Plasma fired feed nozzle

A plasma feed nozzle for a furnace, said plasma feed nozzle comprising:

• a plasma torch for producing a superheated gas at a temperature in the range of 10,000.degree. F. (5538.degree. C.);
• a conduit for shroud gas;
• a tubular mixing chamber in fluid communication with said superheated gas and said conduit for shroud gas and having one end thereof open to said furnace;
• said tubular mixing chamber being lined with a refractory material and being generally encircled by a cooling fluid jacket;
• means for introducing said shroud gas from said conduit into said mixing chamber disposed to cooperate with said plasma torch and said mixing chamber so that the superheated gas enters the mixing chamber along its central axis and the shroud gas enters the mixing chamber radially outward from the superheated gas and in such a manner whereby the temperature profile of said gases flowing through said mixing chamber is substantially hotter in the central portion of said mixing chamber than adjacent said refractory lining;
• and
• a particulate material feed nozzle so disposed in fluid communication with said mixing chamber that the particulate material is introduced into the central portion of the mixing chamber to mix with the hottest superheated gases in the central portion of the mixing chamber prior to entering the furnace.