Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for converting a feed, such as a carbonaceous waste, to dissolved atomic constituents for subsequent oxidation of the dissolved atomic constituents. The feed is injected into a molten bath which, at a sufficient temperature, causes conversion of essentially all of the feed to its atomic constituents, such as atomic carbon. Essentially all of the atomic constituents which are to be oxidized in the molten bath dissolve in the molten bath. An oxidant is injected into the molten bath at a rate sufficient to cause the oxidant to exothermically react with the dissolved atomic constituents to heat at least a portion of the molten bath.

Abstract: Organic waste is treated in a molten metal bath to sequentially form enriched hydrogen gas and carbon oxide gas streams. The method includes introducing organic waste to a molten metal bath in the absence of a separate oxidizing agent and under conditions that will decompose the organic waste. As a consequence of this decomposition, an enriched hydrogen gas stream is generated and the molten metal bath becomes carbonized. Thereafter, an oxidizing agent is added to the carbonized molten metal bath to oxidize the carbon contained in the carbonized molten metal bath. Reaction of the oxidizing agent with the carbon causes formation of a carbon oxide that escapes from the bath as an enriched carbon oxide gas stream, thereby decarbonizing the molten metal bath.