 990d, which are examples of obstructions, are not disposed within the unobstructed beam space 951. At least a portion of the space is defined in one embodiment between two or more obstructions (eg, waveguides, emitters, reflectors, etc.) in which the outermost edge of one or more obstructions is received and unobstructed Space (and / or The minimum clearance between (when present) can be at least 5 inches, at least 1 inch, at least 2 inches, at least 6 inches, at least 8 inches, and/or no more than 18 inches, Not more than 1 inch or less than 8 inches. In one embodiment t' one of the obstructions is not in contact with the body when the bundle is loaded into the heater 93. The general reference is now used. One of the operations of heating a wood beam illustrates one or more embodiments of the operation of a microwave heating system in accordance with the present invention. However, it should be understood that one or more of the elements of the heating process described herein may also be suitable for use. Used in the process of heating other items, such as, for example, those processes previously described. In addition, it is to be understood that at least some of the steps, methods and/or processes detailed below may be used or One or more of the above-described embodiments, all of which operate the microwave heating system, include the embodiments discussed with respect to Figures 8 through 1 and variations thereof. To initiate heating of a bundle of wood, the wood may first be loaded into a microwave heater that may be configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention as set forth above. In one embodiment, the bundle may be Prior to heating and/or drying, there is 160979.doc -84 - 201240527 at least 100 pounds, at least 250 pounds, at least 375 pounds, or at least 500 pounds of total initial weight (eg, prior to heating). Once loaded, the vacuum system (if present) can then be used to reduce the pressure of the heater to no more than 550 Torr, no more than 450 Torr, no more than 350 Torr, no more than 300 Torr, no more than 250 Torr, no more than 200 Support, no more than 150 Torr, no more than ι 〇〇 or no more than 75 Torr. While maintaining the low pressure in the microwave heater, one or more microwave generators can then be operated to initiate introduction of microwave energy into the interior of the vessel to thereby heat and/or dry at least a portion of the bundle. During introduction of microwave energy into the interior of the microwave heater, the pressure within the vessel can be above, almost at or below atmospheric pressure. According to an embodiment, during the heating step, the pressure inside the microwave heater may be at least 350 Torr, at least 450 Torr, at least 650 Torr, at least 750 Torr, at least 9 Torr, or at least ι, 2 Torr. In another embodiment, the pressure in the microwave heater may be no more than 35 Torr, no more than 250 Torr, no more than 2 Torr, no more than 150 Torr, no more than 1 Torr or no more than 75 . The total generator capacity or energy rate introduced into the interior of the microwave heater during heating and/or drying of the wood may be at least 5 kw, at least 30 kW, at least 50 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 65 kW, at least 75 kw At least 100 kw, at least 150 kw, at least 2 〇〇kw, at least 25 kW, at least 350 kW, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 000 kW, at least 750 kw or at least i, 〇〇〇 kW and/or Not more than 2,500 kW, no more than 1,500 kW or no more than 1, 〇〇〇 kW. According to one embodiment, the process of heating a bundle of wood may include a plurality of individual sequential heating cycles. The total heating process may include at least 2, at least 3, 160979.doc -85 - 201240527 of at least 4, at least 5, at least 6 and/or no more than 20, no more than 15, no more than 12 or no More than 1 individual sequential heating cycles. Each heating cycle can include (as needed at low pressure) the introduction of microwave energy. In one embodiment, microwave energy can be introduced into the microwave heater at a pressure of no more than 350 Torr, while in other embodiments, the pressure in the microwave heater can be at least 350 Torr. According to an embodiment, each of the one or more individual heating cycles may be implemented (eg, having a duration of at least 2 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 2 minutes, at least 3) 〇 minutes and / or no more than 180 minutes ' no more than 120 minutes or no more than 9 minutes. In general, the entire length of the heating process (eg, total cycle time) can be at least 小时5 hours, at least 2 hours, at least 5 hours, or at least 8 hours and/or no more than an hour, no more than 30 hours, no more than 24 hours, no More than 18 hours, no more than "hours, no more than 12 hours, no more than 1 hour, no more than 8 hours or no more than 6 hours. In the embodiment where the total heating process includes two or more individual heating cycles - in the embodiment '- or a plurality of subsequent individual heating cycles may differ from the previous ring by one of the microwave energy input rates and/or one of the different forces from the previous cycle. In one embodiment, subsequent individual heating may be compared. One of the cycle low microwave energy input rates and / or lower than the previous one -I force implementation. In another embodiment ... or multiple subsequent individual,", the cycle can be higher than the front - cycle - microwave energy input Rate and / or ratio / one cycle high - force implementation. In a further embodiment, - or a plurality of cycles; the cycle may be lower than - or a plurality of previous individual heating cycles - the microwave energy wheel 160979.doc -86 * 201240527 rate and higher than one or more previous individual heating cycles A pressure is applied, or at a microwave energy input rate that is higher than one or more previous individual heating cycles and one pressure lower than one or more previous individual heating cycles. When the total heating process comprises two or more individual heating cycles, according to certain embodiments, one or more of the second (or later) cycles may be implemented as set forth above. In other embodiments, two or more cycles may be performed at the same or nearly the same pressure and/or microwave energy input rate. According to an embodiment, the total heating process may comprise a first sequential heating cycle followed by a second heating cycle, wherein the second heating cycle is at a lower microwave energy input rate than the first heating cycle, The first heating cycle is lower than one of the pressures or one of the lower ones of the first heating cycle and the microwave energy input rate is also lower than the first heating cycle. Further, in an embodiment when the total cycle includes three or more heating cycles, the microwave energy input rate and/or pressure of each subsequent cycle (other than the first cycle) may be lower than the previous cycle. The microwave energy input rate and / or pressure. For example, in one embodiment, the „individual heating cycle may be lower than the first &_" individual heating cycle, one of the microwave energy input rate, one lower than the first individual heating cycle, or both than the first individual heating cycle One of the lower microwave energy input rates is also performed at a lower pressure than the first individual heating cycle. During the first individual heating cycle, a first maximum microwave energy input rate can be introduced into the microwave heater. As used herein. The term "maximum microwave energy input rate" refers to the highest rate at which microwave energy can be introduced into a heater during a heating cycle. In various embodiments, the maximum microwave energy input rate introduced during the first individual heating cycle (eg, the first maximum micro 160979.doc -87 - 201240527 wave energy input rate) may be, for example, at least 5 k\ V, at least 30 kW, at least 50 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 65 kW, at least 75 kw, at least 1 kW, at least 150 kW, at least 2 〇〇 kw, at least 25 〇 kw, at least 35 kW, at least 400 kW, at least 500 kW, at least 60 kW, at least 75 kW or at least i, 〇〇〇 kW and/or, for example, no greater than 25 〇〇 kw, no greater than 1,50 kW, no greater than i, 〇〇〇kW or no more than 5〇〇1^. Subsequently, a second individual heating cycle can be implemented such that introducing a second maximum input rate (eg, a second maximum microwave energy input rate) of microwave energy into the microwave heater during the second individual heating cycle can be performed in some implementations In an example, for example, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 7%, and/or, for example, no greater than 98%, no greater than 94%, or at least a maximum input rate achieved during the first heating cycle. No more than 90% 〇 Similarly, when the heating process includes two or more individual heating cycles, the maximum microwave energy input rate of the wth individual heating cycle (eg, the third or fourth cycle) may be in one embodiment. Medium, for example, at least 25%, at least 5%, at least 7%, and/or, for example, no greater than 98% of the maximum input rate during the (eg, previous) individual heating cycle, Not more than 94%, not more than 90% or not more than 850/〇. In one embodiment, the second (or subsequent) individual heating cycle can be performed at a lower pressure than the first (or previous) individual heating cycle. For example, in one embodiment where low pressure or vacuum pressure is utilized during the heating cycle, the minimum pressure reached during the first heating cycle can be at least 25 Torr. Subsequently, a second individual heating cycle can be implemented such that the lowest pressure reached during the second cycle (eg, the highest vacuum pressure level achieved) is 160979.doc • 88 201240527 can be in one embodiment (for example At least 25%, at least 50%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80°/min of the minimum pressure reached during the first heating cycle. And/or in one embodiment, for example, no greater than 98%, no greater than 94%, or no greater than 90%. Similarly, when the heating process includes three or more individual heating cycles, the pressure of the individual heating cycles may, in one embodiment, for example, be at least the minimum pressure reached during the individual heating cycle. 