Abstract: Apparatus and method for the pyrolysis of waste material which is not itself susceptible to heating by microwave radiation. The method comprises:(a) contacting the waste material, under an atmosphere wherein flame generation is substantially prevented, with a bed of pulverulent carbonaceous material (such as pulverised scrap tires) which is susceptible to heating by microwave irradiation; and(b) heating the pulverulent material by means of microwave irradiation so as to transfer thermal energy from the pulverulent material to the waste material and cause substantial pyrolysis of the waste material.

Abstract: A method of producing active carbon by microwave-induced pyrolysis of a carbonaceous material in an atmosphere wherein flame generation is prevented. The resulting product is treated with an acid to wash out sulphur or metal values and then activated with superheated steam and/or carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: The organic material (such as waste tire compound) is pyrolysed by pre-heating the organic material (without pyrolysis) in a preheat zone 9 by a hot gas stream; feeding pre-heated material directly to a microwave discharge zone 10 by means of conveyor 8; pyrolysing the pre-heated material in the microwave discharge zone to produce solid fission products containing elemental carbon and gaseous by-products; and recycling at least some of the latter to the hot gas stream which is supplied to the pre-heating zone.

Abstract: The macromolecular waste (which is not itself susceptible to microwave heating and may be, for example, plastics or polychlorinated biphenyl) is mixed (B) with pulverulent carbonaceous material, which comprises elemental carbon or is degradable by microwave irradiation to elemental carbon (such as waste tire material). The mix is subjected to microwave irradiation (C) in an inert atmosphere to cause pyrolysis of the plastics. Preferably part of the resulting solids is recycled to the microwave zone (C).

Abstract: The organic material (such as waste tire compound) is pyrolyzed by pre-heating the organic material (without pyrolysis) in a preheat zone 9 by a hot gas stream; feeding pre-heated material directly to a microwave discharge zone 10 by means of conveyor 8; pyrolyzing the pre-heated material in the microwave discharge zone to produce solid fission products containing elemental carbon and gaseous by-products; and recycling at least some of the latter to the hot gas stream which is supplied to the pre-heating zone.

Abstract: Orthopedic structures are prepared from a thermal softening resin (e.g. polycaprolactone) impregnated large mesh knit fabric carrier having relatively large diameter strands and having a relatively high weight ratio of the polycaprolactone or equivalent resin composition to the fabric carrier. The impregnated fabric can be formed in rolls which may be warmed above the softening temperature of the resin. The thermally softened impregnated fabric becomes highly flexible and pliant and may then be wrapped in multiple layers about the limb to be immobilized. The large knit fabric carrier allows for twisting of the fabric, forming and reforming, so as to obtain the desired shape and degree of support. The overlapping layers of impregnated fabric bond to each other during wrapping and whereafter the impregnated fabric rapidly cools to a hard structurally stable cast, which is porous so as to minimize maceration or other deleterious skin conditions from developing.