A
rotary machine type
shock wave reactor suitable for thermal
cracking of
hydrocarbon-containing materials includes a casing, a rotor whose periphery contains an axial-flow blade
cascade, and a directing rim, provided with at least two stationary vane cascades, adjoining an axial-flow rotor
cascade, wherein the casing substantially encloses the periphery of the rotor and the directing rim. The cascades are configured to direct feedstock containing process
stream to repeatedly pass the cascades in a
helical trajectory while propagating within the duct between the inlet and exit and to generate stationary shock-
waves to heat the feedstock. The axial-flow rotor
cascade is configured to provide
kinetic energy and add velocity to feedstock containing process
stream, and the stationary vanes located downstream the rotor cascade are configured to reduce the velocity of the
stream and convert
kinetic energy into heat. The reactor may also process
carbohydrate- and
glyceride-based feedstock, and gaseous
biomass matter.