Abstract: Method of separating components from gaseous mixtures in an arc plasma reactor energized by surrounding magnetic field coil windings by producing an electrical arc discharge of at least about 600A at about 22V between a positively charged centrally disposed electrode ball that is movable upwardly or downwardly in a surrounding negatively charged electrode; introducing a plasma working gas of a mixture of a heavy and light gas in spaces between the electrodes at about atmospheric pressure at a temperature of about 10,000.degree. K. to produce gas rotation electromagnetically at a rotation rate that is sufficient to force the heavy gas to a peripheral area of the reactor and accumulate the light gas in a centerline area of the reactor; and removing the heavy gas from the peripheral area of the reactor and removing the light gas from the centerline area of the reactor.

Abstract: An improved plasma arc reactor is provided with variably positionable electrodes, including a cylindrical anode electrode having an inner, frustoconical cavity providing a reaction chamber and a spherical cathode ball electrode mounted therein. Between these electrodes an arc discharge is induced and sustained to heat and ionize an inert gas to produce an arc plasma for refining raw material introduced into the reaction chamber. A magnetic induction coil is mounted around the outer diameter of the anode electrode to thereby establish a magnetic field to rotate the arc discharge and plasma within the reaction chamber.