Atmospheric plasma reactor for the large-scale production of carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon

Abstract

The present invention addresses to a plasma reactor for the thermal and/or plasmatic decomposition of hydrocarbon molecules aiming at the production of carbon nanotubes on a large scale, as well as amorphous carbon of superior quality in terms of purity. Because it is operated at pressures close to the atmospheric pressure and can operate in a continuous flow regime, said reactor has a superior capacity for the production of carbon nanotubes. The hydrocarbon pyrolysis by means of thermal plasma or the heat derived therefrom produces carbonaceous material that presents a higher purity content than those obtained by the methods most used in the production of solid carbon, which are based, generally, on the burning of part of the load hydrocarbon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.