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 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: 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: 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.