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 method and apparatus for operating a DC plasma torch. The power supply used is at least two times the average operating voltage used, resulting in a more stable operation of the torch. The torch can include two concentric cylinder electrodes, the electrodes can be graphite, and the plasma forming gas can be hydrogen. The power supply provided also has the capability of igniting the torch at a pulse voltage of at least 20 kilovolts.

A method and apparatus for operating a DC plasma torch. The power supply used is at least two times the average operating voltage used, resulting in a more stable operation of the torch. The torch can include two concentric cylinder electrodes, the electrodes can be graphite, and the plasma forming gas can be hydrogen. The power supply provided also has the capability of igniting the torch at a pulse voltage of at least 20 kilovolts.

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.

A plasma source assembly for use with a substrate processing chamber is described. The assembly includes a spring which is disposed between electrodes and a dielectric ring.

A plasma generation system for generating a multilayer plasma includes a plasma generator that includes an inner electrode, an intermediate electrode surrounding the inner electrode and defining therebetween an inner plasma channel having an inner plasma outlet, and an outer electrode surrounding the intermediate electrode and defining therebetween an outer plasma channel having an outer plasma outlet; a process gas unit configured to provide a first and a second process gas inside the inner and outer plasma channels, respectively; and a power supply unit configured to energize the first process gas into a first plasma that flows along the inner plasma channel and out through the inner plasma outlet as an inner layer of the multilayer plasma, and to energize the second process gas into a second plasma that flows along the outer plasma channel and out through the outer plasma outlet as an outer layer of the multilayer plasma.

A plasma reactor for decomposing a hydrocarbon fluid includes a reactor chamber and a plasma torch attached to a wall of the reactor chamber and including an inner tubular electrode and an outer tubular electrode. A feed lance projecting into the reactor chamber is arranged inside the inner tubular electrode and is displaceable relative to the tubular electrodes by way of a sliding mechanism. A plasma gas outlet for dispensing plasma gas is between the inner tubular electrode and the outer tubular electrode, and an oxidizing fluid outlet for dispensing oxidizing fluid preferably including CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2O is disposed within the inner tubular electrode. Related methodology is also disclosed.