Gelled nanotube-containing heat transfer medium

• US 8,663,495 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rice University
• Original Assignee: Rice University
• Inventors: Rostro, Bertha Catalina, Barrera, Enrique V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRESO, AARON J
• Application Number:
  US11/677,802
• Time in Patent Office: 2,567 Days
• Field of Search: 442/65, 442/66, 442/68, 442/69, 442/70, 252/74, 252/75, 516/32, 516/101, 508/113, 508/128, 977/734, 977/735, 977/742, 977/750, 977/787
• US Class Current: 252/74
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 5/10 Liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 8/00 Fuels not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 163/00 Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a mixture of a compound of unknown or incompletely defined constitution and a non-macromolecular compound, each of these compounds being essential
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/041 Carbon; Graphite; Carbon black
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2203/06 Well-defined aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/0285 used as base material
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/08 Aldehydes; Ketones
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2215/04 having amino groups bound to acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2215/28 Amides; Imides
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2223/045 Metal containing thio derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/06 Particles of special shape or size
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/08 Resistance to extreme temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/10 Semi-solids; greasy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines

Abstract

According to some embodiments, the present provides a heat transfer medium that includes, but is not limited to a base fluid, a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a gelling formulation formed of an amine surfactant, an intercalating agent, and an oxygen-bearing solvent. The heat transfer medium is adapted for improved thermal conductivity with respect to the base fluid.

Claims

1. A heat transfer medium, comprising:

a base fluid;

a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes; and

a gelling formulation that causes the heat transfer medium to form a gel, the gelling formulation comprising;

oleylamine;

a succinimide;

an intercalating agent; and

an oxygen-bearing solvent, wherein the single-walled carbon nanotubes are arranged in a network in the gel, and wherein the network comprises SWNT-oleylamine bonds.

2. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the base fluid is selected so as to be chemically compatible with an engine-related fluid.

3. The heat transfer medium according to claim 2, wherein the engine-related fluid is selected from the group consisting essentially of coolants, lubricants, and fuels.

4. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the base fluid comprises an oil.

5. The heat transfer medium according to claim 4, wherein the oil is selected from the group consisting essentially of bio-based oils, petroleum oils, synthetic oils, and combinations thereof.

6. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the single-walled carbon nanotubes is greater than about 1 wt. %.

7. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the intercalating agent is selected from the group consisting essentially of weak van der Waals solvents, aromatic solvents, and combinations thereof.

8. The heat transfer medium according to claim 7, wherein the intercalating agent comprises toluene.

9. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen-bearing solvent is selected from the group consisting essentially of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, and combinations thereof.

10. The heat transfer medium according to claim 9, wherein the oxygen-bearing solvent comprises acetone.

11. The heat transfer medium according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the heat transfer medium is at least 10% greater than that of the base fluid.

12. A heat transfer medium, comprising:

a base fluid;

a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes; and

a gelling formulation that causes the heat transfer medium to form a gel, the gelling formulation comprising;

oleylamine;

a succinimide;

toluene; and

acetone, wherein the single-walled carbon nanotubes are arranged in a network in the gel, and wherein the network comprises SWNT-oleylamine bonds.

13. The heat transfer medium according to claim 12, wherein the base fluid is selected so as to be chemically compatible with an engine-related fluid.

14. The heat transfer medium according to claim 13, wherein the engine-related fluid is selected from the group consisting essentially of coolants, lubricants, and fuels.

15. The heat transfer medium according to claim 12, wherein the base fluid comprises an oil.

16. A heat transfer medium, comprising:

an oil;

a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes; and

a gelling formulation that causes the heat transfer medium to form a gel, the gelling formulation comprising;

oleylamine;

a succinimide;

toluene; and

acetone, wherein the single-walled carbon nanotubes are arranged in a network in the gel, and wherein the network comprises SWNT-oleylamine bonds.