Analysis of Operational Regimes of a High Power Water Load

Reflections, electric field and dissipated power of a 915 MHz water load produced by The Ferrite Company, Inc. are computed by QuickWave-3D for water temperatures from 5 to 60∞C. A simple empirical model generalizing experimental data is used for calculating the dielectric constant of fresh tap water at 915 MHz and for different temperatures. The computer model is verified by measurement of reflection’s magnitude and phase. The load’s power reflection and patterns of electric field and dissipated power are demonstrated to be nearly independent of water temperature. Microwave power is dissipated primarily within the conical part of internal water cavity, and possible shortening of its cylindrical part (by up to 70 mm) is suggested for water temperatures less than 60C. The computational strategy used for modeling is assessed to be beneficial for analyzing and designing other systems for microwave heating.