The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), two US Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories, are collaborating with the University of Kentucky and Pennsylvania State University to further the study and creation of carbon fibres obtained from coal.
This $10 million study will look at every facet of producing carbon fibre from coal, from pitch processing and computational chemistry to the fibres’ final spinning and heat treatment. Producing fibres with better qualities at a lesser cost than those that are already on the market is the goal.
Researchers at ORNL will use this endeavour to learn more about the chemistry and processing parameters needed to create various grades of carbon fibre obtained from coal. To broaden U.S. coal use in domestic manufacturing and increase the export appeal of coal and coal-based goods, NETL, ORNL, and the university teams will collaborate closely.
The market for coal in the electric power generating industry is shrinking due to competition from inexpensive natural gas and renewable energy that offers incentives. Opportunities for coal-to-products, however, can create new coal markets that could counteract this decline.
For instance, the market for carbon fibres is predicted to develop at a rate of 12% per year through 2024, mostly due to its growing usage in defence and aerospace applications as well as in the lightweighting of vehicle components. Other high-volume applications, such building thermal insulation and construction and infrastructure materials, may potentially see further market expansion.
The Congressional funds for fiscal year 2020 include $30 million to support DOE’s Advanced Coal Processing Program, of which $10 million will go to ORNL’s Carbon Fibre Technology Facility. The development of technology that can use coal for uses other than the conventional thermal and metallurgical markets is supported by this initiative.
$4.5 million of the $10 million investment will go towards research at the University of Kentucky to find out how coal tar pitch, the precursor to carbon fibre, may be improved and customised for the particular fibre type that is wanted. Pennsylvania State University will also get $80,000 for material characterisation.