Abstract: The invention is a plasma torch for insertion through an opening in the wall of a waste processing chamber. The plasma torch of the invention is characterized by comprising a coaxial sleeve having an upper end and a lower end. The sleeve surrounds at least the portion of the outer surface of the torch that is located in the opening, thereby forming an insulating chamber between the outer surface if the torch and the inner surface of the sleeve. At least a portion of the portion of the coaxial sleeve that surrounds at least the portion of the outer surface of the torch that is located in the opening in the wall of the processing chamber is porous or permeable to a heat exchanging fluid. The torch comprises an inlet for introducing the heat exchanging fluid into the insulating chamber. When the plasma torch is inserted through the opening, a gap exists between the processing chamber wall and the coaxial sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is a plasma torch for insertion through an opening in the wall of a waste processing chamber. The plasma torch of the invention is characterized by comprising a coaxial sleeve having an upper end and a lower end. The sleeve surrounds at least the portion of the outer surface of the torch that is located in the opening, thereby forming an insulating chamber between the outer surface if the torch and the inner surface of the sleeve. At least a portion of the portion of the coaxial sleeve that surrounds at least the portion of the outer surface of the torch that is located in the opening in the wall of the processing chamber is porous or permeable to a heat exchanging fluid. The torch comprises an inlet for introducing the heat exchanging fluid into the insulating chamber. When the plasma torch is inserted through the opening, a gap exists between the processing chamber wall and the coaxial sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for on-line sorting of waste matter, at the entrance to a waste processing plant, according to the level of specific chemicals, typically chlorine detected therein. The apparatus comprises a waste matter inlet that provides waste matter to a weighing module, preferably until a preset limit is reached. Then, this control volume of waste is introduced into a pulsed neutron material analyzer that is optimized for the determination of the content of the specific chemical in the control volume. A control means such as a computer then decides whether the level of the chemical in the waste control volume is above or below a preset threshold, and accordingly channels the waste into one or another of two channels. One of these channels accepts waste with low content of the given chemical, for introduction into the waste processing chamber.

Abstract: A recycling system for a waste converting apparatus collects residues from a post-processing means and re-introduces the residues into the apparatus such that the residues are exposed to the high temperature zone thereof.

Abstract: A control system for a waste processing apparatus controls entry of a predetermined quantity of waste into the processing chamber via air lock whenever the level of waste in the chamber has fallen sufficiently to accommodate the new waste, and this is detected by a suitable detector. A second detector may be located upstream of the first detector to enable the flow rate of waste through the processing chamber to be calculated.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for on-line sorting of waste matter, at the entrance to a waste processing plant, according to the level of specific chemicals, typically chlorine detected therein. The apparatus comprises a waste matter inlet that provides waste matter to a weighing module, preferably until a preset limit is reached. Then, this control volume of waste is introduced into a pulsed neutron material analyzer that is optimized for the determination of the content of the specific chemical in the control volume. A control means such as a computer then decides whether the level of the chemical in the waste control volume is above or below a preset threshold, and accordingly channels the waste into one or another of two channels. One of these channels accepts waste with low content of the given chemical, for introduction into the waste processing chamber.

Abstract: A microwave transceiver unit is for use in a shaft furnace is described. Two or more of the transceiver units are installed in the furnace and are used to determine the level of the waste in the shaft. Methods of using the transceiver units to determine the level of waste in the shaft of the furnace are also described.

Abstract: A waste processing apparatus for processing a column of waste in a processing chamber having one or more gas outlets at an upper part thereof and one or more plasma torches an output end thereof extending into a lower part of the chamber.

Abstract: A waste processing apparatus for processing a column of waste in a processing chamber having one or more gas outlets at an upper part thereof and one or more plasma torches an output end thereof extending into a lower part of the chamber.

Abstract: A recycling system for a waste converting apparatus collects residues from a post-processing means and re-introduces the residues into the apparatus such that the residues are exposed to the high temperature zone thereof.

Abstract: A control system for a waste processing apparatus controls entry of a predetermined quantity of waste into the processing chamber via air lock whenever the level of waste in the chamber has fallen sufficiently to accommodate the new waste, and this is detected by a suitable detector. A second detector may be located upstream of the first detector to enable the flow rate of waste through the processing chamber to be calculated.

Abstract: One or more auxiliary plasma torches are provided to a waste processing plant at strategic locations within the chamber and directed towards the waste column. When a bridge forms within the chamber the auxiliary plasma torches may be operated such as to provide an additional heat source where needed, quickly heating the organic solids, which thus pass through the bituminsation and charcoal formation stages quickly. The additional heat source may be in the neighborhood of the bridge, but may also be near the bottom end of the chamber, in which case the additional temperature at the bottom of the chamber effectively moves the combustion and gasification zones for the charcoal to a higher part of the chamber, altering the temperature profile. The heat source also enables the inorganic wastes to be heated rapidly to pass beyond the melting stage relatively quickly.

Abstract: A plurality of fluxing agent inlets are provided at the lower part of a waste processing chamber to enable the direct application of fluxing agents to deposited “unprocessed solids” and/or to liquid products of high viscosity therein. Means are provided for sensing the presence of such blockages in the lower part of the chamber and for providing the fluxing agents thereto to remove the blockage.

Abstract: A liquid waste feeding system having a liquid inlet to a plasma torch based waste processing chamber, disposed intermediate the primary plasma torch arrangement at the bottom end of the chamber and the top gas products outlet. the liquid inlet is positioned within the chamber such that liquid waste flowing from the inlet into the chamber is directed at a high temperature zone of waste column, and the liquid inlet is typically associated with a hot gas jet means. The hot gas jet means that provides the required high temperature zone may comprise one or more secondary plasma torches configured to provide hot gas jets into the liquid discharge zone of the inlet. Alternatively, the hot gas jet may be provided by the primary plasma torches, in which case the liquid inlet is disposed within a predetermined area close to and above at least one of the primary plasma torches.

Abstract: One or more auxiliary plasma torches are provided to a waste processing plant at strategic locations within the chamber and directed towards the waste column. When a bridge forms within the chamber the auxiliary plasma torches may be operated such as to provide an additional heat source where needed, quickly heating the organic solids, which thus pass through the bituminsation and charcoal formation stages quickly. The additional heat source may be in the neighborhood of the bridge, but may also be near the bottom end of the chamber, in which case the additional temperature at the bottom of the chamber effectively moves the combustion and gasification zones for the charcoal to a higher part of the chamber, altering the temperature profile. The heat source also enables the inorganic wastes to be heated rapidly to pass beyond the melting stage relatively quickly.

Abstract: A plurality of fluxing agent inlets are provided at the lower part of a waste processing chamber to enable the direct application of fluxing agents to deposited “unprocessed solids” and/or to liquid products of high viscosity therein. Means are provided for sensing the presence of such blockages in the lower part of the chamber and for providing the fluxing agents thereto to remove the blockage.

Abstract: A liquid waste feeding system having a liquid inlet to a plasma torch based waste processing chamber, disposed intermediate the primary plasma torch arrangement at the bottom end of the chamber and the top gas products outlet. the liquid inlet is positioned within the chamber such that liquid waste flowing from the inlet into the chamber is directed at a high temperature zone of waste column, and the liquid inlet is typically associated with a hot gas jet means. The hot gas jet means that provides the required high temperature zone may comprise one or more secondary plasma torches configured to provide hot gas jets into the liquid discharge zone of the inlet Alternatively, the hot gas jet may be provided by the primary plasma torches, in which case the liquid inlet is disposed within a predetermined area close to and above at least one of the primary plasma torches.