Method of operating a centrifugal plasma arc furnace
Abstract
A centrifugal plasma arc furnace is used to vitrify contaminated soils and other waste materials. An assessment of the characteristics of the waste is performed prior to introducing the waste into the furnace. Based on the assessment, a predetermined amount of iron is added to each batch of waste. The waste is melted in an oxidizing atmosphere into a slag. The added iron is oxidized into Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Time of exposure to oxygen is controlled so that the iron does not oxidize into Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Slag in the furnace remains relatively non-viscous and consequently it pours out of the furnace readily. Cooled and solidified slag produced by the furnace is very resistant to groundwater leaching. The slag can be safely buried in the earth without fear of contaminating groundwater. 3 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- MSE Inc
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 597077
- Patent Number(s):
- 5731564
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-596,682; TRN: 98:004641
- Assignee:
- MSE, Inc., Butte, MT (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-88ID12735
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 24 Mar 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 05 NUCLEAR FUELS; ARC FURNACES; PLASMA FURNACES; VITRIFICATION; SOILS; IRON OXIDES; GROUND DISPOSAL; SLAGS; CORROSION RESISTANCE; OPERATION; WASTE PROCESSING
Citation Formats
Kujawa, S T, Battleson, D M, Rademacher, Jr, E L, Cashell, P V, Filius, K D, Flannery, P A, and Whitworth, C G. Method of operating a centrifugal plasma arc furnace. United States: N. p., 1998.
Web.
Kujawa, S T, Battleson, D M, Rademacher, Jr, E L, Cashell, P V, Filius, K D, Flannery, P A, & Whitworth, C G. Method of operating a centrifugal plasma arc furnace. United States.
Kujawa, S T, Battleson, D M, Rademacher, Jr, E L, Cashell, P V, Filius, K D, Flannery, P A, and Whitworth, C G. Tue .
"Method of operating a centrifugal plasma arc furnace". United States.
@article{osti_597077,
title = {Method of operating a centrifugal plasma arc furnace},
author = {Kujawa, S T and Battleson, D M and Rademacher, Jr, E L and Cashell, P V and Filius, K D and Flannery, P A and Whitworth, C G},
abstractNote = {A centrifugal plasma arc furnace is used to vitrify contaminated soils and other waste materials. An assessment of the characteristics of the waste is performed prior to introducing the waste into the furnace. Based on the assessment, a predetermined amount of iron is added to each batch of waste. The waste is melted in an oxidizing atmosphere into a slag. The added iron is oxidized into Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. Time of exposure to oxygen is controlled so that the iron does not oxidize into Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Slag in the furnace remains relatively non-viscous and consequently it pours out of the furnace readily. Cooled and solidified slag produced by the furnace is very resistant to groundwater leaching. The slag can be safely buried in the earth without fear of contaminating groundwater. 3 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EST 1998},
month = {Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EST 1998}
}