Abstract: A process for treating an off-gas from the thermal processing of a precious-metal-containing feedstock, the process comprising cooling the off-gas to a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; passing the cooled off-gas through a first particulate filter to recover particulate material; and dosing the off-gas from the first particulate filter with a sorbent material and passing the dosed off-gas through a second particulate filter; wherein at least a portion of the particulate material recovered from the first particulate filter is recycled into the thermal processing of the precious-metal-containing feedstock.

Abstract: A method for treating hazardous waste comprising the steps of providing a plasma reactor, waste to be treated and a glass-forming host slag material; contacting within the plasma reactor the waste and the host slag material; and treating the waste and the host slag material using a plasma treatment to melt the host slag material and incorporate inorganic components of the waste within the host slag material, wherein the plasma is generated using an arc and the arc is passed through the host slag material.

Abstract: A process for treating an off-gas from the thermal processing of a precious-metal-containing feedstock, the process comprising cooling the off-gas to a temperature of from 300 to 500° C.; passing the cooled off-gas through a first particulate filter to recover particulate material; and dosing the off-gas from the first particulate filter with a sorbent material and passing the dosed off-gas through a second particulate filter; wherein at least a portion of the particulate material recovered from the first particulate filter is recycled into the thermal processing of the precious-metal-containing feedstock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and a method of designing the same. A method of designing a proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a gas diffusion layer is described. The method comprises: using a model of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell to determine performance of the fuel cell, wherein the model is based on a plurality of parameters of the fuel cell, the plurality of parameters including at least one anisotropic property of the gas diffusion layer, adjusting at least one of the plurality of parameters; determining whether or not performance of the fuel cell is improved by the adjusting step and designing the fuel cell by selecting the parameters which provide improved performance. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is also described comprising a gas diffusion layer, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell having a plurality of parameters, wherein the parameters are selected to provide substantially uniform temperature distribution across the gas diffusion layer.

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: 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 plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

Abstract: A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge.

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 plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

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: 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 plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

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 plasma treatment step. An associated apparatus having a plasma treatment unit which is separate from the gasification unit or pyrolysis unit.

Abstract: A method for treating hazardous waste comprising: providing a plasma reactor, waste to be treated and a glass-forming host slag material; contacting within the plasma reactor the waste and the host slag material; and treating the waste and the host slag material using a plasma treatment to melt the host slag material and incorporate inorganic components of the waste within the host slag material, wherein the plasma is generated using an arc and the arc is passed through the host slag material.

Abstract: A method for treating nuclear sludge comprising subjecting the nuclear sludge to a plasma treatment in a plasma chamber to melt at least some of the inorganic components of the sludge, wherein the plasma chamber comprises a crucible having a cooled inner surface, this surface cooled sufficiently such that the inorganic components in contact with the inner surface are in a solid state and form a barrier between the part of surface of the crucible with which they are in contact and the molten inorganic components of the sludge.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising: (i) either (a) a gasification step comprising treating the waste in a gasification unit in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce an offgas and a char, or (b) a pyrolysis step comprising treating the waste in a pyrolysis unit to produce an offgas and a char; and (ii) a plasma treatment step comprising subjecting the offgas and the char to a plasma treatment in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of oxygen and, optionally, steam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising a gasification step comprising treating the waste in a gasification unit in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce an offgas and a char, and a plasma treatment step comprising subjecting the offgas and the char to a plasma treatment in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of oxygen and steam. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.