Abstract
(Englisch)
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For the last few years, the use of plasma technology in the production of carbon material has been investigated as a mean to achieve a better use of the energy, to reduce pollutant emissions and to develop new carbon materials.
The proposed program is focusing on:
- the installation of a new plasma source
- the development of a reactor design including injection nozzle
- the development of new carbon nano-particles by using gaseous and liquid feedstock
In the frame of this program five companies co-operate, Tetronics, specialised in the design of electrical sources for plasma technology is in charge of the plasma source in co-operation with Armines and the CNRS, both public research organisations. Erachem and Timcal, two european industrial companies, specialised respectively in the production of carbon black and graphite, joined their effort to develop a new clean electro-thermic continuous process for hydrogen and carbon nano-particles, covering as well carbon black and graphite as other carbon materials. Armines, cnrs and Erachem take care of the reactor modifications and the injector design as well as the feedstock selection. Timcal and Erachem will analyse the products and test their applicative properties.
Four carbonaceous feedstocks were selected: methane, ethylene, styrene and pyrolysis fuel oil, which allow to obtain different types of plasma carbons. To characterise these nano carbons, Timcal has used its thinking model which correlate the four fundamental parameters purity, crystalline structure, porous texture and particle size to the applicative properties such as electrical conductivity, reactivity, filler in plastics, special pigments.
After three years of work, the team concluded as follows:
-The plasma reactor was progressively developped to a reliable and well functionning apparatus.
-The types of plasma carbons collected depend from the feedstock and the collecting location.
-The carbons obtained are similar to acetylene blacks, from the highest quality to the standard one: the obtained plasma carbons reached high level of purity
-It was not possible to obtain graphitic carbons, because the reaction condition, the temperature and the residence time were not adequate.
The plasma carbons obtained are equivalent to the best acetylene blacks known and show excellent performance in batteries and plastics.
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