Provided is a fluid-cooled contact tip assembly that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, where the deposition rate is increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the metal wire.

Provided is a fluid-cooled contact tip assembly that can be used in methods and systems for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication, especially titanium and titanium alloy objects, where the deposition rate is increased by increasing the flow rate of electric charge through the metal wire.

A system for cooling an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instrument includes: the ICP instrument; a pump in fluid communication with the instrument via a first conduit; and a micro-channel heat exchanger in fluid communication with the instrument via a second conduit, and in fluid communication with the pump via a third conduit. The pump is configured to generate a pump outlet pressure of coolant that exceeds a back pressure of the instrument such that a pressure of the coolant traveling through the second conduit and into the heat exchanger is less than or equal to 5 pounds per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure, as measured at an inlet to the heat exchanger.

Apparatus and methods associated with operating a plasma torch are disclosed. According to some implementations, the apparatus and methods involve the delivery of a process gas to a shuttle valve at first and second pressures for the purpose of altering an axial position of a valve element located inside the shuttle valve. The shuttle valve is configured such that at different axial positions of the valve element the flow of process gas into the plasma torch is altered.

A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.

A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.

Disclosed is a system and method related to removal of carbon from carbon dioxide via the use of plasma arc heating techniques. The method involves generating C atoms and H atoms from C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves generating graphite and H.sub.2 from the C atoms and H atoms, and extracting the graphite. The method involves quenching the H.sub.2 with C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving, at a generator, the quenched the H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y and generating electricity. The method involves generating a concentrated stream of H.sub.2 from the quenched H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving CO.sub.2 and the concentrated stream of H.sub.2 and generating C, O, and H atoms. The method involves receiving the C, O, and H atoms and generating graphite, wherein the graphite is extracted. In the hydrocarbon C.sub.xH.sub.y: x is an integer 1, 2, 3, . . . , and y=2x+2.

Disclosed is a system and method related to removal of carbon from carbon dioxide via the use of plasma arc heating techniques. The method involves generating C atoms and H atoms from C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves generating graphite and H.sub.2 from the C atoms and H atoms, and extracting the graphite. The method involves quenching the H.sub.2 with C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving, at a generator, the quenched the H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y and generating electricity. The method involves generating a concentrated stream of H.sub.2 from the quenched H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving CO.sub.2 and the concentrated stream of H.sub.2 and generating C, O, and H atoms. The method involves receiving the C, O, and H atoms and generating graphite, wherein the graphite is extracted. In the hydrocarbon C.sub.xH.sub.y: x is an integer 1, 2, 3, . . . , and y=2x+2.

In an aspect, a direct-current plasma torch apparatus is provided. The plasma torch apparatus includes first and second electrodes and an insulating body, where the electrodes are electrically connected to an external power source to generate an arc discharge between the first and second electrodes. The plasma torch apparatus can be configured as a modular torch apparatus for simple removal and replacement of elements of the plasma torch apparatus. The plasma torch apparatus can also be configured as a cooled plasma torch apparatus to prolong the working life of elements of the plasma torch apparatus.

In an aspect, a direct-current plasma torch apparatus is provided. The plasma torch apparatus includes first and second electrodes and an insulating body, where the electrodes are electrically connected to an external power source to generate an arc discharge between the first and second electrodes. The plasma torch apparatus can be configured as a modular torch apparatus for simple removal and replacement of elements of the plasma torch apparatus. The plasma torch apparatus can also be configured as a cooled plasma torch apparatus to prolong the working life of elements of the plasma torch apparatus.