ELECTROMAGNETIC TREATMENT OF CONTAMINATED MATERIALS

摘要

A method for separating a hydrocarbon content from a hydrocarbon contaminated matrix is disclosed. The method comprises controlling a water content of a feed material comprising the hydrocarbon contaminated matrix; continuously conveying the feed material into a treatment cavity (3), exposing the feed material in a treatment area (8) of the treatment cavity to microwave radiation arranged to cause rapid heating of at least a portion of the water content to form steam, wherein the rapid steam formation results in thermal desorption of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon content from the matrix; and continuously removing the treated matrix from the treatment cavity.