Microwave pyrolysis reactor

Abstract

The present invention provides a microwave pyrolysis reactor () comprising an inner pipe element () and a housing (), wherein the inner pipe element () is made of a microwave transparent material and comprises a first open end () and a second open end (); the housing () comprises a first inner surface, enclosing an annular space () around the inner pipe element (), a waste inlet (), a solids outlet (), a gas outlet (), an inert gas inlet () and a port () for a microwave waveguide (), the waste inlet and the solids outlet are in communication with the first open end and the second open end of the inner pipe element, respectively, and the port for a microwave waveguide is in communication with the annular space; and wherein the inner pipe element is arranged with the first open end at a higher vertical level than the second open end, such that a material entering the waste inlet during use is transported through the inner pipe element, from the first open end to the second open end, by gravity; and wherein the gas outlet () is arranged upstream the first open end of the inner pipe element and downstream the waste inlet of the housing, and the inert gas inlet () is arranged to provide an inert gas into the annular space () during use.