Continuous production and separation of carbon-based materials

Abstract

The invention relates to several apparatuses and methods for the continuous production of carbon soot with a high content of fullerenes, endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), and carbon nanotubes. In addition, the invention relates to anaerobic manipulations of carbon-based compounds. The claimed apparatuses and methods provide optimal conditions during annealing processes. In particular, the rotary shielding block of the present invention can effectively prevent resultant products from exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation associated with vaporization processes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for manufacturing carbon compounds, comprising: 
 a first electrode proximate a second electrode and defining a gap thereinbetween for producing carbon compounds;    a first chamber extending around said gap and defining a first effective cross-section and a second effective cross-section, said second effective cross-section being downstream of said first effective cross-section and having a size less than said first effective cross-section;    a second chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber;    a gas inlet in fluid communication with said first chamber; and    a gas entering through said gas inlet, flowing through said first chamber and across said gap, said gas carrying the carbon compounds into said second chamber.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first electrode comprises a linear-feeding porous graphite electrode and said second electrode comprises a rotary graphite electrode.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first electrode has a smaller cross-sectional area than said second electrode.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a soot accumulation chamber in fluid communication with said second chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a collector apparatus connected to said soot accumulation chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said collector apparatus continuously collects the carbon compounds.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for manufacturing carbon compounds, comprising: 
 a first electrode proximate a second electrode and defining a gap thereinbetween for producing carbon compounds;    a first chamber extending around said gap and defining a first effective cross-section and a second effective cross-section, said second effective cross-section being downstream of said first effective cross-section and having a size less than said first effective cross-section;    a second chamber in fluid communication with said first chamber;    a gas inlet in fluid communication with said first chamber;    a shield; and    a gas entering through said gas inlet, flowing through said first chamber and across said gap, said gas carrying the carbon compounds past said shield into said second chamber.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said first electrode comprises a linear-feeding porous graphite electrode and said second electrode comprises a rotary graphite electrode.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first electrode has a smaller cross-sectional area than said second electrode.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a soot accumulation chamber in fluid communication with said second chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising a collector apparatus connected to said soot accumulation chamber.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said collector apparatus continuously collects the carbon compounds.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said shield defines said first chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said shield rotates.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising means for scraping accumulated carbon compounds from said shield.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus for manufacturing carbon compounds, comprising: 
 a first chamber in fluid communication with a second chamber;    a vaporization location within said first chamber;    means for producing carbon plasma at said vaporization location;    means for directing a carrier gas from said first chamber into said second chamber;    means for increasing gas flow across said vaporization location;    means for shielding said vaporization location from said second chamber.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said means for producing carbon plasma comprises opposing first and second graphite electrodes defining a gap thereinbetween for producing carbon compounds.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said means for increasing gas flow comprises a shield having a first effective cross-section and a second effective cross-section, said second effective cross-section being downstream of said first effective cross-section and having a size less than said first effective cross-section;  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said means for shielding defines said first chamber.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said means for shielding comprises a rotating spheroid.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said apparatus is continuously operated.