Iran Masters Nanotube Production Technology

Tehran, Oct 1, IRNA - Iran has achieved technology to produce carbon nanotubes used for cementing oil wells, a director of the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI). Alimorad Rashidi said earlier, only the US, China, Germany and Japan manufactured the product, adding that using indigenous technology in oil projects creates $2b worth of value-added. “Currently, 30 nanotechnology projects are underway by the institute,” he said. Rashidi noted that every six months, a new nanotech achievement applicable in the oil industry is unveiled. “Iran produces tubes using natural gas, which is a great advantage. One kilo of carbon nanotubes can be produced from every eight cubic meters of natural gas,” he said. “Iran will launch industrial production of carbon nanotubes in the next 18 months.” The RIPI director noted that carbon nanotubes, used in the production of cement and construction materials, can boost the cement’s strength by 80 percent. “At present, the country is capable of producing 300 kilograms of metal-oxide nanostructures per day,” he said, adding “Using the product reduces the export of raw materials and consumption of minerals.” Rashidi said by replacing Adsorbed Natural Gas with CNG technology, gas adsorption capacity will grow and gas wastage will decline./end