25%, at least 50%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80°/. And/or no more than 98%, no more than 94%, no more than 90% or no more than 85% of the lowest pressure achieved. Table 1 below summarizes the broad, intermediate, and narrow ranges of microwave energy rates (expressed as a percentage of the maximum generator output) and successive first, second, third, and "individual heating cycles" in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pressure (to express). As used herein, the term "maximum generator output" refers to the maximum value of the combination on the entire array resulting from the accumulation of all microwave generators in a heating system. In one embodiment, the maximum microwave energy input rate for one or more heating cycles can also be expressed as a percentage of the maximum generator output, as shown in Table 1. Table 1: Microwave energy rate and pressure for individual heating cycles Individually followed by microwave energy rate (maximum value / 〇) Pressure (tread) Ring number width Middle narrow width Middle narrow 1 60-100% 70-100% 80-100% <250 <200 20-100 2 40-100% 50-95% 60-90% <250 <200 20-100 3 20-80% 25-75% 30-70% <250 <150 20-100 η 5-60% 10-50% 15-40% <150 <100 10-75 160979.doc -89- 201240527 each: an embodiment of the invention '- or a plurality of individual heating cycles in a thermal cycle" wherein microwave energy is introduced to the adder -: "plus" The period (for example, the first - '1st / middle, and - the first sleep "sleep period" is selected, wherein a microwave energy or substantially no microwave energy is drawn into the heater. For example, during the heating cycle, the microwave energy may be introduced into the microwave heater at a rate sufficient to heat and/or at least partially dry and chemically wet the wood bundle, while during the sleep cycle 2 & The rate of input can be in the embodiment, wherein the maximum microwave energy input rate introduced during the heating cycle is no more than 25%, no more than two, no more than 5%, or no more than I. In an embodiment, each cycle may include one or more heating cycles = or multiple sleep cycles. For example, when two individual sequential heating cycles are utilized, at least one first heating cycle cycle may be included, and the first individual heating cycle may include at least one second heating cycle and a second sleep cycle β. The chirp period may follow the first heating period with no temporary sleep period. ... in one embodiment 'each of the heating cycles may have, for example, at least 5 minutes, at least 1 minute, at least 15 minutes, at least (10) minutes, and/or (for example) no greater than Clock, not big (four) minutes not more than 2 minutes or less than 2 minutes of _ duration. In an embodiment, the dormant period can have, for example, at least 5 minutes, at least Μ minutes or at least 20 minutes, and/or, for example, no greater than 9 〇 minutes no greater than 6 〇 minutes or no greater than 40 One of the minutes duration. In one embodiment, the ratio of the length of the heating cycle to the length of the sleep cycle may be (for example.) to J 0.5:1, at least 1:1, at least i 25 :1 or at least and/or (for example) no more than 5:1, no more than 3:1, no more than Π! or no more than 1.5:1 〇° during each period of __ in plus ., . Then 壬__ suitable way to introduce microwave energy into the microwave heater. For example, in one embodiment, microwave energy can be emitted from one or more emitters in a substantially continuous manner throughout the duration of the heating cycle. In one embodiment, energy may be emitted from a single transmitter at a time, while in another embodiment, energy may be emitted from two or more transmitters simultaneously. An automatic control system can be used to control the amount, timing, duration, coordination, and synchronization of microwave energy emitted by each of the emitters. This switching can also be controlled by the control system when discharging energy into the microwave heater including switching between two or more transmitters' as discussed in detail later. According to one embodiment, energy can be introduced into the microwave heater such that each-heating cycle can include two or more different heating modes (also known as an exhaust mode, an exhaust phase, or a heating phase). In an example, different microwave energy rates may be emitted from one or more emitters during each heating phase. For example, 'in one embodiment, during a first heating phase is compared to a first emitter One of the rates of transmission is higher than a first emitter transmitting energy f, and during a second heating phase, energy can be emitted from the second emitter at a rate higher than the rate from the first emitter According to the embodiment, - or a plurality of transmitters may emit microwave energy into the microwave heater, and one or more of the emitters may not substantially emit energy to the microwave heater 160969.doc -91·201240527 Thereby, the energy is concentrated to different positions of the bundle of wood (or other items). Each individual heating stage can be implemented (i.e., has a duration of), for example, at least 2 minutes, at least 5 minutes, At least 12 The clock is at least 5 minutes and/or (for example) no more than 9 minutes, no more than 60 knives, no more than 45 minutes or no more than 3 minutes of one cycle. One or two separate heating stages may be followed by The sleep period is selected for at least 2 minutes, at least 4 minutes, or at least 6 minutes and/or no more than 15 minutes, no more than 12 minutes, or no more than 丨 ^ minutes. When the microwave heater includes four or more emitters, The microwave distribution system can be configured such that each emitter emits microwave energy to the microwave heater + in a separate heating or discharging phase depending on the position of the one or more microwave switches. For example, in which microwave heating In one embodiment of the first, first, third, and fourth microwave transmitters, two or more microwave switches (such as a first and a second microwave switch) can pass through Configuring so that microwave energy can be emitted primarily from each emitter in the respective -, second, third and fourth heating stages. In one embodiment, two or more emission stages may be substantial Simultaneously implemented while preventing Two or more discharge stages are carried out substantially simultaneously. Additional details regarding the operation of the (4) microwave heater comprising the heating cycle of the alternate discharge stage will now be discussed in detail below with reference to Figures iu and lib. Turning now to Figure 11a and 11b provides a schematic top view of a microwave heating system 102G configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The microwave heating system 1020 is illustrated as including at least four microwave generators 1022a through 1022d for producing microwave energy and Directing at least a portion of the microwave energy to 160979.doc • 92·201240527 A microwave distribution system 1 〇 4 微波 in the microwave heater 1030. The microwave distribution system 1 040 also includes an operative to emit at least a portion of the microwave energy A plurality of spaced apart microwave emitters i 〇 44a through 1044h (which in one embodiment may include one or more split emitters) into the interior of the microwave heater 1040. Each of the microwave emitters 1044a through 104h may be operatively coupled to one of a plurality of (one first to fourth) microwave switches 1 〇 46 & to 〇 46d in this figure or Many, as shown in Figures 11a and 11b. Microwave switchers 1 046a through 104d are operable to route microwave energy to one or more of transmitters 1044a through 1044h in any suitable mode, including, for example, mode and/or a mode, such as As discussed in detail above, in one embodiment, the energy propagating through the microwave distribution system can be changed at least once prior to discharge into the microwave heater 1030. Reference will now be made in detail to Figures Ua and ub, One or more embodiments of the present invention operate various configurations and methods of microwave heating system 1020. Each of microwave switchers 1046ai 1046d is operable to direct, control, or distribute the power of microwave energy to a microwave heater. One or more of two or more microwave emitters 1044a through 104h on substantially the same side or generally opposite sides. For example, an embodiment illustrated in Figure Ua Each of the microwave switches 1046a through 104d can be coupled to an axially adjacent pair of microwave transmitters (eg, transmitters 1044a and 1044b #1n1st 44e and 1() 44d, transmitters 1(4)e and 1Q44f, and Transmitter 1044 g and i〇44h), denoted as transmitter pair i & to 1〇5〇d. In another embodiment illustrated in Figure lib, each of the microwave switchers 46d may be coupled to - axially aligned microwave transmitter pair 160979.doc -93- 201240527 (eg 'transmitters 1044a and 1044h, transmitters 1044b and l 44g, transmitters 1044c and l 44f and transmitters l 44d and 1044e) , shown as a transmitter pair 1050e to 1050h. Microwave switching 1 〇 4 6 a to 10 4 6 d can be used as a suitable type of microwave switcher and in one embodiment can be a rotating microwave switcher. The switch can include an outer casing, an inner routing element disposed therein, and an actuator for moving the inner routing element within the housing. In one embodiment, the internal routing component can be Rotatingly coupling to the outer casing and the actuator is operable to selectively rotate the inner routing element relative to the outer casing to thereby switch or direct the direction of flow of microwave energy therethrough. Other types may also be employed Suitable for microwave switchers. In an embodiment switcher, And in another

The microwave switchers 1046a through 104d may include a TE. The microwave switchers 1046 & to 1046d may include a ΤΜ & switcher. Any additional suitable components (such as one or more mode converters, barrier assemblies or components discussed elsewhere in this application but not shown in Figures iia and ub) may be located at the microwave switcher 1046 & 4 to the upstream or downstream.

