Thermal plasma treatment of waste incinerator ash

The thermal plasma treatment of waste incinerator residuals is described and the main applications concern the vitrification of the ashes from the medical waste incinerators. The novel rotating-are plasma reactor has been applied to the ash solidification process, particularly for residues of toxic waste combustion. The plasma vitrification conditions for typical ash composition have been calculated by taking into account the appropriate temperature range and the product properties (leaching test). Pilot test results are reported for plasma melting of medical waste incineration residues under these chosen conditions.