System, Method and Apparatus for Recovering Mining Fluids from Mining Byproducts

A plasma treatment system comprising:

• a plasma arc torch comprising:
• a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end,
• a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end,
• a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the second end,
• an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and
• a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that a centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, the hollow electrode nozzle having a first end disposed within the cylindrical vessel and a second end disposed outside the cylindrical vessel;
• a screw feeder having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet aligned with the centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle;
• a filter screen attached to the outlet of the screw feeder, aligned with the centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle and extending proximate to the hollow electrode nozzle;
• a tee attached to the outlet of the screw feeder and enclosing a portion of the filter screen proximate to the screw feeder;
• and
• a high temperature vessel connected to the plasma arc torch and the tee such that the hollow electrode nozzle is attached to or extends into the high temperature vessel and the filter screen extends into the high temperature vessel.

A method for treating a material comprising the steps of:

• providing a plasma arc torch and a screw feed unit;
• the plasma arc torch comprising a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that a centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, the hollow electrode nozzle having a first end disposed within the cylindrical vessel and a second end disposed outside the cylindrical vessel;
• the screw feed unit having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet aligned with the centerline and proximate to the hollow electrode nozzle;
• supplying a steam into the first tangential inlet/outlet;
• creating an electrical arc between the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle;
• providing the material to the inlet of the screw feed unit;
• treating the material by moving the material through the outlet of the screw feed unit towards a steam plasma exiting the hollow electrode nozzle using the screw feed unit.