The plasma arc torch -- its electrical and thermal characteristics
- Plasma Technology Corp., Raleigh, NC (United States)
The plasma arc torch is a very effective heating device. Plasma arc heating technology is very appropriate and essential for product manufacture and for remediating and protecting the environment. The plasma torch initiates and maintains a length of arc column, similar to a lightning bolt, and the electrically-conducting column is used in the conversion of electricity into heat energy. The format of the heat energy delivery is a low-mass, high-enthalpy gas. Heat energy is delivered by the plasma torch with a minimum of mass -- only about 2--3% of the mass delivery from a combustion heater that is delivering the same heat enthalpy. This virtually mass-less heat is ideal for promoting very rapid physical changes and chemical changes in the material being heated. It is ideal for the pyrolysis (or gasification) of organic materials and for the vitrification (or melting) of inorganic materials -- processes that are desirable for new product manufacture and for environmental remediation and protection. Plasma arc heating technology has been perfected by industry during the last 20--30 years, and the industrial sector today is employing this unique heating source in product manufacture and, lately, in environmental remediation and protection processes. It is a cost-effective industrial heat source. The primary objective of this paper is to familiarize one with plasma heaters and their operating characteristics. The essential elements of the plasma arc torch: electrodes, insulators, gas injectors, water-cooling, electrical connectors, etc., are described and the electrical and thermal characteristics of this novel heating device are highlighted. An overview of today`s employment of plasma heating technology and a sample of some of today`s applications of the technology in the industrial sector in the United States and around the world are presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 186815
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9510125-; TRN: IM9609%%87
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International symposium on environmental technologies: plasma systems and applications, Atlanta, GA (United States), 8-11 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the international symposium on environmental technologies: Plasma systems and applications. Volume 1; Mayne, P.W.; Mulholland, J.A. [eds.] [Georgia Inst. of Tech., Atlanta, GA (United States)]; PB: 335 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The plasma torch for the vitrification of low-level radioactive waste
The PRISM concept