Estimation of Electrode Angle for High Efficient Waste Treatment using Twin Torch Plasma Arc

Summary form only given. Recently, the various measures are being considered in order to create a recycling society by the rising awareness of environmental problems. In Japan which is a relatively small island country, the procuring final disposal sites has become a serious issue. Additionally, the medical wastes have been designated to specially-controlled wastes. It is difficult to treat these wastes using normal combustion treatment processes. Consequently, the other treatment methods are expected in the area of environmental conservation. The twin torch plasma arc has a high temperature arc medium. It can generate the high temperature and treat non-conducting materials, even though it is a non-transfer type. Therefore, the twin torch plasma arc is a more effective device to treat the hazardous medical wastes. However, the arc mode is not easy to control in the twin torch plasma arc. In addition, there are few researches of the appropriate arc mode for waste treatment made by the angle of electrode nozzle and arc current. In this paper, the arc length, distance between the arc jet of cathode and anode, temperature distribution and Lorentz force were evaluated for estimation of electrode angle and arc current. As a result, the arc length and distance between the arc jet of cathode and anode were lengthened because the Lorentz force becomes strong with increasing the current. The high temperature area of arc was expanded. The electrode angle for high efficient waste treatment was estimated more precisely.