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US 9,127,205 B2Granted
Plasma whirl reactor apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeForet Plasma Labs, LLC
InventorTodd Foret
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in a single process step is provided by the present invention. Within the apparatus of the invention potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and subsequently into angular momentum by means of wave energy, for comminuting, reacting and separation of feed materials. Methods of use of the apparatus in the practice of various processes are also provided by the present invention.
Claims30
A method for producing a clinker for cement from a material comprising:
- providing a vessel having an interior defined by a cylindrical portion disposed proximate to a first end and a cone shaped portion disposed proximate to said cylindrical portion that forms a first outlet at a second end that is aligned with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion and said cone shaped portion, one or more inlets in said first end, a second outlet at said first end that is aligned with said longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion, and two or more jets or slits mounted tangentially within said cylindrical portion;
- introducing a plasma into said interior using a first plasma source comprising a plasma torch connected to said first end and aligned with said longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion and said cone shaped portion;
- adding energy to said plasma using a second plasma source comprising a set of radio frequency coils disposed around or within said cylindrical portion;
- creating angular momentum in said plasma to form a plasma vortex by directing a fluid or a gas into said interior using said two or more jets or slits, wherein said plasma vortex circulates around said longitudinal axis;
- and
- producing said clinker for cement by directing said material into said plasma vortex via said one or more inlets such that said plasma vortex reacts with said material and said clinker for cement exits through said first outlet in said second end.
3 more elements
A method for producing a clinker for cement from a material comprising:
- providing a vessel having a vertical longitudinal axis, a cylindrical middle portion aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis, a top portion, a bottom portion, one or more inlets disposed in said top portion, a top outlet aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis and disposed in said top portion, and a bottom outlet aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis and disposed in said bottom portion;
- providing two or more plasma torches mounted tangentially in said cylindrical middle portion such that said plasma torches are substantially aligned with one another in a horizontal plane with respect to said vertical longitudinal axis;
- combining said plasma from said plasma torches together to create sufficient angular momentum to form a plasma vortex that circulates around said vertical longitudinal axis within said vessel;
- and
- producing said a clinker for cement by directing said material into said plasma vortex via said one or more inlets such that said plasma vortex reacts with said material and said clinker for cement exits through said bottom outlet.
2 more elements
A method for producing a clinker for cement from a material comprising:
- providing a vessel having a vertical longitudinal axis, a cylindrical middle portion aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis, a top portion, a bottom portion, one or more inlets disposed in said top portion, a top outlet aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis and disposed in said top portion, a bottom outlet aligned with said vertical longitudinal axis and disposed in said bottom portion, and two or more jet nozzles mounted tangentially in said cylindrical middle portion such that said jet nozzles are substantially aligned with one another in a horizontal plane with respect to said vertical longitudinal axis;
- atomizing and directing a fluid or gas into said interior of said vessel via said jet nozzles to feed a plasma and create angular momentum in said plasma;
- generating said plasma from said atomized fluid or gas within said vessel using a radio frequency source proximate to said plasma jet nozzles to form a plasma vortex that circulates around said vertical longitudinal axis within said vessel;
- and
- producing said clinker for cement by directing said material into said plasma vortex via said one or more inlets such that said plasma vortex reacts with said material and said clinker for cement exits through said bottom outlet.
2 more elements
A method for producing a clinker for cement from a material comprising:
- providing a vessel having an interior defined by a cylindrical portion disposed proximate to a first end and a cone shaped portion disposed proximate to said cylindrical portion that forms a second outlet at a second end that is aligned with said longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion and said cone shaped portion, a first outlet in said first end that is aligned with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical portion and said cone shaped portion, at least one inlet in said first end, and two or more jets or slits mounted tangentially in said cylindrical portion;
- atomizing and directing a fluid or gas into said interior via said two or more jets or slits to feed a plasma and create angular momentum in said plasma;
- generating said plasma from said atomized fluid or gas using a set of radio frequency coils disposed around or within said cylindrical portion and said cone shaped portion to form a plasma vortex that circulates around said longitudinal axis;
- and
- producing said clinker for cement by directing said material into said plasma vortex via said at least one inlet such that said plasma vortex reacts with said material, wherein said clinker for cement exits through said second outlet in said second end.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.