The present invention relates to a method of improving aqueous dispersibility of conductive carbon powders, and to a method of preparing a colloid solution of conductive carbon powders. The present invention comprises a step of exposing conductive carbon powders to a plasma jet or reacting same with a plasma-treated reaction gas, wherein the step is characterized by reacting the plasma-treated reaction gas (ionized gas) with the conductive carbon powders, and accordingly by using plasma, the aqueous dispersibility of the conductive carbon powders may be improved in a convenient manner.

A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.

Carbonaceous product may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. Carbon dioxide may be sequestered. The carbonaceous product may include carbon black.

The integration of plasma processes with combined cycle power plant, simple cycle power plant, and steam reforming processes. A method of producing purified hydrogen gas and fuel is described including compressing a feed stream of hydrogen, adding tail gas from a plasma process to the feed stream, passing the tail gas modified feed stream into a pressure swing adsorption system generating a purified hydrogen product and a pressure swing adsorption tail gas, separating and compressing the purified hydrogen product, and separating and compressing the pressure swing adsorption tail gas for use as fuel. A method of generating and recapturing electricity from a single or combined cycle power plant is also described including flowing natural gas into a plasma process and hydrogen generating plant, flowing the hydrogen produced into the power plant, flowing natural gas into the power plant, resulting in the production of electricity. The electricity is flowed back into the plasma process plant, and in the case of the combined cycle power plant the electricity is partially flowed into a power grid as well. A method of generating and recapturing electricity from a steam power plant is also described, including inputting electricity and natural gas into a plasma process air and hydrogen generating plant, flowing the air and hydrogen produced into a steam generating boiler, flowing the steam generated into a steam power plant, resulting in the production of electricity which is flowed back into the plasma process plant.

The present invention concerns a device for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of thermal plasma, a process for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of thermal plasma, and the use of a device in a process for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from C.sub.1 to C.sub.4-alkane-containing gas by means of a process of the invention.

Design advances for improving the performance of a plasma torch. The use of one or more of various advances described herein can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the torch, the reactor and the manufacturing process. The use of the torch with hydrogen plasma gas, natural gas feedstock, and carbon black production are also described.

Secondary heat may be added to a particle production process. The particles may be, for example, carbon particles. Among other things, the secondary heat addition may result in change in surface area of the carbon particle(s), change in structure of the carbon particle(s), reduced wall fouling, reduced energy consumption and/or increased throughput. Apparatus for performing the process is also described.

Particles with suitable properties may be generated using systems and methods provided herein. The particles may include carbon particles. In some examples, carbon particles for metallurgy applications are provided.

Particles with suitable properties may be generated. The particles may include carbon particles.

A method and apparatus for making carbon black. A plasma gas is flowed into a plasma forming region containing at least one, magnetically isolated, plasma torch containing at least one electrode, and forming a plasma. Collecting the plasma formed in a cooled header and flowing the plasma through at least one reaction region to heat the reaction region, and injecting carbon black forming feedstock into the reaction region, resulting in the formation of at least one grade of carbon black. An apparatus for making carbon black is also described including a plasma forming section containing at least one, magnetically isolated plasma torch containing at least one electrode, in fluid flow communication with at least one carbon black forming reactor section, the plasma section and reactor section separated by a plasma formed collection header.