Microwave chemical processing system having a microwave plasma reactor, and a multi-stage gas-solid separation system are disclosed. The microwave energy source has a waveguide, a reaction zone, and an inlet configured to receive the input material, and the input material is converted into separated components. The separated components include hydrogen gas and carbon particles. The multi-stage gas-solid separation system has a first cyclone separator to filter the carbon particles from the separated components, and a back-pulse filter system coupled to the output of the first cycle separator to filter the carbon particles from the output from the first cyclone separator.

A method of hyperpolarizing diamond particles includes applying a laser to a sample of the diamond particles, irradiating the diamond particles with a sweeping microwave to cause diamond polarization, shuttling the diamond particles through a magnetic field to detect .sup.13C nuclei in the diamond particles, and relaying the diamond polarization to nuclear spins to one of a surrounding solid or fluid.

Synthesizing upconverting nanoparticles includes heating a precursor solution comprising one or more rare earth salts, an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth salt, and a solvent comprising a plasticizer in a microwave reactor to yield a product mixture, and cooling the product mixture to yield the upconverting nanoparticles. Core-shell upconverting nanoparticles are synthesized by combining the upconverting nanoparticles with a precursor solution comprising one or more rare earth salts, an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth salt, and a solvent comprising a plasticizer to yield a nanoparticle mixture, heating the nanoparticle mixture in a microwave reactor to yield a product mixture, and cooling the product mixture to yield the core-shell upconverting nanoparticles.

A Traveling Wave Reactor (TWR) includes an inner microwave-transparent tube including an inlet and an outlet; an outer resonant tube surrounding a section of the microwave-transparent tube; a microwave source operable to provide microwave radiation to the resonant tube, wherein the microwave radiation creates a traveling microwave field in the resonant tube; and a tube rotator operable to rotate the microwave-transparent tube. A method for H.sub.2S treatment includes introducing a gas comprising H.sub.2S into a Traveling Wave Reactor (TWR), wherein the TWR includes a microwave source and a microwave-transparent tube including a catalyst bed; contacting the gas with the catalyst bed; and irradiating the catalyst bed with microwaves emitted by the microwave source, thereby activating a conversion of H.sub.2S.

A method of producing a hydrocarbon fuel from a soapstock includes supplying a pyrolysis reactor that includes a microwave absorbent bed susceptible to microwave irradiation, applying microwave energy to the pyrolysis reactor, wherein the microwave absorbent bed converts the microwave energy to thermal energy, supplying the soapstock to the microwave absorbent bed, and condensing a vapor generated by pyrolysis of the soapstock sufficient to collect the hydrocarbon fuel.

A system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, an ultraviolet light source and a microwave source. The first chamber includes an inlet. The second chamber is adjacent the first chamber and includes an outlet and a waveguide. The ultraviolet light source resides within the waveguide of the second chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

A method and system for utilizing electromagnetic energy of a frequency, and/or multiple frequencies, and higher harmonics of those frequencies to disrupt the normal bonding of the fluid molecules and that of mineral structures within the body of the fluid is disclosed. Electromagnetic signals at a frequency, frequencies, and higher harmonics related to the energy absorption/emission profile of the fluid being treated are directed into the fluid through direct or indirect injection and/or induced coupling. The frequency, frequencies, and higher harmonics of the treatment signal, preferably between 0.1 KHz and 1000 MHz, may be changed if the absorption/emission profile of the fluid changes during treatment.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy or sugary materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

A processing apparatus includes a microwave processing chamber. In addition, the processing apparatus includes a rigid, rotatable feed wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation such that a part of the feed wheel is located within the processing chamber. Further, the processing apparatus includes a feed device configured to deposit materials to be processed onto the feed wheel. Still further, the processing apparatus includes an output into which processed materials from the feed wheel can be deposited.

A method and system for utilizing electromagnetic energy of a frequency, and/or multiple frequencies, and higher harmonics of those frequencies to disrupt the normal bonding of the fluid molecules and that of mineral structures within the body of the fluid is disclosed. Electromagnetic signals at a frequency, frequencies, and higher harmonics related to the energy absorption/emission profile of the fluid being treated are directed into the fluid through direct or indirect injection and/or induced coupling. The frequency, frequencies, and higher harmonics of the treatment signal, preferably between 0.1 KHz and 1000 MHz, may be changed if the absorption/emission profile of the fluid changes during treatment.