The emitter emits or emits less energy β. In one embodiment, during the first heating phase, each of the microwave switches 160979.doc •94-201240527 1046a to 1046d can be configured to direct microwave energy primarily. Routing to one or more transmitters in a first microwave transmitter group (labeled as "ΓΑ" transmitter group in Figures 11a and 11b) without being primarily routed to a second microwave transmitter group (in Figure 11a) - lib is labeled as a "B" transmitter group) - or multiple transmitters. During each of the respective emitter pairs 1050a through 1050d and l〇5〇e through 1050h in Figures Ua and 11b, each of the microwave switches 1046a through 104b is shown during the second discharge phase. The microwave energy can be configured to be primarily routed to one or more of the second group (eg, "B" transmitters) without being primarily routed to the first group (eg, "A" transmitter) One or more transmitters. As used herein, reference to "major" routing microwave energy to transmitter X and "not primarily" routing to transmitter gamma means routing at least 50% of the microwave energy received by a switch to transmitter X, No more than 〇% of the microwave energy received by the switch is routed to the transmitter γ. In a real example, energy can be, for example, at least 75%, at least %%, to: > '95 /. Essentially all are routed primarily to the transmitter X, and energy (for example §) may be no more than 25%, no more than 丨〇%, no more than 5%, or substantially no energy routed to the transmitter γ. In one embodiment, the microwave heating system 〇3 〇 may further include a control system 1060 for controlling the operation and configuration of the microwave switch 10 to the i G46d. In one embodiment, the control system 〇6〇 is operable to configure each of the switches 1046a through 〇46d to be in the first emission phase such that all "A" emitters (eg, The transmitters 1〇44a, 1〇44c, l〇44e, l〇44g) emit microwave energy into the microwave heater 1〇3〇, and all B” emitters (for example, the transmitter 1〇44b, 1〇) 44d, 160979.doc -95-201240527 1044h) all emit a small amount or substantially no microwave energy into the interior of the microwave heater 1030, as shown in Figures Ua and Ub by the microwave heater 1 Individual shades and unshaded areas are illustrated. Subsequently, the control system 1〇6〇 is then operable to configure each of the switches 104a to 46d to be in the second emission phase such that all rA" transmitters (eg, transmitter 1044a) , 1044c' 1〇4钧, 1〇44g) all emit a small amount or substantially no microwave 旎 into the interior of the microwave heater i 〇3〇, and all "B" emitters (for example, the transmitter 1044b) , l〇44d, 1044f, l〇44h) all emit microwave energy into the interior of the microwave heater 1030 (not shown in Figures 11 & and 111:). According to an embodiment, the control system 1〇6〇 is also operative to control the microwave switchers 〇46a to 〇 based on a predetermined set of parameters including, for example, cycle time, total energy discharged, and the like. 46d is switching between the first emission phase and the first emission phase. For example, in one embodiment, the control system 1060 is operable to configure each of the microwave switches i 〇 46a through 〇 46d into the first emission phase substantially simultaneously such that simultaneously Each of the A" transmitters 1044a, 104C, 1044e, 104g emits microwave energy for a period of time. In another embodiment, control system 1060 is operative to include a time delay or hysteresis between configuring one or more switches i〇46a to 1〇46{1 to the first discharge phase. Thus, microwave energy emitted from one or more "A" or "B" transmitters may be delayed or staggered relative to emissions from one or more other "A" or "B" transmitters. In one embodiment, 'control system 1060 can be configured to allow one or more switches 1046a through 104d to be in a first emission phase, and one or more of its 160979.doc -96-201240527 other switches L 〇 46a to 1 (H6d is in the second emission stage such that microwave energy can be simultaneously emitted from one or more "A" emitters and one or more "B" emitters. In one embodiment of the invention The control system 1〇6〇 is also operable to at least partially prevent pairs of emitters from direct relatives (eg, pairs 1044a and l〇44h, pairs 1044b and l〇44g, pairs l〇44c and 1044f, pair l〇) 44d and l〇44e) and/or axially adjacent pairs (for example, for 1〇4 and 1〇441), for 1044c and l〇44d, for 1044e and l〇44f, for l〇44g and l〇44h) At the same time energy emissions. A heating system configured and/or operated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is operable to heat an item or load more efficiently than conventional heating systems. The heating system configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention is operable to handle large commercial scale loads. In one embodiment, the heating system as set forth herein can be heated to have at least 100 pounds, at least 500 shards, at least 1, pounds, at least 5,000 pounds, or at least ι, one of the pounds, Preheat (or pre-treat) one of the weight of the wood bundle or other load. In various embodiments, a bundle of wood can be heated and/or dried such that the total volume of the wood is no greater than, for example, 20%, no greater than 1 Torr. /❶, no more than 5% and no more than 2°/〇 can reach a temperature not exceeding one of the upper limit temperatures. In the same or other embodiments, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, and at least 98°/ of the total volume of the wood. (For example) a temperature that does not exceed a threshold temperature. The lower threshold temperature and the upper threshold temperature may be relatively close to each other and may, for example, be 11 彼此 each other. Inside, 1〇5. 〇, 1〇〇. Within 9 〇〇c, within 75 ° C or within 5 (TC. In various embodiments, the upper threshold temperature may be at least 190 ° C, at least 20 (TC or at least 220 ° C and / or no greater than 275 ° C, 160979.doc -97· 201240527 no more than 260 ° C, no more than 250 ° C or no more than 225 ° C. In another embodiment, the lower threshold temperature can be at least 115 ° C, at least 120 ° C, at least 125 ° C, at least 13 ° C and / or no more than 150 ° C, no more than 145 ° C or no more than 135 ° C. According to an embodiment, at least 80% of the total volume of wood, at least 90 %, at least 95% and at least 98°/. at least i3〇ec, at least 145°C, at least 150°C or at least 16 (TC and/or no more than 250°C, no more than 240C, no more than 225C, no Greater than 210 ° C or not greater than one of the maximum temperatures of 2 〇〇 β 。. Thus 'having at least 100 pounds, at least 500 shards, at least 1,000 lbs, or at least 5,000 lbs of one initial (eg 'preheated or pretreated) weight One of the wood bundles (as needed, a chemically wetted wood bundle) may be no more than 48 hours, no more than 36 hours, no more than 24 hours, no more than 18 hours, no more than 16 hours, not much Heating for 12 hours, no more than 1 hour, no more than 8 hours, or no more than 6 hours. Various aspects of the invention are further illustrated and illustrated by the following examples. However, it should be understood that unless otherwise specifically indicated, The examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.Example Example 1. Comparison of electric field strength of a ΤΕ1() with a TMC1 barrier assembly This example provides for determining a TEiq barrier The result of the simulation of the difference between the electric field strength and the energy density of the assembly and the ΤΜμ barrier assembly. Each assembly uses the hfsstm software (which can be constructed from Ansys of Cannonsburg, PA) to model and m A schematic representation of the simulation results 160979.doc -98-201240527 shows that it specifically illustrates the comparative singularity in Figure 12a and the inventive singularity in Figure 12b. The strength of the electric field. As shown in Figures 12a and 12b, the peak electric field strength (〇·9 kV/cm) of the inventive TM01 barrier assembly at 75 kW is a comparative TE1() resistance measured at 75 kW. The peak electric field of the barrier assembly (3 kv/cm) is roughly one-third. Therefore, the peak energy density of the TMQ1 barrier assembly is about one-ninth of the peak energy density of the tEiq barrier assembly. Example 2: TE1() and a TM01 The determination of the collapse pressure and the maximum energy level available in the barrier assembly. This example compares the collapse pressure that can be achieved with a TE! 〇 and a TM 〇 barrier assembly at different microwave energy levels. As shown herein, the TMtn barrier assembly can operate at a lower energy level at a given energy level and/or permit higher microwaves at a given vacuum level than a TE10 barrier assembly. Can pass through. A custom equipment is constructed in a test facility for testing the collapse pressure within a barrier assembly (i.e., the pressure at which a first arc occurs at a given energy level) at various pressure and energy levels. The apparatus includes a microwave generator coupled to one of a plurality of removable barrier assemblies operable to receive and hold a removable barrier assembly therebetween. The apparatus includes a vacuum system for introducing different gases at various temperatures into the barrier assembly prior to testing and for controlling the pressure within the assembly during testing. The device also includes an automatic arc detection and shutoff system for stopping the microwave generator when an arc is sensed within the assembly. Perform various test runs (runner to (1) to measure the breakdown pressure of a TEL() and a barrier assembly at various energy levels. 