WO2012031338A1

WO2012031338A1 - Method and apparatus for generating a fuel

Info

Publication number: WO2012031338A1
Application number: PCT/BE2010/000064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Beeckman
Original assignee: Ecoplasma B.V.B.A.
Priority date: 2010-09-08
Filing date: 2010-09-08
Publication date: 2012-03-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a plasma torch and a method for producing a fuel gas or syngas which a reactant in the plasma torch is introduced in order to produce this fuel. The plasma torch and method include a demand by using one or more consecutive vortex units so a plasma stream with very high temperature and high power efficiency is generated.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A FUEL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fundamental changes in a plasma jet or plasma stream generating device, whereby a new method is used to target a higher overall efficiency of the operation to obtain.

In a plasma jet generating device is an electric arc formed between an electrode and a nozzle. The resultant electric arc is tied into the mouthpiece with the help of a working gas and under a thermal pinch effect for the discharge of a high temperature plasma jet from the nozzle.

A plasma jet can contain a very high energy in the form of a temperature of 10⁴K and higher output and can reach speeds up to 10⁴ m/sec. The use of plasma jets can be widely applied in industry, technology, and the like. Plasma jets are used in industry for: plasma cutting, welding of stainless steel, alloys or other metals, coatings for metals and ceramics, melting and refining of pure metals and alloys, high temperature chemical reactions of polymers, etc., melting of ores in metallurgy, melting metal wire as a pretreatment for coating, thermal energy, etc.

Recently, thermal plasma jet generators are increasingly used for the transformation of reactants such as the transformation of toxic materials into useful fuels, raw materials into a synthesis gas for energy production, upgrading the exhaust gases in order to neutralize the toxic elements temperature of the flue gas to increase, destroying ordnance. This plasma jet generating devices are also used as thermal processes in the nuclear industry for processing, conditioning, ... off nuclear waste and other nuclear applications, etc.. Many of these applications include large volumes. Optimization of the total energy use will lead to significant savings. 2. Prior art

Plasma jets reach high temperatures in the supply of heat energy but depending on the type there is a significant energy loss in the conversion of electrical to thermal energy and the choice of where the reactants are transformed, this is usually after cooling the plasma jet and outside the plasma jet generator which recreates energy loss. In the prior art gas stabilized plasma jet generators type Ph. Rutberg have an energy loss between 15 and 30%. Water and water/gas stabilized plasma jet generators type M. Hrabovsky have an energy loss up to 50%. The cooling of the plasma jet generator is mainly responsible for this important yield loss.

The present invention aims a powerful plasma jet to produce without the cathode on the subject. Arata Yoshiaka described this idea in the document U.S. 4,620,080 titled "Plasma jet generating apparatus with plasma Confining vortex generator".

The contact time between the reactants to be converted and the high temperature produced by the plasma jet in the prior art is for many applications particularly short, as it were a fraction of a second. The shorter the contact time the greater the energy necessary to achieve the transformation. The energy required for transformation by thermolysis or pyrolysis of reactants that are very energy demand by the very short contact time is too high and too expensive.

Partly due to the large energy consumption and rising energy costs it is expected that demand for powerful plasma jets with a better total energy efficiency in the near future will increase.

In "Gasification of biomass in water / gas-stabilized plasma for syngas production. [Produkce syntetickeho plynu zplynovanim biomasy v plazmatu stabilizovanem vodou a plynem.j Czechoslovak Journal of Physics. ROC. 56, suppl. B

(2006), s. 1199-1206. ISSN 0011-4626. Hrabovsky, Milan - Konrad, Milos - Kopecky,

Vladimir - Hlina, Michal - Kavka, Tetyana - Van Oost, G. - Beeckman, E. - Defoort, B. the thermal efficiency of the water/gas stabilized plasma torch is stated.

In "Water stabilized plasma torch WSP hybrid and Torch ® WSP ® H, defines M: Hrabovsky, Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR Praha, Czech Republic, the principles of a gas-stabilized plasma jet generator, liquid (water) stabilized plasma jet generator and a water/gas stabilized plasma jet generator.

