Apparatus and method for starting a plasma arc treatment system

摘要

An ignitable material is positioned in contact with a slag contained within a plasma arc treatment system having an electrode and an electrical ground. The slag is initially at a temperature below a conducting temperature at which the slag will conduct electricity between the electrode and grounding network. The ignitable material has a self-sustaining reaction which releases heat energy upon ignition. The ignitable material is ignited with a pilot arc thereby heating at least a portion of the slag to the conducting temperature so that an arc between the electrode and grounding network can be sustained.