The invention relates to carbon black, a method for the production of carbon black or other flame aerosols, and a device for carrying out said method.
By means of the method according to the invention, it is intended to produce carbon black in the form of aerosols having reproducible and adjustable properties. Such properties are the carbon black concentration and the particle size distribution, the agglomeration state and the chemical composition. Such aerosols are required in order to test, for example, filters, electrostatic separators or catalysts with regard to the separation of carbon black. Furthermore, the aerosols thus obtained can be separated in order to produce, for example, pigments or fillers.
The process is also suitable for producing other aerosols producible in flames, such as, for example, SiO2 or TiO2 having particular properties.
The literature has to date disclosed 2 methods for producing test aerosols from carbon black.
In the arc method (C. Helsper, W. Molter, G. Wenninger: Investigation of a New Aerosol Generator for the Production of Carbon Aggregate Particles. Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 27A (1993), pp 1271-1275), an arc is ignited at short time intervals between two carbon electrodes which are present in argon gas. A small amount of the electrode material is vaporized and condenses in the argon stream to form fine carbon black particles which are discharged with the argon stream. The method has two disadvantages: firstly, the carbon black produced consists exclusively of carbon whereas real carbon black always contain proportions of hydrocarbons and oxygen which influence the properties to a very great extent. Secondly, only very small amounts of aerosol which are generally not sufficient for the abovementioned applications can be produced by this method.
In the quench gas method (L. Jing: Neuer Russgenerator für Verbrennungsruβteilchen zur Kalibrierung von Partikelmessgeräten [New carbon black generator for combustion carbon black particles for the calibration of particle measurement devices]. OFMETInfo Vol. 7 (2000), no. 2, pp 8-12), a diffusion flame is cooled by supplying a large amount of quench gas (e.g. nitrogen) and is extinguished. In this method, it is true that carbon blacks having a realistic chemical composition are produced. The very high consumption of quench gas, which gives rise to considerable costs, is problematic. This type of carbon black aerosol generator has therefore also been realized to date only for very small flow rates.
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method by means of which large amounts of carbon black aerosol can be provided economically and with little effort.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a carbon black which can form a stable dispersion and at the same time has high purity.
The object is achieved, according to the invention, by a method comprising a combination of the following steps:
The method is based on the gas black or channel method which is known from industrial carbon black production and is modified so that the carbon black is obtained predominantly as an aerosol. In the gas black or channel method, a diffusion flame is directed against a cold metal surface, the carbon black being deposited directly from the flame on the cold surface and being scraped off from the surface later on.
In the present invention, too, a cold surface is used in order to withdraw as much heat as possible from the flame. At the same time, however, the carbon black is prevented from settling on the cold surface. This takes place according to the invention by virtue of the fact that a thin boundary layer of particle-free gas is inserted between the flame and the cold surface. Owing to the very high heat removal by the surface, it is possible to use an oxygen-containing gas, such as, for example, air, for the production of the boundary layer. However, it is also possible to supply an oxygen-free gas (e.g. N2, CO2), or a boundary layer having a low oxygen content can be produced by evaporating a thin water film present on the cooling surface directly by the heat of the flame.
A sufficiently thick-walled body of metal or another highly thermally conductive material can advantageously be used as the cold surface. In addition, the surface can be cooled from the back by means of water or air. However, a flowing liquid film which, by convection and by evaporation, can remove the heat to be removed from the flame can also be used as the cold surface.
The object set at the outset is also achieved by a device for carrying out the abovementioned method according to the invention, in which, in addition to a flame generation setup and a cooling surface against which the flame produced can be directed, a setup for producing a gaseous boundary layer between surface and flame is present.
Further details and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to subclaims shown in the drawing.
As shown in
As shown in
Alternatively or additionally, a film of water or of another readily vaporizable, nonflammable liquid can be applied to the cooling surface in order to improve the cooling effect and at the same time develop a vapor boundary layer having a flame-cooling effect when the hot flame gases are in contact with the surface. The liquid film can be produced in a known manner, for example by spraying on the liquid, by immersing the surface in a bath, by application rolls, etc. It may be advantageous to roughen the surface and to coat it with a thin layer of an absorptive material.
In further methods for producing a suitable boundary layer, the cooling surface is formed by a flowing, vaporizable liquid or consists of a porous material, e.g. sintered material, from which a gas or vaporizable liquid emerges.
Disturbance of the boundary layer by turbulences can be particularly effectively avoided if the aerosol production takes place in an accelerated flow. As shown in
In spite of the boundary layer, it is possible for a small part of the carbon black produced to be deposited on the cooling surface. It is therefore possible to ensure that the cooling surface is moved past a scraper, a brush, a compressed air nozzle, a liquid bath or another suitable device for keeping the surface clean.
