Microwave treatment

Technology
Technology details
Name:	Microwave pre-treatment
Category:
Feedstock:	Food and kitchen waste (lignocellulosic materials), Garden and park waste (lignocellulosic materials)
Product:	Fermentable sugar

For microwave treatment electromagnetic radiation is utilised to induce thermal and non-thermal effects that drive physical, chemical or biological reactions. The technology is usually utilised in food drying or to break down the structure of lignocellulosic biomass leading to the release of different substances (e.g. fermentable sugar).

Feedstock

Origin and composition

Lignocellulosic biomass

Pre-treatment

• Sizing
  • Chipping
  • Grinding

Process and technologies

The breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass into its monomers and oligomers is induced via molecular collision due to dielectric polarisation. Compared to other thermal treatments, the technology brings several advantages, such as reduced plant footprint, higher throughput, higher reaction rates, as well as higher yield and purity. However, a disadvantage is the unequal distribution of the applied microwave power through non-homogeneous material (such as differences in composition, geometry, size) as well as local overheating through resonance (electromagnetic wave reflection and formation of standing waves) and low penetration for bulk materials .

The process can also be combined with chemical treatments utilising chemicals such as alkaline (to remove lignin) and acid (to remove hemicellulose) solutions, ammonia, and metal salts.

Product

• Fermentable sugar (e.g. for bio-alcohol production)

Post-treatment

• Industrial fermentation
• Solid state fermentation

Technology providers

Technology comparison

Company name	Country	Technology category	Technology name	TRL	Capacity [kg/h]	Temperature [°C]	Frequency [GHz]	Power [W]	Penetration depth [cm]	Processable volume [L]	Feedstock: Food waste	Feedstock: Garden & park waste
Company 1	[Country HQ location]	[Technology category (if different sub-categories are defined this has to be specified here, the available categories can be found on each technology page under the chapter Process and technologies)]	[Technology name (the "branded name" or the usual naming from company side)]	[4-9]	[numeric value]
Company 2	[Country HQ location]	[(if different sub-categories are defined this has to be specified here, the available categories can be found on each technology page under the chapter Process and technologies)]	[Technology name (the "branded name" or the usual naming from company side)]	[4-9]	[numeric value]							●

Company 1

Microwave treatment provider

General information
Company:
Country:
Contact:
Webpage:
Technology and process details
Technology name:		Technology category:	Pre-processing (Physical processes and technologies), Post-processing (Physical processes and technologies)
TRL:		Capacity:	kg·h-1
Frequency:	GHz	Penetration depth:	cm
Power:	W	Processable volume:	L
Temperature:	°C	Other:
Feedstock and product details
Feedstock:		Product: