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Summary
- Plasma Oxidation is being scaled from 1 T pilot scale to 175 T (the metric tonnage refers to the nameplate capacity of the oven in terms of annual carbon fiber throughput) in a three phase approach.
— 4M has partnered with C.A. Litzler to collaborate on the 175 T oven design and construction, and plans to partner with them on eventual manufacture and sales of full scale plasma oxidation ovens.
- 4M is collaborating with Dralon (Germany) to develop a textile grade precursor optimized for plasma oxidation that will achieve a minimum of 500 ksi tensile strength targeted at the industrial market.
- 4M will construct and operate an Oxidized PAN Fiber (OPF) production line (in Knoxville, TN) utilizing the aforementioned 175 T plasma oxidation oven with the Dralon precursor to demonstrate the technology to the carbon fiber industry and those considering entering this industry (the OPF line nameplate capacity is roughly 350 T since no carbonization will take place).
Plasma Oxidation Advantage
How It Works
Through over a decade of research, development and engineering, a technique was developed that utilizes atmospheric pressure plasma to both generate and rapidly deliver highly oxidative chemical species to the tow band to accelerate the precursor stabilization process. The inputs into a plasma oxidation oven are the same as conventional ovens – air and electricity. No other chemicals or gases are required.
The plasma performs multiple functions:
Generation of highly reactive (oxidative) yet short-lived chemical species.
Acceleration of these short lived species to the precursor before they dissociate.
Thermal energy generation in close proximity to the tow band with low thermal inertia.
Active uniform distribution of thermal energy to the tow band.
Intellectual Property
Patent Title
Apparatus and Method for Stabilization and Oxidation of Polymeric Materials
Application Number
11/344,573
Patent Number
US7534854
Date Filed
1/31/2006
Link
Patent Title
Apparatus and Method for Stabilization or Oxidation of Polymeric Materials
Application Number
11/391,615
Patent Number
US7649078
Date Filed
3/28/2006
Link
Patent Title
Apparatus and Method for Stabilization and Oxidation of Polymeric Materials
Application Number
12/466,092
Patent Number
US7786253
Date Filed
5/14/2009
Link
Patent Title
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processing of Polymeric Materials Utilizing Close Proximity Indirect Exposure
Application Number
13/680,406
Patent Number
TBD
Date Filed
11/19/2012
Link
Patent Title
PCT: Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processing of Polymeric Materials Utilizing Close Proximity Indirect Exposure
Application Number
13/070,643
Patent Number
US9447205
Date Filed
11/19/2012
Link
Unpublished
Patent Title
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processing of Polymeric Materials Utilizing Close Proximity Indirect Exposure (Japan)
Application Number
TDB
Patent Number
TBD
Date Filed
Link
Unpublished
Patent Title
Advanced Oxidation Method for Producing High-Density Oxidized Polyacrylonitrile Fibers
Application Number
14/715,831
Patent Number
TBD
Date Filed
5/19/2015
Link
Unpublished
Patent Title
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processing of Polymeric Materials Utilizing Close Proximity Indirect Exposure (South Korea)
Application Number
10-2015-7016551
Patent Number
TBD
Date Filed
6/19/2015
Link
Unpublished
Patent Title
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Processing of Polymeric Materials Utilizing Close Proximity Indirect Exposure (EPO)
Application Number
10-2015-7016551
Patent Number
TBD
Date Filed
6/19/2015
Link
Unpublished
