Systems and processes for use in heating articles include passing a carrier loaded with an article through a vessel inlet and into a first vessel portion and moving the loaded carrier in a first direction through the first vessel portion away from the inlet. During at least a portion of the movement through the first vessel portion, the article is contacted with a first fluid medium. The loaded carrier is moved carrier in a second direction opposite the first direction through a second vessel portion toward a vessel outlet. During at least a portion of the movement through the second vessel portion, the articles is contacted with a second fluid medium. In certain implementations, each of the first direction and the second direction are vertical.

A microwave enhanced air disinfection (MEAD) device includes a housing and a microwave generator coupled to the housing. The microwave generator is configured to generate microwave energy. The MEAD device further includes a multi-component filter disposed in the housing. The multi-component filter is configured to collect contaminants from airflow. At least a portion of the contaminants from the airflow is to be destroyed at least one of directly or indirectly via the microwave energy.

A method includes identifying a schedule to operate a microwave enhanced air disinfection (MEAD) system and causing, based on the schedule, intermittent generation of microwave energy by a microwave generator of the MEAD system. A multi-component filter disposed in a housing of the MEAD system is configured to collect contaminants from airflow through the housing. At least a portion of the contaminants from the airflow is to be destroyed at least one of directly or indirectly via the microwave energy.

A method for processing articles using a microwave heating system includes obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article using the microwave heating system. The operating profile includes a temperature-time profile for a target F.sub.0 value and a group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the group of set point values including a target for a control parameter of the microwave heating system. Using a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, the microwave heating system is operated in accordance with the group of set point values such that each of the articles achieves an F.sub.0 value that is greater than or equal to the target F.sub.0 value.

Embodiments disclosed herein include methods and systems for melting or augmenting a melt rate of material in a melter using electromagnetic radiation with a frequency between 0.9 GHz and 10 GHz. In some examples, a power and/or frequency of radiation used may be selected so as to control a temperature of a cold cap in the melter while maintaining emissions from the melter below a threshold level. In this manner, examples described herein may provide for efficient and safe melting and vitrification of radioactive wastes.

The invention provides a heat treatment system (1000) comprising a heat treatment apparatus (1) and a product transport system (200), wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises (i) a duct (100) having a duct axis (110), wherein the duct (100) is configured for holding a liquid (2), and (ii) an RF heating zone (5) comprising a main electrode (410) and a first counter electrode (420) configured for functionally connecting to an RF generator (400) to generate during operation a first electric field (490) in the duct (100) between the main electrode (410) and the first counter electrode (420) parallel to the duct axis (110); the product transport system (200) comprises an electric field guiding element (440) comprising an electrically conductive material (401), wherein the electric field guiding element is configured to be electrically insulated from the electrodes (410, 420) during transport through the duct (100); and the product transport system (200) is configured to transport a product (60) and the electric field guiding element (440) through the duct (100).

A system and method for plasma treatment comprises a radiofrequency chamber, a microwave source configured to provide energy to the radiofrequency chamber, a reaction chamber configured to accept a treatment flow, a plasma dispensation assembly configured in the reaction chamber, the plasma dispensation assembly being powered by energy from the radiofrequency chamber, and a collection chamber for collecting treated material from the reaction chamber. The systems and methods can be used for treatment of various treatment flows.

Methods and systems for melting or augmenting a melt rate of material in a melter using electromagnetic radiation with a frequency between 0.9 GHz and 10 GHz. In some examples, a power and/or frequency of radiation used may be selected so as to control a temperature of a cold cap in the melter while maintaining emissions from the melter below a threshold level. In this manner, examples described herein may provide for efficient and safe melting and vitrification of radioactive wastes.

A treatment system, including at least one of: a solid waste material treatment module with the capabilities of disinfecting, sterilizing and/or destruction of potentially hazardous materials; a liquid waste material treatment module; and, a gaseous waste material treatment module, wherein the solid, liquid and gaseous material treatment modules can be used separately or selectably interconnectable to each other.

A pulsed electromagnetic irradiation system for water treatment including raw water supply unit in fluid communication with a reaction vessel, a multimode cavity in which the reaction vessel is partially positioned. A magnetron generator is positioned adjacent the multimode cavity and is electromagnetically coupled with liquid within the reaction vessel. A stirring motor is positioned adjacent a bottom surface of multimode cavity and operatively coupled with the reaction vessel to stir the liquid within reaction vessel. A parabolic arm air cooled condenser is terminally connected to the reaction vessel to be in fluid communication with the reaction vessel. A gravity vacuum funnel, where the gravity vacuum funnel is in communication with a first air/water cooled condenser. The first air/water cooled condenser outputs fresh water to a fresh water storage unit.