Method for the melting, combustion or incineration of materials and apparatus therefor
US5548611A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/50
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A plasma arc melter which is equipped with at least two transferred arc plasma torches of opposite polarities is used to melt normal batch materials for producing glass, ceramics, refractories and other such materials and for the recycling, combustion and/or vitrifying incineration of waste materials. To enhance the stability of the plasma jets, the anode torch is positioned farther above the surface of the materials being processed than the cathode torch and the materials being processed are introduced into the melter so that the materials first pass beneath the cathode torch. An oxidizing gas can be introduced into the zone between the torches in the region of the plasma jets to enhance the combustion process. For waste materials with a high organic content, a plasma arc afterburner can be used to further treat the exhaust gases from the melter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.