Thermal analysis of vermiculite using microwave heating

Abstract

This paper presents the heating and expansion analysis of vermiculite by using microwave energy. The heating process takes place within a waveguide where the sample can be exposed to a single-mode up to 3 kW. The importance of vermiculite and its applications are described, as well as the design of the waveguide. Themographic data is presented in order to analyze and compare the heating process with the use of different power values in a range from 50 W to 400 W. The heating and measurement setup are displayed in the results. The methodology applied shows that this process is viable and can provide good and fast processing of vermiculite grains.