Establishing isokinetic flow for a plasma torch exhaust gas diagnostic for a plasma hearth furnace
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
Real time monitoring of toxic metallic effluents in confined gas streams can be accomplished through use of Microwave Induced Plasmas to perform atomic emission spectroscopy, For this diagnostic to be viable it is necessary that it sample from the flowstream of interest in an isokinetic manner. A method of isokinetic sampling was established for this device for use in the exhaust system of a plasma hearth vitrification furnace. The flow and entrained particulate environment were simulated in the laboratory setting using a variable flow duct of the same dimensions (8-inch diameter, schedule 40) as that in the field and was loaded with similar particulate (less than 10 μm in diameter) of lake bed soil typically used in the vitrification process. The flow from the furnace was assumed to be straight flow. To reproduce this effect a flow straightener was installed in the device. An isokinetic sampling train was designed to include the plasma torch, with microwave power input operating at 2.45 GHz, to match local freestream velocities between 800 and 2400 ft/sec. The isokinetic sampling system worked as planned and the plasma torch had no difficulty operating at the required flowrates. Simulation of the particulate suspension was also successful. Steady particle feeds were maintained over long periods of time and the plasma diagnostic responded as expected.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76OR00033
- OSTI ID:
- 582269
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/OR/00033-T744; ON: DE97053621; TRN: 98:001551
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); PBD: May 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Use of emission spectroscopy as a tool for optimization of plasma hearth operation for hazardous waste thermal treatment
Off gas measurements from a plasma arc treatment facility