Plasma torch

A plasma torch comprising:

• an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a first outlet, a second outlet and an inlet;
• a hollow electrode having an inlet and an outlet aligned with a longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extending at least from the first end into the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a first insulator that seals the first end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode and maintains a substantially equidistant gap between the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode;
• the first outlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel disposed proximate to the first end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• the inlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel disposed between the first end and the second end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel proximate to the inlet of the hollow electrode;
• the second outlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel disposed between the inlet and the second end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a pump connected to the inlet and the first outlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially equidistant gap, wherein the non-conductive granular material allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode, and the combination of the non-conductive granular material and the electrically conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing between the cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode during an electric glow discharge;
• a concentric reducer disposed within the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extending from the second end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel to the hollow electrode;
• a tangential inlet connected to or proximate to the second end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a three-way valve connecting the second outlet of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel to the tangential inlet;
• an electrode housing connected to the second end of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a first electrode aligned with the longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and extending through the electrode housing into the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a linear actuator connected to the first electrode to adjust a position of the first electrode within the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel along the longitudinal axis of the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel;
• a switch electrically connected to the first electrode;
• a workpiece connector electrically connected to the switch;
• a first DC electrical power supply electrically connected to the electrically conductive cylindrical vessel and the hollow electrode is a cathode;
• and
• a second DC electrical power supply electrically connected to the first DC electrical power supply and the switch.