Abstract: An apparatus for thermochemical conversion of solid carbonaceous materials into fluid fuels using a fluid source of oxygen and an external source of concentrated radiation includes a reactor having a wall defining a cavity; a radiation inlet positioned in the wall for passing concentrated radiation into the cavity; and at least one inlet for introducing a fluid reactant flow of a source of oxygen and particles of carbonaceous material into direct exposure to the concentrated radiation in the cavity so as to heat and thermochemically convert the particles into fluid fuel. A process and system are also provided. The fluid source of oxygen is preferably steam and the carbonaceous material is preferably particles of petcoke.

Abstract: A process for thermochemical conversion of heavy oil and petroleum coke to fluid fuels includes the steps of: providing a fossil fuel selected from the group consisting of heavy oil, petroleum coke and mixtures thereof; and exposing the fossil fuel to an external source of concentrated radiation so as to increase the temperature of the fossil fuel, supply high-temperature heat required for the desired endothermic conversion process, and convert the fossil fuel to a product selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for thermochemical conversion of heavy oil and petroleum coke to fluid fuels includes the steps of: providing a fossil fuel selected from the group consisting of heavy oil, petroleum coke and mixtures thereof; and exposing the fossil fuel to an external source of concentrated radiation so as to increase the temperature of the fossil fuel, supply high-temperature heat required for the desired endothermic conversion process, and convert the fossil fuel to a product selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.