Apparatus and method for the thermal extraction of metals

An apparatus for processing complex material where the apparatus is adapted to receive components that are subject to wear, are consumable, or both, said apparatus comprising:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch where said plasma torch operates in a non-transfer mode;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening near the first opening for entry of complex material and carrier gas having a constrained path into the chamber, the second opening being proximate to the first opening;
• the path of the complex material and carrier gas being along the same axis in relation to the major axis of the plasma torch;
• where said chamber is surrounded by a secondary heating system.

A method to replace components that are subject to wear or include consumable components, where said apparatus comprises:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch where said plasma torch operates in a non-transfer mode;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening near the first opening for entry of complex material and carrier gas having a constrained path into the chamber, the second opening being proximate to the first opening;
• the path of the complex material and carrier gas being along the same axis in relation to the major axis of the plasma torch;
• where said chamber is surrounded by a secondary heating system;
• where the chamber is a component subject to wear or is a consumable part;
• where the chamber is insulated by, at least, a graphic insulation blanket or refectory lining;
• where the graphite insulation blanket and the refractory lining is subject to wear and is a consumable part;
• where the torch comprises at least an electrode, a gas ring, insulator ring, or nozzle that is subject to wear or is a consumable part;
• were the method comprises:
• replacing a first chamber with a second chamber;
• replacing, at least, a first graphite insulation blanket is with a second graphite insulation blanket, and/or a first refractory lining is by a second refractory lining;
• or
• replacing, at least, a first electrode is by a second electrode, a first gas ring by a second gas ring, a first insulator ring by a second insulator ring, and/ or a first nozzle by a second nozzle.

An apparatus for processing complex material comprising:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch where said plasma torch operates in a non-transfer mode;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening near the first opening for entry of complex material and carrier gas having a constrained path into the chamber, the second opening being proximate to the first opening;
• the path of the complex material and carrier gas being along the same axis in relation to the major axis of the plasma torch.

An apparatus for processing complex material where the apparatus is adapted to receive parts that are subject to wear or include a consumable component that is employed during operation of said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch where said plasma torch operates in a non-transfer mode;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening near the first opening for entry of complex material and carrier gas having a constrained path into the chamber, the second opening being proximate to the first opening;
• the path of the complex material and carrier gas being along the same axis in relation to the major axis of the plasma torch.

A method to replace components that are subject to wear or include consumable components, where said apparatus comprises:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch where said plasma torch operates in a non-transfer mode;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening near the first opening for entry of complex material and carrier gas having a constrained path into the chamber, the second opening being proximate to the first opening;
• the path of the complex material and carrier gas being along the same axis in relation to the major axis of the plasma torch;
• where the chamber is a component subject to wear or is a consumable part;
• where the chamber is insulated by, at least, a graphic insulation blanket or refectory lining;
• where the graphite insulation blanket and the refractory lining is subject to wear and is a consumable part;
• where the torch comprises at least an electrode, a gas ring, insulator ring, or nozzle that is subject to wear or is a consumable part;
• were the method comprises:
• replacing a first chamber with a second chamber;
• replacing, at least, a first graphite insulation blanket is with a second graphite insulation blanket, and/or a first refractory lining is by a second refractory lining;
• or
• replacing, at least, a first electrode is by a second electrode, a first gas ring by a second gas ring, a first insulator ring by a second insulator ring, and/or a first nozzle by a second nozzle.

An apparatus for processing complex material comprising:

• a chamber having a first opening for accommodating entry of a plasma torch;
• where said torch has an active end and an inactive end;
• where said torch is operatively located through the first opening in an orientation with the active end extending into the chamber and away from the first opening and the inactive end is secured in the chamber proximate to the first opening;
• where said chamber further comprises a second opening of complex material into the chamber.