| abstract |
The method and associated apparatus for recovering fractions from hydrocarbon material, comprising the steps of generating electromagnetic energy generally in the frequency range of from about 300 megahertz to about 300 gigahertz, in accordance with the lossiness of the material, transmitting the generated electromagnetic energy to the hydrocarbon material, sensing the temperature of the hydrocarbon material, varying the electromagnetic energy in accordance with the sensed temperature, exposing the hydrocarbon material to the electromagnetic energy for a sufficient period of time to sequentially separate the hydrocarbon material into fractions, and removing the resulting fractions. |