RE: plasma arc technology

[Jane Williams <dcap@qnet.com>]

Dear Colleagues,

The plasma arc is not used by the Navy to destroy chemical weapons.  This is a technology that I follow very closely, if you require information about its current status please contact me directly and I will be happy to share what I have.  

The plama arc is just like an incinerator, but uses hot plasma (tens of thousanda of degrees) as the heat source.  While conceptually a good idea, the waste doesn't get that hot and so products of incomplete formation still form.  The plasma arc just underwent demonstration as part of the Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment.  It had problems and is no longer considered a solution for the destruction of our nation's chemical weapons stockpile. 

The technology vendors are agressively marketing their technology both in the states and abroad, so everyone should be expecting a proposal in their state soon.

Jane Williams
California Communities Against Toxics

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From: 	Neil Tangri[SMTP:ntangri@essential.org]
Sent: 	Wednesday, September 01, 1999 4:02 PM
To: 	pops-network@igc.org; ejdesk@igc.org; dioxin-l@essential.org
Cc: 	jchaconr@yahoo.com
Subject: 	plasma arc technology

Hello Friends,

I am currently in El Salvador and just spoke with an official of the
Ministry of Health who is considering different options for medical waste
treatment. He is off to Waste Expo '99 in Miami in a couple weeks and is
particularly interested in the US Navy's plasma arc technology ("Plasma
Waste Converter"). The Navy uses it to destroy chemical weaponry, but this
official wants it for medical waste, which is a burgeoning problem in El
Salvador.

Clearly, we have a better alternative (reduction, segregation, recycling,
sterilization) to offer, and can come up with any number of philosophical
arguments against the Plasma Waste Converter. But we need some data on
emissions, ash (?) and cost to convince the bureaucrats. If you have any
such information, or know who does, please let me know.

Much thanks,

Neil