In "Multiphase Stationary Plasma Generators Working on Oxidizing Media" describes Ph. Rutberg, Institute for Electrophysics and Electric Power, Russian Academy of Sciences191186, Dvortsovaya nab. 18, St Petersburg, Russia Classification numbers (PACS): 52.75. Hn plasma torches, plasma 52.50.Dg sources, the use of stationary multiphase gas-stabilized plasma jet generator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The goal of this invention is to provide a plasma jet generator, or in other words, a plasma torch, to propose a better total energy efficiency for the conversion of reactants than is currently available. The enormous energy output loss is mainly caused by the cooling of the plasma jet, whereby a lot of heat with the cooling media, usually water, is lost and the other is the transformation of the reactants outside the unit which causes again thermal energy loss. A high temperature plasma jet generator with a significantly better return for the conversion of reactants can be produced by this invention.

To achieve the above goal, the plasma torch of the present invention has different characteristics:

A) are preferably used at least three electrodes that are linked together. The electrodes are so called placed in tandem. This allows the ability of the plasma jet generator modules to increase the cathode without overloading.

B) A high-speed vortex flow is used. For example, a plasma jet can be stabilized thanks to the thermal pinch effect caused by the vortex flow, allowing the protection of each individual electrode of the plasma jet generator.

C) Each electrode is preferably individually powered by a DC power supply. D) The cooling of the plasma jet generator is directly on the plasma jet itself to prevent a major energy loss caused by the indirect cooling used in the prior art is avoided.

E) The reactant will be treated immediately inside the plasma jet generator, which supplied the heat losses occurring in the prior art can be avoided in several ways:

a) the reactant is a hole made in the cathode 1 1 axially in the center of the plasma jet powered,

b) the reactant will be directly fed into the plasma jet through openings created in the inner 14-2, 14-2 Of the vortex flow chamber while cooling the reactant in the cooling chamber is fed through the openings 18-2, 18 - 2'. The reactant fed into the vortex flow cooling chamber will therefore act as additional coolant to the plasma jet generator to stabilize.

c) The gas chamber 15 inside the plasma jet generator shall function as the reactor while the reactants are introduced through the openings 17, 17 Of the vortex flow generating nozzle 13, 13' (electricity generating vortex nozzle ) and through openings 13-1 , 13-1 ', 13-2, 13-2' directly fed into the gas chamber 15. The reactant fed into the vortex flow generating nozzle will therefore function as a working gas.

F) The feed in the plasma jet inside the plasma jet generator via the vortex flow generating nozzle has a major advantage. The shape of the vortex flow generating nozzle turning the reactants at a high speed tangentially about the rapidly rushing plasma jet. The many circular movements, in the form of a spiral around the reactants at a high speed plasma jet rushing ensure that the reactants a long time at high temperatures continue generated by the plasma jet. The contact time with the plasma can easily cause several times longer and even more.

G) Optionally, the third electrode gas stabilized plasma jet generator type Ph.

Rutberg can be mounted. This gas plasma torch has the advantage that any gas can be used as plasma working gas. Additionally, the ionized plasma gas or plasma jet itself produced from the second electrode through the third electrode and these are used as working gas, which from the third electrode is a pure plasma reaction will occur resulting in a higher conversion rate of reactants and thus a multiplicity of reactants at the same power unit of time and can be reconfigured as additional benefit is the total return of the transition.

In general, the invention concerns a plasma torch and a method for producing a fuel gas or syngas which a reactant in the plasma torch is introduced in order to produce this fuel. The plasma torch and method include a demand by using one or more consecutive vortex units resulting in a plasma stream with very high temperature and high energy efficiency generation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above object and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of some preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section of a plasma jet generator corresponding to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section along line (2) - (2) from figure 1 ;

Figure 3 represents a graph of the speed characteristics of the high-speed vortex flow of working gas shows;

Figure 4 shows a graph of the relationship between the inner diameter of a gas diverter nozzle (gas valve nozzle ) and used a tension between two nozzles of a portion of the device; Figure 5 is a graph of the relationship between the gas flow diverter in a gas nozzle and a tension between the two nozzles;

Figure 6 is a graph of two traits related to the electrical voltage and current;

Figure 7 is a cross section of a plasma jet generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 represents a cross section of a modified plasma jet generator based on the second embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a graph of VI characteristics of the plasma jet, and

Figure 10 a perspective representation of the vortex flow generating nozzle (tip vortex flow generating nozzle).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS.

