Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing micro-domain graphitic materials by use of a plasma process, and to novel micro-conical graphitic materials. By micro-domain graphitic material we mean fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, open conical carbon structures (also named micro-cones), preferably flat graphitic sheets, or a mixture of two or all of these. The novel carbon material is open carbon micro-cones with total disclination degrees of 60° and/or 120°, corresponding to cone angles of respectively 112.9° and/or 83.6°.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing micro-domain graphitic materials by use of a plasma process, and to novel micro-conical graphitic materials. By micro-domain graphitic material we mean fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, open conical carbon structures (also named micro-cones), preferably flat graphitic sheets, or a mixture of two or all of these. The novel carbon material is open carbon micro-cones with total disclination degrees of 60° and/or 120°, corresponding to cone angles of respectively 112.9° and/or 83.6°.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carbon media for storage of hydrogen characterized in that it comprises known and novel micro-domain materials and that it is produced by a one or two-step plasma process. In the one-step plasma process conventional carbon black or graphitic carbon black can be formed. In the two-step plasma process, a hydrocarbon feed material is sent through a plasma zone and becomes partly dehydrogenated in the first step to form polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and is then sent through second plasma zone to become completely dehydrogenated to form micro-domain graphitic materials in the second step. By micro-domain graphitic materials we mean fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, open conical carbon structures (also named micro-cones), flat graphitic sheets, or a mixture of two or all of these. The novel carbon material is open carbon micro-cones with total disclination degrees 60° and/or 120°, corresponding to cone angles of respectively 112.9° and/or 83.6°.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing micro-domain graphitic materials by use of a plasma process, and to novel micro-conical graphitic materials. By micro-domain graphitic material we mean fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, open conical carbon structures (also named micro-cones), preferably flat graphitic sheets, or a mixture of two or all of these. The novel carbon material is open carbon micro-cones with total disclination degrees of 60° and/or 120°, corresponding to cone angles of respectively 112.9° and/or 83.6°.

Abstract: In a method for decomposition of hydrocarbons for the production of hydrogen and carbon black, the feed stock is passed through a plasma torch, which causes a pyrolytic decomposition of the feed stock. The feed stock is transported through the plasma torch (A) in a cooled lead-in tube (1) and undergoes a first heating in an area in the immediate vicinity of the plasma flame. The material thereby produced is passed on to one or more subsequent stages where the final and complete decomposition of the hydrocarbons to carbon black and hydrogen occurs. In this area further raw material may be added which causes quenching and reacts with the already produced carbon black. An increase is thereby caused in particle size, density and amount produced without further energy supply, whereafter the products produced are expelled and separated and hot gas may be transported in a return pipe to the torch, in order to further increase the energy yield.

Abstract: In a method for the production of carbon black and hydrogen by means of pyrolysis of hydrocarbons with a plasma torch (3) in a reaction chamber the pressure in the reaction chamber (1), the feed rate for the hydrogen plasma gas and hydrocarbons and the angle of the injection nozzles (2) in the reaction chamber (1) are adjusted in order to establish a reaction zone (5) in the chamber's central area with a location which determines the reaction enthalpy for decomposition of the hydrocarbons into hydrogen and carbon black in order to obtain a desired quality for the carbon part. The enthalpy value is adjusted in a range between 1 and 50 kWh/Nm.sup.3 and the temperature in the reaction zone is maintained between 1000.degree. C. and 4000.degree. C.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the reduction of electrode consumption in plasma torches during the processing and decomposition of hydrocarbons for the production of carbon black and hydrogen where hydrogen is supplied to the plasma torch as a plasma forming gas.

Abstract: In order to enrich natural gas or other hydrocarbon gases with hydrogen, thus reducing the carbon content and thereby achieving a reduction or elimination of the discharge of carbon dioxide during combustion of the gases, a pyrolytic process is conducted in the feed stream for the natural gases or hydrocarbon gases which are to be burned. The gas is passed through a reactor in which it is decomposed at least partially into a carbon constituent and a hydrogen constituent. The carbon constituent is removed to a desired level. Any remaining constituent together with the hydrogen constituent is conveyed to the combustion process while the removed carbon constituent is conveyed out of the process for separate application. The pyrolytic process can be carried out on the entire stream or only a partial stream.

Abstract: For producing carbon black material having a surface area of less than 5 m.sup.2 /g, a dibutyl phthalate absorption of less than 30 ml/100 g and density compressed to 1.5-1.7 g/cm.sup.3 and a specific electrical resistance of less than 0.1 ohmcm for use as an anode material for aluminum production, a method includes a first stage delivering feedstock through a feed tube to a plasma torch to a reaction area to raise the temperature of the feedstock to about 1600.degree. C., then passing the dehydrogenated carbon material to a second stage to complete the decomposition to carbon black and hydrogen; adding additional raw material to cause quenching and reaction with formed carbon black to increase particle size density and quantity produced.

Abstract: A plasma torch includes an arc having a generator for producing an axial field in the arc's area of operation in which one or more bodies of ferromagnetic material are placed along the torches central axis; the body is in the form of an element incorporated in the torch and is cooled by the provision of channels for a cooling medium wherein the ferromagnetic body is located near the arc's area of operation to reinforce the magnetic field with the body being moveable in an axial direction to adjust the operation parameters of the arc.

Abstract: A plasma torch is designed for energy supply for example for chemical processes. The plasma torch comprises at least three solid tubular electrodes (1, 2 and 3) located coaxially inside one another. The electrodes (1, 2, 3) can be moved axially in relation to one another. They are preferably electrically insulated (5, 6, 7) from one another and have connections for electrical power (8, 9, 10). When three electrodes are used, the middle electrode (2) is used as an auxiliary electrode or ignition electrode. It is then coupled with one of the other electrodes (1). The distance to third electrode (3) is adapted to the working voltage in such a way that a jump spark is obtained when the working voltage is connected. During operation the auxiliary electrode (2) is withdrawn from the plasma zone thus preventing it from continuously forming the foot point of the arc.

Abstract: A plasma torch has two or more tubular electrodes located co-axially with one inside the other for chemical treatment of a reactant and includes a lead-in tube supplying the reactant and which is located co-axially in the inner electrode; the lead-in tube includes a liquid-cooled tube provided with a heat-insulating layer on the outer surface; the lead-in tube has a longitudinal axis along which the lead-in tube can be moved for positioning the nozzle at its lower end in relation to the plasma flame; the nozzle end is replaceable and is shaped with a conical wall portion to define a venturi passage to increase the exit velocity of the reactant; between the lead-in tube and the inner electrode an annular passage is provided through which plasma-forming gas is introduced which can be used to cool the reactant gas.