System and method for reducing moisture in materials or plants using microwave radiation and RF energy

A system for reducing moisture of a material or plant, the system comprising:

• an enclosure for heating and/or drying the material or plant enclosed therein;
• a vertical track mechanism for situating the material or plant vertically;
• a microwave delivery device interior to or adjacent to the enclosure, the device delivering microwave radiation to heat and vaporize moisture of the material or plant over a pre-determined period of time of a heating cycle;
• a radio-frequency emitter positioned interior to or adjacent to the enclosure, the emitter being configured to volumetrically heat at least a portion of the material or plant, wherein emitted radio-frequency (RF) energy is combinable with the microwave radiation to reduce a moisture content level of the 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 time interval within the heating cycle, the delivery of microwave radiation being interrupted or combined with radio-frequency heating during the time interval, the radio-frequency emitter reducing the moisture content level of the material or plant.

A method for reducing moisture of a material or plant comprising:

• delivering microwave energy emitted from a waveguide into a first chamber, the microwave energy being dispersed into the first chamber;
• delivering microwave or RF energy from the first chamber to a second chamber situated proximate to a zone of energy delivery;
• delivering microwave or RF energy from the second chamber to the zone of energy delivery, the material or plant being suspended vertically using a vertical feed mechanism and being located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery, the microwave energy being combinable with the RF energy;
• and
• irradiating a portion of the material or plant located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery with microwave, the microwave reducing the moisture of the material or plant until the material or plant reaches a predetermined moisture content level.

A system for reducing a moisture content level of a material or plant 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 or RF delivery device that delivers microwave or RF energy from the first chamber to a second chamber, the second chamber being situated proximate to a zone of energy delivery;
• a vertical track mechanism for affixing the material or plant vertically within a drying enclosure, the material or plant being located within or proximate to the zone of energy delivery, the material or plant being irradiated with the microwave energy, the microwave energy reducing the moisture content level of the material;
• a spinning mechanism for spinning the material or plant 360° while vertically affixed via the vertical track mechanism;
• and
• a moisture control device that determines the moisture content level of the material or plant.