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arXiv · 2608.10565

Potential of Atmospheric Pressure Thermal Plasma Technology towards Waste Processing: A Comprehensive Review

Tejashwi Rana·Aishik Basu Mallick·Radhika T P·Suryasunil Rath·Pratyay Chattopadhyay·Satyananda Kar
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Abstract

The enhancement of living standards has significantly contributed to the rapid growth of urban populations, resulting in a substantial increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation. This trend underscores the critical need for sustainable, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and highly efficient waste management solutions. This study highlights the pressing necessity for effective MSW management and examines plasma pyrolysis/gasification as an emerging technology to address this challenge. The article provides a detailed analysis of thermal plasma generation techniques employing diverse power sources, including direct current, alternating current, radiofrequency inductively coupled, and microwave-based systems. A comparative evaluation of various plasma torch designs is conducted, emphasizing their applicability in waste-to-energy and waste treatment processes. A comprehensive overview of the treatment of a broad spectrum of waste materials, such as MSW, sewage sludge, coal, wood, plastics, tyres, and rubber, using thermal arc plasma technology is presented. The process predominantly converts waste into a combustible gas (syngas) with a calorific value ranging from 5 to 15 MJ/Nm3 and produces vitrified slag or ash as a by-product. The findings suggest that thermal plasma pyrolysis/gasification offers a promising approach to waste management, facilitating energy generation and material recovery while addressing the challenges of increasing MSW generation.

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Tejashwi Rana, Aishik Basu Mallick, Radhika T P, Suryasunil Rath, Pratyay Chattopadhyay, Satyananda Kar. 2026-08-11. Potential of Atmospheric Pressure Thermal Plasma Technology towards Waste Processing: A Comprehensive Review. https://doi.org/10.54955/ajp.34.3-4.2025.127-139

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