PLASMATRON WITH STEAM AS THE PLASMA GAS AND PROCESS FOR STABLE OPERATION OF THE PLASMATRON

摘要

The invention relates to a plasmatron and to a process for stable operation of plasmatrons with steam as the plasma gas in which the fluctuations in operation typical of steam plasmas and the increased electrode erosion are prevented. To this end, the cooling of the electrodes is limited by the use of hot water at a temperature of 80 DEG C as the coolant. In addition to the hot water cooling, condensation of the steam on the electrodes can be prevented , if necessary, by admixing a gas which lowers the condensation temperature of the steam.