Abstract
The preliminary test for the dual mode plasma torch system was carried out to explore the operation properties in advance. The dual mode plasma torch system that is able to operate in transferred, non-transferred, or dual mode is very adequate for melting the mixed wastes including nonconductive materials such as concrete, asbestos, etc. since it exploits both the high efficiency of heat transfer to the melt in transferred mode and stable operation in non-transferred mode. Also, system operation including restarting is reliable and very easy. A stationary melter with a refractory structure was designed and manufactured considering the melting behavior of slags to minimize the refractory erosion. The power supply for the dual mode plasma torch system built with high power insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules has functions for both current control and voltage control and is sufficient to suppress the harmonics during the operation of the plasma torch. The power supply provides two different voltages for transferred operation and non-transferred. It is confirmed that the operation voltage in transferred is always higher than non-transferred. The dual mode plasma torch system was successfully developed and is under operation for a melting experiment to optimize operation data.
