plasma gasification

Organic molecules (those that are carbon-based) become volatilized, or turn into gases. This synthetic gas (syngas) can be used as a fuel source if properly cleaned. Inorganic compounds melt down and become vitrified, or converted into a hard, glassy substance similar in appearance and weight to obsidian. Metals melt down as well, combining with the rest of the inorganic matter (called slag).

Unlike incinerators, which use combustion to break down garbage, there is no burning, or oxidation, in this process. The heat from plasma converters causes pyrolysis, a process in which organic matter breaks down and decomposes. Plasma torches can operate in airtight vessels. Combustion requires oxidization; pyrolysis does not.

Plasma waste converters can treat almost any kind of waste, including some traditionally difficult waste materials. It can treat medical waste or chemically-contaminated waste and leave nothing but gases and slag. Because it breaks down these dangerous wastes into their basic elements, they can be disposed of safely. The only waste that a plasma converter can't break down is heavy radioactive material, such as the rods used in a nuclear reactor. If you put such material in a plasma furnace, it would probably catch on fire or even explode.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• plasma
• gasification
• pyrolysis

[OaklandLYM]

Using fuel prices (which are dominated by speculation not production) is not a good reason. Nuclear fusion is the obvious route to efficient plasma torch use.

[BrunoBagina]

@OaklandLYM i absulty agree that when we achieve nuclear fusion, the the fusion torch will be the way to go untill we get there im happy if we could get a plasma torch powered by a once thought full burn fission reactor

[PukkPukk]

What happens to the collected Sulfur dioxides?

[BrunoBagina]

@PukkPukk there arent any sulfur dioxide first because there is no oxigen and second because its to hot you dont have any mollecules only ionized elements

[rollingcube]

is this less than carbon neutral?

[BrunoBagina]

@rollingcube it depends on energy source you use to power the plasma reactor also if you use the energy from wind solar or nucleae!?... but you are reducing the footprint and NO2 and CH4 its not all about the carbon....

this system uses massive amounts of energy but reduces all other inputs and can have the potencial no close the industrial cycle....

can you imagine a world whit no waste

[MrDatsunInsult]

@PukkPukk

Are you trolling? NASA used plasma to recreate temp to test rockets, the process doesn't use rockets.

[Faralite]

Carbon neutrality is way over-emphasized. It's nowhere near threatening what they are reporting in the media. The small changes in climate are not really that detrimental to civilization, people will adapt and find new ways to live, like they always did.

HOWEVER...plasma gasification would reduce waste which in turn pollutes our natural resources decreasing productivity. This is what really matters, keeping our environment clear of toxic pollutants and reusing materials whenever possible.

[PukkPukk]

What happens when the rocket goes astray and rains garbage down on our cities. This would cause a stink. No pun intended.

[abram730]

@vilimaaman you can use MHD / steam generators... more efficient.

Personal I think gasification is a good start but the goal should be to sort elements for use as raw materials. Ionized plasmas can be better sorted based on how they turn corners.

We can get power from nuclear fission..

Fertilizers are essential and natural gas is limited... This technology is important to advance.

Also microbes have many uses. A bit of agitation and some waste heat.

[jle727]

if a power line isn't enough, I'm sure a capacitor could do it. The technology is here, obviously, but its just in large scale.