System for making nanocarbon particle admixtures for concrete

Abstract

A system for making an admixture for concrete includes a catalyst and a reactor configured to produce a nanocarbon mixture and a product gas, with the nanocarbon mixture including at least two different types of nanocarbon particles in selected mass percentage ranges. The system also includes a nano-silica-based suspension stabilizer configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture to improve the long term stability of the nanocarbon particles in the admixture; and a surfactant configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture to facilitate dispersion of the nanocarbon particles in the admixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for making an admixture in liquid form for making concrete comprising:
 a catalyst;   a reactor comprising a reaction chamber in fluid communication with a hydrocarbon feed gas supply, the catalyst and the reactor configured to produce a nanocarbon mixture and a product gas by catalytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon feed gas, the nanocarbon mixture comprising at least two different types of nanocarbon particles in selected mass percentage ranges,   the nanocarbon particles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotube particles, carbon nanofiber particles, graphene particles, graphite particles, carbon black, paracrystalline carbon particles, polycrystalline carbon particles, nanodiamonds, single-layer fullerene particles, and multi-layer fullerene particles,   the nanocarbon particles having a first percentage range of from 0.4% to 1.9% of a mass of the admixture;   a carbon separator configured to separate the nanocarbon mixture from the product gas;   a nano-silica-based suspension stabilizer configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture having a second percentage range of from 5% to 21% of the mass of the admixture; and   a surfactant configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture having a third percentage range of from 2% to 9% of the mass of the admixture.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a catalyst transport system configured to move the catalyst through the reaction chamber in contact with the hydrocarbon feed gas. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the nanocarbon particles comprise 43% to 58% of carbon nanotube particles based on a total mass of the nanocarbon particles. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the nanocarbon particles comprise 30% to 50% of carbon nanofiber particles based on a total mass of the nanocarbon particles. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of NiAl and Ni alloyed with Cu, Pd, Fe, or Co. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises an oxide selected from the group consisting of MgO, ZnO, Mo 2 O 3  and SiO 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the catalyst comprises a group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ru, Pd and Pt. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon feed gas comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of methane and natural gas. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon feed gas comprises a gas selected from the group consisting of ethylene and propane. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an organic compound including a functional group that contains a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair in a dosage of from 0.5% to 20% by the mass of the admixture. 
     
     
         11 . A system for making an admixture in liquid form for making concrete comprising:
 a catalyst;   a reactor comprising a reaction chamber in fluid communication with a hydrocarbon feed gas supply, the catalyst and the reactor configured to produce a nanocarbon mixture and a product gas by catalytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon feed gas, the nanocarbon mixture comprising at least two different types of nanocarbon particles in selected mass percentage ranges,   the nanocarbon particles selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotube particles, carbon nanofiber particles, graphene particles, graphite particles, carbon black, paracrystalline carbon particles, polycrystalline carbon particles, nanodiamonds, single-layer fullerene particles, and multi-layer fullerene particles,   the nanocarbon particles having a first percentage range of from 0.4% to 1.9% of a mass of the admixture;   a catalyst transport system configured to move the catalyst through the reaction chamber in contact with the hydrocarbon feed gas;   a carbon separator configured to separate the nanocarbon mixture from the product gas;   a nano-silica-based suspension stabilizer configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture having a second percentage range of from 5% to 21% of the mass of the admixture;   a surfactant configured for mixing with the nanocarbon mixture having a third percentage range of from 2% to 9% of the mass of the admixture; and   an organic compound including a functional group that contains a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair in a dosage of from 0.5% to 20% of the mass of the admixture.