What are microwaves, and how do they work to remove moisture?
Microwaves, as the name implies, are short-wavelength, high speed waves of electromagnetic
energy, that is, waves of electric energy and magnetic energy
moving together in space. They are relatively close to the frequencies used in television and radio broadcasting, radar, and cellular telephones.
Microwaves couple with dipolar molecules, such as water, and
cause them to vibrate rapidly. The resulting friction between
the water molecules heats the water to a high enough temperature
that it evaporates away from the material being processed.
What materials can be dried with the BioWave®?
The BioWave® is well-suited to drying a variety of materials. These include municipal and industrial sludge, biosolids, animal manures, paper mill byproducts, fruits and nuts.
How wet can the input material be? Can BioWave® handle liquid materials?
As long as a material does not have free water flowing out of it, the BioWave® can typically handle it. In the case of municipal biosolids, the lower limit of solids content that the system can be fed is around15% (85% moisture).
What else do the microwaves remove in addition to water?
Extensive tests of BioWave® air emissions and the end-product material have shown that this system removes virtually only water and pathogens. The end-product retains all of the nutrients and fertilizer value it started with, but with no surviving disease-causing organisms.
What can the BioWave® end-products be used for?
Processed sludge, biosolids and manures can be used for home gardens, landscaping, and other uses where nutrient value is desired. Processed paper mill byproducts have a wide variety of applications, including animal bedding, insulation, and as a constituent of lightweight concrete.
Does microwave drying produce odors?
The actual processing of material through the Burch BioWave® will produce very few odors. The end-product will also have very little odor, because of the dryness of the material.
Are microwaves safe? Does the BioWave® have operator safeguards in place?
Safety is the top priority in the Burch BioWave® system. In addition to the safeguards employed at the entrance and exit points of the throughput conveyor belt, all access doors in the system have two safety features. The BioWave® process exceeds the leakage restrictions set by OSHA.
Is microwave drying more or less efficient than other drying systems?
Competing drying systems typically use natural gas as their primary fuel. Such systems are far less energy-efficient than the Burch
BioWave®. The BioWave® uses electricity as its primary fuel, and natural gas (or propane or methane) as a supplement to heat the circulating air. The unique combination of electricity and gas creates the highest energy efficiencies in the industry. Microwaves heat material volumetrically (all at the same time) and the heat is generated from within the material. Gas dryers rely on the convection of heat to heat material from the outside in. This allows a lot of energy to be lost to the surrounding environment and also can cause over drying of the outside of the material.
Is the BioWave® a stand-alone system, or can it interface with other equipment or systems?
The BioWave® can be connected to an upstream dewatering system (belt press, centrifuge, etc.), conveyors, augers and many other types of material handing equipment.
Can my existing operator(s) run the BioWave®?
Burch BioWave, Inc. provides complete operator training. The user-friendly touch screen controls and troubleshooting guidance make operation of the BioWave® system no more difficult than other equipment such as belt presses. The customer can also contract with Burch to provide custom operation of the system, if desired.
What does Burch BioWave provide after the sale?
Burch’s involvement with a BioWave® system does not cease after the sale or installation. The company can provide complete operator training, startup assistance, testing of equipment function, input material and end-product analysis, troubleshooting and programming assistance, service contracts, repair services, parts sales and installation. The customer can also contract with Burch to provide custom operation of the system or marketing of the end-product.
