Method and system for controlling a microwave-assisted treatment

A microwave system for performing a microwave-assisted treatment, the system comprising:

• a microwave cavity for receiving an initial substance having a given composition, the microwave being operatively connected to at least a microwave source for propagating microwaves into the microwave cavity according to given operation parameters to obtain a treated substance;
• a separator fluidly connected to the microwave cavity for receiving at least a part of the treated substance therefrom, removing a contaminant from the at least a part of the treated substance to obtain a separated substance and injecting the separated substance into the microwave cavity;
• a source of a given element fluidly connected to the microwave cavity for injecting the given element into the microwave cavity, the given element comprising one of a catalyst, a microwave receptor, a reagent and an additive;
• a coefficient sensor for measuring a complex reflection coefficient of the microwave system;
• at least one operation sensor for measuring operation parameters of the microwave system;
• and
• a controller for:
• comparing the measured complex reflection coefficient to a target coefficient value for the given composition of the initial substance and for the given operation parameters;
• when the measured complex reflection coefficient is different from the target coefficient value, controlling the at least one operation sensor for measuring the operation parameters of the microwave system;
• comparing the measured operation parameters to the given operation parameters;
• when the measured operation parameters correspond to the given operation parameters, at least one of:
• removing a contaminant from the at least a part of the treated substance prior to said injecting the at least a part of the treated substance into the microwave cavity;
• and
• varying a quantity of the given element within the microwave cavity.

A method for detecting a failure in a microwave system comprising at least a microwave cavity and a microwave source during a microwave-assisted treatment of a mixture, the method comprising:

• injecting an initial substance having a given composition into the microwave cavity;
• propagating microwaves into the microwave cavity, thereby obtaining a treated substance;
• measuring a complex reflection coefficient of a microwave system at different points in time, the microwave system comprising the microwave cavity and at least a microwave source;
• determining a rate of change of the measured complex reflection coefficient;
• comparing the determined rate of change to a threshold value for the given composition;
• and
• when the determined rate of change is above the threshold value, triggering an alarm.

A microwave system for performing a microwave-assisted treatment, the system comprising:

• a microwave cavity for receiving an initial substance having a given composition, the microwave being operatively connected to at least a microwave source for propagating microwaves into the microwave cavity to obtained a treated substance;
• a coefficient sensor for measuring a complex reflection coefficient of the microwave system at different points in time;
• and
• a controller for:
• determining a rate of change of the measured complex reflection coefficient;
• comparing the determined rate of change to a threshold value for the given composition;
• and
• when the determined rate of change is above the threshold value, triggering an alarm.