TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluid flow comprises an oxidant (14) comprising air or an exhaust gas containing free oxygen. It includes a fuel/oxidant mixture. Preferred Ratio: The oxygen to carbon ratio of the reactive mixture is between 1.2 and 2.0. Preferred Ratio: The oxygen to carbon ratio of the reactive mixture is less than 1.2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: Rapid establishment, extinction and reestablishment of the plasma discharge produce a quasi-continuous plasma discharge that is equally distributed throughout the plasma discharge volume. The quasi-continuous plasma discharge initiates chemical reactions throughout the plasma discharge volume. A flow direction of the injected reactive mixture is perpendicular to a flow direction of the fluid flow. The current provided by the power supply is limited to prevent non-arcing-to-arc breakdown. The power supply is an adjustable frequency power supply. The step of introducing the fluid flow provides an enlarged volumetric contact of the plasma discharge and the injected reactive mixture within the plasma discharge volume. The step of introducing the fluid flow and the step of injecting the reactive mixture provide an enlarged volumetric contract of the plasma discharge and the injected reactive mixture within the plasma discharge volume. The ignited reactive mixture is introduced into a reactor having a reaction extension region. The ignited reactive mixture is turbulized. A catalyst is provided in the reaction extension region. The hydrogen rich gas output from the reactor is recycled to preheat the fluid flow or the injected reactive mixture (16). The plasma fuel conversion operates at full combustion and wherein an output of the plasma fuel (12) conversion is a hot gas that is no longer hydrogen-rich.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluid flow comprises an oxidant (14) comprising air or an exhaust gas containing free oxygen. It includes a fuel/oxidant mixture. Preferred Ratio: The oxygen to carbon ratio of the reactive mixture is between 1.2 and 2.0. Preferred Ratio: The oxygen to carbon ratio of the reactive mixture is less than 1.2.