Carbon Nanotube Synthesis Process Apparatus

• US 20100296983A1
• Filed: 11/12/2008
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Yuzo, Murai, Takeji, Shiraki, Shuichi
• Granted Patent: US 8,557,190 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/198
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/26 Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00135 Electric resistance heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/002 Nozzle-type elements nozzle-type reactors B01J19/26
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/164 involving continuous processes

Abstract

A carbon nanotube synthesis process apparatus comprises a reaction tube in which a reaction field is formed, and a discharge pipe (32) arranged downstream of the reaction tube and discharging carbon nanotubes to the outside. A plurality of nozzles (34) are provided on the sidewall of the discharge pipe (32) in directions which are deflected with respect to the center (O) of the discharge pipe (32). When gases are discharged from the plurality of nozzles (34), a swirl flowing from the inner side surface along the inner side surface is produced in the discharge pipe (32). Adhesion of carbon nanotubes to the inner side surface of the discharge pipe (32) is prevented by the swirl flow and thus the apparatus can be operated continuously

Claims

1. A carbon nanotube synthesis process apparatus for producing a carbon nanotube by using a gas-phase method, the apparatus comprising:

a reaction tube;

a supply unit which supplies a carbon-containing raw material from an upstream side of the reaction tube;

a heating unit which heats the reaction tube to thereby generate within the reaction tube a reaction field which thermally decomposes the carbon-containing raw material to produce a carbon nanotube;

a discharge pipe disposed on a downstream side of the reaction tube for directing the carbon nanotube produced within the reaction tube to outside; and

a swirl flow generation unit which generates a swirl flow flowing from an inner side surface of the discharge pipe along the inner side surface thereof.

2. The carbon nanotube synthesis process apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the swirl flow generation unit includes a plurality of nozzles disposed on an inner side surface of the discharge pipe for emitting gas in a direction which is deflected from the center of the discharge pipe.

3. The carbon nanotube synthesis process apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction of the discharge pipe.

4. The carbon nanotube synthesis process apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the nozzles are disposed near an upstream edge of a low-temperature region of the discharge pipe having a temperature which is lower than an allowable temperature of the nozzles.