normal - Jenoptik AG

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Cornelia Ehrler
Together with researchers at the Friedrich Schiller University of
Jena, Jenoptik has developed an exhaust purification system that
uses microwave radiation to obtain a higher efficiency than any
other system on the market.
The link between
Popcorn and
Microwave radiation is an essential part of our everyday lives
today. Discovered accidentally in the 1940’s during a military
radar research project, the use of microwaves in ovens was
initially restricted to commercial kitchens, then later entered
private households, profoundly influencing the culinary culture
of the industrial nations. Foods can be quickly and easily heated
and reheated, whether they’re the leftovers from Sunday’s grill or
the Chinese food in the refrigerator. And what would the home
theater experience be without microwave popcorn? And by the
way: popcorn was a decisive influence on the development of
microwave technology. It was the first food prepared specifically
in this manner – as a test in the military research lab.
In addition to the food industry, other industrial sectors also make
use of microwave technology, which converts electromagnetic
energy into heat. Especially the plastics processing industry has
used the advantages of heating by microwave radiation since the
late 1960’s. Many polymers have a very low heat conductivity,
so conventional methods for heating plastic surfaces can be very
time-consuming. time-consuming But microwaves microwaves, thanks tto
their long wavelength,
penetrate deep into polymers and heat them from the
inside – regardless of their heat conductivity and without heating
the furnace or its vicinity. That saves time and is more energyefficient.
Microwave radiation for purification of air.
It is precisely this feature of microwave radiation that has been
recently used by Jenoptik for industrial exhaust purification. Systems
for exhaust purification have been developed and manufactured
by Jenoptik for the last ten years, rounding out the laser
system portfolio for material processing.
This type of purification system is essential for every process in
material processing that produces volatile organic compounds
like dust or vapor, or that uses solvents. They filter hazardous
materials out of the exhaust air and ensure that clean air is used
in production.