On the electromagnetic heating of low loss materials using induction coils

A sheath helix model is used to develop a complete wave solution for the electric and magnetic fields associated with a long solenoid wound on an arbitrary cylindrical core and the solution is used to investigate the induction heating of low loss dielectric materials. It is shown that efficient and uniform heating of low loss cores at low frequencies is possible even though the eddy current heating usually associated with an induction-coil is negligible in these cases. The theoretical results have been experimentally verified and various samples of wood, concrete and different grades of Athabasca oil sand have been successfully heated. Potential applications in the areas of construction, food processing, medicine and hydrocarbon resource recovery are suggested.