Plasma Reactor Waste Management Systems

by Jr. Ness, Univ of North Dakota, United States,
John R. Rindt, Univ of North Dakota, United States,
Sumitra R. Ness, Univ of North Dakota, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering, Construction, and Operations in Space

Abstract:

The University of North Dakota is developing a plasma reactor system for use in closed-loop processing which includes biological, materials, manufacturing, and waste processing. Direct-current, high-frequency, or microwave discharges will be used to produce plasmas for the treatment of materials. The plasma reactors offer several advantages over other systems, including low operating temperatures, low operating pressures, mechanical simplicity, and relatively safe operation. Human fecal material, sunflowers, oats, soybeans, and plastic were oxidized in a batch plasma reactor. Over 98% of the organic material was converted to gaseous products. The solids were then analyzed and a large amount of water and acid-soluble materials were detected. These materials could possibly be used as nutrients for biological systems.

Subject Headings: Organic matter | Recycling | Biological processes | Waste treatment | Waste management | Materials processing | Waste disposal

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