Plasma Energy Home - Plasma Energy Group

Over the last 25 years, Plasma Energy Group (PEG) has developed a patented process called Plasma Arc Reduction (PAR) and is marketing the technology under the name of Plasma Energy Arc Reduction (PEAR) . PEG has built sixteen research units and now have commercial units available. The PEAR-PAR system safely reduces waste streams by 90-95% using an electrical reduction process that breaks molecular bonds. But unlike incineration, the by-products of this process are environmentally safe elements and simple compounds.

Almost any waste stream can be processed, including municipal, industrial, hazardous or medical waste without segregation. In addition, the PAR system can produce syn-gas or syn-fuel that can be used to generate electricity or sold to reduce operating costs or provide operating profits.

Plasma ENERGY arc reduction (PEAR) process

Plasma Energy Group’s proprietary Plasma Energy Arc Reduction (PEAR) process utilizes electrical energy discharged into a waste stream through an electric plasma arc. The generated plasma is a super conductor and allows the primary energy source, the electric arc current, to saturate the waste stream within an inert gas filled chamber. Within the process chamber, the waste is trapped in a charged plasma cloud formed by the ionization of an inert gas. The generated plasma ion gas is at an extreme high temperature, 6,000 to 18,000 degrees F. This high temperature generates molecular reduction (breakdown). The electrical plasma arc physically fractures the molecular bonds of waste into simple compounds converting it to carbon black, metals, silica, plasma processed gases, and heat energy. The waste processing controls the reduction, reforming, or destruction within the plasma chamber without incurring combustion.

PEAR IS NOT INCINERATION, PYROLYSIS, nor GASIFICATION

PEAR IS A UNIQUE PLASMA UNLIKE ANY OTHER PROCESS

INCINERATION — Incineration is a thermochemical process in which the reactions between the fuel material (waste) and oxygen take place with or without a burning accelerant fuel to aid the combustion process. Most industrial incinerators operate in atmosphere with excess air pumped into the burning process, usually up to 50,000 CFM. Most incineration processes have a heat value or temperature of less than 800°F.

The accelerant fuel source to start and maintain the incineration process can be a gas, liquid fuel, or plasma. Incineration is a low heat combustion process and has emissions which must be treated to meet current emissions standards.

PYROLYSIS — Pyrolysis is the heating of a material, such as biomass, in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis is usually conducted at or above 500°F, providing enough heat to deconstruct the strong bio-polymers bonds. Because no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char. Pyrolysis energy source (heat) is located outside the chamber and requires a fuel or electric element source. The PEAR process has the energy source located inside the chamber and used a direct injection of the electric arc and plasma into the waste material, both systems have an inert gas and a lack of oxygen to control any combustion within the process.

The heat source for pyrolysis can be a gas, liquid fuel, electric, or plasma. Pyrolysis is best described as a high temperature oven that bakes the material within the oven. A simple Pyrolysis is a baked pizza that is baked to bio char or baked to the point where only carbon material is left.

GASIFICATION — Gasification is also a thermochemical process in which the reactions between fuel and the gasification agent take place and syngas (also known as producer gas, product gas, synthetic gas, or synthesis gas) is produced. The syngas is mainly composed of CO, H₂, N₂, CO₂, and some hydrocarbons (CH₄, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, etc.). Very small amounts of H₂S, NH₃, and tars may also be included.

In general, biomass gasification is the thermochemical conversion of organic (waste) feedstock in a high-temperature environment above 900°F, through which biomass can be converted not only to syngas for energy generation but also to chemicals; for instance, methane, ethylene, adhesives, fatty acids, surfactants, detergents, and plasticizers.

The fuel heat source for gasification can be a gas, liquid fuel, or plasma. Gasification is a high heat combustion process and has emissions related to a combustion process which must be treated to meet current emissions standards. Most gasification systems require a large amount of free air for the combustion to occur, over 50,000 CFM. The PEAR plasma arc system requires a very small amount of inert gas flow, 4-5 CFM because there no combustion in the entire process.

OTHER PLASMA SYSTEMS — Plasma systems have been described as utilizing man-made lightning for processing. These systems use a plasma-torch for heating the waste stock to super high temperatures, up to 18,000°F. The process destroys waste by breaking the molecules of the waste into its most basic form. Typically, this technology does not create any new toxic chemicals or ash as do many present incinerators and chemical processes. In addition, plasma systems can dispose of all types of waste, have no environmental effects, have energy recovery, and byproduct reuse capabilities. However, users of competing plasma technologies reduce volume by less than 90% and have complex operating systems.

Most plasma technologies and plasma processes have extreme differences. For example, the PEAR process uses the ionization of a gas (plasma) within the process as a conductive path for the primary energy source (electricity) for waste destruction. The PEAR system is the only plasma process that uses an unrestricted arc outside the plasma torch for the energy needed for processing and material. Most other plasma processes use a restricted plasma torch where the arc is within the torch. The heated gas is ionized to form a plasma and the generated plasma heat (third energy source) as the means for the processing of material. The PEAR process used less energy for a much lower operating cost. An example of the differences is the amount of inert gas or plasma gas flow required for most plasma systems and the PEAR process. As most plasma technologies require the transfer of heat for doing work they require a large amount of gas flow over 50,000 CFM per torch used, where most systems have 3 or more torches. The PEAR process requires only 10 CFH or .17 CFM per torch. The PEAR system requires from 12 to 48 torches per process chamber.

PLASMA PROCESSES OF THE PAST AND THE STORY THEY TELL, HAVE GIVEN “PLASMA” A HISTORY OF UNEQUALED PROCESSING ABILITY, BUT WITH EXTRAVAGANT CAPITAL AND OPERATING COSTS. NOW PLASMA ENERGY GROUP, LLC IS REWRITING THE STORY WITH THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE SYSTEM OF ANY TECHNOLOGY.