In the production of carbon black, there is a particular difficulty that a considerable part of the aerosol is present in the direct vicinity of the cooling surface. As a result of the movement of the cooling surface or as a result of flow turbulences, this part of the aerosol may be distributed in an uncontrolled manner or may be deposited on the surface. However, in order to remove the carbon black aerosols as directly as possible and with little loss, it is intended in an embodiment according to
The device shown in
The other components in the embodiment according to
Finally,
In a preferred embodiment, a device according to
The method according to the invention can also be combined with the aerosol method described in DE 103 51 737.5, in order to achieve a corresponding reduction of structure. There, a salt solution, for example a potassium salt solution, is converted by means of a gas into an aerosol and then introduced into the carbon black formation zone. For example, in the preferred embodiment according to
The invention furthermore relates to an unclassified, untreated carbon black which is characterized in that the pH is less than or equal to 6.0, preferably less than or equal to 5.0, particularly preferably less than or equal to 4.0, the residue on ignition is less than or equal to 0.1%, preferably less than or equal to 0.05%, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.02%, and the 5 μm sieve residue is less than or equal to 200 ppm, preferably less than or equal to 150 ppm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 100 ppm.
Untreated carbon black is understood as meaning a carbon black which has not been aftertreated, for example by subsequent oxidation or chemical surface modification. Unclassified carbon black is understood as meaning a carbon black which has not been classified with the aid of an air stream.
The unclassified, untreated carbon black may be a gas black, furnace black, channel black, flame black, inversion carbon black, disclosed in DE 195 21 565, doped carbon black, thermal black, acetylene black, arc black or plasma carbon black.
The carbon black according to the invention may have a transmittance of greater than or equal to 95%, preferably greater than or equal to 97%, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 98%.
The carbon black according to the invention may have a moisture content at 950° C. of greater than or equal to 1.0%, preferably greater than or equal to 1.5%, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 2.0%.
The carbon black according to the invention may have an oil requirement of greater than or equal to 250 ml/100 g, preferably greater than or equal to 300 ml/100 g, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 350 ml/100 g.
The carbon black according to the invention can be used as a filler, reinforcing filler, UV stabilizer, conductivity carbon black or pigment.
The carbon black according to the invention can be used in rubber, plastic, printing inks, inks, inkjet inks, toners, finishes, paints, paper, bitumen, concrete and other construction materials. The carbon black according to the invention can be used as a reducing agent in metallurgy.
The carbon blacks according to the invention have the advantages that they form a stable dispersion (low pH) and at the same time have high purity (low ash content and low 5 μm sieve residue). The high purity results in substantial advantages in use. The low content of soluble substances (low ash content) permits the production of very stable dispersions, for example aqueous or solvent-containing dispersions for coating applications or inks. This has advantages in production and storage. The high stability of such dispersions permits an increase in the solids content, which in turn has numerous advantages, such as, for example, reduced production and transport costs.
Furthermore, such dispersions are distinguished by a longer shelf life.
The low content of insoluble particulate substances permits the production of films and finishes having few specks. Furthermore, the abrasion of printing plates, for example in newspaper printing, is reduced, with the result that the crispness of the printed image is maintained for longer. In addition, longer service lives of filters and strainer sieves are obtained, for example in the production of ink formulations and plastics master batches.
Methods of Determination
pH
The determination of the pH is carried out according to DIN EN ISO 787-9.
Residue on Ignition
The determination of the residue on ignition is carried out according to DIN 53586 (or ISO 1125).
5 μm Sieve Residue
The determination of the 5 μm sieve residue serves for determining the content of “coarse-particled”, water-insoluble impurities, such as, for example, coke, ceramic components, metal or metal oxides, in the size range below 45 μm. It is carried out by means of a commercially available sieve apparatus using a sieve having a mesh size of 0.005 mm, according to the following method:
Each time before use, the very fine particle test sieve to be used is investigated for damage under an optical microscope.
Sample Preparation:
The samples are dried for 1 hour in a drying oven and then cooled for 30 min in a desiccator. In the case of fresh samples, the drying is dispensed with and the samples can be investigated directly.
Carrying Out the Analysis:
Preparation of the Wetting Agent Solution:
For the preparation of the 10% strength wetting agent solution, 100 g of Hydropalat (w=65%) are weighed in a 1 l beaker and made up to 650 ml with distilled water. The solution is stirred at an appropriate speed (no stirring in of air) for 5 min. The solution is then filtered.
Preparation of the Dispersion:
100-150 ml of 10% strength wetting agent solution are transferred to a 250 ml beaker. About 15 g of carbon black are metered into the solution with appropriate stirring. The weight of carbon black taken is accurately determined on an analytical balance and is noted.
The solution is now further stirred for 5 min. After the stirring, residues adhering to the stirrer are rinsed into the solution by means of distilled water. The beaker is then placed in the ultrasonic bath for 5 min. Finally, the solution is treated for a further 2 min by means of UDS 751.
