NSF Award
9960407
This SBIR Phase I program will test a novel physico/chemico method for preparing quality carbon products from unconventional resources. The method consists of a preparation step in which particles are simultaneously treated to enhance separation which is carried out in the second step of the process. A bench scale test reactor will be built for separation experiments and testing ultra-fine particles. The products will be characterized for major and minor metals and trace elements. The objective of this phase is to prepare feedstocks with impurity contents less than 1%. The objective of Phase II will be to combine the two steps of the process into one and will prepare sufficient amounts of the material to test its potential as a substitute for petroleum coke and coal tar pitch in manufacture of carbon electrodes for use in electric furnaces.<br/><br/>The technology has the potential to prepare cost-effective alternative feedstocks for manufacture of carbon anodes and cathodes in electric furnace applications. The technology can also be applied other areas including production of refined titanium dioxide and graphite.
