Microwave and RF products are commonly used because of its endogenous heating capabilities. The energy emitting from the electromagnetic field oscillating at a specific frequency is converted to thermal energy. This method does not transfer the thermal energy inside the product which normally happens using conventional heating methods that use heat conduction, convection, and irradiation.
The heating mechanisms that are used by microwave and radio frequencies have a lot of similarities and both are effective when used in different applications, but there are also differences from the two technologies. Usually, RF technology and products are preferred by some industry sectors and sometimes, are the only forms of technology applicable to some industrial processes. In this article, we will be discussing everything you need to know about Microwaves and Radio Frequency.
Why Choose SEI for Your RF and Microwave Product Needs?
We have been serving our clients since 1990. We are dedicated to serve and provide our clients with low-priced higher frequency microwaves and RF products. We have a lot of products available; please let us know what you need for your project.
Here Are Some of the Differences Between RF and Microwaves:
1. Penetration depth
Microwaves have a shorter wavelength and usually limited to applications of products that have smaller dimensions. Radio frequencies, on the other hand, have a longer wavelength and are capable of penetrating through materials or items that are dense and larger. RF is widely used on products or equipment with bigger dimensions.
2. Uniformity of heating
Energy transfer using a microwave source is a statistical phenomenon. Therefore, it is not precisely controlled and can result in uneven treatment and temperatures. The energy for radio frequency which is required for a specific application is normally delivered through an applicator that is created and measured according to the shape and size of the product. The product or item will be able to absorb the energy evenly and accurately.
3. Higher selectivity
Microwaves have higher frequencies and RFs have lower frequencies. The radio frequencies are more selective in heating products that have varying chemical, physical, and morphological properties, which makes it easy to control the thermal treatment of the different materials used in the process. This is useful in drying applications where RFs are preferred to be absorbed by water contained in a product, which makes the drying process faster and more efficient.
4. Operational flexibility and power adjustment
Radio frequency is easily made available to the product where the product absorbs the energy and it is adjusted accordingly. During the drying process using RF, the generator system will be self-adjusting, if there is a high content of moisture, there will more energy released and absorbed during the process.
When using microwaves during the heating or drying process, the energy is absorbed completely by a product. The energy must be adjusted continuously to determine the resulting thermal effect on the product, moreover, the product quantity must be submitted to the treatment must be known always.
5. Energy efficiency
Microwave transmitters release energy efficiencies more than 80% while RF systems operate in the 60% range. RF equipment is usually preferred to save more energy which also affects the overall system utility costs.
If you need RF or microwave products, make sure to consult SEI. Our priority is to provide our clients with high-quality products that have a lower price than the other competitors in the market since there is an increase in the demand for higher frequency microwave components and RF products in the market nowadays.
6. Power generators
Magnetrons are used to generate microwaves and can deliver power values up to 1 to 3 kW and sometimes more. It can be complicated and expensive to install more magnetrons just to supply the power needed by large industrial equipment. Radio frequency generators can deliver power values that range up to 100 hundred kilowatts, making it preferred to supply the energy needed in the industrial sector.
7. Investment and maintenance costs
Microwave ovens are commonly used in households in the United States. Industrial microwave ovens often use the CW Magnetron that is capable of providing up to 100 kilowatts of power to the oven. There are no RF ovens used for the process of tempering of the proteins because microwave technology is preferred because it is available at low operating and capital cost than RF technology.
Radio frequency equipment is highly competitive in cost compared to microwave equipment. Maintenance costs for RF equipment are more convenient because the components are normally replaced approximately after 15,000 working hours while 10s up to 100s of magnetrons will need replacement after approximately 5,000 working hours.
8. Safe operation and application
Microwaves have a shorter wavelength which makes them more aggressive and difficult to shield. Equipment and other solutions and proper care must be observed to operate it safely. Leakage detectors are commonly used with the generators to detect any leaks.
Radio frequencies have a longer wavelength which makes them less aggressive and easy to shield. Equipment and treatment tunnels will be easy to operate without immediate concern of safety.
It is best that you only trust a reliable supplier to provide you all of your RF and microwave product needs. Make sure to get all your RF and microwave products from SEI. We offer products at a low price so you can save more money when building your projects.
Are you searching for a supplier of RF and Microwave products? SEI is the perfect place for you. We can provide you with low-priced products which can help you save a lot of money in the process. We have a lot of products available in our inventory. Please let us know how we can help you.
You can contact us by calling us 408-662-4887/ 408-374-1031 or you can send us an email at sales@seimw.com. We are located at 555 Mayock Road, Gilroy, CA 95020 USA. If you have a project, we can provide you any RF and microwave products that you need. You can request a quote for any product that we offer. If you want to know more about our company and our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!