Dielectric properties of agricultural products

Abstract

Dielectric properties of materials are defined, and the importance and usefulness of the dielectric properties of agricultural products are discussed briefly, pointing out their use in the rapid sensing and measurement of moisture content in grain and seed and in governing the behavior of materials subjected to RF and microwave electric fields for dielectric heating applications. Sources of information on the dielectric properties of such products are provided, and values of the dielectric constants and loss factors are presented graphically for a few products, including grain, fruit, and poultry products. These examples provide information not only on typical values of the dielectric properties, but also on their dependence on such variables as frequency of the alternating electric fields applied, moisture content, and temperature of the products.