Abstract: A method of processing a reaction product generated from a plasma-based reactive process includes: supplying a first electromagnetic energy to a flowing primary gaseous feed material, such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is excited by the supplied first electromagnetic energy into a first plasma within a first plasma zone, and such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is converted to a first plasma zone-conditioned product while flowing through the first plasma and the first plasma zone-conditioned product is flowed to a downstream reaction zone. A second gaseous material is then introduced to the downstream reaction zone. The first plasma zone-conditioned product is contacted with the second gaseous material within the downstream reaction zone.

Abstract: There is provided a method of processing a reaction product generated from a plasma-based reactive process within a material processing zone of a reactor. The method includes supplying a first electromagnetic energy, from a first energy source, to a flowing primary gaseous feed material, such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is excited by the supplied first electromagnetic energy into a first plasma within a first plasma zone, and such that at least a fraction of the flowing primary gaseous feed material is converted to a first plasma zone-conditioned product while flowing through the first plasma and the first plasma zone-conditioned product is flowed to a downstream reaction zone, wherein the flowing of the first plasma zone-conditioned product is effected through a fluid passage that effects fluid communication between the first plasma zone and the downstream reaction zone. A second gaseous material is then introduced to the downstream reaction zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the microwave treatment of a class of selected metal ores and concentrates, particularly those known as chalcopyrite, in a fluidized bed reactor. The end product is commonly a mixture of copper oxide and copper sulfate, both of which are liquid soluble and directly recoverable by known techniques. The ratio of the oxide-sulfate mixture end product may be controlled by suitable control of microwave parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing carbonaceous ores to assist in the recovery of metals is provided. The method includes the steps of heating a bed of carbonaceous ore in the reaction chamber of a reactor vessel, using microwave energy to initiate and sustain oxidation of the carbonaceous ore within the bed into carbon dioxide, controlling the inflow of oxygen into the reaction chamber to provide sufficient oxygen to maintain the reaction C+O2?CO2, and monitoring the depletion of carbon from the carbonaceous ore.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes the steps of passing microwave energy through a sulfidic material comprising arsenopyrite and pyrite to reduce at least most of the arsenopyrite to arsenic sulfide and form a calcine, the material being positioned in a reaction chamber of a reactor vessel and removing the arsenic sulfide from the calcine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various sets of unit operations for treating aqueous effluents and logic for designing and effecting the treatment. The unit operations include stabilization of subterranean waters, sequential oxidation steps to alter selected target materials, oxidation to break up emulsions prior to removal of the emulsion components, and intense oxidation to break up difficult-to-remove organic target materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of reducing carbon levels in fly ash. The method comprises the steps of: (a) placing the fly ash in a microwave reactor; (b) exposing said fly ash to microwave radiation in the presence of carbon-free material so as to raise its temperature to at least 600° C. while agitating the fly ash in the presence of oxygen; and; (c) terminating exposure of said fly ash to said microwave radiation when the carbon content of the fly ash falls below a predetermined value. The method is also used to reduce ammonia levels in fly ash.

Abstract: A method of reducing mercury levels in a mercury contaminated material using microwave energy. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing the mercury contaminated material in a microwave reactor; (b) providing a stream of gas in the microwave reactor, the stream causing agitation of the mercury contaminated material; and (c) exposing the mercury contaminated material to microwave radiation so as to raise the temperature to at least 357° C., producing a vapour phase which contains mercury and a treated material. The method also allows for a simultaneous reduction of mercury and carbon levels in the material to be treated as well as the use of a carbon-free material in the reactor.