[Measurements of Ar(I) excitation temperatures and electron number densities in an ICP with and without the presence of Freon 12--the development of ICP technology for hazardous waste management].

For the management of refractory hazardous wastes, an innovative technology emerging recently is the application of ultra high temperature plasma. The preliminary study on destruction of Freon 12 by ICP (1-2kW) under a joint program between Xiamen Univ. and Hong Kong Baptist Univ. showed that the ICP technology indeed holds a great potential for hazardous wastes management. The destruction efficiency is more than 99.9999%. With and without the presence of Freon 12, Ar(I) excitation temperatures were measured by Boltzmann plot method and electron number densities the by H (beta) line broadening method. It was found that above the load coil, the excitation temperatures and electron number densities decrease with increasing the amount of Freon 12 presented in the central channel of the ICP, but inside the load coil region, the excitation temperatures are affected little by Freon 12. The conclusion of thermal pinch could be expected from this phenomenon.