Rapid aerogel production process
US6670402B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/54
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods of more rapidly producing aerogel products by means of a rapid solvent exchange of solvent inside wet gels with supercritical CO2 by injecting supercritical, rather than liquid, CO2 into an extractor that has been pre-heated and pre-pressurized to substantially supercritical conditions or above. Preferably, pressure waves are applied to the supercritical CO2 to enhance the solvent exchange. The rapid solvent exchange process is followed by depressurization, optionally with a gas exchange. Preferably, pressure waves are used to speed up the depressurization. The process greatly reduces the time for forming aerogel products.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.