4. High-temperature plasma oxidation processes

Thermal plasma consists of a gaseous medium, partially ionized, reducing or oxidizing, brought to high temperatures (3,000-8,000°C) by an arc discharge applied in a moving gas, from an electrode (transferred arc torch), or between two electrodes (blown arc torch). Thanks to the high temperatures involved and the high thermochemical reactivity of the plasmagenic gas used in an oxidizing atmosphere, this plasma torch waste treatment technique enables advanced thermal destruction of particularly recalcitrant organic molecules, such as organochlorine compounds.

The advantages of the process lie in the high power densities involved, the low thermal inertia of the plants, the short treatment times and the high rates of thermal destruction obtained [31] .

The disadvantages of the...