Figure 1 is a cross section of a plasma jet generating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. The first device of this embodiment is basically constructed as two parts A and B. Part A shows essentially the same construction as a conventional gas plasma jet generating device, while part B is a vortex flow/discharge unit.

As shown in Figure 1 , consists of a torch A center electrode 11 made of, for example, copper, tungsten or an alloy, and a torch nozzle 12, also functioning as an electrode. The electrodes 1 1 and 12 are connected at both ends of a first DC power supply PS1. Where applicable, through the electrode 1 1 a central bore can be made this way reactants are axially fed directly into the plasma jet. (Not shown in Figure 1 ).

Part B covers a second DC power supply PS2, one end of the power supply is connected to the torch nozzle 12, the other end is connected to the gas nozzle diverter 14 functioning as an electrode and producing a vortex flow producing nozzle 13 with openings 13 -1 and 13-2, in which a vortex gas chamber 15 is formed. Reference number 14 indicates a gas diverter nozzle with a donut-shaped side wall 14-1 and an inner wall 14-2 which small holes are made so a direct cooling of the plasma jet is possible. Reference 16 concerns a plasma jet or plasma. By reference number 17 is called an inlet through which a working gas GS is fed to the plasma torch and reference numerals 18-1 and 18-2 include an inlet through which coolant is fed, while 19-1 and 19-2 concern insulators.

Figure 2 is a cross-section along line (2) - (2) in Figure 1. Figure 2 is used so the operations conducted within the vortex flow/discharge unit B to understand. GS is the working gas in the vortex flow chamber 15 is injected through the openings 13-1 , 13-2. The vortex flow chamber 15 exhibits a cylindrical shape. The openings 13-1 and 13-2 are preferably oriented in a tangential direction relative to the circle of the associated wall of the chamber 15. Also, the openings 13-1 and 13-2 symmetrically positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical wall of chamber 15.

The thus injected working gas, schematically illustrated by arrows in Figures 1 ,

2, 7 and 8, to rotate quickly inside the vortex flow chamber 15 of the high-speed vortex flow forming. Then the injected working gas spewed out by the donut-shaped wall 14-1 of the gas nozzle diverter 14 and the inner wall of the nozzle 14-2.

Figure 3 is a graph of the velocity characteristics of the high-speed vortex flow of the working gases. In the graph of Figure 3, the abscissa shows the radius R and the intercept again a speed V. The characters R 4 and R 5 along the abscissa represent the radii of the gas nozzle diverter 14 (14-2) and the vortex flow chamber 15. Va represents the speed of sound. Ve The curve represents the velocity in the tangential direction, while Sun, the velocity in the radial direction represents.

The chart of Figure 3 shows that the velocities according both tangential and radial direction, ie, Ve and Vr increases rapidly with a growing radius. The tangential velocity Ve reached the speed of sound Va due to a "side wall" effect, ie the

confinement effect, the vortex flow to the donut-shaped side of the gas nozzle diverter 14. At present, the flow velocity measured within the chamber 15 is unstable because of the "viscosity effect of gas."

This case shows the inside of the chamber 15 a relatively low pressure, which is a sharp rise in gas pressure in the radial direction causes. This low pressure gas creates a vortex tunnel. While the exterior of the vortex flow adopts a pressure can be as high as the atmospheric pressure, the inside of a low pressure of the order of several Torrs take. Incidentally, the above gas vortex tunnel was already reported in the Journal of the Physics Society of Japan, volume 43, No. 3, P.1107 P.1108 to September 1977, entitled Concept of Gas Vortex Tunnel and Application to High- temperature plasma Production "

