The processing of PFAS to convert them into safer substances comprises introducing gaseous or vapour phase PFAS into a treatment zone where microwave radiation of predetermined frequency and power level creates a plasma which at least partially dissociates the PFAS. There is also a system for remediating particulate solids, particularly soil, contaminated with PFAS, the method including directing microwave radiation to a body of particulate solids in the closed vessel so as to promote vaporization of PFAS which are then treated by exposure to the microwave produced plasma. Continuous and batch processing apparatus are disclosed. A preheating stage can dry the particulate solids to a pre-determined moisture content, and then a higher energy microwave heating promotes vaporization of PFAS. A partial vacuum created where particulate solids heated by the microwave radiation are yielding up PFAS promotes the vaporization of PFAS. Alternating cycles of high pressure during microwave irradiation and low pressure or partial vacuum can avoid plasma generation in the heating stage while optimizing vaporization of PFAS from the particulate solids.

Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

An apparatus for direct reduction of iron ore in a solid state including a pre-heating furnace for pre-heating iron ore fragments and biomass in briquettes of these materials to a temperature in the range of 400-900° C.; and a reduction assembly for briquettes from the pre-heating furnace. The reduction assembly includes a reaction chamber, a source of electromagnetic energy in the form of microwave energy, a wave guide for transferring microwave energy to the chamber for heating and reducing iron ore in briquettes from the pre-heating furnace, with biomass acting as a reductant, a source of an inert gas, pipework for supplying the inert gas to the chamber to maintain the chamber under anoxic conditions, and an outlet for discharging an offgas and any retained particulates that are generated in the chamber.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for heating a fluid or other material. The apparatuses may include a container (e.g., tube) in which a susceptor material is disposed. The susceptor material may convert microwave energy to heat, which may increase the temperature of a fluid or material in or adjacent the tube.

A door assembly for a microwave reactor including a microwave waveguide to direct microwaves from an external microwave source to inside the microwave reactor, and having a waveguide interface for preventing backflow of a process gas into the waveguide; an inlet for entry of matter to be treated in the microwave reactor; a first seal at the periphery of the door assembly to sealably interface with a static front of the microwave reactor; a second seal inserted into a groove on an inside face of the door assembly to sealably interface with an opening of a microwave reactor drum, the groove having a width of about 12.9 inches (32.766 cm) divided by an integer, and the second seal configured to prevent solids and liquids from flowing outside of the reactor drum; and a ring choke to contact a choke arranged on the periphery of the opening of the reactor drum.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a housing for a source assembly. In an embodiment, the housing comprises a conductive body with a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a plurality of openings through a thickness of the conductive body between the first surface and the second surface. In an embodiment, the housing further comprises a channel into the first surface of the conductive body, and a cover over the channel. In an embodiment, a first stem over the cover extends away from the first surface, and a second stem over the cover extends away from the first surface. In an embodiment, the first stem and the second stem open into the channel.

A substrate processing technology including: transferring a substrate to a process chamber and mounting the substrate on a substrate holder; heating the substrate with a heating device to perform predetermined substrate processing; determining the number of times of the predetermined substrate processing that has been performed that the predetermined substrate processing has been performed a preset number of times or more, determining whether it is necessary to adjust a mounting position at which the substrate is mounted on the substrate holder; and when it is determined that a mounting position adjustment is necessary, determining the mounting position by comparing the substrate temperature measured at the performing the predetermined substrate processing with a premeasured temperature of the substrate which corresponds to the mounting position and is stored in a memory.

A fast annealing equipment is applicable to the annealing treatment of silicon carbide wafers. The fast annealing equipment comprises a variable frequency microwave power source system, a resonant chamber heating system and a measurement and control system. The variable frequency microwave power source system uses a solid state power amplifier and has the flexibility of fast frequency sweep during heat treatment to compensate for resonant frequency changes due to load effect caused by temperature changes in a material to be annealed. In order to improve an energy efficiency and provide a sufficient microwave energy uniform area, the TM.sub.010 resonant chamber structure can be used to anneal 4-inch to 8-inch silicon carbide wafers. The measurement and control system combines software and hardware to form an automatic system with instant feedback to provide further flexibility, stability and reliability for the entire equipment.

An electromagnetic heating reactor for heating a fluid stream contained within a supply conduit that is microwave and/or radio frequency, RF, transparent or substantially or partially transparent, in a microwave enclosure formed substantially of a conducting material. The cross-section area of the enclosure is not constant transverse to the fluid conduit and in which the fluid is continuously moved through the cavity to increase the temperature.

Inventive techniques for forming unique compositions of matter are disclosed, as well as various advantageous physical characteristics, and associated properties of the resultant materials. In particular, metal(s) (including various alloys, such as Inconel superalloys) are characterized by having carbon disposed within the metal lattice structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 15 wt % to about 90 wt %. The carbon, moreover, forms non-polar covalent bonds with both metal atoms of the lattice and other carbon atoms present in the lattice. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein. In some approaches, the composition of matter may be powderized, or the powder may be pelletized.