초록 ▼

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. In the process of producing hydrogen for the generator via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in an oxidant-free environment, novel carbon products are pro

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. In the process of producing hydrogen for the generator via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in an oxidant-free environment, novel carbon products are produced with filamentary surfaces, "octopus"-like carbon filaments, single carbon nanotube fibers and the like. Two novel processes are disclosed for the production of carbon filaments and a novel filamentous carbon product useful in the clean-up of oil spills on the surface of water. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, and sulfurous fuels. The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it can be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. Carbon particles having surface filaments, comprising in combination: a plurality of carbon filaments that are approximately one micron in mean diameter, the carbon filaments produced solely from thermocatalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of carbon black catalyst;

I claim: 1. Carbon particles having surface filaments, comprising in combination: a plurality of carbon filaments that are approximately one micron in mean diameter, the carbon filaments produced solely from thermocatalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of carbon black catalyst; a structure of loose curved elongated worm shaped filaments, with a portion of the structure being substantially hollow, and each of the loose curved elongated worm shaped filaments being substantially tubular, with longitudinal uniformity and graphitic structure; and a hydrophobic property of oil film adsorption from a surface of water. 2. The carbon particles of claim 1, wherein the plurality of carbon filaments are produced solely in the presence of carbon-based catalyst materials. 3. The carbon particles of claim 2, wherein the carbon based materials are selected solely from carbon black (CB). 4. The carbon particles of claim 2, wherein the plurality of carbon filaments form a loose, curved, elongated worm shaped structure. 5. The carbon particles of claim 4, wherein the structure consists of loose, curved, elongated worm shaped filaments, and wherein a portion of the filaments is hollow, tubular and longitudinally uniform. 6. The carbon particles of claim 5, wherein the hydrophobic property includes: a particle structure that functions as a sponge and readily adsorbs oil from a water surface. 7. The method of producing carbon particles having surface filaments of about one micron mean diameter, a structure of loose curved elongated worm shaped filaments, with a hollow portion, and each of the filaments having a tubular, longitudinal uniformity, of graphitic structure, consisting of: a(1) passing electrical current through catalytic material that consists solely of a carbon-based material and; a(2) heating the catalytic material consisting solely of a carbon-based material to about 850° C. to about 1200° C.; b) passing a stream of hydrocarbon fuel through the catalytic material consisting solely of a carbon-based material with production of hydrogen-rich gas and carbon with filamentary surface deposited on the surface of the catalytic material; and c) recovering carbon particles with a filamentary surface, wherein the carbon particles have surface filaments of about one micron mean diameter in a structure of loose curved elongated worm shaped filaments, with a hollow portion, and each of the filaments having a tubular, longitudinal uniformity, of graphitic structure. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the catalytic material is solely the carbon black. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the catalytic material consists of: solely activated charcoal.