Plasma Torch History

1878 - Technology originally developed in the first arc furnace.

1970s - Technology refined with NASA using it to test space shuttle tiles.

1980s – Westinghouse patents and commercially develops the technology for waste processing.

2001 –  4SPT, predecessor, builds a 150 kw DC non-transferred torch powered waste solvent demo plant in Taiwan and operates it for 3 years.

2005 – 4SPT, predecessor, builds and operates a 350 kw AC non-transferred torch (2nd generation) in Taiwan demonstrating a proven and cost-effective solution at the National Chengkung University Environmental and Resources Center. Plant is still operational, and visits can be coordinated.

2009 – 4SPT, predecessor, builds and operates a 150 kw DC graphite electrode plant (3rd generation) in McClellan, California. This plant closed due to business reasons unrelated to the technology and success of the project.

2012 – 4SPT, predecessor, builds and operates a 150 kw DC graphite electrode medical waste processing plant in Shanghai and was decommissioned.

2018 –  4SPT, predecessor, builds and operates a 100 kg/day (50kw DC plasma torch) unit in Taiwan and remains operational.

2023 – 4SPT patent granted September 2023 (4th generation), using a 2-chamber reactor design with improved operating efficiency.