The simulation of coupled electromagnetic and thermal problems in microwave heating

Microwaves are used for the thermal processing of various materials such as food and ceramics. They differ from conventional heating methods where heat input is on the material surface only, in that heat power may be delivered virtually anywhere inside the volume of the material. Thus, heating with microwaves opens new possibilities such as faster processing, more precise delivery of heat power and localised heating at specific areas. The aim of this paper is to describe the modelling concepts for combined electromagnetic and thermal problems from the point of view of the transmission-line modelling (TLM) method. Typical results of simulations are also included