Abstract: A process for recovering an oil from a tar sand, including the steps of drying the tar sand to produce a dried tar sand, mixing the dried tar sand with a microwave absorbent to produce a mixed sand, and cracking the mixed sand with microwaves to produce an oil vapor product containing the oil.

Abstract: A system and method for destruction of energetic compounds, medical wastes and unwanted pharmaceuticals using microwave energy. Waste materials are first mixed into a dilute water solution, slurry or emulsion. The dilute waste flows to a first microwave reactor containing silicon carbide. The silicon carbide absorbs the microwave energy, heats and vaporizes the liquid. The vapor flows to a second microwave reactor containing silicon carbide and an oxidation catalyst. Air is added and the waste portion of the vapor is oxidized to carbon dioxide. Water is recovered in a condenser and recycled. Carbon dioxide and remaining air is vented. Solid organic wastes such as contaminated disposable gloves and towels are gasified in a first microwave reactor with air and oxidized in the second microwave reactor.

Abstract: A process for recovering an oil from a tar sand, including the steps of drying the tar sand to produce a dried tar sand, mixing the dried tar sand with a microwave absorbent to produce a mixed sand, and cracking the mixed sand with microwaves to produce an oil vapor product containing the oil.