Intratec
Published: 2016-05-01
Total Pages: 52
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This report presents a cost analysis of Carbon Fiber production from pitch. The process starts with a preparation step that converts the pitch into mesophase pitch. The mesophase pitch is then stabilized and passes through carbonization, graphitization, surface treatment and sizing, before being winded. This report examines one-time costs associated with the construction of a United States-based plant and the continuing costs associated with the daily operation of such a plant. More specifically, it discusses: * Capital Investment, broken down by: - Total fixed capital required, divided in production unit (ISBL); infrastructure (OSBL) and contingency - Alternative perspective on the total fixed capital, divided in direct costs, indirect costs and contingency - Working capital and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up * Production cost, broken down by: - Manufacturing variable costs (raw materials, utilities) - Manufacturing fixed costs (maintenance costs, operating charges, plant overhead, local taxes and insurance) - Depreciation and corporate overhead costs * Raw materials consumption, products generation and labor requirements * Process block flow diagram and description of industrial site installations (production unit and infrastructure) This report was developed based essentially on the following reference(s): (1) "Fibers, 5. Synthetic Inorganic", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 7th edition; (2) US Patent 4999099, issued to Conoco in 2011; (3) Chung, D.D.L., Carbon Fiber Composites, 1994 Keywords: Carbon Fiber, Petroleum Pitch, Coal Tar Pitch, Mesophase Pitch