Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch for Hazardous Waste Destruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste destruction technologies face inefficiencies in processing liquid and gaseous hazardous waste due to difficulties in mixing these phases with high-temperature, high-velocity plasma gases, leading to reduced thermal performance and increased complexity, especially when dealing with halogenated organic compounds.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the mixing of organic or halogenated organic products with water to achieve stoichiometric ratios, followed by introduction into an inductively coupled plasma torch for initial thermal destruction, and subsequent secondary destruction in a venturi with air or oxygen, allowing for controlled recombination and discharge of non-toxic gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid or gaseous waste is mixed with high-temperature plasma gas in a blown arc plasma torch, then the destruction efficiency is reduced, but the installation size can be kept relatively small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-vaporizing liquid waste in a separate vaporization chamber before introducing it into the plasma torch. This pre-processing step ensures the waste is in the appropriate phase for efficient plasma destruction, eliminating the mixing difficulties that would occur if liquid were introduced directly into the high-velocity plasma gas stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing waste through a central rod or tube that extends into the plasma arc. This intermediary structure provides a protected pathway for waste introduction and ensures proper contact with the plasma zone without requiring complex external mixing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If a gas burner is added for vaporization before the plasma torch, then the destruction efficiency increases, but the process complexity and air supply requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vaporization function from the main plasma torch system and places it in a separate, dedicated vaporization chamber. This separation allows the plasma torch to focus solely on the high-temperature destruction function while the vaporization chamber handles phase change, simplifying the overall control and reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple functions in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the waste treatment process into distinct stages: vaporization in a separate chamber, then plasma destruction in the torch. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture compared to attempting to combine vaporization and plasma generation in a single complex system.
3Productivity
If magnetic field technology is used to stabilize the electric arc, then the destruction capability is improved, but the electrical energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the plasma torch to generate and maintain its own arc stability through the natural interaction of the electric arc with the plasma gas flow and the geometry of the electrodes. The system uses the energy already present in the plasma process itself to maintain arc stability rather than requiring additional external magnetic field energy input.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pyrolysis is used without oxygen addition, then the electrical energy consumption is reduced, but highly reducing gases are produced that require additional burning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the oxygen content in the plasma gas mixture. By adjusting the ratio of oxygen to other gases in the plasma feed, the system optimizes the balance between complete oxidation (which would require more energy) and controlled partial oxidation (which eliminates reducing gases while maintaining energy efficiency). This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve near-complete destruction without producing harmful reducing emissions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves high destruction efficiency (>99.995%) with reduced installation size, safe handling of toxic products, and flexible processing of complex mixtures, meeting European Community standards for zero toxic emissions.
Implementation Method 1
introduction into an inductively coupled plasma torch for initial thermal destruction
Implementation Method 2
using an inductively coupled plasma
Implementation Method 3
initial thermal destruction, and subsequent secondary destruction
Implementation Method 4
subsequent secondary destruction in a venturi with air or oxygen
Implementation Method 5
controlled recombination and discharge of non-toxic gases
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a process for the destruction of toxic or hazardous chemical products using inductively coupled plasma. These products may occur in liquid, gaseous or powder form and belong to the family of organic or halogenated organic compounds.