Carrying Out the Sieving:
The weighed very fine particle sieve (accuracy: 0.1 mg) is clamped in the EMS 755, a firm seat of the sieve being ensured. The UDS 751 is placed in the middle of the sieve and is fastened. The distance to the bottom of the sieve (about 5 mm) is kept constant by means of a spacer during each measurement.
The EMS is set at level 4.5 and is switched on.
The UDS is set at the middle level and is likewise switched on.
The carbon black dispersion is now slowly introduced into the sieve. The distance to the upper sieve edge should not be less than 3 mm. The level of fill should be kept as constant as possible during the analysis.
Once the complete carbon black dispersion has been transferred, the beaker is rinsed with small amounts of distilled water, which are poured over the sieve. This is repeated until the beaker is clean.
From now on, the sieve is rinsed with small amounts of distilled water until the outflowing filtrate is clear.
The sieve is now introduced into a 600 ml beaker. The beaker is filled to about 1 cm with distilled water and introduced into the ultrasonic bath for 2 min.
The sieve is then once again clamped briefly in the EMS and rinsed clear a last time.
The sieve is now dried in the drying oven at 80° C. for half an hour, then cooled in the desiccator and weighed on the analytical balance.
Evaluation:
The sieve residue is calculated as follows:
The determination of the transmittance is carried out according to the standard ASTM D 1618, the determination of toluene discoloration.
Primary Particle Size
The determination of the mean primary particle size and the standard deviation of the primary particle size distribution are determined with the aid of transmission electron micrographs which are subsequently increased in size on transparent films, by measuring and counting at least 2000 primary carbon black particles and calculating the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation. The semiautomatic particle size analyzer TGZ 3 from Carl Zeiss according to Endter and Gebauer [F. Endter and H. Gebauer, Optik, 13, 97 (1956)] facilitates the counting work here.
Volatile Fractions
The determination of the volatile fractions at 950° C. is carried out according to DIN 53552.
Oil Requirement
The determination of the oil requirement (flow point method) is carried out according to DIN EN ISO 787-5.
BET Surface Area
The determination of the BET surface area is carried out according to DIN 66131-2 (or ISO 4652).
Blackness Value My
The determination of the blackness value My of powder pigment carbon black is carried out according to DIN 55979.
STSA Surface Area
The determination of the STSA surface area is carried out according to ASTM method D-5816-99.
Aggregate Size Distribution:
For measuring the aggregate size distribution curves, a disk centrifuge BI-DCP with red light diode from Brookhaven is used. This device is specially developed for the determination of aggregate size distribution curves of finely divided solids from extinction measurements and is equipped with an automatic measuring and evaluation program for determining the aggregate size distribution.
For carrying out the measurements, a dispersion solution is first prepared from 200 ml of ethanol, 5 drops of ammonia solution and 0.5 g of Triton X-100 and is made up to 1000 ml with demineralized water. Furthermore, a spin liquid is prepared from 0.5 g of Triton X-100 and 5 drops of ammonia solution and is made up to 1000 ml with demineralized water.
Thereafter, 20 ml of dispersion solution are added to 20 mg of carbon black and suspended in the solution in a cooling bath for the duration of 4.5 minutes with 100 watt ultrasonic power (80% pulses).
Before the beginning of the actual measurements, the centrifuge is operated for 30 minutes at a speed of 11 000 min−1. 1 ml of ethanol is sprayed into the rotating disk and then a layer of 15 ml of spin liquid is carefully introduced underneath. After about one minute, 250 μl of the carbon black suspension are sprayed in and the measuring program of the device is started and the spin liquid in the centrifuge is covered with a layer of 50 μl of dodecane. A double determination of each sample to be measured is carried out.
The evaluation of the raw data curve is then effected using the calculation program of the device, taking into account the scattered light correction and with automatic baseline adjustment.
The ΔD50 value is the width of the aggregate size distribution curve at half peak height. The DW value is the volume-weighted mean value of the aggregate size distribution. The Dmode value (modal value) is the aggregate size with the greatest frequency (peak maximum of the aggregate size distribution curve).
In a device according to
Table 2 shows the analytical values of the carbon blacks according to the invention. In addition, the analytical values of comparative carbon blacks are shown. The comparative carbon blacks are prepared by the Degussa gas black method described in DE-A 2404536 but, in contrast to the commercial product, are not classified.
The carbon blacks according to the invention have a substantially smaller 5 μm sieve residue compared with the comparative carbon blacks. This low content of insoluble particulate substances permits the production of films and finishes having few specks.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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103 40 884 | Sep 2003 | DE | national |
This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/570,424 filed Mar. 2, 2006, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2004/09439 filed Aug. 24, 2004, which claims the benefit of priority of German Application No. 103 40 884.3 filed Sep. 4, 2003, each of which being incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10570424 | US | |
Child | 12813192 | US |