Abstract: High-purity polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the byproducts thereof, and methods for producing such products are disclosed. The PAHs may comprise an aromaticity index of about 0.65 to about 0.80. The PAHs may have quinoline insolubles and sulfur impurities of less than about 0.1 wt. % each. A tar or pitch comprising the high-purity PAHs and a method of producing such tar or pitch are disclosed. A synthetic graphite comprising high-purity PAHs is also disclosed. A method of making carbon pellets from high-purity PAHs is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing hydrogen and solid carbon from gaseous feedstock. The system includes a plasma reactor configured to receive and convert feedstock comprising hydrocarbons into acetylene-containing feed stream, and a refractory coupled to the plasma reactor that is configured to receive and decompose acetylene to hydrogen and solid carbon. The system is further configured to deliver one or more auxiliary feedstock comprising hydrocarbons directly to the refractory for decomposition into hydrogen and carbon. The energy required to decompose the auxiliary feedstock is provided by the energy released from decomposition of acetylene in the refractory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

Abstract: System and methods for plasma treatment of a fluidized bed of particles are disclosed. The systems include an energy coupling zone configured to generate a plasma from microwave radiation and an interface element configured to propagate the plasma from the energy coupling zone to a reaction zone. The reaction zone is configured to receive the plasma, receive a plurality of reactant particles in a fluidization plane direction from a fluidization assembly positioned below the reaction zone, and form a product in presence of the plasma. The fluidization plane is substantially perpendicular to the propagated plasma.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A nanocarbon material includes agglomerate nanostructures made of aggregates of: (i) graphene nanostructures having at least partially crumpled morphology, and (ii) clusters of at least one carbon material. The carbon material may have a graphitic structure. At least a portion of the graphitic structure may be at least partially hollow and have at least one winged protrusion. Optionally, the nanocarbon material may be part of a composition that includes a dispersion medium or a cementitious material. Methods of making such a composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A method for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes receiving a hydrocarbon feedstock in a first reaction chamber, receiving a process gas in the first reaction chamber, and forming a first set of discharge conditions in the presence of energy from a microwave generator, in the first reaction chamber, to convert the hydrocarbon feedstock into an intermediate product for delivery to a second reaction chamber. The method also includes delivering the intermediate product to the second reaction chamber, forming a second set of discharge conditions, and converting the intermediate product into a final product in the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to generating non-thermal plasma to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material, a precursor material, and a plasma promoter material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material, the precursor material, and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material and the plasma promoter material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a micro-plasma. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the micro-plasma. The exposure of the precursor material to the micro-plasma and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

Abstract: A system for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes a hydrocarbon feedstock source, a process gas source, an energy generator, and a cylindrical reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has a conductive inner surface that forms a resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is configured to support a standing TM010 electromagnetic wave. The reaction chamber is also configured to receive feedstock from the feedstock source, process gas from the process gas source, and convert the feedstock into a product stream in the presence of the TM010 electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method of processing hydrocarbons includes feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock into a reaction tube positioned within an opening of a waveguide, feeding a process gas into the reaction tube, receiving microwaves in the waveguide from a microwave generator, propagating microwave energy from the waveguide into the reaction tube to cause the formation of a first plasma in the reaction tube, that causes the feedstock and process gas to react and form into a product stream comprising a fuel product. The method also includes periodically, without stopping the propagation of microwave energy into the reaction tube, delivering a cleaning gas comprising oxygen. The method may also include forming a second plasma in the reaction tube, from the cleaning gas that causes burning off of a carbon residue film from the reaction tube; extracting the cleaning gas from the product stream; and delivering the extracted cleaning gas to the cleaning gas source.

Abstract: A system for processing hydrocarbon materials, comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock source; a process gas source; a waveguide; and a reaction tube structure. The process gas source comprises one or more sources of gases selected from the group consisting of helium, argon, krypton, neon, xenon, methane, propane, butane, ethane, acetylene, propylene, butylene, ethylene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The waveguide comprises a lateral portion comprising housing having a first end portion configured to be connected to a microwave generator, a closed opposite end portion, a primary axis extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, and a central portion having an opening, wherein the central portion has a depth that is smaller than a corresponding depth of the first end portion and the second end portion, and a coaxial portion having a first end portion connected to the opening and a lateral dimension that is perpendicular to the primary axis.

Abstract: A system for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes a hydrocarbon feedstock source, a process gas source, an energy generator, and a cylindrical reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has a conductive inner surface that forms a resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is configured to support a standing TM010 electromagnetic wave. The reaction chamber is also configured to receive feedstock from the feedstock source, process gas from the process gas source, and convert the feedstock into a product stream in the presence of the TM010 electromagnetic wave.