A system, method and apparatus for recovering mining fluids from mining byproducts uses a plasma arc torch and a screw feed unit. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle is connected to the second end such that the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the hollow electrode nozzle is partially disposed within the cylindrical vessel and outside the cylindrical vessel. The screw feed unit has an inlet and an outlet, the outlet aligned with the centerline and proximate to the hollow electrode nozzle.

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.

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.

The present invention provides various systems, methods and apparatuses for recovering mining fluids, providing enhanced oil recovery and treating produced water. Plasma arc torches and electrolysis cells are used in various combinations. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to a second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle is connected to the second end such that the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis, the hollow electrode nozzle is partially disposed within the cylindrical vessel and outside the cylindrical vessel.

A method of controlling power output by a power supply configured to supply power to a plasma torch in a gas treatment system, the plasma torch being configured to treat effluent gas received from at least two processing chambers is disclosed, along with a controller and the gas treatment system. The method comprises: receiving at least one input signal, the at least one input signal comprising an indication of a number of processing chambers currently supplying an effluent gas stream to the plasma torch; and in response to the at least one input signal, controlling the power output by the power supply by outputting a control signal to control a rate of flow of the plasma source gas.

A plasma generation system includes an anode having a generally cylindrical proximal portion and a generally cylindrical distal portion, the distal portion having a smaller diameter than the first portion; a connecting portion connecting the first and second portions and having walls oriented at approximately 45 degrees to center axis of the anode; a cathode having a generally cylindrical shape in its proximal portion and a tapering at approximately a 30 degree angle to the center axis of the anode in its distal portion, where a gap between the connecting portion of the anode and the distal portion of the cathode is at least twice as large as a gap between the proximal portion of the anode and the proximal portion of the cathode; and a high voltage power supply providing an operating voltage in a range of 800-2500 volts and a current of about 0.3-0.7 A to the cathode.

A system and method for producing steam from an electrically conductive fluid includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. An electric glow discharge is created whenever the cell is connected to the electrical power supply, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap.

A system and method for producing first and second steams includes: (a) a glow discharge cell, (b) a fluid source, a pump or a valve, and (c) a DC electrical power supply. The glow discharge cell includes an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having first and second ends, and at least one inlet and one outlet. A hollow electrode is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the vessel and extends at least from the first end to the second end of the vessel. First and second insulators seal the first and second ends, respectively, of the vessel around the hollow electrode and maintain a substantially equidistant gap between the vessel and the hollow electrode. A non-conductive granular material is disposed within the gap. The hollow electrode heats up during an electric glow discharge and produces the first steam and the second steam.

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.

A plasma treatment system includes a plasma arc torch, a tee attached to a hollow electrode nozzle of the plasma arc torch, and a screw feed unit or a ram feed unit having an inlet and an outlet attached to the tee. The plasma arc torch includes a cylindrical vessel having a first end and a second end, a first tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the first end, a second tangential inlet/outlet connected to or proximate to the second end, an electrode housing connected to the first end of the cylindrical vessel such that a first electrode is (a) aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, and (b) extends into the cylindrical vessel, and a hollow electrode nozzle connected to the second end of the cylindrical vessel such that a centerline of the hollow electrode nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel.