Microwave heating is an advanced technology offering significant processing advantages in many applications, including improved product quality, faster processing rates, lower energy usage running costs and scrap rates. Uses are many and varied with the technology offering key advantages over traditional radiant heat in a variety of applications.

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves that interact with many materials causing them to heat - with the level of heating depending upon the nature of the product. Microwaves can penetrate into a product with the effect that heating takes place more deeply than just on the product surface. This process, sometimes known as ‘full body heating’, permits high heating power densities to be used which enables faster processing times, greater efficiencies and quality improvements.

The use of microwave heating has shown benefits in a wide range of industries including food processing (drying, pasteurisation, cooking, tempering and defrosting), ceramic processing (drying and firing), polymer processing (curing, forming) and organic chemistry reactions to name a few. C-Tech Innovation has designed, developed and commissioned specialised microwave processing equipment in all these sectors.

The benefits of microwave heating can often be maximised through combining the use of microwaves with other energy sources, such as hot air, infra-red and radiant heat, and once again C-Tech Innovation has vast experience of developing such combinations and developing specialised equipment to demonstrate these effects. Our patented and licensed Microwave Assisted Technology has demonstrated significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency, processing times, quality and emission reduction.