An improved heating process for chemical reaction vessels employing microwave energy

A method and apparatus is provided for heating a reaction vessel for use in industrial applications. The apparatus includes a microwave generating device coupled to a waveguide having a means for causing multiple microwave propagation modes prior to directing the microwave into the reaction vessel. The waveguide is mounted to the reaction vessel and directs the microwave in an inclined-angular fashion, thereby generating a helical reflection pattern within the vessel's interior and providing a uniform heating of said interior. An isolation means is also provided, positioned between the microwave generating device and the reaction vessel, which incorporates a quartz window and a sealing means capable of compensating for any disparity in thermal expansion coefficients between the quartz and the material used to house the quartz.