Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10B 11/00 - Coke ovens with inclined chambers
• B29B 17/04 - Disintegrating plastics
• C10B 31/02 - Charging devices for coke ovens for charging vertically
• C10B 47/30 - Other processes in rotary ovens or retorts
• C10B 53/07 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of synthetic polymeric materials, e.g. tyres
• D01F 9/14 - Carbon filamentsApparatus specially adapted for the manufacture thereof by decomposition of organic filaments
• B29K 63/00 - Use of epoxy resins as moulding material
• B29K 105/12 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
• B29K 307/04 - Carbon

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus use an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10B 47/30 - Other processes in rotary ovens or retorts
• B29B 17/02 - Separating plastics from other materials
• C10B 11/00 - Coke ovens with inclined chambers
• C10B 31/02 - Charging devices for coke ovens for charging vertically
• C10B 53/07 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of synthetic polymeric materials, e.g. tyres
• D01F 9/14 - Carbon filamentsApparatus specially adapted for the manufacture thereof by decomposition of organic filaments
• D01G 11/00 - Disintegrating fibre-containing articles to obtain fibres for re-use

Abstract

A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

IPC Classes  ?

• C10B 47/30 - Other processes in rotary ovens or retorts
• B29B 17/02 - Separating plastics from other materials
• B29B 17/04 - Disintegrating plastics
• C10B 57/02 - Multi-step carbonising or coking processes
• D01F 9/14 - Carbon filamentsApparatus specially adapted for the manufacture thereof by decomposition of organic filaments
• C10B 53/07 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of synthetic polymeric materials, e.g. tyres
• B29K 707/04 - Carbon
• B29K 105/12 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
• B29K 307/04 - Carbon