Reactor vessel for plasma gasification

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a reactor vessel for plasma gasification reactors employing a DC graphite electrode, AC graphite electrodes, AC plasma torches or DC plasma torches to create a high-energy plasma arc for the pyrolytic decomposition of feed materials. The vessel is configured with an upper portion and a lower portion, where the lower portion is for the containment of a layer of molten metal (iron) and a second layer of slag and having a substantially uniform width, while the upper portion being for the containment of gas and having a varying width. The reactor vessel comprises a steel shell housing a multi-layered wall that defines a chamber where the multi-layered wall includes a first layer high-density refractory material, a second intermediate layer of a insulating material, and a third outer layer of high-density refractory materials. The vessel also includes a multi-layered bottom a first bottom layer comprised of one or more layers of high-density refractory material, and a second bottom layer comprised of insulating materials. The vessel has at least one opening in the wall of the vessel for the introduction of feed material located just above the slag layer.