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: A method and a system is disclosed for treating a gaseous discharge stream formed from a waste in a molten metal bath. The waste is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath has operating conditions which are sufficient to dissociate the waste and form a gaseous discharge stream including a dissociation product. The gaseous discharge stream is cooled in a cooling section and the dissociation product is separated, as a particulate, from a gaseous component of the gaseous discharge stream. The fluid particulate stream is recirculated to the gaseous discharge stream in a reaction section of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus produce a product in at least one phase from an organic component in a feed gas stream. The method includes forming a process zone including a process molten bath and a process gas space disposed over the process molten bath. Molten droplets of said molten bath are then dispersed across the process gas space. The feed gas stream is then directed into the process gas zone, wherein the organic component is exposed to said molten droplets, thereby converting at least a portion of the organic component to a product in at least one phase.The apparatus of the invention comprises a reactor which includes a gas formation section, having a feed inlet, and means for retaining a solid feed component within the gas formation section. The apparatus also includes a process section, disposed in the reactor, having a process gas space, a gas outlet and a process molten bath disposed therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus producing halogenated products from metal halide feeds. In one embodiment, uranium hexafluoride is treated by separating fluorine from the metal of the uranium hexafluoride. Uranium hexafluoride is introduced into a molten metal bath under conditions whereby the uranium hexafluoride in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen can react to form a uranium dioxide and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is removed from the molten metal bath as a gas stream and the uranium dioxide is discharged as a ceramic phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injecting vaporizable material, such as a vaporizable waste, into a molten bath. A gas is injected into the molten bath at a rate which is sufficient to cause the gas and the molten bath to form a gaseous dispersion. The gas component of the gaseous dispersion occupies a sufficient fraction of said dispersion to cause a significant portion of the vaporizable material, at a rate at which the vaporizable material is injected into the molten bath, to volatilize, combust or decompose during exposure to said gas component. A vaporizable material, such as a particulate solid or hazardous liquid waste, is injected into the gaseous dispersion at a rate which cases a significant portion of the vaporizable material to volatilize, combust or decompose during exposure of said vaporizable material to the gas component of said gaseous dispersion.

Abstract: A method includes organic homologation employing an organic-containing feed. The organic-containing feed is directed into a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath includes a metal which can cause an organic component of the organic-containing feed to homologate and form a homologated organic compound. Operating conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause the organic component to form a homologated organic compound that is discharged from the molten metal bath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a product, such as hydrogen halide gas or sulfuric acid, in a regenerator furnace subsystem from a waste containing a non-gasifiable impurity. The method of the invention includes directing a waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity into a reaction zone, containing a molten metal bath, in a reactor maintained under conditions sufficient to dissociate the waste and to form a gasified feed component and a non-gasifiable impurity. The gasified feed component is then directed from the reactor to a regenerator furnace subsystem, maintained under conditions sufficient to convert the gasified feed component to the desired product.The apparatus of the invention includes a reactor having a waste inlet and a gaseous effluent, a reaction zone containing a molten-metal bath for dissociating the waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity, and forming a gasified feed component, and a lance for injecting the waste into the reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a product, such as hydrogen halide gas or sulfuric acid, in a regenerator furnace subsystem from a waste containing a non-gasifiable impurity. The method of the invention includes directing a waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity into a reaction zone, containing a molten metal bath, in a reactor maintained under conditions sufficient to dissociate the waste and to form a gasified feed component and a non-gasifiable impurity. The gasified feed component is then directed from the reactor to a regenerator furnace subsystem, maintained under conditions sufficient to convert the gasified feed component to the desired product.The apparatus of the invention includes a reactor having a waste inlet and a gaseous effluent, a reaction zone containing a molten-metal bath for dissociating the waste, containing a non-gasifiable impurity, and forming a gasified feed component, and a lance for injecting the waste into the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an unsaturated organic compound from an organic-containing feed. The method includes providing a reactor containing a liquid bath which includes a Bronsted acid that can protonate an organic component of the organic-containing feed. The feed is directed into the liquid bath at a rate which causes the Bronsted acid to protonate the organic component. Conditions are established and maintained in the reactor which cause the protonated organic component to fragment and form a carbenium ion and an unsaturated organic compound, whereby the unsaturated organic compound is discharged from the liquid bath.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for treating a gaseous discharge stream formed from a waste in a molten metal bath. The waste is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath has operating conditions which are sufficient to dissociate the waste and form a gaseous discharge stream including a dissociation product. The gaseous discharge stream is cooled in a cooling section and the dissociation product is separated, as a particulate, from a gaseous component of the gaseous discharge stream. The fluid particulate stream is recirculated to the gaseous discharge stream in a reaction section of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for top-charging a solid waste into a molten metal bath to form a dissociation product are disclosed. The method includes introducing the waste into the molten metal bath through a refractory tube disposed in a reactor, containing the molten metal bath, through which the refractory tube extends. A gas outlet is disposed above the molten metal bath. The refractory tube has a submergible end which is immersed in the molten metal bath and which defines a lower opening at the terminal end of the refractory tube and an elevated opening, whereby a portion of the molten metal bath enters the refractory tube through the lower opening to allow the molten metal bath to remain within the refractory tube while at least partially dissociating the waste to form the dissociation product in the molten metal bath. An oxidizing agent can be directed into the molten metal bath at a rate sufficient to form an gaseous oxygenated product which is discharged from the reactor.

