Rotating arc plasma jet and method of use for chemical synthesis and chemical by-products abatements

Abstract

An apparatus for chemical synthesis or chemical abatement is disclosed which includes a processing chamber and a secondary chamber which is in communication with the processing chamber. The processing chamber is configured to generate an arc in the processing chamber. A magnetic field generator, such as an energized coil or permanent magnet, generates a magnetic field in the processing chamber, which induces the arc generated in the processing chamber to rotate. The apparatus further includes at least one injection port for introducing at least one waste medium into the processing chamber and into the rotating arc whereby the rotating arc transforms the waste medium into a plasma resulting in a disassociation of the chemical constituents comprising the waste medium which thereafter flow into the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is configured to quench the plasma products when the plasma is in the secondary chamber to maintain the disassociation and thereby reduce the reactivity of the chemical constituents thereby abating the waste medium. In other aspects, two or more mediums are introduced into the rotating arc which transforms the mediums into plasma thereby raising the energy of the mediums which causes the plasma products to become associated to thereby form a desired compound. In this aspect, the secondary chamber is configured to quench the associated plasma products when the plasma products are in the secondary chamber to maintain the association and thereby synthesize the desired compound.