The Process Overview

Pre Process
At the beginning of the process the feedstock material gets shredded, mixed with the catalyst and subsequently pressed into pellets 2 x 20 mm under high pressure. If necessary, a dryer will be used to adjust the humidity of the material to the optimal level.

Reactor Process

The prepared pellets subsequently enter the Microfuel™ Reactor where they are heated in an anaerobic atmosphere with pulsed microwaves of over 350 kW to about 300°C. The microwave is heating occurs very homogenously without any local temperature peaks. The impact of the strong microwave radiation on the compressed reaction material causes an accelerated heat build-up in the dielectrically strong reacting catalyst and, through a surface reaction, breaks up the organic molecules in the reaction mass. The catalytic
effectiveness of the used molecular sieve supports a spontaneous cracking process and consequently the separation of the hydrocarbons.

Energy Converted by Microwave

The use of pulsed microwave as a highly efficient energy supply is an exceptionally environmentally friendly method to heat the reaction mass in a homogeneous way. The hybrid design of the energy supply uses the available heat from the included combined heat and power (CHP) system to preheat the feedstock and the radiation power of the microwaves for the short term heating up to reaction temperature.

The microwave radiation penetrates the materials without any wear and tear of the generators, due to the contact-less nature of the method. The long life magnetrons are maintenance-free over their complete life span of more than 10.000 hours. Their replacement is very cost-efficient and required only approx. every 18 months. Against wide spread belief energy application by microwave radiation has a very high degree of efficiency. Because of the predetermined bundling of the radiation power industrial microwave applications are not comparable with units known from household use.

The reactor is equipped with a complete electromagnetic shielding and avoids, through an additional housing of the whole unit, any hazardous microwave leakage or scattered radiation. The implemented safety precautions fulfill all technical requirements.