Electric arc gasifier as a waste processor

A process for recycling electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) using an electric arc gasifier, comprising the steps of:

• forming an electric arc in a heating chamber between a mobile electrode and a fixed electrode;
• injecting natural gas, a hydrocarbon, or a hydrogen bearing gas into said heating chamber to form a hydrogen bearing plasma;
• injecting said EAFD and a carrier gas into said heating chamber;
• mixing said EAFD transported with said carrier gas with said hydrogen bearing plasma within said fixed electrode, thereby forming a mixture of gases, solids, and liquids from a reaction of compounds contained in said EAFD with hydrogen and carbon developed in said electric arc;
• producing said mixture of gases, solids, and liquids in an environment with a high partial pressure of said hydrogen, thereby preventing a formation of metallic chlorides;
• reacting halides contained in said EAFD with said hydrogen to form corresponding acids;
• reacting said halides in an environment deprived of oxygen, thereby preventing a formation of dioxins and furanes;
• separating said gases of said mixture from said solids and said liquids of said mixture by means of an inertial behavior of said mixture exiting said fixed electrode;
• collecting slag and iron partially or completely reduced in a collection vessel;
• conveying said gases of said mixture out of said collection vessel;
• and,
• processing said gases.

A process for destroying chlorinated hydrocarbon waste using an electric arc gasifier, comprising the steps of:

• forming said electric arc in a beating chamber between a fixed electrode and a mobile electrode;
• injecting natural gas, a hydrocarbon, a hydrogen bearing gas, or a mixture thereof into said heating chamber, thereby forming a hydrogen/carbon bearing plasma;
• injecting chlorinated waste and a carrier gas through a center of said mobile electrode;
• mixing said chlorinated waste injected through said center with said hydrogen/carbon bearing plasma within said fixed electrode, thereby forming said chlorinated hydrocarbon waste;
• heating said chlorinated hydrocarbon waste up to 1600° C.;
• cracking said chlorinated hydrocarbon waste to hydrogen, carbon and HCl;
• destroying said chlorinated hydrocarbon waste in an environment with no oxygen, thereby preventing the formation of dioxins;
• and,
• processing said hydrogen, said carbon, and said HCl.