160979.doc -99- 201240527 Table 2 below provides an overview of operations 8 to 1^ The condition of each, and Figure i3 provides a graphical representation of one of the collapse pressures measured for each of the eight to one! (depending on the energy level). Table 2: Overview of the test run used to determine the collapse pressure Operating barrier assembly (mode) Gas type gas temperature, °c A ΤΕ10 Air 99 B ΤΕ, ο Air 22 C ΤΕ10 Nitrogen 100 D ΤΕ, 〇 Nitrogen 22 E ΤΕ, 〇 acetic acid 95 F ΤΜ〇, Nitrogen 90 G TM〇 j Nitrogen 25 Η ΤΜ〇ι Acetic acid 90 As shown in Figure 13, for a given energy level, the tmg1 barrier assembly is at a lower pressure than the 〇ι〇 barrier assembly (ie, before the arcing occurs) For example, by comparing E and Η (both of which include exposing the barrier assembly to 9〇t>c to 95. acetic acid under the arm) Illustration, for one of the 20 kW energy levels, TE without arcing The minimum operating pressure that can be achieved with the barrier assembly is 30 Torr, and the TMgi barrier assembly can operate at 15 Torr or even slightly below 15 Torr before arcing occurs. Therefore, as explained in this article For the same conditions and energy levels, the 阻1 barrier assembly can be exposed to a lower pressure than the TE! 〇 barrier assembly without arcing. Another option is also shown in Figure As shown in Figure 13, under the same pressure and under the condition 160969.doc •100· 201240527, the tmq1 barrier assembly can operate at one energy level higher than the TElG assembly. For example, by The comparison runs into and F (both of which are utilized at 9 (nitrogen at one of TC to 99 °C), at one of the pressures of 4 Torr' ΤΜ (the π barrier assembly can already be 7 〇) The predicted energy level of kW operates without arcing, while the TE i 〇 assembly can not be exposed to more than 15 kW of energy before it is concentrated. In addition, the collapse pressure versus energy level generated by the TE1〇 assembly The steep slope of the quasi-curve (shown in Figure 13) is also shown to be true for additional energy gains. The air loss (or loss) is greater for the TEiq barrier assembly than for the TM〇! assembly. Therefore, the marginal pressure loss ratio for increasing the energy through the TM〇! barrier assembly is similar to The operating TE丨〇 barrier assembly is substantially lower. Example 3: Use of sequential heating cycles with different microwave energy levels This example illustrates how the method of applying heat to a wood beam affects heated wood. Temperature distribution. Performs several tests including one or more individual heating cycles of various durations, pressures, and/or energy levels to determine the effect on the temperature of the beam during the heating cycle and the amount of charred wood . Constructing a microwave heating system similar to the one illustrated in Figures 9a, 9b and 9e and comprising a FERRITE 75 kW, 915 MHz microwave generator coupled via a series of 10 10 waveguides to a vacuum microwave heater Available from Ferrite Microwave Technologies, Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire. The three rotating microwave switches are configured to selectively route microwave energy from the generator to one of four microwave emitters located within the interior of the microwave heater. Each transmitter is designed to receive 160979.doc • 101 · 201240527 quantities in a TE丨◦ mode, but contains one of the modes placed in the interior of the container for converting energy into a ΤΜ01 mode before it is emitted into the heater. Mode converter. The vacuum heater (which has a diameter of one of 6.5 feet and a total length of 8 feet) contains a single door for loading and unloading wood on one end. The system also includes a mechanical, dry (eg, non-oil sealed) vacuum pump for controlling the pressure within the heater as needed during the heating step (available from Edwards Limited of Tewksbury, MA). 〇) For each of the test runs 8 to 11, six acetylated radiative slabs with a nominal size of 6 inches of feet are placed to the center of each plate. a fiber optic temperature sensor in the hole drilled. The plate equipped with the sensor is placed to include one of a total of 156 acetylated radiata pine sheets disposed in 26 layers. The bundles are then fastened together and loaded into the vacuum heater. The bundles are exposed to different heating and/or pressure curves during each run to 。. For each run, for each cycle The peak average and peak maximum fiber optical temperature and weight (to calculate evaporation loss) and total energy input before and after heating are measured. The key characteristics and each heating curve of each beam are summarized in Tables 3a & 3b below. Details I60979.doc 201240527 pendant girdle-ornament electrically swirling 4i_sr Science el; ± i <ww Call ¥^办: 4 棼 s _ 〇〇rH dp—4 o δ rH dr—H o in ir> 〇c> 0.0125 | oo ood |s 黎 CN oo CN oo CO 〇〇4 m rn rH 〇momom ο mmoo 〇ol〇m , ιι| mm in mm oo oo Cs| ir> o oo ο (N ON heart O ko in O m 00 < as % m (N ΊΜ 00 〇 ο 卜 CN irj CN > CN in O) < QQ u Q m Uh 〇Ϊ (憋) 诸癍矣菡学'^铋ii'^wwWHv^ 挂: Award 癍0 昧1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Ο CN m 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 CN r—Η Hi 昧1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Jun 1 1 m oo (N CN <N 1 CS <N 1 <N <N 'O Award 癍 Ί 昧 1 inch 1 Ch 1 00 CN o 1 宕 o 宕 〇 o Μ 1 (N CN CN (N CN CS 00 00 write 1 昧 | engage 1 癸 沄 沄 <〇 m m ο o in in o § o Ο O Μ in CN <n CN in (N in CN CN CN 00 in CN < PQ ϋ QW ffl 160979.doc 103- 201240527 Upon completion of each run, the bundle is removed and each of the panels is visually inspected for scorch marking, which is defined as a quarter size Or larger black or coking mark. The evaporation (humidity) loss was calculated by comparing the weight of the bundle before and after heating (with the known dry weight of each panel). The energy density (dry wood per pound) is calculated based on the total energy input and the initial weight and moisture content of the wood. Table 4 below summarizes the results of Run A to Η, which includes the average and maximum peak temperatures achieved during heating and the number of burnt plates. Table 4: Summary of Results from Operation Α to 结果 Results Operating Energy Density Average Peak Maximum Peak Scorch (kW/lb Dry Wood) Temperature (V) Temperature (. 〇Non A 0.0094 116 159 0 B 0.0107 119 161 0 C 0.0107 139 184 7 D 0.0109 116 179 0 E 0.0148 136 154 19 F 0.0155 123 137 0 G 0.0125 113 193 0 Η 0.0168 142 192 10 As shown in Table 4, for similar energy densities (for example, running C and Da and running E and F), using more individual cycles of operation at lower energy levels and/or for shorter durations (eg, running D and F) than at higher energy levels and/or It is more likely that the operation of the cycle (eg, operation C and E) is more likely to avoid charring. In addition, as illustrated by the operation, at a high energy level And/or in the case of performing the energy and/or duration of the initial cycle for a long duration, even operation by means of a plurality of cycles with reduced energy levels can also result in charring. Therefore, a total can be inferred. Individual within the heating cycle The number and duration of the rings and the level of energy and/or pressure of each of the individual cycles have an effect on the average and maximum peak temperatures of the wood and the number of plates burned during the heating cycle. : Determination of the energy distribution curve within a bundle This example provides actual data obtained from a pilot-scale microwave heater used to heat and/or dry an acetonitrile bundle. The thermal image is used to construct an energy distribution curve. It will then be correlated in Prophetic Example 5 to predict the chemical humidity profile of the wood heated on a commercial scale. Similar to the microwave heater construction of one of the heaters illustrated in Figures 10a, 10c, 10d and 10e There is an outer diameter of one of 12 feet and a total length of one of 16 feet. The heater contains one of the inlet doors for loading and unloading the bundle from the container. Similar to the split microwave emitter of Figure 4c and 10d Split RF transmitters are configured in two opposite pairs and connected to a FERRITE 75 kW 915 MHz microwave generator via one of the ΤΕιο waveguide systems (renewable Purchased by Ferrite Microwave Technologies, Inc., Nashua, NH. Three microwave switches are configured to route energy from the generator to one of two pairs of each pair. As explained in more detail below, the microwave heater also includes four movable reflectors similar to the movable 160979.doc-105-201240527 moving reflector illustrated in Figure 10c. Each reflector defines a continuous reflective surface that extends substantially along the length of the heater. Each of the four split