The processing of PFAS to convert them into safer substances comprises introducing gaseous or vapour phase PFAS into a treatment zone where microwave radiation of predetermined frequency and power level creates a plasma which at least partially dissociates the PFAS. There is also a system for remediating particulate solids, particularly soil, contaminated with PFAS, the method including directing microwave radiation to a body of particulate solids in the closed vessel so as to promote vaporization of PFAS which are then treated by exposure to the microwave produced plasma. Continuous and batch processing apparatus are disclosed. A preheating stage can dry the particulate solids to a pre-determined moisture content, and then a higher energy microwave heating promotes vaporization of PFAS. A partial vacuum created where particulate solids heated by the microwave radiation are yielding up PFAS promotes the vaporization of PFAS. Alternating cycles of high pressure during microwave irradiation and low pressure or partial vacuum can avoid plasma generation in the heating stage while optimizing vaporization of PFAS from the particulate solids.

Some embodiments are directed to a generator and separator assembly for generating ions via atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma and separating the generated ions. The generator and separator assembly include a plasma generator for generating the generating atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma that is configured to eject positively and negatively ions. A separator is disposed to receive the positively and negatively ions ejected from the plasma generator, and includes a first separator electrode; a second separator electrode spaced from the first separator electrode; and a separator power supply that supplies electric power in the form of at least one of different voltages and different polarities to the first and second electrodes ranging from 0 kV and 10 kV, such that the received positively charged ions are redirected in one direction and the received negatively charged ions are redirected to another direction different from the one direction.

Provided is a microwave plasma device, including: a hollow tube that is hollow and irradiated with a microwave; a swirl gas inlet that is located at a lower end portion of the hollow tube and injected with a swirl gas; an axial gas inlet that penetrates through the lower end portion of the hollow tube and injected with an axial gas; and a swirl gas barrier that is located inside the hollow tube, located near where the swirl gas is injected, and extends in a longitudinal direction of the hollow tube, in which a gap g is formed between the swirl gas barrier and the hollow tube, and plasma is generated inside the hollow tube and nitrogen oxide is generated inside the hollow tube.

An apparatus for treating gaseous pollutant with plasma comprises a microwave source generating a microwave oscillation; a waveguide component coupled to the microwave source; and a resonant cavity coupled to the waveguide component, the microwave oscillation is substantially propagated toward a waveguide direction, the resonant cavity comprises a first chamber and a second chamber, the waveguide direction is substantially parallel to a reference axis defined in the first chamber, the first chamber has an inner wall surrounding the reference axis, the inner wall comprises a first inner wall obliquely inclined toward the reference axis and a second inner wall substantially parallel in respect to the reference axis relatively, an area of the first inner wall is larger than that of the second inner wall so that the first chamber has a tapered space, and the microwave oscillation interacts with an ignition gas in the second chamber to generate a torch.

Plasma generators and methods of generating plasma are disclosed. Electrodes in a reaction zone are energized by a high voltage power source that is electrically insulated from the electrodes. A first conductor array, preferably a coil, is electrically coupled to the power source and electrically insulated from the electrodes. A second conductor array, preferably a coaxial coil nested within the first conductor array, is electrically coupled to the electrodes. Electromagnetic induction between the first conductor array and the second conductor array is used to energize the electrodes and generate a plasma in the reaction zone. One or more microwaves are further directed at the plasma to form microwave plasma, either in parallel or in series. Such plasmas are used to reform a hydrocarbon feedstock into low C hydrocarbons, carbon, or hydrogen. Plasma generators combining induction plasma with serial microwave plasmas are further contemplated.

An energy amplification agent 6 is supplied into a reactor 1 to generate fine particles of the agent 6 inside of the heated reactor by vaporizing the agent, and, then, the fine particles are ionized by electromagnetic waves to form a plasma space 5 including a combination of atoms of the fine particles, ions and electrons in which the fine particles themselves are decayed in plasma to be separated into protons, neutrons and electrons by electromagnetic waves in shape of standing waves emitted from a wall surface 1a and large-strength electromagnetic waves generated at an uncertain period through amplification functions of the fine particles, so that hydrogen is obtained, and heat is obtained in such a manner that protons and neutrons are mainly reunited with each other in a plasma atmosphere after the plasma decay when gas to be treated is supplied into the plasma space.

Plasma generators and methods of generating plasma are disclosed. Electrodes in a reaction zone are energized by a high voltage power source that is electrically insulated from the electrodes. A first conductor array, preferably a coil, is electrically coupled to the power source and electrically insulated from the electrodes. A second conductor array, preferably a coaxial coil nested within the first conductor array, is electrically coupled to the electrodes. Electromagnetic induction between the first conductor array and the second conductor array is used to energize the electrodes and generate a plasma in the reaction zone. One or more microwaves are further directed at the plasma to form microwave plasma, either in parallel or in series. Such plasmas are used to reform a hydrocarbon feedstock into low C hydrocarbons, carbon, or hydrogen. Plasma generators combining induction plasma with serial microwave plasmas are further contemplated.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a gliding-arc type plasma reactor for use in nitrogen-based fertilizer production. The plasma reactor may include a pair of electrodes oriented in a plane within an enclosure. A pair of sheaths may attach to a corresponding electrode, with each included a strike point surface oriented to face the other sheath. The electrodes may further include an inner channel through which a cooling fluid may be pumped for heat control. A gas injection system may also be included to inject a gas into the chamber for interacting with the plasma arc and may or may not include an adjustable nozzle. The nozzle may direct air flow, including the gas, at a location at which the plasma arc may occur. The device provides for a long lifetime of components within the device and easy replacement and maintenance of the components of high-wear items.

Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO.sub.2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO.sub.2.sup.+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O.sub.2.sup.+ and O.sub.2.sup.− ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO.sub.2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO.sub.2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO.sub.2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO.sub.2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

A plasma processing method for a gas comprises supplying a gas inside a cavity for plasma processing, supplying microwaves having a predetermined frequency and power in order to generate a plasma of the gas, and propagating the microwaves in the gas by means of a waveguide which communicates directly with the cavity so as to provide a plasma cracking processing operation for the gas inside the cavity (2).