A system and method are provided for the thermal and non-thermal
(oxidation) plasma treatment of medical waste using an electrode-less
induction (thermal) and capacitive (non-thermal) plasma torches. The
medical waste is pre-treated by liquid nitrogen, crushed and pulverized
by LN2 crusher/pulverizer, and conveyed to the nitrogen/water thermal
plasma reactor, which converts the powdered medical waste into carbon
black and generated gas (resulting from the thermal step) is directed to
the Oxygen non-thermal plasma reactor for post-treatment. The system is
equipped with an emission control unit, dual frequency pulse RF power
supply, and Liquid Nitrogen Generator. The off gas from LN2 crusher
(nitrogen) is used for the induction plasma torch and off gas from LN2
generator (oxygen) is used as a plasma gas for the Non-thermal plasma
torch.