Since the gas vortex tunnel is formed along the central axis of the diverter gas nozzle 14, is a strong thermal pinch effect achieved under convection in the radial direction, the plasma jet 16. Moreover, the stability of the plasma jet by a remarkable improvement gas wall that a large pressure gradient exhibits this large pressure gradient is caused by the high velocity vortex gas flow. Therefore, in Figure 1 , when a pilot plasma arc is started by an electrical discharge between the torch center electrode 11 and the torch nozzle 12 and thus produced a pilot plasma arc by the vortex gas tunnel, the pilot plasma arc subject to considerable electrical energy using of an electrical discharge between the torch nozzle 12 and the gas nozzle diverter 14. Meanwhile the pilot plasma arc subjected to a strong thermal pinch effect, since the surface of the arc is cooled by the strong vortex gas flow. Therefore, a plasma jet created by a high power and high density and then spit out the gas nozzle diverter 14. We call this discharge from the center of the vortex flow chamber 15 the gas discharge tunnel.

Experiments using a prototype device made by Arata, according to the first embodiment (Figure 1 ) provided the following information. First, a plasma jet with positive polarity energy fed by the gas nozzle diverter 14, which is fed by a negative polarity power supply PS2, as illustrated in Figure 1. In this case, a potential of 160V electrische applied after triggering of the pilot plasma arc, the gas diverter nozzle 14. It was found that an electric current easily on the plasma jet can be established.

Example, an electrical current of 1300A at 160V and the ongoing pilot can be superimposed plasma arc as 800A at 35V. As the above experiment demonstrates, a high power output exceeding 200 kW easily expelled through the gas nozzle diverter 14, the pilot plasma arc with an ordinary low wattage of less than 30 kW. Thus, the generated plasma jet strongly increases in length and clarity.

In the plasma jet generating apparatus according to the first embodiment of Figure 1 , the second DC power supply PS2 a positive voltage at the gas diverter nozzle 14 rather than exacerbate negative voltage as illustrated in this figure.

Furthermore, regarding the power of the second DC power source PS2, the voltage can be free determined according to various parameters such as the length of vortex flow chamber 15, the inside diameter of the gas diverter nozzle 14, the types of working gases the vortex flow and the flow and pressure of working gas in the vortex flow. This means that there is great freedom to the ability of the plasma jet upward. More specific requirements are as follows:

(a) The working gas for the vortex flow is composed of a selection of the group consisting of, for example, HO, Ar, He, H₂, N₂, C0₂, air and chemically reactive gas, HO stands for a hydrogen-oxygen gas. Additionally, this invention will all be gasified reactants, either toxic or nontoxic, whether solid, liquid or gas including steam and H₂0 and can be used as working gas. These must be understood that it is not always necessary to choose the same material for both the working gas GS of the vortex flow and the working gas as the gas GS for the establishment of the pilot plasma arc. (b) In this invention, the plasma jet is directly cooled through openings present in the inner 14-2, 14-2 (not shown in the figures, but can be understood in the same manner as figure 10) of the cooling chamber CM. As coolant water may include any reagent or solid, liquid or gaseous, to be used until sufficient cooling of the plasma jet occurs. In this invention, the reactant in the cooling chamber CM fed through the openings 18- 2, 18-2'.

(c) The target voltage between the torch nozzle 12 and the gas diverter nozzle 14, this means V₁₂-i₄, will increase along with the increase of the vortex flow chamber 15 in length.

(d) The voltages V_12-i₄ indirectly change inversely proportional to the change of the inner diameter of the nozzle gas diverter 14. The graph in Figure 4 shows the relationship between the inner diameter of the gas nozzle diverter 14 V₁₂-14 and the voltage applied between the two nozzles of Part B. As shown in the graph of Figure 4, the tension is indirectly proportional to V₁₂-i₄ Inner diameter (mm) of the gas nozzle diverter 14. The relationship of the graph in this case is obtained under a condition where the flow Q approximately 400 l/min, and an electric current I of the PS2 power supply is about 1000 A.

(e) The voltage V_12-14 changes in direct proportion to the change in the gas flow diverter nozzle 14.

Figure 5 is a graph of the relationship between the gas flow diverter GFR in the gas nozzle 14 V_12-14 and the tension between the two nozzles of Part B. As shown in the graph of Figure 5, the tension rises V _2-14 with the increase in gas flow GFR (l/min). The relationship of the graph is obtained in this case, under the terms of an electric current I approximately 400A of the PS2 power supply and an 8 mm inner diameter d of the gas nozzle diverter 14.

