System and method of removing moisture from fibrous or porous materials using microwave radiation and RF energy

A system for reducing moisture of at least a portion of a plant, flower or material, the system comprising:

• an enclosure for heating and drying the portion of the plant, flower or material enclosed therein;
• a microwave delivery device interior to the enclosure and directed toward the portion of the plant, flower, or material, the device delivering microwave radiation to heat and vaporize moisture within the portion of the plant, flower, or material over a pre-determined period of time of a heating cycle, the microwave delivery device comprising at least two chambers lined with a dielectric layer;
• a radio-frequency emitter positioned adjacent the device, the emitter being configured to volumetrically heat at least the portion of the plant, flower, or material, wherein emitted radio-frequency energy is combinable with the microwave radiation in at least one of the two chambers to reduce a moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material;
• and
• a power supply operatively connected to the radio-frequency emitter, the power supply being configured to energize the radio-frequency emitter for a first time interval of the heating cycle, the delivery of microwave radiation being interrupted or combined with radio-frequency heating during the first time interval, the radio-frequency emitter equalizing and drawing moisture that comprises water and/or oil to an outer surface of the portion of the plant, flower or material, thereby reducing the moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material, and enabling extraction of any drawn oil.

A method for reducing moisture of at least a portion of a plant, flower, or material comprising:

• delivering microwave energy emitted from a waveguide into a first chamber comprising dielectric on its inner walls, the microwave energy being dispersed into the first chamber;
• delivering microwave energy optionally combinable with RF energy from the first chamber to a second chamber, the second chamber being situated proximate to a zone of energy delivery, the RF energy equalizing a moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, and/or material;
• delivering the microwave energy from the second chamber to the zone of energy delivery, the portion of the plant, flower, or material being located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery, the microwave energy being optionally combinable with RF energy;
• and
• irradiating a portion of the material located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery with microwave energy, the microwave energy reducing the moisture within the portion of the plant, flower, or material, until the moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material reaches a predetermined moisture content level, the moisture comprising water and/or oil that is drawn to an outer surface of the portion of the plant, flower, or material during a heating cycle, thereby enabling extraction of any drawn oil.

A system for reducing a moisture content level of at least a portion of a plant, flower, or material comprising:

• a first microwave delivery device that delivers microwave energy emitted from a waveguide into a first chamber, the microwave energy being dispersed into the first chamber;
• a second microwave delivery device that delivers microwave energy from the first chamber to a second chamber, the second chamber being situated proximate to a zone of energy delivery, the microwave energy being optionally combinable with RF energy;
• louvers having variable openings permitting transmittal of the microwave energy from the second chamber to the zone of energy delivery, the portion of the plant, flower, or material being located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery, the portion of the plant, flower, or material being irradiated with the microwave energy within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery, the microwave energy reducing the moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material until the moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material reaches a predetermined moisture level, wherein moisture comprising water and/or oil is drawn to an outer surface of the portion of the plant, flower or material during a heating cycle, thereby enabling extraction of any drawn oil;
• and
• a moisture control device that determines the moisture content level of the portion of the plant, flower, or material.