Microwave Reactor Concepts

Abstract

Microwave chemistry has been investigated for nearly thirty years with many notable results being published on apparent process enhancement due to microwave exposure. Conclusive proof of beneficial microwave-chemical interactions is lacking though, as are design rules for successful implementation of microwave-chemical processing systems. In this chapter, the main cause for this is asserted to be the current absence both of suitable instrumentation for research, and processing equipment that merges chemistry with electromagnetic aspects. Several concepts are presented to show how these challenges may be addressed.