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.

Provided herein are high energy ion beam generator systems and methods that provide low cost, high performance, robust, consistent, uniform, low gas consumption and high current/high-moderate voltage generation of neutrons and protons. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale generation of neutrons and protons for a wide variety of research, medical, security, and industrial processes.

An apparatus for treating gaseous pollutant with plasma comprises a microwave source generating a microwave oscillation; a waveguide component coupled to the microwave source; and a resonant cavity coupled to the waveguide component, the microwave oscillation is substantially propagated toward a waveguide direction, the resonant cavity comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, the waveguide direction is substantially parallel to a reference axis defined in the first chamber, the first chamber has an inner wall surrounding the reference axis, the inner wall comprises a first inner wall obliquely inclined toward the reference axis and a second inner wall substantially parallel in respect to the reference axis relatively, an area of the first inner wall is larger than that of the second inner wall so that the first chamber has a tapered space, and the microwave oscillation interacts with an ignition gas in the second chamber to generate a torch.

Plasma generators and methods of generating plasma are disclosed. Electrodes in a reaction zone are energized by a high voltage power source that is electrically insulated from the electrodes. A first conductor array, preferably a coil, is electrically coupled to the power source and electrically insulated from the electrodes. A second conductor array, preferably a coaxial coil nested within the first conductor array, is electrically coupled to the electrodes. Electromagnetic induction between the first conductor array and the second conductor array is used to energize the electrodes and generate a plasma in the reaction zone. One or more microwaves are further directed at the plasma to form microwave plasma, either in parallel or in series. Such plasmas are used to reform a hydrocarbon feedstock into low C hydrocarbons, carbon, or hydrogen. Plasma generators combining induction plasma with serial microwave plasmas are further contemplated.

The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of this gas processing system.

Plasma generators and methods of generating plasma are disclosed. Electrodes in a reaction zone are energized by a high voltage power source that is electrically insulated from the electrodes. A first conductor array, preferably a coil, is electrically coupled to the power source and electrically insulated from the electrodes. A second conductor array, preferably a coaxial coil nested within the first conductor array, is electrically coupled to the electrodes. Electromagnetic induction between the first conductor array and the second conductor array is used to energize the electrodes and generate a plasma in the reaction zone. One or more microwaves are further directed at the plasma to form microwave plasma, either in parallel or in series. Such plasmas are used to reform a hydrocarbon feedstock into low C hydrocarbons, carbon, or hydrogen. Plasma generators combining induction plasma with serial microwave plasmas are further contemplated.

The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of this gas processing system.

Described is an apparatus for guiding an electromagnetic microwave, having: antenna surrounding walls, which define an interior space so as to surround therein at least an end region of an antenna of a microwave source, in particular laterally annularly as well as frontally; waveguide boundary walls, at least two of which are arranged in parallel to each other, wherein the waveguide boundary walls form a, in particular cuboid-shaped, waveguide having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein a cross-sectional plane is defined by a first direction that extends along a longitudinal direction of the antenna and a second direction that extends perpendicularly to the first direction, wherein it holds: 25>a/b>3, wherein a: is a width of the waveguide along the second direction, b: is a height of the waveguide along the first direction, wherein the apparatus is designed to let proceed a microwave from the interior space of the antenna surrounding walls into the waveguide.

The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a waveguide; a plasma cavity coupled to the waveguide and configured to generate a plasma therewithin by use of microwave energy; a hollow cylinder protruding from a wall of the waveguide and having a bottom cap that has an aperture; a detection unit for receiving the light emitted by the plasma through the aperture and configured to measure intensities of the light in an ultraviolet (UV) range and an infrared (IR) range; and a controller for controlling the detection unit.

An apparatus for melting metals whose melting temperature is below 1000° C. may have a device for forming a plasma arranged on a melting furnace. The device is connected to an electrical voltage supply and to the device at least one first supply for a plasma gas, with which the plasma can be formed, and is designed, dimensioned, arranged and/or aligned in such a way that the formed plasma is arranged at a distance from the metal as the material to be melted, and in this case a hot gas stream can be formed with the plasma, which hot gas stream is aligned in the direction of the material to be melted, and a melting tank or crucible is arranged in the melting furnace to receive the molten metal.