Solid materials may be processed using shockwaves produced in a supersonic gaseous vortex. A high]velocity stream of gas may be introduced into a reactor. The reactor may have a chamber a solid material inlet a gas inlet and an outlet. The high]velocity stream of gas may be introduced into the chamber of the reactor through the gas inlet. The high]velocity stream of gas may effectuate a supersonic gaseous vortex within the chamber. The reactor may be configured to facilitate chemical reactions and/or comminution of solid feed material using tensive forces of shockwaves created in the supersonic gaseous vortex within the chamber. Solid material may be fed into the chamber through the solid material inlet. The solid material may be processed within the chamber by nonabrasive mechanisms facilitated by the shockwaves within the chamber. The processed material that is communicated through the outlet of the reactor may be collected.
