Carbon black in which an oil absorption amount is 150 mL/100 g or more and 400 mL/100 g or less and a cobalt content that is measured by induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is 20 ppb or less.

Carbon black in which an oil absorption amount is 150 mL/100 g or more and 400 mL/100 g or less and a cobalt content that is measured by induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is 20 ppb or less.

Carbon black in which an oil absorption amount is 150 mL/100 g or more and 400 mL/100 g or less and a nickel content that is measured by induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is 50 ppb or less.

Carbon black in which an oil absorption amount is 150 mL/100 g or more and 400 mL/100 g or less and a nickel content that is measured by induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is 50 ppb or less.

Provided is a process for producing a purified carbon black with a reduced content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The process includes (a) providing a carbon black including an initial content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, (b) treating the carbon black including an initial content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with an extraction agent including carbon dioxide in a supercritical state to extract at least a portion of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the carbon black, and (c) removing the extraction agent including the extracted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the carbon black to obtain a purified carbon black with a lower content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons than the initial content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is furthermore provided a carbon black obtained through said production process and articles made therefrom.

An apparatus (10) and the use thereof for preheating at least one fluid are proposed. The apparatus (10) has a solid heating body (12). Channels (16) for passage of the fluid are formed in the heating body (12). The heating body (12) is heatable. The heating body (12) is designed to heat the fluid to a target temperature within a target time, wherein the target temperature is at least a temperature at which a predetermined chemical reaction of the fluid takes place with a predetermined conversion within a predetermined time. The target time is shorter than the predetermined time. The heating body (12), for preheating of the fluid, is heated to the target temperature and the fluid is passed through the channels (16) within the target time.

An apparatus (10) and the use thereof for preheating at least one fluid are proposed. The apparatus (10) has a solid heating body (12). Channels (16) for passage of the fluid are formed in the heating body (12). The heating body (12) is heatable. The heating body (12) is designed to heat the fluid to a target temperature within a target time, wherein the target temperature is at least a temperature at which a predetermined chemical reaction of the fluid takes place with a predetermined conversion within a predetermined time. The target time is shorter than the predetermined time. The heating body (12), for preheating of the fluid, is heated to the target temperature and the fluid is passed through the channels (16) within the target time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon black for batteries having excellent dispersibility, electron conductivity and oxidation resistance. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-viscosity conductive composition for an electrode produced using the carbon black, and a low-resistance battery electrode and a battery having excellent high-output characteristics and cycle characteristics produced using the conductive composition.

A carbon black for batteries having: BET specific surface area of 50 to 220 m.sup.2/g; a crystallite diameter (La) of 30 to 42 ; and a number of CO.sub.2 desorption molecules per unit surface area measured by a temperature-rising desorption gas analysis method (50 C. to 1200 C. of measurement temperature) of 8.010.sup.16 to 15.010.sup.16 molecules/m.sup.2 is excellent in dispersibility, electron conductivity and oxidation resistance. A conductive composition for a low-viscosity electrode produced using the carbon black, and a low-resistance battery electrode and a battery having excellent high-output characteristics and cycle characteristics produced using the conductive composition can be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon black for batteries having excellent dispersibility, electron conductivity and oxidation resistance. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a low-viscosity conductive composition for an electrode produced using the carbon black, and a low-resistance battery electrode and a battery having excellent high-output characteristics and cycle characteristics produced using the conductive composition.

A carbon black for batteries having: BET specific surface area of 50 to 220 m.sup.2/g; a crystallite diameter (La) of 30 to 42 ; and a number of CO.sub.2 desorption molecules per unit surface area measured by a temperature-rising desorption gas analysis method (50 C. to 1200 C. of measurement temperature) of 8.010.sup.16 to 15.010.sup.16 molecules/m.sup.2 is excellent in dispersibility, electron conductivity and oxidation resistance. A conductive composition for a low-viscosity electrode produced using the carbon black, and a low-resistance battery electrode and a battery having excellent high-output characteristics and cycle characteristics produced using the conductive composition can be obtained.

Secondary heat may be added to a particle production process. The particles may be, for example, carbon particles. Among other things, the secondary heat addition may result in change in surface area of the carbon particle(s), change in structure of the carbon particle(s), reduced wall fouling, reduced energy consumption and/or increased throughput. Apparatus for performing the process is also described.