emitters is vertically positioned between a pair of movable reflectors such that the reflective surface by each of the four quadrants disposed within the interior volume of the heater will split from each The energy emitted by the respective upward and downwardly directed discharge openings of the emitter is rasterized into the interior of the microwave heater. Each reflective surface is rotated in a generally arcuate shape by utilizing a shaft of an external drive. Details of the motion of the movable reflector will be elaborated later. Allow approximately 15,000 pounds of acetylated radiata pine to balance the leakage in the ambient atmosphere such that the average water content of the wood is between 2 wt% and 3 wt%. The wood is then bundled into a composite bundle comprising one of four individually fastened stacks (e.g., stacks A through D shown in Figure 14a). The composite bundle (shown as bundle 1304 in Figure 14) has a nominal size of 4 feet wide by 8 feet high by x16 feet long. Each of stacks A through C has a width of 6 inches and stack D has a width of one foot of 5 feet. The composite bundle 13〇4 is introduced into the microwave heater and the door is closed and fastened prior to the start of the heating cycle. First, the microwave switcher is configured such that energy from the generator will be routed simultaneously to two diagonally opposite (eg, relatively placed, axially staggered) emitters while the remaining two diagonally opposite emitters remain idle . Next, the generator is activated and set to deliver 75 kw to the first diagonally opposite pair of emitters in a manner similar to that previously discussed with respect to Figure 丨 "and 发射 transmitter group "A". Next, after 10 minutes, the generator is stopped and the microwave switcher is reconfigured to route energy from the first active diagonal to the emitter group to the idle diagonal relative emitter group during the second heating mode. 160979.doc •106· 201240527 The generator is then restarted at 75 kW and the microwave energy is again discharged into the heater. After another 10 minutes, the generators are stopped so that the switches can be returned to the original configuration, thereby rerouting the energy back to the first diagonally opposite pair of transmitters. This sequence of discharge energy instead of axially staggered emitters continues in a 10 minute increment for a total of 80 minutes (e.g., 1 〇〇 kW-hr). During each heating mode, the energy emitted from each of the microwave emitters is rasterized into the interior of the microwave heater by controlling the motion and position of each of the movable reflectors. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is configured to use a servo motor to rotate each reflector through various portions (or zones) of its total arcuate path at various speeds. The top and bottom reflector pairs are programmed to move at the same speed' but the movement of one of each pair begins before the other, thereby preventing the two pairs of reflectors from moving synchronously. Table 5 below summarizes the boundaries of each of the eight zones of motion (eg, start and end positions) and the total length and reflector speed of each of the top and bottom reflector pairs and in each zone The time spent (eg 'stagnation time'), expressed as a hundred percent of the total reflector cycle time / idea table 5 only outlines one half of the curve of each reflector; once each reflector pair moves through the following Zones 1 to 8, each reflector then proceeds in a reverse pattern, starting with zone 8 and moving back to zone 160979.doc •107·201240527 璲电wa®恭^葙飨b :s < bottom reflector residence time (% of cycle) 〇 CO cn cn oi in Os 59.0 speed m 0.05 0.05 1.82 1.82 1.82 1.82 0.26 0.04 top reflector residence time (% of cycle) Ο) 〇 23.3 o T-H o o o <N 48.0 Speed (°/s) 0.07 0.10 1.82 CN 00 tH 1.82 1.82 0.25 0.04 Path length (%) 0.31% 12.19% 12.50% 12.50% 12.50% 25.00% 12.50% 12.50% Path length (°) r— Η rn o inch o — o — o 00 oo — end position (°) ο — o od 12.0 16.0 24.0 28.0 32.0 starting position (°) ρ ο μ o τι- 〇00 12.0 16.0 24.0 28.0 <N m inch in v〇 00 • 108 - 160979.doc 201240527 Once the entire heating cycle is completed, the generator is turned off and the heated composite beam is transported to a holding zone, which has one of the wide-angle lenses MIKRON The Model 7500 model is positioned approximately 10 feet from one of the elongated sides of the heated bundle. Stack A (the outermost panel stack shown in Figure 14) is removed from the composite beam to thereby expose one of the internal surfaces of stack B (designated B' in Figure 14). The camera records the thermal image of surface B at a rate of one image every 5 seconds, and after 20 seconds, removes the stack B from the composite beam. The camera then begins recording the inner surface of one of the stacks C (in Figure 14). The thermal image specified as surface C'). After 20 seconds, the stack c was removed from the bundle, thereby exposing the inner surface of the stack D (designated as surface D in Fig. 14). The camera records the thermal image of surface D' for 20 seconds and is then stopped. To analyze the resultant temperature profile across the volume of the bundle, use Mikr〇SpecTM Professional Thermal Imaging Software (version 4〇.5, available from Metrum, Berkshire, UK) on Surface B, to The pixel-by-pixel temperature data obtained in the representative area of one of D, each of which is imported into a trial balance. A cumulative frequency histogram of the thermal data obtained from all internal surfaces B of the self-synthesizing beam, up to D', is shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 15, less than 2% by volume of the bundle has a temperature below 42 or a temperature of 52 C. This type of energy distribution is associated with a dry, acetified wood bundle. Resulting in the predicted chemical moisture content curve' as set forth in Prophetic Example 5. Example 5 (predictive): Calculation of the chemical moisture content curve in an acetonitrile bundle This predictive example uses the experimental energy distribution obtained in Example 4 160979.doc • 109-201240527 to predict the previous and previous The system set forth in Example 4 similarly configures the chemical humidity profile of the acetylated wood heated and/or dried in a commercial scale microwave heating system (eg, one or more thermally removable chemicals in the total volume) Quantity and distribution). One of the dimensions of approximately 101 inches high x 52 inches wide x 16 feet long is loaded with a bundle of acetylated wood into a microwave heater having an internal diameter of one foot u feet of 7 inches and a length between one flange of 17 feet . The pressurizable heater includes an oppositely disposed entry and exit opening, each of which may be sealed by a full diameter disc door. The total internal volume of the heater is 2,605 cubic feet and the ratio of the total volume of the wood bundle to the total open (e.g., unoccupied) volume in the microwave heater is 0.29:1. The bundle has a "chemical moisture content" of about 10 wt% to 15 wt% (i.e., containing, for example, one or more of the acetic acid, acetic anhydride, and combinations thereof) before being heated in the microwave heater. One of the chemicals). During the heating of the bundle, microwave energy was introduced into the microwave heater in a similar manner as previously described in Example 4. In addition, a vacuum system was used to maintain the internal pressure of the heater at 6 Torr. After 8 minutes, the microwave generator was turned off, the beam was removed and the thermal image of the interior surface of the beam was taken in the manner previously described in Example 4. The predicted temperature distribution resulting from the accumulated thermal data is provided in FIG. As shown in Figure 16, the predicted temperature distribution of the acetylated wood bundle has an average peak temperature of 165 ° C and the total volume of the bundle is less than 〇 3% having a value lower than 115 C or south 235 ° C. a temperature. Based on previously obtained empirical data relating the wood temperature to the moisture content of the chemical, the temperature in Figure 6 is 160979.doc • 110. 