Patent ID: 6855183
Filing Date: 2005-02-15
Classification: C21C,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for producing stainless steel using a plasma generator a. wherein the plasma generator comprises b. heating the vessel; c. loading scrap metal waste comprising steel into the heated vessel; d. melting the loaded scrap metal waste comprising steel to a molten state in the heated vessel by first using a non-transferred plasma arc torch to cut and melt the scrap metal waste and then using a second transferred plasma arc torch to maintain the liquid state of the scrap metal waste; e. adding an additional 4 tons of steel to the heated vessel creating a molten metal pool with a minimum operating depth; f. raising the heated vessel temperature to an operating temperature of at least 2000 degrees Centigrade; g. acquiring EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE to load into the vessel, wherein the EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE comprises a portion of stainless steel; h. loading said EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE into the heated vessel at a defined rate per hour; i. transforming the EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE into molten material with the non-transferred plasma arc torch by cutting and heating said EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE; j. maintaining the molten material status of the waste by further melting any non-melted EPA category MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, HAZARDOUS WASTE and/or SPECIAL WASTE into a molten status with the transferred plasma arc torch; and k. removing the portion of stainless steel in molten form from the molten metal pool through the stainless steel outlet.