Conversion of heavy fossil hydrocarbons (HFH) to a variety of value-added chemicals and/or fuels can be enhanced using microwave (MW) and/or radio-frequency (RE) energy. Variations of reactants, process parameters, and reactor design can significantly influence the relative distribution of chemicals and fuels generated as the product. In one example, a system for flash microwave conversion of HFH includes a source concentrating microwave or RF energy in a reaction zone having a pressure greater than 0.9 atm, a continuous feed having HFH and a process gas passing through the reaction zone, a HFH-to-liquids catalyst contacting the HFH in at least the reaction zone, and dielectric discharges within the reaction zone. The HFH and the catalyst have a residence time in the reaction zone of less than 30 seconds. In some instances, a plasma can form in or near the reaction zone.

Conversion of heavy fossil hydrocarbons (HFH) to a variety of value-added chemicals and/or fuels can be enhanced using microwave (MW) and/or radio-frequency (RF) energy. Variations of reactants, process parameters, and reactor design can significantly influence the relative distribution of chemicals and fuels generated as the product. In one example, a system for flash microwave conversion of HFH includes a source concentrating microwave or RF energy in a reaction zone having a pressure greater than 0.9 atm, a continuous feed having HFH and a process gas passing through the reaction zone, a HFH-to-liquids catalyst contacting the HFH in at least the reaction zone, and dielectric discharges within the reaction zone. The HFH and the catalyst have a residence time in the reaction zone of less than 30 seconds. In some instances, a plasma can form in or near the reaction zone.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under microwave irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, and processes for synthesizing ammonia using the heterogeneous catalysts with microwave irradiation. In various aspects, the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts comprise: a metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, or combinations thereof; a metal oxide support; and optionally a promoter material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A substance treatment apparatus includes an RF signal source, power detection circuitry, a controller, and a transmission path between the RF signal source and a first electrode that radiates electromagnetic energy into a chamber. The RF signal source includes a solid-state amplifier that generates an RF signal. The power detection circuitry detects reflected signal power along the transmission path. Based on the reflected signal power, the controller modifies values of variable components within an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path to adjust a magnitude of the reflected signal power. The impedance matching network may have a double-ended input connected to a balun, and a double-ended output connected to the first electrode and to a second electrode. Alternatively, the impedance matching network may have a single-ended input connected to the RF signal source, and a single-ended output connected to the first electrode. The second electrode may be grounded.

There is provided an apparatus comprising a microwave generator, for heating catalyst material, and an electrochemical pump. A reactive process is catalyzed by the heated catalyst material to produce reaction products, and some of the reaction products are recovered via the electrochemical pump.

In order to suppress discharge of an unreacted content in a chemical reaction apparatus for irradiating a content with microwaves, a chemical reaction apparatus includes: a horizontal flow-type reactor in which a liquid content horizontally flows with an unfilled space being provided thereabove; a microwave generator that generates microwaves; and a waveguide that transmits the microwaves generated by the microwave generator to the unfilled space in the reactor, wherein the inside of the reactor is partitioned into multiple chambers to by overflow-type partition plates and that allow the content to flow thereover and an underflow-type partition plate that allows the content to flow thereunder.

A fluid treatment apparatus is described for the treatment of a fluid substance having multiple component substances to control levels of one or more particular component substances. The apparatus has a reactor chamber; a fluid inlet adapted to provide fluid communication from an external supply of a fluid substance to be treated to said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance may pass into and through said reactor chamber; a fluid outlet adapted to provide a fluid communication from said reactor chamber whereby said fluid substance may pass from said reactor chamber; at least one first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) waveguide, having at least one first waveguide input port operably coupled within said reactor chamber and adapted to couple electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined first wavelength to a fluid substance passing through said reactor chamber. A method for the treatment of a fluid substance is also described.

A vessel system for high-pressure reactions is disclosed. The system includes a plugged polymer cylinder reaction vessel with a pressure vent opening extending radially through the wall of the reaction vessel and a supporting frame into which the vessel is received. Complementing keying structure elements on the vessel and on the frame limit the orientation of the reaction vessel in the supporting frame and the radially extending vent opening to a defined single position.

A plasma treatment apparatus which performs uniform plasma treatment on a liquid. A plasma treatment apparatus includes a coaxial waveguide having an inner conductor, a first outer conductor, and a second outer conductor; a microwave generation unit; an outside tube which is located on the outer side of the first outer conductor and the second outer conductor and which in cooperation with the first outer conductor and the second outer conductor forms a flow path through which a liquid flows; and a plasma generation region. A first protrusion of the first outer conductor and a second protrusion of the second outer conductor face each other in a non-contacting state. The plasma generation region is a region extending along a facing location where the first protrusion of the first outer conductor and the second protrusion of the second outer conductor face each other.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under microwave irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, and processes for synthesizing ammonia using the heterogeneous catalysts with microwave irradiation. In various aspects, the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts comprise: a metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, or combinations thereof; a metal oxide support; and optionally a promoter material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.