Microwaves disinfection of farmland. Issue 16 (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spanu, Michele; Fanti, Alessandro; Bruno Lodi, Matteo; Casu, Sergio; Desogus, Francesco; Bisceglia, Bruno; Mazzarella, Giuseppe
• Is Part Of: Journal of electromagnetic waves and applications. Volume 30:Issue 16(2016)
• Page Start: 2165
• Page End: 2173
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Microwave -- farmland disinfection -- dielectric properties of soil -- heat transfer -- soil health -- bio-agriculture -- bacterial disinfection; Electromagnetic waves -- Periodicals; Electromagnetic devices -- Periodicals; 621.3
• DOI: 10.1080/09205071.2016.1249802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0920-5071

Abstract

Abstract: This work focuses on the heat transfer dynamics in agricultural soils when exposed to microwave fields, in order to disinfect them and to eliminate dangerous organisms without using pesticides. The work manages with the use of a horn antenna to irradiate the superficial layer of soils and so to eliminate harmful bio-agents within a fixed depth. The soil was approximated using a transmission line model. Considering the dielectric constant of the ground as a function of the soil water content, it was possible to evaluate the power absorbed by the irradiated ground and the temperature increase and its profile depending on the irradiation time. Since the latter information is strictly connected to the heat transfer process occurring in the system, we demonstrated the feasibility of the methodology here proposed to achieve difficult conditions for microbial and pathogens life, leading to an effective disinfection of the treated farmland.