# US 2014/0151343 A1 · System, Method and Apparatus for Recovering Mining Fluids from Mining Byproducts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151343 A1 - Document ID: US20140151343A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/176,032 - Filed: 2014-02-07 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-16 - Assignees: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC - Applicants: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC - Inventors: Todd Foret - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151343A1 ## CPC - H05H 1/38: Guiding or centering of electrodes - B23K 10/00: Welding or cutting by means of a plasma - B23K 10/006: {Control circuits therefor} - B23K 10/02: Plasma welding - H05H 1/34: Details, e.g. electrodes, nozzles - H05H 1/3431: {Coaxial cylindrical electrodes} - H05H: PLASMA TECHNIQUE (apparatus or processes specially adapted for producing X-rays H05G2/00); PRODUCTION OF ACCELERATED ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED PARTICLES OR OF NEUTRONS; PRODUCTION OR ACCELERATION OF NEUTRAL MOLECULAR OR ATOMIC BEAMS - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract A system, method and apparatus for recovering mining fluids from mining byproducts uses a plasma arc torch and a screw feed unit. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end 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 is connected to the second end such that the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the hollow electrode nozzle is partially disposed within the cylindrical vessel and outside the cylindrical vessel. The screw feed unit has an inlet and an outlet, the outlet aligned with the centerline and proximate to the hollow electrode nozzle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; and a screw feed unit having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet aligned with the centerline and proximate to the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the screw feed unit comprises: 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; and a tee attached to the outlet of the screw feeder and enclosing a portion of the filter screen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the screw feed unit comprises a Salsnes filter, a screen washing monster or a screw press. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a stinger electrode extending from the screw feed unit and aligned with the centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a high temperature vessel connected to the plasma arc torch and the screw feed unit such that the hollow electrode nozzle and an output of the screw feed unit are connected to or disposed within the high temperature vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a quencher or glow discharge system attached to the first tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arc torch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a gas source attached to the first tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arc torch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pump or conveyor connected to the inlet of the screw feed unit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a processor or separator connected to the output of the screw feed unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1, further comprising a linear actuator operably connected to the first electrode to adjust the position of the first electrode with respect to the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1, the first end of the cylindrically shaped electrode having a first inner diameter that is larger than a second inner diameter of the second end of the cylindrically shaped electrode nozzle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 11, the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter forming a counterbore. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 11, further comprising a first tapered portion within the cylindrically shaped electrode that transitions from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 11, further comprising a second tapered portion within the cylindrically shaped electrode that transitions from the first inner diameter to a third inner diameter at the first end of the cylindrically shaped electrode wherein the third inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1, the hollow electrode nozzle having an external flange. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third electrode disposed around a portion of the first electrode and having a same polarity as the first electrode. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power supply electrically connected to the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a stinger electrode extending from the screw feed unit and aligned with the centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a quencher or glow discharge system attached to the first tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arc torch. ### Claim 21 (depends on 81) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 81, further comprising a gas source attached to the first tangential inlet/outlet of the plasma arc torch. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a pump or conveyor connected to the inlet of the screw feed unit. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The plasma treatment system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a processor or separator connected to the output of the screw feed unit. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 18, further comprising a linear actuator operably connected to the first electrode to adjust the position of the first electrode with respect to the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 18, the first end of the cylindrically shaped electrode having a first inner diameter that is larger than a second inner diameter of the second end of the cylindrically shaped electrode nozzle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 25, the first inner diameter and the second inner diameter forming a counterbore. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 25, further comprising a first tapered portion within the cylindrically shaped electrode that transitions from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 25, further comprising a second tapered portion within the cylindrically shaped electrode that transitions from the first inner diameter to a third inner diameter at the first end of the cylindrically shaped electrode wherein the third inner diameter is larger than the first inner diameter. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 18, the hollow electrode nozzle having an external flange. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 18, further comprising a third electrode disposed around a portion of the first electrode and having a same polarity as the first electrode. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) The multi-mode plasma arc torch as recited in claim 18, further comprising a power supply electrically connected to the first electrode and the hollow electrode nozzle. ### Claim 32 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. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method as recited in claim 32, further comprising the step of injecting a gas into the steam before the steam is supplied into the first tangential inlet/outlet. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method as recited in claim 32, further comprising the step of pumping or conveying the material to inlet of the screw feed unit. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The method as recited in claim 32, wherein the step of treating the material produces a fluid and an inert vitrified slag. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method as recited in claim 35, wherein the material comprises a mining byproduct containing a mining fluid, the fluid comprises a recovered mining fluid and the inert vitrified slag comprises an inert vitrified mining byproduct slag. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the material comprising a drill cuttings containing a mining fluid, the recovered mining fluid comprises a recovered drilling fluid and the inert vitrified mining byproduct slag comprises an inert vitrified drill cuttings slag. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising the step of quenching the vitrified material with water, frac flowback or produced water. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method as recited in claim 38, wherein quenching the vitrified material produces the steam that is fed into the first tangential inlet/outlet. ### Claim 40 (depends on 35) The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising the step of providing separating the fluid into a recovered fluid and water. ### Claim 41 (depends on 32) The method as recited in claim 32, further comprising the step of producing the steam using a glow discharge system.