A step ahead on efficient microwave heating for kaolinite

Abstract

[EN] The thermal evolution of kaolin clay under microwave radiation shows an unexpected large heating rate up to 500 degrees C/min for temperatures > 650 degrees C. Such heating rate is associated with a resistivity drop of > 10(3) Omega.m observed after the dehydroxylation process of the kaolin structure. The high efficiency of the microwave heating effect is correlated with the presence of surface carriers that absorbs microwaves electromagnetic field. The layered structure of the clay-based materials allows the appearance of charge carriers at the surface of the crystal lattice that is electromagnetically activated. This effect represents a breakthrough in the efficient use of microwaves energy in order to produce efficient thermal treatments in large volume of non-metallic minerals with a drastic reduction of the greenhouse gasses for mass production industries.