201240527 The distribution is for the drying of the acetylated wood bundle as described above. One of the chemical moisture content curves outlined in 6. Table 6: Estimated chemical moisture content curves for dried acetalized wood Temperature Percentage of wood bundles Predicted moisture content T <115 ° C 0.3% 〜 2 wt% humidity 115 〇 C <T <135〇C 2.2% 〜1 wt% humidity T>235〇C 0.3% charred 115〇C <T <235〇C 99.4% Drying 135〇C <T <235〇C 97.2% The overall goal of drying heated and/or dried acetalized wood is to remove residual acetylated chemicals (for example, by minimizing the chemical moisture content of the dried bundle) without excessive drying or Charred wood treated. As shown in Table 6, less than 0.3% of the total volume of the acetonitrile bundle is insufficiently dry (eg, having a moisture content of 2 wt% or more) or subjected to scorching (eg, having greater than 235) An average temperature of °C), in addition, less than 2.2% of the total volume of the bundle has a humidity content of 1% or more. Thus, at least 97.2% (and up to 99.4%) of the total volume of the acetonitrile bundle is heated or dried to a chemical moisture content of less than 1 wt% to 2 wt% while minimizing the amount of charred wood. The preferred form of the invention as set forth above is intended to be illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Obvious modifications to the illustrative embodiments described above can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. The present inventors hereby state that it is intended to rely on the principle of equivalence to determine and estimate the invention as to the Beyond the literal scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a wood treatment system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the transport of a chemical upgrading reactor and a wood heater. a rail system of a wood bundle; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a wood treatment system configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the transport of a plurality of chemical upgrading reactors and A turntable system of wood bundles of a plurality of wood heaters; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one of the wood treatment systems configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the transport of a plurality of chemistries Roller system of one of a wood bundle of a reforming reactor and a plurality of wood heaters; Figure 4a is suitable for use in the production of chemically modified wood and configured to pass through a wood according to an embodiment of the present invention A top view of a processing system, in particular, illustrating a chemical upgrading reactor and a wood heater that includes separate axially aligned double door containers and is contained in the opposite Figure 4b is an isometric view of one of the through-wood processing systems of Figure 4a, specifically illustrating one exemplary blasting plate of the steam holding chamber / Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view of one of the vapor containment chambers illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, which is specifically illustrated for allowing fluid (e.g., air) from the external environment to flow to the steam, 160979.doc 112·201240527 An exemplary one-way vent pair in the containment chamber; Figure 4d is a side view of the through-wood treatment system of Figure 4a, but also illustrates the extraction of the thirst into the steam containment chamber and the thirst at the exit of the heater Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of one of the microwave heating systems configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. And receiving one of microwave energy microwave heaters from a microwave generator via a microwave distribution system; FIG. 6 is suitable for use as one of a chemical upgrading reactor and/or a microwave heater according to various embodiments of the present invention. Door, through An isometric view of one of the containers, which specifically illustrates the shape and size ratio of the container; Figure 7a is a configuration of one of the door flanges of a microwave heater and a container flange in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; A partial cross-sectional view of a face, which is specific and S illustrates a microwave choke that is cooperatively formed by a door and a container flange and has two chambers that are parallel to each other and that are extended together; FIG. 7b is similar to that depicted in FIG. 7a A partial cross-sectional view of one of the microwave chokes of the illustrated baffle, but the microwave choke has a choke chamber extending at an acute angle relative to each other; Figure 7c is equipped with the microwave choke shown in Figure 7a One of the door flanges of the microwave heater is a cross-sectional isometric view, specifically illustrating a plurality of circumferentially spaced end opening slots formed in a flow guiding wall of the choke Or a gap; Figure 7d is equipped with a configuration of one of the embodiments according to the present invention. I60979.doc -113 - 201240527 removes one of the microwave chokes "a microwave plus # on the side of the open door Circular, which specifically illustrates the microwave choke The removable portion of the device includes a plurality of individually removable and replaceable flow block segments; Figure 7e is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the "G" shaped removable flow block previously illustrated in Figure 7d; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one of the "removed" or "ϋ" shaped removable spoiler portions in accordance with a first alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7g is a second alternative embodiment of the present invention A cross-sectional view of one of the "L"-shaped removable spoiler portions; a cross-sectional view of one of the "^"-shaped removable spoiler portions configured in accordance with a third alternative embodiment of the present invention Figure 8a is a cross-sectional isometric view of one of the microwave heaters configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the heater is illustrated as being equipped with an elongated waveguide emitter. The transmitter has staggered emission openings on opposite sides of the emitter; Figure 8b is an enlarged partial view of one of the waveguide emitters illustrated in Figure 8a, specifically illustrating the configuration of the emission opening and defining the emission opening Thickness of the side wall; Figure 9a is an embodiment of the present invention Configuring a side view of one of the microwave heating systems, in particular illustrating a microwave distribution system for delivering microwave energy to a microwave heater; Figure 9b is a top cross-sectional view of one of the microwave heaters illustrated in Figure 9a Specifically, the microwave distribution system is illustrated as a pair of emitters included on one side of the microwave heater and one of the opposite sides of the microwave heater 160979.doc-114-201240527 second ΤΜαί> Figure 9c illustrates one of the contents indicated by the terms "opposite side" and "related"; Figure 9d illustrates one of the contents indicated by the term "axial alignment". Figure 9e is a partial cross-sectional isometric view of a microwave emission and reflection or scattering system in accordance with the present invention, which is specifically illustrated similar to the image of the green (4) One of the embodiments of a movable reflector comprising one of the movable reflectors associated with each of the microwave emitters; FIG. 9f is one of one embodiment of a reflector suitable for use in one of the microwave heating systems as broadly described herein Isometric view Figure, in particular, the reflector pattern is shown to have a non-planar reflective surface with one of the recesses of the first configuration; Figure 9 g is suitable for use in one of the microwave heating systems described herein An isometric view of another embodiment of one of the reflectors, in particular the reflector is illustrated as having a non-planar reflective surface with one of the recesses of a second configuration; Figure 9h is suitable for use herein One side elevational view of one of the embodiments of the reflector used in one of the microwave heating systems, which specifically illustrates the curvature of the reflector surface; Figure 9 is previously illustrated in Figure 9e. An enlarged isometric isometric view of one of a pair of microwave emitters and reflectors, in particular illustrating an actuator system for providing oscillatory movement of the reflector; FIG. 1A is an embodiment of the invention One side view of one of the microwave heating systems 160979.doc-115-201240527, which specifically illustrates a microwave distribution system equipped with a plurality of τΜμ barrier assemblies; α Figure l〇b is a diagram In the TMa6 barrier assembly shown in a One of the axial cross-sectional views, in particular, the barrier assembly is illustrated as having two floating sealing windows and adjacent the junction of the barrier assembly and the waveguide to which the barrier assembly is coupled The impedance transformation has a stepped change in diameter; Figure 10c is an end view of the microwave heating system illustrated in Figure 10a, wherein a bundle of wood is received in the interior of the microwave heater, the figure specifically illustrating the microwave heater Illustrated as a split-wave transmitter equipped on opposite sides of the heater and a movable reflector for rasterizing the microwave energy emitted from the split emitters; Figure 1〇d is illustrated in Figure l〇c One of the split emitters has an enlarged side view that specifically illustrates the emission angle of two separate microwave energy fractions emitted from the split emitter; Figure l〇e is used to move a reflector An enlarged view of an embodiment of a system, in particular, illustrating an actuator for causing oscillation of the reflector and for suppressing a position at which the actuator penetrates the wall of the microwave heater One of the fluid leaks Figure 11a is a schematic top view of one of the microwave heating systems configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, specifically illustrating