(f) The voltage V_12-1 also depends on the variety of working gas GS. For example, the voltage V₁₂.₁ was higher when N2 is used as working gas than when Ar is used as working gas.

(g) The change in the pressure of working gas also induces a change in the voltage V_{12- 4}. The change appears to be identical to a case where the voltage V₁₂-14 is changed by changing the gas flow ratio, as in Figure 5.

As previously mentioned, it is easy for the plasma-jet apparatus of the present invention to output to generate a high power plasma jet. The reason for this will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a graph that displays two characteristics in relation to both voltage electrical current. The ordinate and abscissa of the graph correspond to the voltage V and electric current I both appear on the plasma jet. The broken curve denotes a typical VI characteristic of conventional and prior art with a plasma jet generating apparatus with a structure similar to Part A in Figure 1. The full line B shows a property that is presented as a mark reached in a gas tunnel discharge region, while the dotted line A can be defined as a mark reached in a normal plasma jet region, which appears in the range of the graph Figure 6. As seen from the chart, shows the range (i) a so- called negative attribute for variables V and I. This characteristic is also obtained in the apparatus of Figure 1 only at an initial stage where the first pilot arc plasma to be generated, but in the prior art plasma jet generating apparatus, the same characteristic obtained during normal working hours. If one tries to increase the capacity of a plasma jet apparatus according to the prior art to increase, one must use a positive

characteristic between the variables V and I. These positive characteristic can be obtained in the graph, the range (I). This requires a very large current is necessary. The electrodes are suffering from an unwanted merger because such a large current. Unlike above, the proposal to increase the capacity of the plasma jet can be easily performed using the positive quality inherent in the gas-discharge tunnel regions such as the solid line B in the graph. It should be noted that, in the gas-discharge tunnel region, the VI is positive achieved because of that strong thermal pinch effect.

Consequently, the apparatus of the present invention suitable for a large electrical current, also with a voltage in the range of more than 100V, which is higher than the normal operating voltage of the plasma jet, for example in the size of 50V.

Figure 7 is a cross section of a plasma jet generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 uses the same components as in Figure 1 and the same reference numbers or symbols (same for subsequent figures) is used. As understood from the figure 7, the vortex flow/discharge unit B further connected in tandem in the flow direction of the plasma jet 16, with a further vortex flow/discharge unit B (or units B', B "...), each with nearly identical structures. The added vortex flow / discharge unit B (or units B ', B",..) aims at the energy of the plasma jet 16 to multiply, creating a plasma jet with an ultra high power can be created. If the plasma jet generating apparatus is set up with three vortex flow / discharge units B, B' and B" (not fully shown) connected in tandem, working as a powered device with 3MW 2KA at 1.5 kV.

Figure 8 is a cross section of a modified plasma jet generating device based on the second embodiment of Figure 7. In the apparatus of Figure 7, the second DC power supply PS2, PS2 ', and PS2 "of the vortex flow/discharge units B, B' and B" (not fully shown) are all connected to the same polarity. However, in the apparatus of Figure 8, the second DC power supply PS2, PS2 ', and PS2 "for the vortex

flow/discharge units B, B' and B", respectively alternately arranged with opposite polarity.

The plasma jet generating device of Figure 7 is superior in thermal efficiency to that of Figure 8 with different percentages. The reason is still unclear and is thus theoretically.

Figure 9 is a graph of the V-l characteristics of the plasma jet. The abscissa and ordinate indicate the electric current I in A and voltage V in volts. In the graph, the curve A corresponds to a prior art plasma jet generating device that includes only the part A of FIG 1 , the curve A+B correspond to a single stage plasma jet generating device, ie , the device of figure 1 (indicating the tension of the Part B only), and the curve A+2B to a double-speed plasma jet generating device, ie, the device of Figure 7 or Figure 8 (indicating the stress on components B+B' (or B+B') only when built in the form of A+B+B' (or A+B_+ B'), where, for instance, the first DC had a power voltage of 100V DC power supply and each second DC power supply had a voltage of 500V.

