Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising either a gasification step or a pyrolysis step to produce an offgas and a non-airborne, solid char material; followed by a a plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating spent pot liner material (SPL) containing carbon and/or an inorganic material, the method comprising: providing a plasma furnace having first and second electrodes for generating plasma and a crucible having a non-electrically conductive inner surface, heating the SPL material in the crucible in the presence of a flux material and an oxidant by passing an arc between the first and second electrodes via the SPL material to form a molten slag material and convert at least some of the carbon in the SPL material to CO and/or CO2 and/or incorporate at least some of the inorganic material into the molten slag material.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A plasma arc reactor and process for producing a powder from a solid feed material, for example aluminium, is provided. The reactor comprises: (a) a first electrode (5), (b) a second electrode (10) which is adapted to be spaced apart from the first electrode by a distance sufficient to achieve a plasma arc therebetween, (c) means for introducing a plasma gas into the space between the first and second electrodes, (d) means for generating a plasma arc in the space between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode has a channel (7) running therethrough, an outlet of the channel exiting into the space between the first and second electrodes, and wherein means are provided for feeding solid material (20) through the channel to exit therefrom via the outlet into the space between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a powder dispenser portion with an outlet port which opens into a loading chamber. A slide gate valve assembly selectively closes the port and a disc valve assembly is provided above the slide gate valve assembly. Containers are loaded into the loading chamber and are located beneath the port and are then purged with inert gas. The slide gate valve assembly and disc valve assembly are then opened to allow container to be filled with ultra fine powder.

Abstract: A twin plasma torch assembly includes two plasma torch assemblies supported in a housing. Each of the two plasma torch assemblies has an electrodes. Plasma gas is introduced into a processing zone around the two electrodes. A shroud gas is introduced to surround the plasma. A feed tube is provided to supply feed material to the processor.