Process for suppression of noise and fumes generated by plasma-arc cutting operation

Noise, fuels and potentially dangerous light emissions generated by a plasma-arc cutting operation are suppressed by carrying out the operation with a solid layer of water surrounding the space between the hot effluent discharge of the torch and the workpiece. To localize the layer of water immediately under the discharge nozzle of the torch, a jacket is provided around the lower end of the torch which continually is receiving and discharging water through a skirt guidance member depending from the jacket thus providing a contained volume of moving water around the space involved which immerses the end of the nozzle. A water layer is also provided under the workpiece which receives water leaking around the skirt member and through the kerf created by the torch under its nozzle. Water from under the workpiece is circulated through a separator to remove unwanted materials introduced by the cutting operation. The skirt member is preferably composed of a pliant material such as asbestos cloth, rubber, or brush bristles. However, more rigid material with a partial bottom may be utilized.