Plasma Metallurgy

Plasma metallurgy - extraction from ores, smelting and processing of metals and alloys under the influence of plasma .

Processing of ores (oxides, etc.) is carried out by their thermal decomposition in plasma. To prevent reverse reactions, a reducing agent is used (carbon, hydrogen, methane, etc.), or a sharp cooling of the plasma stream, which violates the thermodynamic equilibrium .

Plasma metallurgy allows direct reduction of metal from ore, significantly accelerate metallurgical processes, obtain clean materials, reduce fuel consumption ( reducing agent ). A disadvantage of plasma metallurgy is the high consumption of electricity used to generate plasma .