Abstract: A method includes producing an unsaturated organic compound from an organic component of an organic-containing feed. A reactor is provided which contains a molten metal bath. The molten metal bath includes a metal, such as a suitable transition metal, which can interact with an organic component of the feed. The feed is directed into the molten metal bath at a rate which causes the metal to interact with the organic component. Operating conditions are established and maintained in the reactor to cause the metal to interact with the organic component. At least one carbon-carbon double bond is formed in the organic component to produce an unsaturated organic compound that is discharged from the molten metal 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.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for controlling chemical reaction of a feed. The feed is directed into a reactor containing a molten metal bath to at least partially chemically react the feed to form an intermediate component. A portion of the intermediate component is combined with an off-gas which is emitted from the molten metal bath. At least a portion of the intermediate is then separated from the off-gas and returned to the molten metal bath. The returned intermediate component is then substantially converted to its atomic constituents. The atomic constituents subsequently exothermically react with other components of the molten metal bath for reaction to form compounds which are substantially stable at the operating conditions of the system, thereby allowing control of chemical reaction of the feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for top-charging a solid waste into a molten metal bath to form a dissociation product are disclosed. The method includes introducing the waste into the molten metal bath through a refractory tube disposed in a reactor, containing the molten metal bath, through which the refractory tube extends. A gas outlet is disposed above the molten metal bath. The refractory tube has a submergible end which is immersed in the molten metal bath and which defines a lower opening at the terminal end of the refractory tube and an elevated opening, whereby a portion of the molten metal bath enters the refractory tube through the lower opening to allow the molten metal bath to remain within the refractory tube while at least partially dissociating the waste to form the dissociation product in the molten metal bath. An oxidizing agent can be directed into the molten metal bath at a rate sufficient to form an gaseous oxygenated product which is discharged from the reactor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a non-radioactive product from a radioactive waste composition that includes a radioactive component and a non-radioactive component. The method includes directing the radioactive waste into a molten metal bath. A separation agent is directed in the molten metal bath which reacts with a component of the radioactive waste composition to form a reaction product which separates from the remaining component, thereby forming a non-radioactive product. The separation reagent can be, for example, an oxidant, a metal-ligand exchange reagent, or a reducing agent. The non-radioactive product can be a gas, a liquid, or a precipitate.

Abstract: A lance for submerged injection of a feed composition, such as a waste, into a molten metal bath includes a perforate refractory tube which extends substantially coaxially about an injection tube. The perforate refractory tube shields the injection tube from the molten metal bath during partial submersion of the lance into the molten metal bath. A perforate support liner extends between the injection tube and the perforate refractory tube and supports the perforate refractory tube. The perforate support liner and the injection tube define an annulus. The method includes conducting a coolant from a coolant source through the annulus to perforations defined by the perforate support liner and the perforate refractory tube, whereby coolant can be directed through the perforations and into the molten metal bath to cause a protective coating of metal to form on the lance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injecting liquids into a molten bath. The method includes forming a suitable liquid dispersion of a liquid phase disposed in a gas phase. The liquid phase has a ratio of surface area to volume which is sufficient to cause an accumulated amount of the liquid phase in the molten bath to be significantly less than that which would occur by injection of a continuous stream of the liquid into the molten bath. The liquid dispersion is directed into the molten metal bath, whereby the liquid volatilizes or decomposes. The rate at which the liquid dispersion is injected into the molten bath is sufficient to cause the liquid of the liquid phase to volatilize or decompose at a rate which is sufficient to cause the accumulation of the liquid phase in the bath to be significantly less than that which would occur by injection of a continuous stream of the liquid into the molten bath. The apparatus includes an atomizer which is disposed at a reactor containing the molten bath.

Abstract: A method for dissociating organic waste to produce a gasified hydrocarbon. The method of the invention includes directing an organic waste, into a reaction zone containing a molten metal bath in a reactor maintained under conditions sufficient to dissociate the organic waste and to form a gasified hydrocarbon component. Wherein the organic waste includes an inorganic component, the an inorganic component is retained in a vitreous and/or molten metal phase or is removed form the gaseous phase by physical or chemical separation.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for controlling chemical reaction of a feed. The feed is directed into a reactor containing a molten bath to at least partially chemically react the feed to form an intermediate component. A portion of the intermediate component is combined with an off-gas which is emitted from the molten bath. At least a portion of the intermediate is then separated from the off-gas and returned to the molten bath. The returned intermediate component is then substantially converted to its atomic constituents. The atomic constituents subsequently exothermically react with other components of the molten bath for reaction to form compounds which are substantially stable at the operating conditions of the system, thereby allowing control of chemical reaction of the feed.