A life-cycle energy analysis of single wall carbon nanotubes produced through laser vaporization

The energy consumed to produce and purify a kilogram of laser vaporization SWCNTs at the laboratory scale was found to be 0.13-0.19 GWh/kg under standard production conditions, with 0.114 GWh/kg coming from electrical energy. Most of the energy consumption results from thermal and resistive losses of the laser and single zone furnace in use. The time and temperature of final oxidation of the material was found to greatly affect purity while only slightly affecting the energy consumed. Although the energy consumption for laser vaporization is comparable to other synthesis processes, scale-up of production from laboratory to manufacturing rates may result in substantial efficiency gains. Additional energy savings may be realized from the capture and recovery of gases, solvents and other materials that are currently discarded.