Abstract:
An assembly comprising carbon foam and high density carbon foam is described. In some embodiments, such an assembly may be a composite or composite assembly. One or more pieces of carbon foam and high density carbon foam may comprise the assembly. The assembly may comprise other materials in addition to the carbon foam and high density carbon foam. One or more of any given type of other material may be incorporated into the composite. Additionally, a given other material may be incorporated in more than one volume or location on or in the assembly. The other materials may provide for bonding of the elements of the assembly together, strengthening of the assembly, increased assembly oxidation and weathering resistance, modification of the electrical, thermal, or fluid transport properties of the assembly, and any of a number of other purposes.
Abstract:
A shield for deflecting or shielding exhaust gas streams is described. The exhaust shield may comprise a shielding layer comprised of high density carbon foam. The exhaust shield may include an exhaust shield support layer affixed to the shielding layer. In some embodiments the exhaust shield support layer comprises carbon foam. If desired the exhaust shield may be comprised of more than one layer of high density carbon foam or carbon foam. The layers of carbon foam and high density carbon foam may be arranged sequentially through the thickness of the panel. The exhaust shield may be used to protect structures from exhaust gas streams such as those from engines or motors, including jet engines or rocket motors.
Abstract:
Enclosures for at least partially shielding an at least partially enclosed volume from electromagnetic interference and various methods for producing such enclosures are described. Enclosures for at least partially shielding an at least partially enclosed volume from electromagnetic interference may be prepared by bonding at least two sections of carbon foam with a carbonizable binder to provide an enclosure, wherein said enclosure defines an at least partially enclosed volume, and carbonizing the carbonizable binder to provide an electrically conductive carbon char. An enclosure for at least partially shielding an at least partially enclosed volume from electromagnetic interference may include at least two sections of electrically conductive carbon foam interconnected by an electrically conductive carbon char. The electrically conductive carbon char is substantially electrically continuous with the sections of electrically conductive carbon foam.
Abstract:
Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon. Also use of this carbon in a water treatment system reduces the aluminum concentration of the water when compared to an untreated carbon.
Abstract:
A process is provided for the manufacture of a carbonaceous char capable of catalyzing the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions. This carbonaceous char is produced from a bituminous coal or a bituminous material that has been carbonized and extensively oxidized at low temperatures (less than 700.degree. C.). The resultant carbonized and oxidized bituminous coal or bituminous material is then contacted with a nitrogen-containing compound in combination with an aliphatic organic compound containing both ether and alcohol functionalities as the temperature of the low-temperature char is increased to minimally 700.degree. C. This treatment results in a high-temperature char which may then be activated as desired. These activated chars show the aforementioned ability to rapidly decompose aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide and are also useful for the catalytic chemical conversion of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x, chloramines, and/or peroxides in liquid and/or gaseous streams.
Abstract:
Treatment of a wet activated carbon with carbon dioxide or with carbon dioxide followed by air results in a carbon having a reduced contact pH. The activated carbon is characterized by a modified contact pH less than about 9.0 and typically between about 7.3 and 9.0. Use of this carbon in a water treatment system eliminates the excessive effluent water pH rise which commonly occurs with activated carbon.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses an improved method for filtration of air within enclosed spaces. Improvement is achieved by the use of a high-temperature carbonaceous char that is catalytically active for the removal of certain undesirable constituents from contaminated air under ambient temperature conditions. This carbonaceous char is used as an air filtration medium and incorporated into an air filtration device by any of a number of technologies. Such devices may be used for removal of contaminants such as NO.sub.x, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.x, SO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, mercaptans, light aliphatic gases such as butane and propane and other compounds such as benzene, hexane, toluene, xylene, amines and the like from enclosed or confined structures such as buildings or vehicles including automobiles, aircraft, trucks, farm equipment, and the like.
Abstract:
A system comprising an activated carbon bed in contact with carbon foam is described. In some embodiments, the system, which may be a fluid treatment system, may comprise an activated carbon bed and a carbon foam section covering at least a portion of a surface of the activated carbon bed. In other embodiments, a fluid treatment system may comprise two or more activated carbon beds which are at least partially separated by one or more carbon foam sections. Further embodiments of a fluid treatment system may comprise a vessel, where one or more walls of the vessel comprises carbon foam, and an activated carbon bed contained within the vessel. Still further, a fluid treatment system may comprise an activated carbon bed and a carbon foam section at least partially contained within said activated carbon bed.
Abstract:
Tools for the forming of composite parts from composite forming materials, having tool bodies that comprise, at least in part, carbon foam and high density carbon foam are described. In some embodiments, a surface of the carbon foam or high density carbon foam may comprise a tool face. In other embodiments, the carbon foam or high density carbon foam may support an other material, referred to as tool face material, wherein a surface of the tool face material may comprise a tool face. The tools of the present invention may be lighter, more durable, and less costly to produce and/or use than conventional tools used for the production of composite parts, particularly those tools used for the production of carbon composites. Additionally, such tools may be reusable, repairable, and more readily modifiable.
Abstract:
Methods for the production of carbon foam from swelling coals that do not require the use of high process pressures, oxidized coal, devolatized coal, or high-strength, foam expansion confining molds are described. In some embodiments, a comminuted swelling bituminous coal is heated to a first elevated temperature sufficient to result in the coal particles softening and melting together to form a substantially homogeneous open cell plastic carbon material. The substantially homogeneous open cell plastic carbon material may then be heated to a second elevated temperature at a slow rate to form carbon foam. In some embodiments, the resulting carbon foam may be heated to a higher third elevated temperature. The resulting carbon foam may be subsequently heated to elevated temperatures as great as 3200° C. or more.