The present invention relates to a carbonaceous material which is derived from a plant, having a specific surface area of 1800 to 3000 m.sup.2/g as measured by a BET method, a hydrogen element content of 0.42% by mass or less and an oxygen element content of 1.5% by mass or less.

The disclosed method and related systems and devices relate to producing a pigment from microbial biomass. The pigment may be an engineered black pigment. The method may include a thermal processing step where the microbial biomass is charred. The biomass in the charred and pre-charred state can be washed chemically and/or mechanically. In another step the biomass is ground via a grinding of milling process. The grinding/milling may occur at any various points in the process. In some embodiments the biomass has a particle size between 0.01 and 100 microns.

The disclosed method and related systems and devices relate to producing a pigment from microbial biomass. The pigment may be an engineered black pigment. The method may include a thermal processing step where the microbial biomass is charred. The biomass in the charred and pre-charred state can be washed chemically and/or mechanically. In another step the biomass is ground via a grinding of milling process. The grinding/milling may occur at any various points in the process. In some embodiments the biomass has a particle size between 0.01 and 100 microns.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonaceous material having a BET specific surface area calculated from a nitrogen adsorption isotherm by a BET method, of 750 m.sup.2/g or more and 1000 m.sup.2/g or less, a ratio of a pore volume of pores of 0.3875 to 0.9125 nm calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by a HK method to a total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by the HK method, of 80% or more, and an average pore diameter obtained by the following formula using the BET specific surface area and the total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by the HK method, of 1.614 nm or less: D=4000×V/S (wherein D represents the average pore diameter (nm), V represents the total pore volume (mL/g), and S represents the specific surface area (m.sup.2/g)).

One aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonaceous material having a BET specific surface area calculated from a nitrogen adsorption isotherm by a BET method, of 750 m.sup.2/g or more and 1000 m.sup.2/g or less, a ratio of a pore volume of pores of 0.3875 to 0.9125 nm calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by a HK method to a total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by the HK method, of 80% or more, and an average pore diameter obtained by the following formula using the BET specific surface area and the total pore volume calculated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm by the HK method, of 1.614 nm or less: D=4000×V/S (wherein D represents the average pore diameter (nm), V represents the total pore volume (mL/g), and S represents the specific surface area (m.sup.2/g)).

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

This invention provides processes and systems for converting biomass into high-carbon biogenic reagents that are suitable for a variety of commercial applications. Some embodiments employ pyrolysis in the presence of an inert gas to generate hot pyrolyzed solids, condensable vapors, and non-condensable gases, followed by separation of vapors and gases, and cooling of the hot pyrolyzed solids in the presence of the inert gas. Additives may be introduced during processing or combined with the reagent, or both. The biogenic reagent may include at least 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or more total carbon on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may have an energy content of at least 12,000 Btu/lb, 13,000 Btu/lb, 14,000 Btu/lb, or 14,500 Btu/lb on a dry basis. The biogenic reagent may be formed into fine powders, or structural objects. The structural objects may have a structure and/or strength that derive from the feedstock, heat rate, and additives.

The present invention provides for a process for synthesis of carbon beads comprising sub-micron size, micron size or milli size. The process enables modulation of the viscous slurry for synthesis of the carbon beads with improved physico-chemical properties. The process enhances ability of the carbon beads to withstand extreme pH and high temperatures. The present invention also provides a composition for synthesis of the carbon beads. The present invention also provides a microfluidic droplet generator for synthesizing the carbon beads. The carbon beads synthesized by the present invention are applicable in separation, filtration, purification, wires and cables, electrodes, sensor, composite and additive manufacturing, pharmaceutical delivery applications.

The present invention relates, in general terms, to methods of forming activated carbon. The method of forming activated carbon comprises mixing carbon black with an activation catalyst and heating the carbon black in order to form the activated carbon. The present invention also relates to applications of activated carbon as disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the activation catalyst is selected from ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate or a combination thereof.

The present invention relates, in general terms, to methods of forming activated carbon. The method of forming activated carbon comprises mixing carbon black with an activation catalyst and heating the carbon black in order to form the activated carbon. The present invention also relates to applications of activated carbon as disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the activation catalyst is selected from ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate or a combination thereof.