Plasma method utilizes efficiently all four types of hazardous, toxic or lethal waste because of high temperature, capable of disassociating molecular bonds.
Plasma waste utilization method takes place in a close system, without releasing ashes, waste remnants, dusts and toxic gases into environment. Regained metals return to metallurgic industry and created slag is used as an additive to road construction materials. Non-toxic gases, which are created, are stored in special containers (gas cylinders) and used as fuel and energy creators.
The volumetric waste reduction for most solid wastes is approximately 300 to 1. Conventional incineration ratio is in the range of 5 to 1 since large quantities of ash are produced.
Plasma technology allows converting large quantities of municipal waste in the range of 10 to 500 tons a day.
This method of waste reduction is the only method available to reduce electronic waste, which does not undergo biodegradation.
The costs of using plasma technology are significantly reduced from $40/ton to ZERO as a result of creation of ecologic by-products. The costs of using conventional incineration are in the range of $100/ton.
Contaminates in slag and gases created during plasma utilization with elements such as mercury, cadmium, sulphur, SO2, HCL, dioxins, selenium, chromium, lead, barium, arsenic, radioactive elements are strictly controlled by usage of special water or dry scrubbers and filters. Using this method elements are considerably minimized below environmental standards. The remainder of the pollutants sink into glassy slag and can be treated further in close system, which is a major distinction to conventional incineration.
The ashes that are formed as a result of conventional incineration can be burned down to further using plasma technology to make them harmless.
Contemporary plasma converters are computer controlled, safe, quiet and can be stationary or mobile.
Plasma waste utilization will improve public health and safely achieve “total and irreversible destruction of hazardous and toxic compounds”, “lethal viruses, bacteria and prions that are so dangerous to our health.” (Startech Environmental Corp.)