Technology History

The Torrent Energy team has worked together for more than 20 years to develop commercial high energy plasma systems for varied applications. The team has system implementations using multiple types of plasma and other energies, singularly and in combination.

In 2008, the team developed a novel plasma torch for use in the coal power industry. The torch provided the industry a means to use lower grade coal, more complete combustion (lower GHG emissions) and a 35%+ increase in energy efficiency. More than 100 systems have been installed. These systems formed the basis for our high temperature torch designs.

At the same time the team was developing high energy (1MW) RF-plasma based systems for the separation of high value, low concentration elements from mine process tailings. Systems were installed at multiple international locations. These systems formed the basis for the Torrent elemental separation designs.

Building on these systems the team further developed and deployed systems that expanded the knowledge, implementation and production applications for the base technologies.

High temperature plasma systems were developed to process municipal solid and liquid organic waste streams. Fully operational systems were integrated into treatment plants in the US and at international locations. Further, the systems were developed into a containerized design, allowing them to be mobilized to remote locations.

Plasma systems were also developed for the deep sanitization of agricultural products in bulk quantities. These systems destroy bacteria and pathogens on the cellular level.

Multi-plasma/thermal systems were built to decompose scrap rubber from tires into recovered carbon black and generate energy output to the grid. These systems were built to production scale and are still the most efficient means to convert waste tires into valuable carbon black, and generate energy (both syngas and direct cogeneration).

Built Production scale proprietary plasma treatment systems that convert global agricultural waste products into a novel oil spill response product, that carry unique features and benefits, and produces highly activated carbons at <60% COGS of current market competitors. Both of these products are produced with zero-GHG emissions.

A sentinel project for the team was the development of systems to produce “clean” Acetylene from liquid waste oil feedstocks. The solution was a high temp plasma system utilizing an enhanced torch and a completely new reactor design. Twelve of these systems are deployed and in operation, some up to 5 MW in power. These systems are the basis of our latest torch and reactor designs.

In 2016 the team took on the internal project to leverage the experience, designs and build history to develop technology to generate hydrogen from gaseous and liquid feedstocks. The process underwent several design enhancements to deliver zero emission green hydrogen at any volume demanded by customers. In 2020, Torrent built and operated four production scale systems. The units have logged 1000s of hours of testing and operation.  The systems have undergone verification for quality, quantity, safety, and reliability.

Technology History

The Torrent Energy team has worked together for more than 20 years to develop commercial high energy plasma systems for varied applications. The team has system implementations using multiple types of plasma and other energies, singularly and in combination.

In 2008, the team developed a novel plasma torch for use in the coal power industry. The torch provided the industry a means to use lower grade coal, more complete combustion (lower GHG emissions) and a 35%+ increase in energy efficiency. More than 100 systems have been installed. These systems formed the basis for our high temperature torch designs.

At the same time the team was developing high energy (1MW) RF-plasma based systems for the separation of high value, low concentration elements from mine process tailings. Systems were installed at multiple international locations. These systems formed the basis for the Torrent elemental separation designs.

Building on these systems the team further developed and deployed systems that expanded the knowledge, implementation and production applications for the base technologies.

High temperature plasma systems were developed to process municipal solid and liquid organic waste streams. Fully operational systems were integrated into treatment plants in the US and at international locations. Further, the systems were developed into a containerized design, allowing them to be mobilized to remote locations.

Plasma systems were also developed for the deep sanitization of agricultural products in bulk quantities. These systems destroy bacteria and pathogens on the cellular level.

Multi-plasma/thermal systems were built to decompose scrap rubber from tires into recovered carbon black and generate energy output to the grid. These systems were built to production scale and are still the most efficient means to convert waste tires into valuable carbon black, and generate energy (both syngas and direct cogeneration).

Built Production scale proprietary plasma treatment systems that convert global agricultural waste products into a novel oil spill response product, that carry unique features and benefits, and produces highly activated carbons at <60% COGS of current market competitors. Both of these products are produced with zero-GHG emissions.

A sentinel project for the team was the development of systems to produce “clean” Acetylene from liquid waste oil feedstocks. The solution was a high temp plasma system utilizing an enhanced torch and a completely new reactor design. Twelve of these systems are deployed and in operation, some up to 5 MW in power. These systems are the basis of our latest torch and reactor designs.

In 2016 the team took on the internal project to leverage the experience, designs and build history to develop technology to generate hydrogen from gaseous and liquid feedstocks. The process underwent several design enhancements to deliver zero emission green hydrogen at any volume demanded by customers. In 2020, Torrent built and operated four production scale systems. The units have logged 1000s of hours of testing and operation.  The systems have undergone verification for quality, quantity, safety, and reliability.