Plasma State Technology

People are very familiar with the solid, liquid and gaseous states of matter, but not with plasma, the fourth state of matter, which is reached at sufficiently high temperatures and energy densities.

Plasma state is an ionized gas comprising molecules, atoms, ions (in their ground or in various excited states), electrons and photons. It is electrically conductive since there are free electrons and ions present, and is in local electrical neutrality, since the numbers of free electrons and ions are equal. More than 99% of our known universe is in the plasma state. Lightning and auroras are other common examples on earth.

The high energy content of plasma state compared to that of ordinary gases or even the highest temperature combustion flames offers unlimited potential for its use in a number of significant modern industrial applications.

In summary, plasma offers:

• High temperature environment ( 5 000- 10 000 K)
• High thermal conductivity
• No combustion necessary
• High purity

Tekna’s Radio Frequency Plasma (RF) or Induction Coupled Plasma (ICP) are generated through the electromagnetic coupling of electrical energy into a discharge cavity.

A plasma flow generated in an induction plasma torch gives a high-temperature environment (5000 to 10 000 K) with a high specific enthalpy (1-10 MJ/kg, depending on the plasma gas composition). The central axial injection mode makes the handling of the precursor feeding into the discharge much easier than alternate plasma sources. Because the residence time is longer than on DC plasmas, the precursor can be better treated and particles are heated thoroughly.