Previous in Forum: Gateway Energy Meters   Next in Forum: Conduit for Substation Through Concrete Trench
Close
Close
Close
6 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Negros, Philippines
Posts: 376
Good Answers: 25

Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/07/2016 9:51 PM

I'm working on a system for thermally destroying hazardous waste. I've settled on the use of plasma to do this. Plasma torches come in various varieties, the main divisor being how the plasma is generated and energy imparted to it. Here I've settled on a non-transferred DC arc as the source.

One idea that is mentioned in a Wiki article, but not explained in detail, is that of operating DC torches in pairs - one acting as the anode and the other as the cathode. This seems to fit my purpose perfectly, as I really need a "flame" that extends laterally with more or less constant intensity. This should also reduce heat losses to the coolant, as each torch acts as if it were producing a transferred DC arc, though in this case it is transferred to another torch rather than to the work.

Unfortunately, there is no explanation of how the torches are configured, how the arc is started, and so on, and no references available to me to refer to. I'm looking for either a reachable reference or a general description of how these things work.

Register to Reply
User-tagged by 1 user
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#1

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/07/2016 10:36 PM

This has been done and is being done by several companies already...They are not cheap to build or operate...We have pilot projects here in Florida that have been operating for years...Tons of R&D work has been done, and pilot projects to destroy chemical weapons and all manner of waste products....The technology as a whole struggles to be profitable and/or cost effective....

https://waste-management-world.com/a/plasma-gasification-clean-renewable-fuel-through-vaporization-of-waste

http://www.pyrogenesis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10.-2009-07-ISPC-19-3D-Modeling-of-DC-Plasma-Torch-Paper.pdf

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Negros, Philippines
Posts: 376
Good Answers: 25
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/07/2016 11:07 PM

The PDF will be very useful, even though it doesn't directly answer my question. Thanks!

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#3
In reply to #2

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/08/2016 1:18 AM
__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Negros, Philippines
Posts: 376
Good Answers: 25
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/08/2016 3:59 AM

Fascinating. There's been a lot of development since the developments I was monitoring in Canada years ago.

Looks like the commercial waste disposal units are all DC arc systems, which seems to confirm that choice.

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#5
In reply to #4

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

03/08/2016 8:29 PM

Yeah, it would be nice to see companies forced to dispose of their toxic and hazardous waste in this manner, rather than injection wells...

https://www.propublica.org/article/injection-wells-the-poison-beneath-us

http://www.pollutionsolutions-online.com/news/green-energy/42/breaking_news/meet_joseph_longos_revolutionary_plasma_converter/34134/

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply
Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Negros, Philippines
Posts: 376
Good Answers: 25
#6
In reply to #5

Re: Plasma Torches in Anode-Cathode Pairs

06/15/2016 9:17 PM

My guess is they would prefer it, but in most areas a plasma torch is called an "incinerator," and they are often banned or severely regulated...by people who don't understand the difference between pyrolysis and incineration.

Register to Reply
Register to Reply 6 comments

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!

Previous in Forum: Gateway Energy Meters   Next in Forum: Conduit for Substation Through Concrete Trench

Advertisement