The invention relates to a process for producing hybrid carbon black particles (12), which comprises the steps: a) production of first carbon black starting particles (16); b) production of second carbon black starting particles (22); c) milling of the second carbon black starting particles (22); d) mixing of the second carbon black starting particles (22) into a particle stream (48) of the first carbon black starting particles (16); and d) pelletization of the first and second carbon black starting particles (16, 22) to form hybrid carbon black particles (12). The invention further relates to an apparatus (10) for producing hybrid carbon black particles (12) and to hybrid carbon black particles (12) produced by means of the process or the apparatus (10).

A nanospike hybrid carbon black product includes a plurality of carbon black aggregates. Each of the carbon black aggregates has a surface with a plurality of carbon nanospike formed thereon. The carbon nanospikes may each have a length between about 5 nm and 100 nm, and a width between about 5 nm and about 50 nm. A method for manufacturing the nanospike hybrid carbon black product includes the steps of injecting a primary carbon feedstock into a carbon black reactor, and combusting the carbon feedstock under a predetermined high temperature in the carbon black reactor to form carbon black aggregates. A catalyst is then deposited on surfaces of the carbon black aggregates. A secondary carbon feedstock is injected into the carbon black reactor, and reacted with the catalyst to grow carbon nanospikes on the surfaces of the carbon black aggregates.

A nanospike hybrid carbon black product includes a plurality of carbon black aggregates. Each of the carbon black aggregates has a surface with a plurality of carbon nanospike formed thereon. The carbon nanospikes may each have a length between about 5 nm and 100 nm, and a width between about 5 nm and about 50 nm. A method for manufacturing the nanospike hybrid carbon black product includes the steps of injecting a primary carbon feedstock into a carbon black reactor, and combusting the carbon feedstock under a predetermined high temperature in the carbon black reactor to form carbon black aggregates. A catalyst is then deposited on surfaces of the carbon black aggregates. A secondary carbon feedstock is injected into the carbon black reactor, and reacted with the catalyst to grow carbon nanospikes on the surfaces of the carbon black aggregates.

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.

A method for preparing carbon black according to the present invention comprises the steps of: pyrolyzing by heating waste tires; separating char in the pyrolyzed material from an iron-containing foreign substance; pulverizing the char into fine particles or fine powder to form carbon black; pelletizing the carbon black; cooling and drying the pelletized carbon black; and packaging the pelletized carbon black, wherein the pyrolyzing step comprises: a primary pyrolysis step of heating waste tires; and a secondary pyrolysis step of heating char and iron in the primary pyrolyzed material, and the heating temperature of the secondary pyrolysis step is higher than the heating temperature of the primary pyrolysis step.

A method for preparing carbon black according to the present invention comprises the steps of: pyrolyzing by heating waste tires; separating char in the pyrolyzed material from an iron-containing foreign substance; pulverizing the char into fine particles or fine powder to form carbon black; pelletizing the carbon black; cooling and drying the pelletized carbon black; and packaging the pelletized carbon black, wherein the pyrolyzing step comprises: a primary pyrolysis step of heating waste tires; and a secondary pyrolysis step of heating char and iron in the primary pyrolyzed material, and the heating temperature of the secondary pyrolysis step is higher than the heating temperature of the primary pyrolysis step.

A method for forming a copper coated particles includes combining a precipitating agent with a solution comprising copper nitrate and particles to forming coated particles. The particles are cobalt oxide (Co.sub.3O.sub.4) or carbon black. The coated particles are washed to obtain washed coated particles, the washed coated particles are filtered to obtain filtered coated particles, the filtered coated particles are dried to obtain dried coated particles, and the dried coated particles are calcined to obtain the copper coated particles. The copper coated particles have a reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation in a visible spectrum that is less than or equal to 5%, and a reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation in a near-IR and LiDAR spectrum that is greater than or equal to 5%.

A method for forming a copper coated particles includes combining a precipitating agent with a solution comprising copper nitrate and particles to forming coated particles. The particles are cobalt oxide (Co.sub.3O.sub.4) or carbon black. The coated particles are washed to obtain washed coated particles, the washed coated particles are filtered to obtain filtered coated particles, the filtered coated particles are dried to obtain dried coated particles, and the dried coated particles are calcined to obtain the copper coated particles. The copper coated particles have a reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation in a visible spectrum that is less than or equal to 5%, and a reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation in a near-IR and LiDAR spectrum that is greater than or equal to 5%.

The addition of graphene to the pelletizing of carbon black during carbon black's manufacturing can allow a higher level of dispersion and exfoliation of the graphene when carbon black is compounded in rubber. This is applicable to pelletization of all grades of carbon black with all classes of graphene such as graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and pure graphene, and which any graphene organic functionality will have minimal effect. Amounts of graphene incorporated into the carbon black pellets will be from about 0.01 weight percent to about 30 weight percent, including as an example, between about 0.03 and about 6 weight percent. The use of carbon black as a carrier will mitigate graphene dusting (safety benefits), maximize dispersion in a rubber compound (processing benefits), and facilitate full attainment of rubber compound material properties through the inclusion of graphene (performance benefits).