Electrical Capacitance Tomography to Measure Moisture Distribution of Polymer Foam in a Microwave Drying Process

Moisture distribution information is a critical element in drying processes. The of products by employing high-power microwave (MW) technology widely used the industry. Although microwaves allow volumetric and selective heating resulting significant reduction processing time energy consumption, there always risk non-uniform moisture final product. This paper investigates capability designed electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) sensor to estimate polymer foams process. estimated based on non-intrusive contactless measurements capacitances between electrodes mounted frame around target foam. obtained can be employed as feedback controller adjust power level each source system reduce or eliminate non-homogeneity inside In series experiments, we first examine ECT estimating stationary We extend tests case where foam moving conveyor belt. Several study variables are taken, including sample size, location, percentage, belt speed, power. These experiments show that has satisfactory accuracy foam, further closed-loop control system.