In May and June 2011, PEAT conducted an operational campaign on used copper wire (MSW) at its PTDR-100 plasma-arc gasification system located in California. The feedstock included power cables, power supplies, data cables and video cables from computer components. This specific type of high gauge wire is not recycled or processed through a typical mechanical chopping system (too difficult to extract the copper), which means it is typically exported. The objective of this campaign was to demonstrate the feasibility of using the PTDR-100 plasma-arc gasification system for processing used copper wire (class #1 and #2) to gauge its ability to improve yield and/or quality of the reclaimed copper. Further, this testing is also exploring the quantity and quality of syngas generated from the organic portions of the wire using plasma-arc gasification.

During 15 days of operation, almost 820 kilograms (over 1,800 pounds) were processed over a 36 hour span, resulting in an average feed rate of 22.3 kilograms per hour (approximately 50 pounds). 230.40 kilograms of alloy was tapped from the PTDR plasma-arc gasification reactor generating a yield of 28%.

A sample of the alloy tapped from a run on May 19th was sent to an independent lab for compositional analysis (EPA 6010B). The results indicated that the alloy was over 99% copper.

Copper Wire (MSW) Campaign in Sacramento, California : Below is a brief video of the feeding and tapping operations, as well as the recovered product.

The Plasma Thermal Destruction & Recovery (PTDR) Waste‐To‐Energy Technology uses the heat generated by plasma electrodes in an oxygen starved (pyrolytic) environment to first, pull apart (dissociate) the molecules that make‐up the organic portions of the waste, then, depending on the composition of the waste stream, a controlled (stoichiometric) amount of oxygen (either in the form of steam or pure oxygen) can be added to reform the dissociated elements of the waste into a synthesis gas ("syngas"), consisting mainly of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen (H2). This process is commonly referred to as plasma gasification.

The inorganic constituents of the waste are melted (vitrified) into an environmentally safe, leach resistant, glass matrix. The system derives its energy from plasma heat, thus wastes with little or no calorific value can be effectively and efficiently treated.

Waste, when heated to a very high temperature using plasma electrodes in the controlled atmosphere of the reducing plasma gasification reactor undergoes predictable physical and chemical changes. This high temperature generated by the heat from the plasma arc, over 1,000°C (1,800°F) prevents the formation of complex organic molecules and breaks down organics into a gas. These primary molecules are stable above 965°C (1,770°F). The formation of dioxins or furans is significantly impaired inside the plasma gasification reactor due to the unique process features, including high uniform temperatures and a lack of excess oxygen within the system.

This hot gas is then fed through a gas cleaning and conditioning system, where it is rapidly cooled and cleaned to remove any entrained particulate and/or acid gases prior to potential re‐use.

The Plasma Thermal Destruction & Recovery (PTDR) process is a unique, cost‐effective and virtually emissions‐free technology that is superior to other mainstream methods of waste treatment. PTDR waste‐to-energy systems are driven by a proprietary, state‐of‐the‐art instrumentation and computerized control systems.

PEAT International designs advanced waste‐to‐energy & resources systems. The company’s principal mission is the deployment of its proprietary Plasma Thermal Destruction Recovery (PTDR) Technology for toxic waste treatment and hazardous waste treatment. The technology can treat a wide range of waste feedstocks, including industrial, industrial process, biological/medical and universal waste streams. The PTDR is a proven, cost‐effective, environmentally clean and commercially viable solution for toxic waste treatment and hazardous waste treatment.