Microwave driven torches for high temperature chemistry and production of atomic species

Summary form only given, as follows. Several microwave driven plasma torches are being developed at PSI for a variety of applications. The plasma in the torches is confined by a vortex flow, thereby eliminating the need for confining dielectric tubes. This allows the use of very high power discharges with very reactive gases such as oxygen and fluorine. Temperatures from less than 1000 /spl deg/C to over 4000 /spl deg/C can be achieved, resulting in the efficient dissociation of a number of useful gases. Gases tested to date include air, oxygen, nitrogen, SF/sub 6/, steam as well as others. Torches operating with 30 kW @ 915 MHz and 5 kW @ 2450 MHz are described. Measurements of the operating parameters, including the enthalpy and gas species content, are presented and compared to results of simulations.