Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method of processing hydrocarbons includes feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock into a reaction tube positioned within an opening of a waveguide, feeding a process gas into the reaction tube, receiving microwaves in the waveguide from a microwave generator, propagating microwave energy from the waveguide into the reaction tube to cause the formation of a first plasma in the reaction tube, that causes the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream comprising a fuel product. The method also includes periodically, without stopping the propagation of microwave energy into the reaction tube, delivering a cleaning gas comprising oxygen. The method may also include forming a second plasma in the reaction tube, from the cleaning gas that causes burning off of a carbon residue film from the reaction tube; extracting the cleaning gas from the product stream; and delivering the extracted cleaning gas to the cleaning gas source.

Abstract: A system for processing hydrocarbon materials, comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock source; a process gas source; a waveguide; and a reaction tube structure. The process gas source comprises one or more sources of gases selected from the group consisting of helium, argon, krypton, neon, xenon, methane, propane, butane, ethane, acetylene, propylene, butylene, ethylene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The waveguide comprises a lateral portion comprising housing having a first end portion configured to be connected to a microwave generator, a closed opposite end portion, a primary axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a central portion having an opening, wherein the central portion has a depth that is smaller than a corresponding depth of the first end portion and the second end portion, and a coaxial portion having a first end portion connected to the opening and a lateral dimension that is perpendicular to the primary axis.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydrocarbon material processing system includes feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock from a hydrocarbon feedstock source into a reaction tube positioned within an opening of a waveguide, feeding a process gas from a process gas source into the reaction tube, receiving microwaves in the waveguide from a microwave generator, energy from the waveguide in the reaction tube to cause the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream comprising a fuel product. The method also includes periodically delivering a cleaning gas into the reaction tube, without stopping the propagation of the energy and without pausing the feeding of the hydrocarbon feedstock and the process gas into the reaction tube.

Abstract: A system for processing hydrocarbon materials includes a waveguide having a lateral portion comprising housing having a first end portion configured to be connected to an energy generator, a closed opposite end portion, a primary axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a central portion having a circular opening. A reaction tube structure comprising an outer wall made of a dielectric material is positioned in or connected to the opening of the waveguide. When hydrocarbon feedstock and process gas are fed into the reaction tube structure and energy is received in the waveguide, energy is propagated to the reaction tube structure to form a plasma within the reaction tube structure and cause the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream.