DC plasma arc melter technology for waste vitrification

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:186816

Hamilton, R A; Wittle, J K ^[1]; Trescot, J ^[2]

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1. Electro-Pyrolysis, Inc., Wayne, PA (United States)
2. Kennedy Van Saun, Danville, PA (United States)

This paper describes the features and benefits of a breakthrough DC Arc Melter for the permanent treatment of all types of solid wastes including nonhazardous, hazardous and radioactive. This DC Arc Furnace system, now commercially available, is the low cost permanent solution for solid waste pollution prevention and remediation. Concern over the effective disposal of wastes generated by the industrial society, worldwide, has prompted development of technologies to address the problem. For the most part these technologies have resulted in niche solutions with limited application. The only solution that has the ability to process almost all wastes, and to recover/recycle metallic and inorganic matter, is the group of technologies known as melters. Melters have distinct advantages over traditional technologies such as incineration because melters operate at higher temperatures, are relatively unaffected by changes in the waste stream, produce a vitrified stable product, and have the capability to recover/recycle slag, metals and gas. The system, DC Plasma Arc Melter, has the lowest capital, maintenance and operating cost of any melter technology because of its patented DC Plasma Arc with graphite electrode. DC Plasma Arc Melter systems are commercially available in sizes from 50 kg/batch or 250--3,000 kg/hr on a continuous feed basis. This paper examines the design and operating benefits of a DC Plasma Arc Melter System.

• OSTI ID: 186816
• Report Number(s): CONF-9510125--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
CERAMIC MELTERS
DC SYSTEMS
DESIGN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
OXIDATION
PLASMA FURNACES
PLASMA HEATING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RECYCLING
REDUCTION
SOLID WASTES
VITRIFICATION