Koppers Delaware, Inc.

Billy Jay Cairns

Carl Camille Mueller

James T Dietz

Michael Bech Malmqvist

John Thomas Baron

Jun Zhang

Peter Tham

Kevin J Costanzo

Daniel P Gray

Brian R Jones

Stacey McKinney

A dispersion, methods of making the same, applications of the dispersion to graphitic material and the resulting coated particles are disclosed. The dispersion includes ≤55% wt. coal tar pitch (softening point 100° C.-95° C.), ≤60% wt. dispersant, and the balance a non-aromatic solvent such as water or alcohol. Pitch particles in the dispersion are preferably ≤10 μm with a distribution of D50<15 μm. The pitch particles are micronized, such as by dry and/or wet milling with the dispersant and aqueous solvent to achieve the desired pitch particle size and distribution. This aqueous dispersion may be mixed with natural or synthetic graphitic material having a diameter of 5-20 μm in a ratio of 5%-30% pitch to graphite, dried and carbonized to form coated particles having a graphitic core at least partially coated by pitch particles.

Dispersion of coal tar pitch for coating graphitic materials and use in Li-ion battery electrode production

Pitch production systems utilizing coal tar or decant oil for coal or petroleum based pitch are disclosed. Total pitch production yields are increased by heat treating distillate fractions from the pitch production process. A heat treatment system and process are disclosed in embodiments. The heaviest distillates having the highest molecular weights are subjected to heat treatment, though other embodiments contemplate heat treating a variety of combined distillate fractions. The heat treatment systems require heat soaking the distillate(s) at elevated temperatures of 459-535&#xb0; C. at a near-constant temperature with near-uniform flow. A fraction of the heat-treated distillate may be reintroduced to the pitch production system as part of a continuous process.

Heat treatment process for increased pitch yields

Heat treatment process and system for increased pitch yields

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Monaca, PA, United States of America

Billy Jay Cairns