Graphite Technology Collaboration and Commercialization Opportunity

Opportunity: NETL is seeking collaboration to further develop and commercialize a low-temperature catalytic method for synthesizing highly crystalline, low ash content, graphite from coal, biomass, petroleum coke (PET coke), and/or plastics with recovery & reuse of catalyst & process acid. Background: Current methods for producing synthetic graphite involve the Acheson process which heats petroleum coke (PET coke) to extremely high temperatures (> 2800 C) for 3-5 days with material cooling occurring over a 2-3 weeks. This method is extremely energy intensive, limited to a small set of expensive manufacturing feedstocks (e.g. premium PET coke), and lengthy to implement. There is a need for methods that reduce energy consumption, reduce manufacturing time scales, and offer feedstock flexibil