Plasma-assisted melting

Details Plasma-assisted melting Plasma-assisted melting

2007-03-13

2007-03-13

Paschall, Mark (Department: 3742)

Electric heating

Metal heating

By arc

C219S121400, C219S121590, C219S121360, C373S018000, C588S900000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10449600

ABSTRACT:
Apparatus and methods for plasma-assisted melting are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma-assisted melting method can include: (1) adding a solid to a melting region, (2) forming a plasma in a cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, wherein the cavity has a wall, (3) sustaining the plasma in the cavity such that energy from the plasma passes through the wall into the melting region and melts the solid into a liquid, and (4) collecting the liquid. Solids that can be melted consistent with this invention can include metals, such as metal ore and scrap metal. Various plasma catalysts are also provided.

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