US 6,099,696 AGranted

Conversion of carbon or carbon-containing compounds in a plasma

AssigneesArmines, Timcal Ltd.

InventorsYvan Schwob, Francis Fischer, Laurent Fulcheri, Pierre Willemez

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Abstract

A process for converting carbon or carbonated compounds in a plasma into carbons having a defined nanostructure consists of a reaction chamber whose head part contains three electrodes, a plasma gas supply, and a carbon or carbonated compound supply. A process for preparing carbons having a defined nanostructure. Apparatus to carry out the processes.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method of producing a graphite having defined nanostructure, an acetylene soot having defined nanostructure, a soot having defined nanostructure or fullerenes, said method comprising:

(i) providing an apparatus comprising a heat resistant reaction chamber (1) with a thermally insulating lining, in whose head section (2) contains:
(a) three electrodes (3) disposed at an angle to axis of the apparatus such that projected axes of the electrodes form an intersection in upper section of the reaction chamber (1) and the electrodes (3) are individually infinitely adjustable in direction of the axes thereof,
(b) means (4) for feeding plasma gas directly to each of the electrodes (3),
(c) means (5) for feeding a substance composed of carbon, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture of carbon and a hydrocarbon, said means (5) disposed such that a targeted supply is made possible to plasma zone (P) which is formed between the electrodes (3), and
in whose base section (6) contains a product outlet,
(ii) introducing a plasma gas into the reaction chamber (1) from each of the plasma gas feed means (4),
(iii) applying an alternating current to each of the electrodes (3) to strike an arc and to form a plasma zone (P),
(iv) maintaining the plasma zone (P) uniform,
(v) targeting a substance composed of carbon, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture of carbon and a hydrocarbon, in a finely dispersed form into the uniform plasma zone (P) from each of the substance feed means (5),
(vi) controlling the plasma to a temperature to produce a plasma product which is:
primarily said graphite having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 3,000.degree. and 3,500.degree. C.,
primarily said acetylene soot having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 2,000.degree. and 3,000.degree. C.,
primarily said soot having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 1,200.degree. and 2,000.degree. C., or
primarily said fullerenes, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 3,500.degree. and 4,500.degree. C., and,
(vii) collecting the product at the product outlet.

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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A method of producing a graphite having defined nanostructure, an acetylene soot having defined nanostructure, a soot having defined nanostructure or fullerenes, said method comprising:

(i) providing an apparatus comprising a heat resistant reaction chamber (1) with a thermally insulating lining, in whose head section (2) contains:
(a) three electrodes (3) disposed at an angle to axis of the apparatus such that projected axes of the electrodes form an intersection in upper section of the reaction chamber (1) and the electrodes (3) are individually infinitely adjustable in direction of the axes thereof,
(b) means (4) for feeding plasma gas directly to each of the electrodes (3),
(c) means (5) for feeding a substance composed of carbon, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture of carbon and a hydrocarbon, said means (5) disposed such that a targeted supply is made possible to plasma zone (P) which is formed between the electrodes (3), and
in whose base section (6) contains a product outlet,
(ii) introducing a plasma gas into the reaction chamber (1) from each of the plasma gas feed means (4),
(iii) applying an alternating current to each of the electrodes (3) to strike an arc and to form a plasma zone (P),
(iv) maintaining the plasma zone (P) uniform,
(v) targeting a substance composed of carbon, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture of carbon and a hydrocarbon, in a finely dispersed form into the uniform plasma zone (P) from each of the substance feed means (5),
(vi) controlling the plasma to a temperature to produce a plasma product which is:
primarily said graphite having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 3,000.degree. and 3,500.degree. C.,
primarily said acetylene soot having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 2,000.degree. and 3,000.degree. C.,
primarily said soot having defined nanostructure, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 1,200.degree. and 2,000.degree. C., or
primarily said fullerenes, when the plasma temperature is controlled between 3,500.degree. and 4,500.degree. C., and,
(vii) collecting the product at the product outlet.

12 more elements