Methods and apparatus for treating waste are provided. Waste is converted in an arc plasma-joule heated melter system utilizing one or more arc plasma electrodes and a plurality of joule heating electrodes. The arc plasma electrode(s) can be configured for operation utilizing AC or DC power, or for switching between AC and DC power. The arc plasma electrodes can also be configured for independent arc voltage and arc current control. The joule heating circuits are configured for simultaneous operation with the arcing electrodes, but without detrimental interaction with the arcing electrodes. The systems provide stable, non-leachable products and a gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel can be utilized in a combustion or non-combustion process to generate electricity.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/693,425, filed Aug. 7, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,847,353 which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. Nos. 08/621,424 and 08/622,762, both filed Mar. 25, 1996, both now U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,752 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,752 respectively and both of which are continuations-in-part applications of U.S. Ser. No. 08/492,429, filed Jun. 19, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,497 and which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/382,730, filed Feb. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,891; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The system includes a source of solid, liquid or sludge waste and a source of waste gas. A waste conversion device receives the solid, liquid or sludge waste and converts it into a hydrogen-rich gas. An internal combustion engine receives as fuel the hydrogen-rich gas and the waste gas and burns them to produce mechanical work. A generator is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine to generate electricity. Some of the generated electricity may be used to power the waste conversion device. The system allows for high-efficiency, lean-burn operation while reducing the amount of waste converted to hydrogen-rich gas.
A solid-waste conversion plant produces useful products and electrical energy in a closed system with zero emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. The plant is characterized by catalytic ionic-impact chambers having a pair of electrodes that establish an electric arc. The electric arc breaks down solid waste molecules into a plasma of atomic constituents which exothermically recombine into simple molecules upon leaving the plasma. A primary chamber converts carbon-based waste into solidifiable metal, sulfur and glassy slag extractable from the bottom of the chamber, and into gas containing CO, H.sub.2, and CH.sub.4. A second chamber contains high carbon waste input that is converted by the arc into incandescent coke, which converts CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O in the gas from the first chamber into more CO, H.sub.2 and CH.sub.4, thereby forming a fuel gas. The fuel gas is combusted in gas turbine generators to produce electricity for operating the electric arcs, plus a sellable surplus. The flue gases are regenerated in a third chamber substantially like the second. At least some of the CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 and CH.sub.4, may be extracted from the plant for commercial sale.
Methods and kits for removing contaminants from fuel cells are disclosed. The methods include passing a removal substance through a flow channel in the cell, where the substance is selected to remove the contaminant. The contaminants can be, e.g., metallic ions or organic compounds, and the removal substance can be, e.g., acidic or alkaline solutions, chelating agents, or oxidants.
A waste rubber treatment process and appartus therefor for vaporizing rubber and separating the vaporized rubber into its usable components. The waste rubber treatment process and appartus therefor includes heating a quantity of rubber in an atmosphere at a negative pressure and at a temperature between 340 Celsius and 510 degrees Celsius such that the rubber is vaporized and defines a vaporized rubber. The vaporized rubber has a plurality of hydrocarbon constituents therein. A venturi separator sprays the vaporized rubber with oil having a boiling temperature greater than 175 degrees Celsius. The oil binds to heavy oil in the hydrocarbon constituents. A remaining portion of the vaporized rubber is condensed such that light oils in the hydrocarbon constituents liquefy and are separated from hydrocarbon gases.
Disclosed is an integrated and streamlined system and method for collecting, containing and processing different types of wastes which provides an economically efficient solution of treating wastes and utilizing the collected data in an operationally useful manner either or both of the waste generator and processor. The present system and method include waste containment in compliance of the laws and governmental regulations, and processing of the wastes. In one embodiment, the system and method also includes compilation and utilization of data relating to the collected and processed wastes.
