US 12,281,013 B2
Microwave reactor system enclosing a self-igniting plasma
David Tanner, Yuba City, CA (US); Daniel Cook, Woodside, CA (US); Bryce H. Anzelmo, Mountain View, CA (US); Ranjeeth Kalluri, Fremont, CA (US); and Michael W. Stowell, Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Assigned to Lyten, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Lyten, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/008,401.
Application 17/008,401 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/283,234, filed on Feb. 22, 2019, granted, now 10,781,103.
Application 16/283,234 is a continuation of application No. 15/725,928, filed on Oct. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,308,512, issued on Jun. 4, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/406,745, filed on Oct. 11, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/404,851, filed on Oct. 6, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0053829 A1, Feb. 25, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C01B 32/05 (2017.01); B01J 8/00 (2006.01); B01J 19/12 (2006.01); H01J 37/32 (2006.01); B01D 46/00 (2022.01)
CPC C01B 32/05 (2017.08) [B01J 8/0055 (2013.01); B01J 19/126 (2013.01); H01J 37/32192 (2013.01); H01J 37/32229 (2013.01); B01D 46/00 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0886 (2013.01); B01J 2219/0894 (2013.01); B01J 2219/1209 (2013.01); B01J 2219/1248 (2013.01); B01J 2219/1269 (2013.01); B01J 2219/1296 (2013.01); C01P 2004/61 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reactor system comprising:
a microwave energy source configured to generate a microwave energy;
a field-enhancing waveguide (FEWG) coupled to the microwave energy source, the FEWG including a field-enhancing zone having a cross-sectional area that decreases along a length of the FEWG, the field-enhancing zone comprising:
a supply gas inlet configured to receive a supply gas;
a reaction zone configured to generate a plasma in response to excitation of the supply gas by the microwave energy;
a process inlet configured to inject a raw material into the reaction zone; and
a constricted region configured to retain at least some of the generated plasma within the reaction zone, the constricted region further configured to combine the plasma and the raw material in response to microwave energy within the constricted region;
an expansion chamber in fluid communication with the constricted region and configured to expand the plasma; and
an outlet configured to output a plurality of carbon-inclusive particles derived from the expanded plasma and the raw material.