(29f) Microwave Assist Technology for Chemical Processing

Microwaves are being used to assist chemical processes, with surprising results, including super-fast reactions and new compounds. Many discoveries have been limited to laboratory scale work, waiting on appropriate industrial microwave equipment. The need for equipment and process development to occur in concert is now being addressed. This talk focuses on the scale-up and commercialization of microwave assisted processes and equipment. New commercially available equipment will be described, including microwave autoclaves, and microwave assist kilns. A review of important applications relevant to diverse industries will be given. These include catalysts, pharmaceuticals, proppants, additives, electroceramics, and nanomaterials. Several examples will be discussed in detail, including 1) calcination reactions using Microwave Assist Technology (MAT) and 2) precious metal reclamation with microwave autoclaves.