Plasma Disposal in Problems of Ecology (Review)

The current state and issues of plasma disposal are discussed. Various types of plasma torches used for disposal, the technological schemes of existing plasma systems, a plasma torch with an expanding output electrode, equipment characteristics, diagnostic methods for the design of an effective low-temperature plasma generator, and the studying of the effects of a high-enthalpy plasma jet generated by a direct-current plasma torch on a solid target material are described. The results obtained via high-speed imaging, micropyrometry, laser profilometry, spectroscopy, and stereoscopy methods are presented. The data on spatial and temporal changes of the temperature field on the sample surface, the dynamics of material loss, and changes in the parameters (temperature and electron density, temperature of heavy particles) of the plasma-jet incident on the sample are analyzed. The collected theoretical and experimental results and engineering solutions can be used to design various low-temperature plasma generators with a power of up to 1 MW and higher.