the heating system to include for routing microwave energy in an alternating manner A plurality of microwave switches to different microwave emitters; Figure 1 lb is one of the microwave heating systems configured in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It is not intended to specifically illustrate the heating system as package 160979. Doc 201240527 contains a plurality of microwave switches for routing microwave energy to different microwave emitters in an alternating manner; Figure 12a presents the results of a computer simulation of predicting the peak electric field strength of a te1g barrier assembly; Figure 17b presents a prediction ~ tmg1 barrier assembly one of the peak electric field strength computer simulation results; Figure 13 is based on a TE10 and a TM01 microwave barrier assembly in the energy level of one of the collapse pressure graphical comparison; Figure 14 is a One of the wood bundles is a schematic representation that specifically illustrates the configuration utilized in determining the internal surface temperature as set forth in Example 4; Figure 15 is incorporated in Figure 14 The surface of the composite bundle is shown]8, to 〇, one of the obtained heat data, the cumulative frequency histogram; FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating one of the predicted thermal data generation by the acetylated wood bundle as illustrated in Example 5. Temperature distribution one of the cumulative frequency histograms 0 [Main component symbol description] 10 Wood treatment facility 20 Chemical upgrading system 22 Chemical upgrading reactor 24 Reactor heating system 26 Reactor pressure/decompression system selected 28 Reactor inlet door /First reactor inlet door 29 Select reactor outlet door 30 Heating system 160979.doc •117· 201240527 32 Heater 34 Energy 36 Select heater pressure/decompression system 38 Open heater inlet door 39 Select heater outlet door 40 Conveying system 42a Conveying section 42b Conveying section 42c Conveying section 42d Conveying section 42e Conveying section 60a Raw material storage area 60b Finished material storage area 102 Timber bundle 110 Wood treatment facility 122a Reactor 122b Reactor 122n Reactor 128a Door 128b Door 128n Door 132a heater 132b heater 132n heater 160979.doc -118 - 201240527 138a 138b Door 138n Door 140 Rotatable platform/turret 160 Storage area 210 Wood treatment facility 222a Chemical upgrading reactor 222n Chemical upgrading reactor 228a Reactor inlet door 228n Reactor inlet door 229a Reactor outlet door 229n Selected reactor Outlet door 232a Heater 232b Heater 232n Heater 238a Heater inlet door 238b Heater inlet door 238n Heater inlet door 239a Select heater outlet door 239b Select heater outlet door 239n Select heater outlet door 240 Transport system 242a Section 242b Paragraphs 119-160979.doc 201240527 242c Section 242d Section 242e Section 242f Section 242g Section 242h Section 242i Section 242] Section 244a Section 244b Section 244c Section 244d Section 244e Section 322 Chemical Modification Reactor 328 Reactor Inlet Gate 329 Reactor Outlet Door 332 Heater 338 Heater inlet door 339 Heater exit door 342a Upright wall 342b Upright wall 342c Upright wall 342d Upright wall 344 Ceiling structure • 120· 160979.doc 201240527 349 Steam outlet pipe 349a Steam outlet pipe 349b Steam outlet conduit 349c steam outlet conduit 360 steam containment chamber 361 transfer zone 370a center extension draw/vent 370b center extension shaft/vent 343 blower or blast wall 399 transport path 400 product vapor removal system or structure 402 venting 糸System 404 vent 406 Vent chamber 408 Vent chamber outlet 409 Door 410 Vacuum generator 412 Processing unit 414 Drain 416 Wood treatment facility / Wood treatment system 420 Microwave heating system 422 Microwave generator 430 Microwave heater 440 Microwave distribution system 160979.doc 121 · 201240527 442 Waveguide 444a Microwave Transmitter 444b Microwave Transmitter 444c Microwave Transmitter 446 Microwave Mode Converter / Mode Converter 450 Vacuum System 530 Microwave Heater 531 Body Side Sealing Surface 532 Container Body 533 Door Side Sealing Surface 534 Door 535 Center extension shaft 536 Microwave heater interior 631 Body side sealing surface 632 Container body 633 Door side sealing surface 634 Door 650 Microwave spoiler 651 Removable portion 652 First radially extending choke chamber 653a Removable choke Segment 653b Removable spoiler section 653c Removable spoiler section 653d Removable spoiler section 160979.doc -122 - 201240527 653e Removable spoiler section 654 Second radially extending choke chamber 656 The radially extending choke deflector wall 660 is selected from the fluid sealing member 670. The spaced apart opening gap 690 is the direction in which the first choke chamber extends. The direction in which the second choke chamber extends is 702. Wood bundle 720 Microwave heating System 730 Microwave Heater 738 Heater Entry Door 739 Beam Receiving Space/Selector Heater Exit Door 740 Microwave Distribution System 760 Elongated Waveguide Emitter 764a Substantial Planar Sidewall 764b Substantial Planar Sidewall 764c Substantial Planar Sidewall 764d Substantially Plane Side wall 767a elongated slot/emitter opening 767b elongated slot/emitter opening 767c elongated slot/emitter opening 767d elongated slot/emitter opening 767e elongated slot/emitter opening 780a launching pair or opening pair 160979.doc -123- 201240527 780b Transmitting pair or opening pair 820 Microwave heating system 830 Microwave heater 831 External side wall 831a Side wall 831b side Wall 835 Elongation Shaft 835a Elongation Shaft 838 Heater Entrance Door 839 Midpoint 840 Microwave Distribution System 841a Separated Emission Opening 841b Separated Emission Opening 842a Waveguide / Waveguide Segment 842b Waveguide / Waveguide Segment 842c Waveguide / Waveguide Segment 842d Waveguide /Wave section 843a ΤΜα6 waveguide section 843b TMa6 waveguide section 843c ΤΜαί)Wave section 843d TMfl6 waveguide section 844 Microwave transmitter 844a Microwave transmitter 844b Microwave transmitter 160979.doc .124- 201240527 844c Microwave transmitter 844d Microwave transmitter 845 Open exit / launch opening 845a open exit / launch opening 845b open exit / launch opening 845c open exit / launch opening 845d open exit / launch opening 846 transmitter 846a transmitter 846b transmitter 850a mode converter 850b mode converter 850c mode converter 850d mode Converter 890 reflector 890a movable reflector 890b movable reflector 890c movable reflector 890d movable reflector 891a reflective surface 891b reflective surface 891c reflective surface 891d reflective surface 892 support arm 160979.doc -125 - 201 240527 893 Oscillating shaft 893a Projection 893b Protrusion 894 Lever arm 895 Linear shaft 896 Wheel 897 Perch 898 Motor 899 Reflector drive system / Actuator 902 Wood beam 920 Microwave heating system 928 Entrance door 930 Microwave heater 931 External side wall 933 Side wall 938 heater inlet door 939 heater outlet door 940 microwave distribution system 941a emission opening 941b spaced apart emission opening 941c spaced apart emission opening 941d spaced apart emission opening 942 waveguide section 942a upstream ΤΜαΖ> waveguide section 160979. Doc -126- 201240527 942b upstream ΤΜαί) waveguide section 942c upstream TM& waveguide section 942d upstream TMa6 waveguide section 942e upstream TMaZ) waveguide section 942f upstream ΤΜα6 waveguide section 942g upstream TMfl6 waveguide section 942h upstream ΤΜα6 waveguide section 942i downstream ΤΜαΖ> waveguide section 942j Downstream TMfl6 waveguide section 942k downstream ΤΜαδ waveguide section 9421 downstream ΤΜαδ waveguide section 942x waveguide section 942y waveguide section 942z waveguide section 943a TEy waveguide section 943b TE,y waveguide section 944 split emitter 944a first split emitter 944h second split launch 945a discharge opening 945b discharge opening 945c discharge opening 945d discharge opening 947a mode converter 160979.doc -127· 201240527 947b mode converter 947c mode converter 947d mode converter 948 extension axis 949 TMfl6 to ΤΕ mode switching splitter 950a external TE^ to TMa6 mode converter 950b External TE^ to mode converter 950c External TE^ to ΤΜα6 mode converter 950d External ΤΕ" to TMfl6 mode converter 951 Entrance or opening/unobstructed beam receiving space 960 Actuator 961 Fixed part 963 extendable portion 964 bellows structure 970 barrier assembly 970a barrier assembly 970b barrier assembly 970c barrier assembly 970d barrier assembly 970h barrier assembly 972a sealing window member 972b sealing window member 972c sealing window member 972d sealing window member 160979.doc -128-201240527 973 973a 973b 973c 974a 974b 975a 975b 980 982a 982b 984a 984b 990 990a 990b 990c 990d 991 1020 1022a 1022b 1022c 1022d barrier housing first or inlet section selected second or middle Segment third or outlet section impedance transformation diameter stepwise change Anti-transformation diameter step-type change first TMfl6 waveguide section second TMat waveguide section support arm elastic ring elastic ring elastic ring elastic ring movable reflector movable reflector movable reflector movable reflector movable reflector reflector surface microwave Heating system microwave generator microwave generator microwave generator microwave generation benefit 160979.doc -129- 201240527 1030 microwave heater 1040 microwave distribution system 1044a microwave transmitter 1044b microwave transmitter 1044c microwave transmitter 1044d microwave transmitter 1044e microwave transmitter 1044f Microwave Transmitter 1044g Microwave Transmitter 1044h Microwave Transmitter 1046a Microwave Switcher 1046b Microwave Switcher 1046c Microwave Switcher 1046d Microwave Switcher 1050a Transmitter Pair 1050b Transmitter Pair 1050c Transmitter Pair 1050d Transmitter Pair 1050e Transmitter Pair 1050f Transmitter Pair 1050g Transmitter Pair 1050h Transmitter Pair 1060 Control System 1304 Synthetic Beam 160979.doc -130 201240527 A First Microwave Transmitter Set / Stack B Second Microwave Transmitter Set / Stack B' Internal Surface C Stack C · • Internal Surface D Stack D' Internal Surface 160979.doc -131 -

