Q:What types of waste can the Plasma Converter process?
A: All types of waste; solids, liquids, and gases, can be processed separately or simultaneously.
Q:How much pre-preparation is necessary before processing?
A: None. The Converter processes all materials without sorting. In some cases it may be desirable to volume reduce waste materials through the use of a shredder to achieve optimal processing efficiencies.
Q:How effectively does the Plasma Converter process medical waste and other troublesome hazardous waste streams such as PCB's?
A: The Plasma Converter can process all such hazardous wastes safely and efficiently. Temperatures in the Plasma vessel reach in excess of 30,000º F at the core of the Plasma field. All wastes fed into the vessel are irreversibly destroyed and converted, through the process of molecular dissociation, into a safe synthesis fuel gas called Plasma Converted Gas ™ (PCG).
Q:What type of feed systems can the Plasma Converter accommodate?
A: All types; ram, auger, rotary valve, top gravity feed, and others. In addition, liquids and gases are fed into the vessel simultaneously through their own dedicated ports.
Q:What volumes of waste can the Plasma Converter process?
A: The Plasma Converter vessel is manufactured in several standard industrial sizes; 5 tons per day (tpd), 10 tpd, 20 tpd, 50 tpd, and 100 tpd. Resource Recovery Facilities of 500 tons per day and larger are under proposal, utilizing multiple 100 tpd vessels and centralized gas scrubbing.
Q:What are the principal by-products of the system?
A: The two principal byproducts of the Plasma Converter are a synthesis fuel gas called PCG ™ and an obsidian-like stone, which is non-toxic and non-leachable. Both are commodity products that offer the customer revenue potential. The PCG can be directly used for plant heating or cooling, to make electricity, or to desalinate water, as well as other uses. Additionally, the PCG can be used to make hydrogen or methanol. The obsidian-like stone can be sold to the construction and abrasives industries.
Q:Does the system create any kind of emissions?
A: When the gas is used as a feedstock, no stack is necessary as all commodity byproducts are recycled for further use. PCG is similar to natural gas when used to generate steam (ie. Boiler) or energy (ie. Microturbine).
Q:Can the Plasma Converter generate its own power for processing?
A: Yes, for most carbonaceous waste streams, enough PCG is produced to run a motor generator set or turbine to produce the electricity needed to run the system plus some residual electricity that can be put back into the electrical grid or sold to others. This electric generation capability is especially important for remote areas or where the cost of electricity is particularly high or availability is limited.
Q:When I buy a Plasma Converter system, what equipment is included?
A: The system includes the Plasma Converter Vessel with feed system, Plasma Torch and Power Supply, A High Pressure Cooling Water System, Central Computer Control Station, and Gas Polishing System. The system delivers a cleaned, cooled, scrubbed synthesis gas ready for use. The customer will need to supply PCG storage and use equipment such as compressors, motor-generator sets, turbines, and boilers to employ the PCG.
Q:Is performance insurance available and can Startech provide financing?
A: Yes, performance insurance is available to qualified buyers. The insurance provides coverage for a buyer's intended waste stream as well as for the successful permitting of the Plasma Converter system for the specific application. Startech can arrange project financing for creditworthy buyers and will consider taking an equity position in a joint development arrangement for those projects that offer an attractive financial return.
FAQ's Relative to Homeland Defense
Q:Can the Plasma Converter process and destroy Anthrax?
A: Yes, we believe the Plasma Converter will irreversibly destroy many hazardous contaminants including anthrax, mad cow disease, and foot and mouth disease.
Q:How would a Plasma Converter get to a ground zero site in the event of a terrorist hazardous attack?
A: Truck-mounted mobile Plasma Converter systems that could be rapidly deployed to process and destroy hazardously contaminated materials at ground zero.
Q:How are anthrax and other hazardous contaminants irreversibly destroyed?
A: The intense radiant energy and super high temperatures created by the plasma arc will cause the actual molecules that make up the viruses and bacteria to break apart through a process called "molecular dissociation". No hazardous organisms or agents that go into the Plasma vessel survive.
