US4491569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ferric nitrate treatment for nucleating graphite fiber growth by methane pyrolysis
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1983-05-20
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2003-05-20
Abstract
Abstract Graphite fibers are preferably grown by natural gas pyrolysis adjacent a stainless steel surface. Prior to said natural gas pyrolysis, the surface is pretreated by evaporating a ferric nitrate solution to increase the yield of product fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary G. Tibbetts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:23
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F9/00; D01F9/08; D01F9/12; D01F9/127; D01F9/1271; D01F9/1272; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers of a type suitable for use as filler in plastic composites, said process comprising treating a growing surface by evaporating an aqueous ferric nitrate solution in contact therewith to deposit thereon an iron oxide residue, positioning the treated growing surface in a gas flow path such that the treated surface lies downstream from a region of said path wherein gas caused to flow along said path is brought into contact with stainless steel and further such that the treated surface is exposed to gas caused to flow along said path, and and flowing a natural gas stream along said flow path in contact with said stainless steel and thereafter in contact with said growing surface, while heating the gas, stainless steel and growing surface at a temperature sufficient to produce numerous oxide-derived iron-bearing nuclei on said growing surface, to decompose methane in said natural gas adjacent said stainless steel and to react the methane decomposition product with the nuclei to grow graphite fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers of a type suitable for use as filler in plastic composites, said process comprising treating a growing surface by evaporating an aqueous ferric nitrate solution in contact therewith to deposit thereon an iron oxide residue, positioning the treated growing surface in a gas flow path such that the treated surface lies downstream from a region of said path wherein gas caused to flow along said path is brought into contact with stainless steel and further such that the treated surface is exposed to gas caused to flow along said path, and and flowing a natural gas stream along said flow path in contact with said stainless steel and thereafter in contact with said growing surface, while heating the gas, stainless steel and growing surface at a temperature sufficient to produce numerous oxide-derived iron-bearing nuclei on said growing surface, to decompose methane in said natural gas adjacent said stainless steel and to react the methane decomposition product with the nuclei to grow graphite fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers by methane pyrolysis comprising evaporating a ferric nitrate solution from a suitable surface to deposit thereon an iron oxide residue, pyrolyzing a methane gas in contact with chromium-iron alloy, and growing fibers on said residue-bearing surface from the product of said methane gas pyrolysis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers by methane pyrolysis comprising evaporating a ferric nitrate solution from a suitable surface to deposit thereon an iron oxide residue, pyrolyzing a methane gas in contact with chromium-iron alloy, and growing fibers on said residue-bearing surface from the product of said methane gas pyrolysis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers by methane pyrolysis comprising treating a stainless steel surface by contact with aqueous ferric nitrate solution at a temperature sufficient to evaporate water and decompose ferric nitrate to deposit an iron oxide residue, and flowing a natural gas stream over the treated surface at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce numerous oxide-derived, iron-bearing nuclei, to thermally decompose methane in said natural gas stream adjacent the surface and to react the product of said methane decomposition with the nuclei to grow graphite fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A process for manufacturing graphite fibers by methane pyrolysis comprising treating a stainless steel surface by contact with aqueous ferric nitrate solution at a temperature sufficient to evaporate water and decompose ferric nitrate to deposit an iron oxide residue, and flowing a natural gas stream over the treated surface at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce numerous oxide-derived, iron-bearing nuclei, to thermally decompose methane in said natural gas stream adjacent the surface and to react the product of said methane decomposition with the nuclei to grow graphite fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |