Tetronics Research and Development Company Ltd.

Nippon Silica Glass Co., Ltd.

Takao Matsuoka

Takumi Fukunishi

Charles P Heanley

John K Williams

An apparatus for producing fused silica includes at least one anodic plasma arc electrode and at least one cathodic plasma arc electrode adjustably arranged with respect to one another so that the plasma arcs formed thereby couple together to form a plasma arc coupling zone. A feedstock material is fed into a region between the electrodes or to a region near the electrodes where the plasma arc coupling zone is formed. A platform is located beneath the plasma arc coupling zone to receive the silica product which is formed in the plasma arc coupling zone. The platform may be rotated about its axis and move up and down along its axis. A cooling device also may be included with the platform. The plasma anode torch used in the apparatus includes a cylindrical nozzle with a non-consumable, copper, blunt ended electrode disposed therein. A channel is provided between the electrode and the nozzle wall to allow the plasma gas to pass through the torch.

Plasma torch and an apparatus for producing fused silica using plasma

Method for the production of fused silica in which a particulate silica feedstock material is passed from a silica feed tube through or near a plasma arc coupling zone in which at least two plasma arcs of opposite polarity are coupled, thereby raising the temperature of the feedstock material and collecting the material as fused silica.

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Tokyo, Japan

Takao Matsuoka