Filter and process of use to produce carbon nanotubes from automotive exhausts

Abstract

We disclose a novel filter and process that converts the wastes in automotive exhausts into carbon nanotubes. The filter surface is composed of iron of similar catalyst. The filter is placed along the pathway of exhaust streamlines preferably at an angle of more than 5° and less than 15°. The filter is heated to temperatures in the range of 200-1000° C. The filter described in this invention can work in its won or supplement existing filtration systems. The end product of this filtration system is a material that is commercially valuable. The synthesized carbon nanotubes are purified using ionic liquid solution that is capable of removing undesirable carbonated material and leaving 95% purified carbon nanotubes. The purified carbon nanotubes have a diameter of 20-50 nm and a length of 1-10 micro meters.

1 . A filter and a process to convert exhaust waste of automotive engines to carbon nanotubes 
     
     
         2 . A filter in  claim 1  composed of surface made out of iron 
     
     
         3 . Filter in  claim 1  is made out of carbonated steel 
     
     
         4 . Filter in  claim 1  is made out of thin layer of iron, nickel and or aluminum deposited on a metallic or nonmetallic surface 
     
     
         5 . Said process in  claim 1  consist of
 a. Placing the filter in  claim 1  along the pathway of exhaust stream 
 b. Heating the filter location to above 200° C. 
 
     
     
         6 . Said filter in  claim 1  is tilted along the streamlines of the exhaust in an angle less than 45° and more preferably between 5° and 15°. 
     
     
         7 . Said heating process in  claim 5  produces a filter temperature of 200-700° C. and more preferably around 200-1000° C. 
     
     
         8 . Said filter in  claim 1  can be utilized on its own or in conjunction with other filtration systems. 
     
     
         9 . Said surface in  claims 2 ,  3  and  4  is made out of Ni, Co or Al. 
     
     
         10 . Said carbon nanotubes in  claim 1  are multiwall carbon nanotubes with an average diameter of 20-50 nm and average length of 1-10 micrometer. 
     
     
         11 . Said carbon nanotubes in  claim 1  are purified using ionic liquid made out of molten salts. 
     
     
         12 . Said purification in  claim 11  produces 95% purified carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         13 . Said purification techniques in  claim 11  includes gas and chemical oxidation techniques 
     
     
         14 . Said purified carbon nanotubes in  claim 12  have a diameter of 20-50 nm and a length of 1-10 micrometers.