Method of producing vapor grown carbon fibers using coal
US5846509A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB82Y30/00
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of producing vapor grown carbon fibers is provided in which coal is utilized as a source of an iron catalyst, as a source of hydrocarbon and sulfur, or both. The method includes the steps of introducing pulverized coal into a furnace containing a gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbon, nitrogen, ammonia, helium, or mixtures thereof, and maintaining the gas at a temperature from about 1000.degree.-1175.degree. C. to form the fibers. The coal has a sulfur content of from 1 to 6% by weight and may comprise high volatile bituminous coal. The use of coal to produce vapor grown carbon fibers provides a significant cost advantage over other starting materials and also provides an environmentally safe use for high sulfur content coal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.