Strayfield RF Heating & Drying – A proven technology refined through innovation
Strayfield is a global leader in advanced Radio Frequency (equipment) and thermal processing machinery, boasting thousands of machines on six continents that can achieve maximum results with reduced costs. With an impressive range from 1.5 to 600 kW output ratings – each complete with the option for computer control or even mobile app integration – Strayfield’s RF equipment ensures reliability and flexibility anytime you need it!
How Strayfield Technology Works
RF Mechanism
The RF heating mechanism is based on the dielectric properties of the material being processed. Dielectric properties are the electrical properties of the material that determine how well it interacts with electromagnetic energy. Materials with a high dielectric loss factor, such as water and many organic materials, are particularly suitable for RF heating and drying technology. When RF energy is applied to the material, the oscillating electrical field causes the molecules in the material to constantly re-align with the field. This re-alignment generates heat due to molecular friction.
Water and organic materials interact well with RF energy because they have high dielectric loss properties. This is because water and organic materials have polar molecules (shown in adjacent image), meaning they have a positive and negative end. When the electric field of the RF energy is applied to these materials, it causes the molecules to rotate rapidly, which generates heat due to molecular friction. This frictional heat causes the material to heat up and dry.
Put simply, Dielectric loss is the measure of the ability of a material to convert the energy of an electromagnetic field into heat.
RF Drying Mechanism
RF drying works by heating the material and evaporating the moisture within it. As the material heats up, the moisture within it begins to evaporate, and the vapor is removed by an air flow. The process can be accelerated by creating a vacuum or by reducing the relative humidity of the air flow. The rate of drying depends on several factors, such as the moisture content of the material, the temperature, and the airflow.
RF Mechanism
The RF heating mechanism is based on the dielectric properties of the material being processed. Dielectric properties are the electrical properties of the material that determine how well it interacts with electromagnetic energy. Materials with a high dielectric loss factor, such as water and many organic materials, are particularly suitable for RF heating and drying. When RF energy is applied to the material, the oscillating electrical field causes the molecules in the material to constantly re-align with the field. This re-alignment generates heat due to molecular friction.
Water and organic materials interact well with RF energy because they have high dielectric loss properties. This is because water and organic materials have polar molecules (shown in adjacent image), meaning they have a positive and negative end. When the electric field of the RF energy is applied to these materials, it causes the molecules to rotate rapidly, which generates heat due to molecular friction. This frictional heat causes the material to heat up and dry.
Put simply, Dielectric loss is the measure of the ability of a material to convert the energy of an electromagnetic field into heat.
RF Drying Mechanism
RF drying works by heating the material and evaporating the moisture within it. As the material heats up, the moisture within it begins to evaporate, and the vapor is removed by an air flow. The process can be accelerated by creating a vacuum or by reducing the relative humidity of the air flow. The rate of drying depends on several factors, such as the moisture content of the material, the temperature, and the airflow.
Technology Advantages
- Achieve Uniform Heating and Drying by heating the entire cross-section of the product at the same rate. Reducing total drying time and improving product quality through a reduction in exposure time.
- High depth of penetration as compared to microwave heating
- Targeted heating of water molecules that ensures economic drying of materials that even exhibit thermally insulating properties, that are extremely hard to heat and dry through conventional means
- Achieve high rate of productivity with continuous flow lines
- Profiles moisture through the product cross-section ensuring uniformity in dryness.
- Significantly reduces energy consumption by targeting only water molecules during the heating process
- Reduction in floor space as lower residence times are needed
- Extremely safe to operate as the technology does not operate at very high temperatures.
- Fossil fuel and chemical free. Compliant with long-term ESG mandates.
Strayfield Advantages
- Energy efficiency: Highest energy efficiency in the industry
- Filtered Oscillator design: Strayfield is the only manufacturer of industrial Radio frequency heating and drying machines with a filtered oscillator design that adheres to EN55011 and is truly CE compliant
- Double electrode balanced output: Isolated energy in the area of application that minimises the return current paths through the structure of the machine, thereby reducing RF emissions and improving efficiency.
- Automatically adjusting electrodes that ensure controlled power and unmatched arc suppression
- Flat electrodes: Lower power density as opposed to rod electrodes, ensuring uniform and gentle heating & drying
- Dual Extraction Design
RF Heating & Drying Applications
Our expertise and technology has been implemented on 4000+
installations across various industries.
Textile
- Elimination of dye migration & yellowing
- 100% consistency in moisture profiling
- 30% more economical than traditional drying methods
Post-Baking
- Up to 40% more yield with the existing oven size
- Elimination of product checking
- Minimal moisture variation across the product
Latex and Foam
- Complete removal of product yellowing
- 50% more yield for faster time to market
- 100% consistency: delivering desired moisture and quality across the product
Defrosting and Thawing
- Virtually no drip loss
- Near 100% temperature consistency across the product profile
- Significant reduction in bacterial growth & propagation
RF Heating & Drying Applications
RF heating refers to the process of using radiofrequency (RF) energy to generate heat in a target material or substance. RF heating involves the application of high-frequency electromagnetic energy, to induce molecular or atomic vibrations within the material. These vibrations generate friction and heat, leading to a rise in temperature.
RF heating offers several benefits:
- Efficiency: It efficiently converts electrical energy into heat energy, reducing waste and costs.
- Rapid and Uniform Heating: It provides fast and uniform heating, reducing processing times.
- Selective Heating: It can heat specific materials or regions without affecting surrounding areas.
- Non-contact Heating: It doesn’t require physical contact, eliminating contamination or damage risks.
- Versatility: It can be applied to various materials and shapes.
- Temperature Control: It allows for precise temperature control, preventing overheating or damage.
- Safety: It is safe when precautions are taken, minimizing risks associated with other methods.
Overall, RF heating offers efficient, controlled, and versatile heating solutions in different industries.
RF energy can be used to heat a wide range of materials, including plastics, rubber, textiles, wood, paper, and food products. The specific material properties will determine the effectiveness of RF heating.
RF drying, also known as radiofrequency drying, refers to the process of utilizing radiofrequency (RF) energy to remove moisture from materials or products. It is a method of drying that harnesses electromagnetic energy in the RF range to generate heat through intermolecular vibrations within the material, leading to the evaporation of moisture.
RF drying can offer several benefits over other drying methods, including faster drying times, more uniform drying, and better preservation of the material’s quality. It can also be used to dry materials that are difficult to dry with other methods.
