Method for controlling microwave heating systems

Abstract

A method for processing articles using a microwave heating system includes obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article using the microwave heating system. The operating profile includes a temperature-time profile for a target F 0 value and a group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the group of set point values including a target for a control parameter of the microwave heating system. Using a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, the microwave heating system is operated in accordance with the group of set point values such that each of the articles achieves an F 0 value that is greater than or equal to the target F 0 value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing articles, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article in a liquid-filled microwave heating system, the operating profile including a temperature-time profile for a target F 0  value and a group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the group of set point values including a target for a control parameter of the microwave heating system;   (b) using a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, operating the microwave heating system by:
 (i) passing a carrier loaded with a plurality of articles of the type of article corresponding to the operating profile through a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber along a convey line such that the plurality of articles are submerged in a liquid medium within the microwave heating chamber, and 
 (ii) while passing the carrier through the microwave heating chamber, discharging microwave energy into the microwave heating chamber, the microwave energy used to heat the plurality of articles; and 
   (c) removing the plurality of articles from the microwave heating system,   wherein operating the microwave heating system results in each of the plurality of articles achieving an F 0  value that is greater than or equal to the target F 0  value.