Result description
An innovative microwave-based pellet preheating system that integrates directly into the hopper used in injection molding or extrusion processes. It enables uniform and efficient heating of plastic pellets by creating a microwave resonance cavity inside the hopper, where the electromagnetic field is converted into thermal energy. The system incorporates a dual-valve pneumatic homogenization mechanism that ensures all pellets are exposed evenly to the microwave field, avoiding thermal gradients and enhancing material consistency. This approach reduces energy consumption, improves process control, and minimizes startup waste, making it ideal for industrial polymer processing.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- Use of research Infrastructure
- Collaboration
- Other type of Investment
We are specifically targeting Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), universities, and academic research centers with expertise in polymer processing, microwave technologies, and materials engineering, as well as private investors interested in advanced manufacturing solutions. Our precise needs include:
- Access to research infrastructure for pilot-scale validation and industrial-scale testing of our microwave pellet preheating system.
- Scientific collaboration to further explore and model the energy efficiency and material behavior during microwave exposure.
- Research and Technology Organisations
- Academia/ Universities
- Private Investors
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The microwave-based pellet preheating system has reached Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6), having been successfully validated in a relevant industrial environment under controlled operating conditions. The core functionalities have been demonstrated on a lab-scale prototype using industrial-grade materials and processes.
The microwave-based pellet preheating system has been designed with replicability and scalability at its core. Its modular architecture allows for easy adaptation to a wide range of plastic processing lines, whether in injection molding or extrusion, across various polymer types. The system integrates standard industrial components, microwave generators, stainless steel hoppers, and pneumatic actuators, ensuring it can be manufactured, assembled, and deployed repeatedly with consistent performance. The control logic and heating parameters are digitally standardized, making the technology highly reproducible across different production sites and markets.
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AGRUPACION DE INTERES ECONOMICO
