Patent ID: 7927465
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: A62D,B01J,B03B,B09B,C08J,C10B,C10G,H05B,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A process for reducing an organic-containing material into lower molecular weight gaseous hydrocarbons, liquid hydrocarbons and solid carbon constituents, comprising the steps of: transporting a purge gas from a purge gas generator to provide said purge gas to a microwave applicator during an initial purge cycle, and over said organic material under reduction during operation; purging an infeed system for said organic-containing material with a non-flammable blanketing purge gas, said infeed system selected from the group consisting of a purged sliding shutter assembly and a multiple chamber rotary airlock system; feeding a sample of said organic-containing material into said infeed system and onto a closed mesh transporting means with raised sides; transferring said material on said closed mesh transporting means into at least one microwave applicator; transporting said purge gas into said at least one applicator in a pressurized state above local atmospheric pressure to insure that no air migrates into said at least one microwave applicator during reduction of said material which might cause a fire or explosion hazard; transporting said purge gas to pressurized quartz window assemblies at an end of each waveguide leading into said at least one microwave applicator; exposing said material in said at least one microwave applicator to at least two sources of microwaves from a bifurcated waveguide for a period of time sufficient to volumetrically reduce said material into said constituents, a frequency of said microwaves between approximately 894 MHz and approximately 1000 MHz, said microwaves having at least 600 kW of microwave energy and without an external heat source, monitoring said microwaves by use of a directional coupler system, which monitors forward and reflected power; closing an applicator discharge valve at an applicator exit controllable at between 50 to 100% of stroke to control pressure, temperature and residence time of said organic-containing material in said at least one applicator; purging an outfeed system for said organic-containing material with a non-flammable blanketing purge gas, said outfeed system selected from the group consisting of a purged sliding shutter assembly and a multiple chamber rotary airlock system; removing said volumetrically reduced sample from said closed-mesh transporting means after passage from said outfeed system; collecting gaseous byproduct constituents from said volumetrically reduced sample in said microwave applicator; and exposing said collected gaseous byproduct constituents to a condensor for a sufficient time to allow condensables in said gaseous byproduct constituents to form a liquid.