Claims (1)

201240527 VII. Patent application scope: 1. A system for producing chemically modified, dried and/or thermally modified wood, the system comprising: at least one microwave generator for generating microwave energy; And a microwave distribution system for directing microwave energy from the at least one generator to the interior of the microwave heater, wherein the microwave distribution system includes a first TMfl6 waveguide, a second conductor and a barrier assembly coupled between the first ΤΜαί) waveguide and the second TMefc waveguide and disposed between the two, wherein the α system and the 6 system are in the range of 1 to 5 An integer, wherein the TMai) barrier assembly includes for isolating the first τΜβΛ waveguide from the first ΤΜαί) waveguide from each other while permitting at least a portion of the microwave energy to pass from the first dc. At least one sealing window member to the second ΤΜβί) waveguide. 2. A system for producing chemically modified, dried and/or thermally modified wood, the system comprising: at least one microwave generator for generating microwave energy; a microwave heater for receiving a wood beam system; and a microwave distribution system for directing at least a portion of the microwave energy from the at least one microwave generator to the interior of the microwave heater, wherein the microwave distribution system includes a 'first mode converter, a second mode converter and a TMaft barrier assembly disposed therebetween, wherein "the system is 一 and the δ is an integer in a range between 1 and 5, 160979.doc 201240527 wherein the extension extends and includes the The total electrical length between the first mode converter and the second mode converter of the electrical length of the TMw barrier assembly is equal to a non-integer of a competition mode of microwave energy passing through the ΤΜβ/) barrier assembly A half-wavelength. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein 6 is J. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the ι barrier assembly includes the first mode converter and the second Mode converters are fluidly isolated from each other Allowing at least a portion of the microwave energy to pass from the first mode converter to at least one of the sealed window members of the first mode converter. 5. For example, the system of the "go 4" wherein the barrier assembly includes a a first section and a second section, wherein the sealing window member is flexibly coupled between the first section and the second section. I60979.doc 201240527 1 0. The system of any one of the above, wherein the barrier assembly has less than 1 〇 2 牦 liters per second when subjected to a nitrogen leak test. A fluid leak rate. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave distribution system further comprises: > a mode converter disposed between the at least one microwave generator and the Hecha ΤΜβδ waveguide for the microwave to be produced by the generator The mode can be changed from a mode to a mode; and a second mode converter is placed downstream of the second TMai waveguide for directing the microwave month b to the interior of the microwave heater The mode of the microwave energy is changed from a TM& mode to a Tijky mode before, wherein both 6 and 1 are 1 and are 〇. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the total electrical length between the first mode converter and the second mode converter extending through and including the electrical length of the TMaA barrier assembly is equal to One of the microwave energy of the ΤΜαδ barrier assembly competes for a non-integer half wavelength of the mode. 13. The system of any of claims 2, 4, 11 or 12, wherein the second mode converter is integrally disposed within the interior of the microwave heater. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave distribution system further comprises a third TMa6 waveguide, a fourth ΤΜαί) waveguide, and is coupled to the third TMaA waveguide and the fourth TMw waveguide and disposed between the two a second ΤΜαδ barrier assembly, wherein the microwave distribution system further includes a first microwave emitter coupled to the second TMa6 waveguide and a second microwave emitter coupled to the fourth TMfl& waveguide for At least a portion of the microwave energy is emitted into the microwave heater. 160979.doc 201240527 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the first microwave emitter and the second microwave emitter are located on substantially opposite sides of the microwave heater. The system of any of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14 or 15, further comprising operable to reduce the pressure in the microwave heater to a vacuum of no more than 350 Torr system. The system of any one of 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14 or 15 wherein the at least one microwave generator is capable of introducing microwave energy to an input rate of at least 5 〇 kW In the microwave heater. 18. The system of any of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 14 or 15 further comprising a chemical upgrading reactor for chemically modifying the wood bundle and operable to A chemically modified wood bundle is delivered from the chemical upgrading reactor to one of the microwave heater delivery systems. 19. A method for producing a chemically modified, dried and/or thermally modified wood' method comprising: 0) generating microwave energy; (b) directing at least a portion of the microwave energy to a microwave heater, Wherein the directing comprises maintaining at least a portion of the microwave energy in the TMfl6 mode through a barrier assembly while maintaining a pressure differential across the barrier assembly, wherein the system 0 and the 6 series are in the range of 1 to 5 An integer; and (c) heating one of the microwave heaters by at least a portion of the microwave energy passing through the barrier assembly. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein 6 is 1. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the pressure difference across the barrier assembly during the bowing of step (b) is at least 2525 atmospheres. The method of claim 19 or 20 wherein the microwave energy is passed through the barrier assembly at a rate of at least 30 kW during the guiding of step (b). 23. The method of claim 19 or 20 wherein a pressure of no more than 350 Torr is maintained in the microwave heater during the guiding of the step. 24. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the pressure difference is at least 0.5 atmospheres during the guiding of step (b), such that the microwave energy passes through the barrier assembly at a rate of at least 5 kW. The microwave heater maintains a pressure of no more than 250 Torr and maintains the electromagnetic field in the barrier assembly below the threshold of arcing. 25. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein in the step (the microwave energy generated in the hook is in a TE mode), wherein the X system is an integer ranging from 1 to 5 and less than 0, wherein the step (b) the guiding includes converting the microwave energy from the Ding mode to the 11^" mode before the microwave energy is passed through the barrier assembly, wherein the guiding of the step (b) comprises The microwave energy is converted from the ΤΜαδ mode to the TE after passing through the barrier assembly and before introducing the microwave energy into the microwave heater; ,; mode, where 6 and < The method of claim 19 or 2, wherein the barrier assembly comprises at least one inlet window member, the pressure difference is maintained across the at least one sealing window member and the microwave energy is passed through the at least one a sealing window member, wherein the at least one sealing window member comprises a circular disk having a loss tangent of less than 2 ΙΟ ΙΟ 4. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one of the guiding of the step (b) The temperature of the circular disk of the up to and sealing member 28. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the wood bundle weighs at least 500 pounds prior to the heating of step (c). 29. as claimed in claim 19 or 20. The method wherein at least a portion of the bundle of wood has been chemically modified prior to step (a). 30. The method of claim 19 or 20 wherein at least a portion of the bundle of wood has been brewed prior to step (a). .doc