RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 1, April 2012

2-6 April 2012, First bilateral meeting (RO-FR) at INCDTIM- Cluj Napoca, Romania

Objective: first tests of the microwaves unit in the experimental configuration.
Results:
- The microwaves-optical filter designed for microwave blocking was tested by microwave field radiation measurements. Photos were taken in safe conditions for the camera and the operator.
- The microwave resonator configuration for the uniform heating purpose was defined and tested;
- The microwaves distribution method on two types of material withdifferent viscosities was tested (1) low viscosity - allowing the convection and (2) gel-type to test the internal heating source distribution
- Two temperature monitoring methods were defined based on two types of liquid crystals and light sources;
- Based on these results, we designed the resonator configuration for the first convection experiment with microwaves uniform heating case and constant temperature cooling at the top surface. We expect to test this geometry in June provided all the parts are ready.

Figure 1. The prototype Microwave Unit at INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca, April 2012
 
RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 2, June 4 - 7, 2012

4-7 June 2012, Second bilateral meeting (FR-RO) at IPGP Paris, France

Objective: Prepare the microwaves unit for the French team; preliminary tests for the first experimental configuration (volume internal heating and top cooling).

Results:
- Installation of microwaves control unit (Figure 2)
- Tests of the microwaves power distribution.
- Assemble the tank with the cooling device at the top surface and the fittings for probe filling and heat exchanger liquid circulation.           
- Test of the temperature distribution at the top and the bottom of the Agar probe for the first experimental configuration: uniform internal heating and top cooling   
-  Based on these results, we designed a microwaves homogenizer to improve the uniformity of internal heating for this experimental configuration.

Figure 2. Modified Microwave Unit at IPGP, June 2012
 
RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 3, June 28, 2012

28 June 2012, Seminar presentation at INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca:
Laboratory convection experiments with internal, non-contact, microwave generated heating, applied to Earth’s mantle dynamics.

This presentation focused on the objectives and the stages of the project, in detail. The equipment which was designed and built for the experimental part of the project was also described and examples were presented.

The presentation can be viewed HERE
Figure 3 shows the experimental microwave system at INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca and IPGP Paris.

Figure 3.The microwave experimental system at INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca and IPGP Paris.
 
RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 4, September 27, 2012

Patent pending (RO) A_00567-30-07-2012 : “Device for connecting a photo camera to a microwave power treatment chamber for taking the real time images of the processed samples”
(DISPOZITIV PENTRU CONECTAREA UNUI APARAT FOTOGRAFIC LA O INCINTA DE TRATAMENT IN CAMP DE MICROUNDE DE PUTERE PENTRU PRELUAREA IN TIMP REAL A IMAGINILOR PROBEI PROCESATE)
Autors: Emanoil Surducan, Vasile Surducan

Poster presented at the 8 th INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP OF ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY, CEM 2012 Sibiu - Romania ,
27 September – 29 September, 2012

Title “Characterization of the microwaves levels in the proximity of one scientific microwaves power experimental setup for the user biological protection purpose”

Autors: Emanoil Surducan, Vasile Surducan, Camelia Neamtu, Angela Limare, Dana Dabala

 
RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 5, October 2012

10-12 October 2012, Third bilateral meeting (FR-RO) at INCDTIM Cluj Napoca, Romania
Participants : Angela Limare (FR) , Erica di Giuseppe (FR), Romanian team;

Objective: Tests of the microwaves experimental configuration with a new homogenizer to improve the uniformity of internal heating; Analyze the changes suggested by the French team after first testing of the uniform internal heating and top cooling.

Results:
- Tests of the microwaves power distribution;
- Analyzing and re-design of the microwaves filter access to the photo camera in order to adapt the angle of view with the Canon EOS-600 and the EFS 18-55mm lens;
- Analyzing and re-design the razor LASER beam support in order to perform the beam slide to cover half of the probe volume;
- Analyzing the possibilities to improve the uniformity of internal heating.

 
RESULTS OF PHASE #1, Step 6, November 2012

5-9 November 2012: Fourth bilateral meeting (FR-RO) at IPGP Paris, France

Participants : Emanoil Surducan (RO) , Camelia Neamtu (RO), France team;

Objective: Preparing the microwaves unit for the French team with the changes analyzed on the previous meeting; operational tests of the microwaves unit.
Results:
- Adding to the microwave unit a new LASER razor beam support with sliding capabilities of 150mm, along the lateral side;
- Adding a new microwave-optical filter with improved viewing angle (better than 70o);
- Adding a new component (microwaves “photonic crystal”) in the microwaves homogenizer system;
-Adding a microwaves absorber filter on the lateral openings for hoses and thermal transducers access ;
- Measurements of the environmental electromagnetic pollution with the new added parts on the microwaves unit; the measured values where in the biological protection limits, (30 time less than International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection limits);
- Testing the temperature distribution at the top and the bottom of the agar probe, for uniformity of the internal heating evaluation;
- Implementing a method for the internal heating uniformity control on the base of microwaves “photonic crystal”;
- Preparing a method for the viscous samples thermal analysis using the IR photo camera;
- Identifying a hidden defect on the high voltage magnetron power supply;
- Analyze of the future experimental setup:
- same arrangement, two liquid layers,
- to ad to the probe ensemble a new heating device at the bottom surface;
- to design a specific door ensemble for hoses access.