Waste Gasification by Thermal Plasma: A Review

Abstract

waste gasification processes based on thermal plasma (DC or AC plasma torches) at lab scale versus typical performances of waste autothermal gasification: LHV of the syngas, cold gas efficiency and net electrical efficiency. In the last part, a review has been done on the various torch technologies used for waste gasification by plasma at industrial scale, the major companies on this market and the perspectives of the industrial development of the waste gasification by thermal plasma. The main conclusions are that plasma technology is considered as a highly attractive route for the processing of waste-to-energy and can be easily adapted to the treatment of various wastes (municipal solid wastes, heavy oil, used car tires, medical wastes …). The high enthalpy, the residence time and high temperature in plasma can advantageously improve the conditions for gasification, which are inaccessible in other thermal processes and can allow reaching, due to low tar content in the syngas, better net electrical efficiency than autothermal processes.

DC Thermal Plasma Design and Utilization for the Low Density Polyethylene to Diesel Oil Pyrolysis Reaction

“…Using thermal plasma in plastic waste reactions achieves better environmental performance as well as better life cycle assessment and higher process efficiency [28]. The thermal plasma also accelerates reaction kinetics and improve thermal cracking and the emission enthalpy can be adjusted easily by electric power tuning [29]. Therefore, DC thermal plasma torches can act as a catalyst due to their excellent properties such as high energy density, high temperature range, and high chemical reactivity [30].…”

“…Energies 2017, 10, 784 4 of 14 thermal cracking and the emission enthalpy can be adjusted easily by electric power tuning [29]. Therefore, DC thermal plasma torches can act as a catalyst due to their excellent properties such as high energy density, high temperature range, and high chemical reactivity [30].…”

Overview of Electric Field Applications in Energy and Process Engineering

“…Waste treatment using plasmas has gained special attention in the last decade, which is reported in numerous studies and review papers (see, e.g., [63,91,[95][96][97][98][99]). The use of plasmas for waste incineration is attractive when a valuable co-product like syngas, hydrogen, or electricity can be generated.…”

“…This enhances strongly the degradation of tars with much higher efficiency than conventional processes. Furthermore, a synthesis gas is produced that is enriched with hydrogen (during water-gas shift reaction) [95]. The ability to be operated at high temperature can allow synthesizing or degrading chemicals, which cannot be realized by conventional combustion.…”

“…This can accelerate the chemical reactions largely. The application of plasma allows a simple enthalpy control by adjusting the electrical power [95].…”