As understood from the above, the vortex flow chamber 15 plays a major role in the present invention. The chamber 15 is, in fact, formed by the vortex flow generating nozzle (13, 13 ') between two nozzles electrode sites.

Figure 10 is a perspective of the vortex flow generating nozzle. Figure 10 is the vortex flow chamber formed within the nozzle (13, 13'). The inner cylinder wall is provided with bore holes, such as 13-1 , 13-1 ', 13.2, 13.2', for injecting the working gas fed through the inlet (17, 17 ') through the passage in the nozzle (13, 13' ).

As explained in detail can put the plasma jet device generating a large quantity of high temperature plasma jet stable production without expensive, complex hardware. This is made possible by the pinch effect and high thermal insulation, both from the special vortex flow. The use of a vortex nozzle to the reactants inside the plasma jet generator to feed, and especially tangential several times around the plasma jet to rotate so that the contact time of one reactant with the high temperature plasma jet is a multiple of the prior art results in a new method for feeding reactants to plasma jet generators, allowing the energy required for reaction with more than 10% and even more reduced.

This new method improves the ability and energy efficiency for various applications where extremely high temperatures such as needed for melting metal or hard to dissociate water.

Direct cooling inside the plasma jet generator using the same method as described in the embodiments of the invention can also be used in all types of thermal plasma jet generators known in the prior art, as there are: gas stabilized plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered, water and / or water / gas stabilized plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered, induction plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered.

The use of one or more vortex flow generating nozzle for feeding it working gas or reactant direct inside the plasma jet generator can also be applied to all types of thermal plasma jet generators known in the prior art, as there are: gas stabilized plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered, water and / or water / gas stabilized plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered, induction plasma jet generators either DC, AC or DC/AC powered.

EXAMPLES

Some examples illustrate the invention without being limited to this. Example 1 : The use of water as coolant, working gas and reactant

Plasma Jets have a very high energy in the form of a temperature of 10⁴K and higher. The water-stabilized plasma jet generator discussed by Hrabovsky even reached peaks up to 28.000^"K. To dissolve H₂0 into its H and O atoms high temperatures are needed. As from 4500° K H₂0 is completely decomposed into its atoms H and O.

Milan Hrabovsky describes the principles of the water stabilized plasma torch and hybrid water/gas stabilized plasma torch, both DC fed in "Water Stabilized Plasma Torch WSP ® and Hybrid Torch WSP ® H", Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR Praha, Czech Republic.

Usually plasma jet generators are cooled by water.

In the present invention, the reactant is fed directly to the plasma jet inside the plasma jet generator in the following ways:

a. The reactant can be fed trough the opening 18-2, 18-2' in the cooling chamber. The reactant takes here the role of the coolant itself. The reactant functions simultaneously as a coolant and the cooling chamber is actually a vortex and serves as an opportunity for a direct supply of the reactant into the plasma jet. Through the openings created in the inner 14-2, 14-2' is the reactant inside the plasma jet generator fed to a rate equal to or greater than those fueled by organized open 18-2, 18-2 'and where the design vortex of cooling the reactant to a high speed tangentially about rushing plasma jet runs one hand and the cool reactant is an insulating film on the inner 14-2,14-2' cooling vortex stabilizing the plasma jet generator and at the same time the reactant comes in direct contact with the high temperature of the plasma jet during a plurality of time compared to the extremely short contact time in prior art. Through the indirect cooling used in the prior art was a significant amount of energy present in the plasma jet lost. The direct cooling is used in this invention absorbs the energy and merges with the plasma jet, while the coolant that also functions as a reactant by the plasma jet is transformed inside the plasma jet generator and the atomic energy by transforming any release also the plasma jet is added and all the most available energy blocking the conversion of the reactant can best be

implemented;

b. The reactant can be fed trough the 17-17 hole "in the vortex flow generating nozzle 13-13'. The reactant takes here the role of the working gas itself as the vortex flow generating nozzle as a possibility for a direct supply of the reactant into the plasma jet inside the plasma jet generator. Inside the vortex flow generating nozzle moves the reactant circular.

c. Then the reactant is fed through the opening 13-1 , 13-1' in the gas chamber 15 to a rate equal to or greater than the speed at which the reactant through the openings 17-17' is fed whereby the reactant inside the gas chamber 15 in the inner lining of the vortex flow generating nozzle at high velocity tangentially around the plasma jet roars so again within the plasma jet generator. This fast spin cycle of the cool reactant tangentially to the plasma jet protects both the plasma jet generator from the tremendous heat produced by the plasma jet, and secondly, the contact time with the high temperature of the plasma jet multiples compared to in the prior art knowledge, making a much more efficient conversion of the reactant possible.

