Waste feed material, such as Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR) feed material, that includes
hydrocarbon materials and
inorganic materials is processed using photolysis. A reactor includes a chamber that receives waste feed material including a majority of
hydrocarbon material after the substantial removal of inorganic material including metals and minerals. A photonic illumination or photolysis module irradiates the feed material within the chamber of the reactor to decompose the
hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon materials within the waste feed material into gases and / or carbonaceous solids. A mechanical movement unit moves the waste feed material within the chamber of the reactor to facilitate
exposure of different portions of the feed material to
irradiation within the chamber during
system operation. A pre-treatment module substantially removes the contained metals and minerals in the
waste material from the hydrocarbon material fed to the reactor.