(EP490934-A1)      Method and appts. comprises (a) continuously feeding a stream of organic material into a microwave chamber, (b) maintaining a reducing atmosphere in the chamber, (c) subjecting the material to microwave radiation and (d) continuously withdrawing gaseous and solid products from the chamber, including (e) monitoring the surface temp. of the material and (f) subjecting the material to sufficient microwave radiation to breakdown longer chain molecules in the material.    The amt. of microwave energy is controlled by one or more of (i) the power input to the microwave generator, (ii) the number of microwave generators, (iii) the focus of the microwave generators, (iv) the orientation of the microwave generators, (v) the shape of the microwave chamber, (vi) the speed of the material through the chamber and/or (vi) the length of the chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A wide variety of organic materials can be treated by controlled reduction with microwave energy for controlling toxicity, for recycling purposes and for various processing purposes, in a reducing atmos. The material may consist of tyres, municipal garbage or oil shale, in the presence of inert or reducing gases.    (EP490934-B1)      Method and appts. comprises (a) continuously feeding a stream of organic material into a microwave chamber, (b) maintaining a reducing atmosphere in the chamber, (c) subjecting the material to microwave radiation and (d) continuously withdrawing gaseous and solid products from the chamber, including (e) monitoring the surface temp. of the material and (f) subjecting the material to sufficient microwave radiation to breakdown longer chain molecules in the material.    The amt. of microwave energy is controlled by one or more of (i) the power input to the microwave generator, (ii) the number of microwave generators, (iii) the focus of the microwave generators, (iv) the orientation of the microwave generators, (v) the shape of the microwave chamber, (vi) the speed of the material through the chamber and/or (vi) the length of the chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A wide variety of organic materials can be treated by controlled reduction with microwave energy for controlling toxicity, for recycling purposes and for various processing purposes, in a reducing atmosphere. The material may consist of tyres, municipal garbage or oil shale, in the presence of inert or reducing gases.