SOLID-WASTE ENERGY PLANT USING CATALYTIC IONIC-IMPACT DECOMPOSITION AND COMBUSTION PRODUCT REGENERATION

摘要

A solid-waste conversion plant produces useful products and electrical energy in a closed system with zero emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. The plant is characterized by catalytic ionic-impact chambers (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) having a pair of electrodes that establish an electric arc. The electric arc breaks down solid waste molecules into a plasma of atomic constituents which exothermically recombine into simple molecules upon leaving the plasma. A primary chamber (100) converts carbon-based waste into solidifiable metal and glassy slag (7) extractable from the bottom of the chamber (100), and into gas (8) containing CO, H2, and CH4. A second chamber (200) contains high carbon waste input that is converted by the arc into incandescent coke, which converts CO2 and H2O in the gas from the first chamber into more CO, H2 and CH4, thereby forming a fuel gas (9). The fuel gas is combusted in gas turbine generators (14) to produce electricity for operating the electric arcs, plus a sellable surplus. The flue gases are regenerated in a third chamber (300) substantially like the second. At least some of the CO2, H2 and CH4, may be extracted (17, 24, 27, 13d) from the plant for commercial sale.