A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

A method and apparatus for obtaining carbon fiber from carbon fiber waste (e.g., pre-preg and CFP waste). The method and apparatus selects, or is controlled to select, between using an oxygen free pyrolytic process to volatilize the epoxy resin or other matrix in which the fibers are held to liberate the fibers therefrom and, depending upon the type of pre-preg waste, using a reactor environment where the reactor atmosphere has about 1% to about 2% oxygen by volume. The reactor has a counterflow such that the carbon fibers are moved in one direction and the off gasses are moved in the opposite direction. A combination of steam at the reactor outlet and vacuum pressure at the reactor inlet create the counter flow.

A graphite sheet having a ratio of thermal diffusivity in horizontal and vertical directions of 300 or more is disclosed. Also, a graphite sheet having a ratio of thermal diffusivity in a vertical direction of 2.0 mm.sup.2/s or less is disclosed. The graphite sheet has excellent thermal conductivity in horizontal and vertical directions and excellent flexibility at the same time and can be produced at low manufacturing cost, thereby holding an economic advantage.

A graphite sheet having a ratio of thermal diffusivity in horizontal and vertical directions of 300 or more is disclosed. Also, a graphite sheet having a ratio of thermal diffusivity in a vertical direction of 2.0 mm.sup.2/s or less is disclosed. The graphite sheet has excellent thermal conductivity in horizontal and vertical directions and excellent flexibility at the same time and can be produced at low manufacturing cost, thereby holding an economic advantage.

The present invention provides: a fibrous carbon characterized in that the average effective fiber length is 1-100 μm, and the crystallite length (La) measured using X-ray diffraction is 100-500 nm; an electrode mixture layer for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, said mixture comprising an electrode active material and a carbon-based electroconductive auxiliary agent containing said fibrous carbon; an electrode for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, the electrode comprising a collector and said electrode mixture layer for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, the electrode mixture layer being laminated on the collector; and a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell having said electrode for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell.

The present invention provides: a fibrous carbon characterized in that the average effective fiber length is 1-100 μm, and the crystallite length (La) measured using X-ray diffraction is 100-500 nm; an electrode mixture layer for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, said mixture comprising an electrode active material and a carbon-based electroconductive auxiliary agent containing said fibrous carbon; an electrode for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, the electrode comprising a collector and said electrode mixture layer for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell, the electrode mixture layer being laminated on the collector; and a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell having said electrode for a non-aqueous-electrolyte secondary cell.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a carbon fiber. Pressure is applied to a filament to change a cross-sectional shape of the filament and create a plurality of distinct surfaces on the filament. The filament is converted into a graphitic carbon fiber having the plurality of distinct surfaces. A plurality of sizings is applied to the plurality of distinct surfaces of the graphitic carbon fiber in which the plurality of sizings includes at least two different sizings.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a carbon fiber. Pressure is applied to a filament to change a cross-sectional shape of the filament and create a plurality of distinct surfaces on the filament. The filament is converted into a graphitic carbon fiber having the plurality of distinct surfaces. A plurality of sizings is applied to the plurality of distinct surfaces of the graphitic carbon fiber in which the plurality of sizings includes at least two different sizings.

In a first embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture, isolating a residue from the first mixture, forming a second mixture comprising the residue, and electrospinning the second mixture to form a carbon fiber precursor material. In a second embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a mixture comprising solids and a liquid fraction, separating and filtering the liquid fraction from the mixture, and isolating one or more compounds from the liquid fraction. In a third embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture comprising residues, exposing the first mixture to (a) an acid, (b) a solvent, or (c) both to form a second mixture, and isolating rare earth elements and rare earth element compounds.

In a first embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture, isolating a residue from the first mixture, forming a second mixture comprising the residue, and electrospinning the second mixture to form a carbon fiber precursor material. In a second embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a mixture comprising solids and a liquid fraction, separating and filtering the liquid fraction from the mixture, and isolating one or more compounds from the liquid fraction. In a third embodiment, a coal treatment process includes exposing a material comprising coal to ionic liquid(s) to form a first mixture comprising residues, exposing the first mixture to (a) an acid, (b) a solvent, or (c) both to form a second mixture, and isolating rare earth elements and rare earth element compounds.