Example 2: Destruction of particularly toxic waste

Especially when toxic substances should be made harmless, it is important that they provide are exposed to high enough temperatures and for a sufficiently long period.

The operation of the plasma jet generator put out in Example 1 , it is clear that the reactant, which is formed by the highly toxic substances, the highest temperature inside the plasma jet generator of the plasma jet is subjected. It is mainly the tangential circular motion around the plasma jet, induced by the vortex flow generating nozzle, which will ensure that the toxic substances will be a maximum time in direct contact with the tremendous heat produced by the plasma jet. Additionally, the toxic substances can be fed in the axial center of the plasma jet powered by a hole made in the torch center electrode, the cathode 11. (Not shown in the drawings).

Sake of completeness, it is noted that the above description, the term "plasma jet used for" plasma flow "and the term" nozzle "is used for 'mouth'. Furthermore, under the wording 'plasma jet generating device, means a plasma torch.

Claims

1. Plasma torch for generating a plasma flow (16) with

- a center electrode (11 );

a nozzle base (12) with a first and a second end, said center electrode (11 ) is directed towards the first end;

a first voltage or current source (PS1 ) that generates a voltage or current between said center electrode (11 ) and said base nozzle (12) generating a plasma flow (16) using a working gas which flow is directed through said nozzle

(12);

further this plasma torch contains a first vortex unit (B) with

a vortex flow chamber (15) which connects to the second end of said nozzle base (12) and bounded by a cylindrical wall which said plasma flow (16) enclosing wall which is provided with channels (13-1 , 13-2 ) which substantially tangential direction issued in the flow chamber (15), which means are provided to a vortex fluid to argue the relative of said plasma stream (16) outer side of the screen so that the vortex-fluid through said channel (13-1 , 13-2) into the flow chamber (15) is headed;

- a vortex nozzle (14) that connect to said flow chamber (15) and thus separated from the second end of said nozzle base (12), where this vortex nozzle (14) a cylindrical shows wall (14-2) enclosing the plasma flow (16);

an internal coolant channel (CM) in said vortex nozzle (14) so the surface of the wall of the nozzle (14), which is directed to the plasma flow (16) to cooling by means of a refrigerant flowing through the cooling channel ( CM);

a second voltage or current source (PS2) which generates a voltage or current between said nozzle base (12) and the vortex nozzle (14);

characterized in that said wall (14-2) of the vortex nozzle (14) that is directed to the plasma flow (16) provided with openings that, first, face towards said surface of the wall (14-2) and second, called out onto cooling channel (CM) in order to allow said coolant from the cooling channel (CM) is brought to the plasma flow (16).

2. Plasma torch according to claim 1 , wherein said openings are provided in the wall (14-2) of the vortex nozzle (14) forming channels which are tangential direction spend on the surface of said cylindrical wall (14-2) of the nozzle

3. Plasma torch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said openings provided in the cylindrical wall (14-2) of the vortex nozzle (14) are uniformly distributed in the circumference of the wall (14-2).

4. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, whereby the diameter of the wall of said vortex flow chamber (15) is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical wall (14-2) of the subsequent 'vortex nozzle (14).

5. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereby said center electrode (11 ) shows at least one channel in the center allowing the feeding of a reactant in the plasma flow (16).

6. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first and /or second voltage or current source formed by an AC power source.

7. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, with the first and/or second voltage or current source formed by a DC source.

8. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, with the mouthpiece (14) of said first vortex unit for at least another vortex unit connecting with the same characteristics as the first vortex unit, including a voltage or current source (PS2 ') is provided which generates a voltage or current between the vortex nozzle (14) of the first vortex nozzle unit and the (14') of the subsequent vortex unit.

9. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said successive in series mounted vortex units, each using a voltage or current source is provided by a voltage or current generated between the vortex nozzles of two immediately consecutive vortex units.

10. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein means are provided to said vortex fluid with a minimum speed of 200 m/sec in tangential direction in the plasma channel to market.

11. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein means are provided to said vortex fluid with a minimum speed of 100 m/sec to export to the plasma torch.

12. Plasma torch according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , where it is mounted on a reactor vessel such that said plasma stream flows into the reactor vessel.

13. Method for generating a fuel gas, in particular syngas, through a plasma flow (16) which moves according to the axial direction through a cylindrical plasma channel, which plasma channel shows a first end forming an entry, while the opposite end of this channel an exit is along the plasma flow (16) leaving the plasma channel whereby a center electrode (1 1 ) is provided issuing to said input and a working gas is injected into the plasma channel in almost axial direction between the center electrode (11) and a basic nozzle (12) that said plasma channel surrounds in radial direction, with a first voltage (PS1 ) is imposed between said center electrode

(11 ) and primary nozzle (12) to reform so called working gas in order to create a plasma flow (16), while a second electric voltage (PS2) is applied between the base nozzle (12) and a downstream first vortex nozzle (14), with between primary nozzle

(12) and said first vortex nozzle (14) a vortex fluid in almost tangential direction in the plasma channel is injected so to realize a thermal pinch effect whereby a refrigerant is circulated in the first vortex nozzle (14) in order to cool this, characterized in that at least a portion of the refrigerant through the vortex nozzle (14 ) and at the height of the latter is placed in the plasma channel, where at least said working gas, said vortex fluid or the coolant by thermolysis is converted into fuel.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein third voltage (PS2 ") is applied between said first vortex nozzle (14) and a downstream following vortex nozzle (14 '), wherein between the first vortex nozzle (14) and named following vortex nozzle (14 ') a vortex fluid under substantially tangential direction in the plasma channel is injected so a thermal pinch effect to realize that a refrigerant is circulated in the next vortex nozzle (14') so this cool, with at least a portion of the refrigerant through the latter vortex nozzle (14) and at the height of the latter in the plasma channel is charged.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, whereby successive in series mounted vortex nozzles (14.14 ', 14", ...) are provided, each including an electrical voltage (PS2, PS2',PS2", ...) is applied between two immediately successive vortex nozzles and wherein between two consecutive vortex nozzles a vortex fluid in tangential direction in the plasma channel is injected.

16. Method according to one of claims 13 to 15, with a reactant is central inserted in said plasma channel through one, preferably central opening in said center electrode (11 ).

17. Method according to one of claims 13 to 16, with a liquid or gaseous reactant is used for said refrigerant, said working gas and/or said vortex fluid, said reactant in said plasma channel at the plasma current (16) is brought so this is converted by thermolysis into a fuel.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein said reactant at least partly a component selected from the group consisting of liquid water, steam, hydrogen- oxygen gas, carbon dioxide, methane, or hydrocarbons.

19. Method according to one of claims 13 to 18, with liquid water or steam is used as a coolant and through the vortex nozzle (14.14 ', 14", ...) in that plasma channel on the plasma flow (16) is added.

20. Method according to one of claims 13 to 19, with liquid water, steam and / or hydrogen-oxygen gas is used as working gas and is injected into the plasma channel in almost axial direction between the center electrode (11 ) and a basic nozzle (12).

21. Method according to one of claims 13 to 20, with liquid water, steam and / or hydrogen-oxygen gas is used as vortex fluid under substantially tangential direction in the plasma channel is injected with this fluid is mixed with the plasma of the plasma flow (16).

22. Method according to one of claim 13 to 21 , with at least during startup of the plasma flow (16), said working gas by argon gas is formed.

23. Method according to one of claims 13 to 22, with a solid powder is introduced into the plasma channel, with this solid is subjected to pyrolysis in said plasma stream (16) so a fuel, particularly a syngas is produced.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said solid mainly carbon.

25. Method according to one of claims 13 to 24, wherein said fuel contains at least predominantly hydrogen and carbon monoxide.