A plasma torch for use in a chemical reactor is described. The plasma torch has a torch chamber with an open end for outflow of reaction products and a closed end opposite to the open end. A first and a second electrode are disposed in the torch chamber, with the second electrode between the first electrode and the open end. An input system is provided for input of one or more gaseous feedstocks into the plasma torch. The plasma torch is adapted to operate at substantially above atmospheric pressure. The plasma torch is also configured so that flow of gaseous feedstocks and reaction products through the torch is adapted to prevent or reduce solid deposition on the second electrode. A suitable method of operating a plasma torch in a chemical reactor is also described.

The invention is a plasma torch (1; 101; 201) of the type comprising: a first element (20) provided with a through opening (21) serving as an outlet for a plasma flow; a hollow electrode (19) that is developed longitudinally along a main axis (X) and is suited to be positioned with respect to said first element (20) in such a way as to define a striking area, of the type comprising a hollow cavity (25) that extends at least partially along the main axis (X); a first conveyance way (51, 52, 53) suited to convey a carrier gas towards said striking area; a second conveyance way (56, 56a, 56b) suited to convey a portion of the carrier gas towards the inner cavity (25) of the hollow electrode (19), the portion of the carrier gas being suited to cool the hollow electrode (19). This torch comprises conveyance means (59, 60a, 60b) suited to convey the carrier gas from the inner cavity (25) of the hollow electrode (19) towards a way so as not to affect the striking area. The invention concerns also a method of operation of a plasma torch (1; 101; 201).

A liquid coolant tube for a plasma arc cutting torch including a hollow elongated inner body shaped to translate within a hollow elongated outer body. The hollow elongated outer body of the liquid coolant tube is shaped to fixedly connect to the plasma arc cutting torch and includes a set of electrode guides. An external surface of the hollow elongated outer body and the set of electrode guides partially define a set of coolant flow channels between the set of electrode guides. The set of electrode guides are shaped to facilitate alignment of an electrode within the plasma arc cutting torch.

The present invention relates to a plasma torch including: a tube including: a first diameter part provided with a hollow channel; and a second diameter part provided at a predetermined position on the outer circumferential surface of the first diameter part; a body including: a housing part receiving the tube therein; and a plurality of first and second discharge holes formed at predetermined positions in longitudinal directions of the body; an insulator including a plurality of first discharge flow lines formed at predetermined positions vertically located from the body; an amplification tube including a space part communicating with the second discharge holes; a housing including a plurality of second discharge flow lines formed at predetermined positions of an inner circumferential surface of the housing; an inner cap combined with an outer circumferential surface of the housing; and an insulation cap engaged with an outer circumferential surface of the inner cap.

A connector component configured for coupling a consumable component to a plasma arc torch is provided. The connector component comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end disposed along and defining a longitudinal axis. The connector component includes at least two engagement regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on a surface of the body. Each engagement region includes at least one engagement feature disposed on the surface of the body. The connector component also includes at least two free regions disposed radially about the longitudinal axis on the surface of the body. Each free region is radially located between a pair of the engagement regions and characterized by an absence of the engagement feature.

A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

Disclosed is a water-cooled plasma torch. The water-cooled plasma torch of thed present invention includes a first body, a second body, an electrode, a cooling tube, an insulator, a third body, a pilot terminal, a nozzle, an inner cap, and an outer cap. The water-cooled plasma torch can increase the speed of a high-temperature plasma flame using a simple structure, can increase the lifespan of a nozzle and an electrode in contribution to improved cooling efficiency, and can apply high voltage. The water-cooled plasma torch also can increase the lifespan of a nozzle by minimizing damage to the nozzle due to a plasma flame.

A plasma torch includes an electrode, a center pipe, and a coolant passage. The electrode includes an internal passage, a tip portion, a convex portion, and an electrode insert. The center pipe is at least partially arranged in the internal passage of the electrode. The center pipe includes first and second pipe ends. The coolant passage first, second, third, and fourth passages. A coolant flows from the first passage through the second passage and the third passage to the fourth passage. At least a part of the convex portion is arranged in the center pipe. The inner surface of the center pipe includes a first inclined surface having a diameter that decreases toward a distal direction. The distal direction is a direction extending from the second pipe end to the first pipe end. The first inclined surface extends toward the root portion of the convex portion.

A liquid cooled shield assembly for a plasma arc torch includes an inner cap and a shield. The inner cap includes a substantially hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end that define a longitudinal axis, the distal end including an annular portion about the longitudinal axis. The inner cap also includes a liquid passage defined, at least in part, by an interior surface of the body, the liquid passage including a first set of ports in the annular portion, the first set of ports extending between an interior portion of the body and an exterior portion of the body to convey a liquid therethrough. The shield at least partially surrounds the inner cap and has a liquid impingement region on an interior surface of the shield adjacent to the first set of ports, the liquid impingement region for receiving the cooling liquid.

A plasma gas swirl ring for a liquid cooled plasma arc torch is provided. The swirl ring comprises a substantially hollow body having a distal end, a proximal end, an interior region defined by an interior surface, and an exterior surface. The interior region of the body is configured to receive an electrode of the plasma arc torch. The swirl ring comprises a first opening disposed within a portion of the proximal end of the body, a second opening disposed about a central portion of the body, and a third opening comprising at least one swirling port disposed within a portion of the distal end of the body. The third opening is configured to provide a swirling flow of the plasma gas about the electrode at the distal end of the body.