Acheson graphitizing furnace loading auxiliary material and taking and placing crucible device and operation method thereof

Abstract

This invention provides an Acheson graphitization furnace loading auxiliary material and crucible handling device and its operation method, which reduces workshop construction costs, improves the working environment, reduces labor, increases work efficiency, ensures crucible placement accuracy, and achieves better filling density of the resistive material than manual filling, thereby ensuring graphitization effect. The Acheson graphitization furnace loading auxiliary material and crucible handling device includes a work vehicle and a track. The work vehicle includes a filling vehicle, a leveling vehicle, a handling vehicle, and a suction vehicle. The operation method of the Acheson graphitization furnace loading auxiliary material and crucible handling device includes the following steps: 1. Auxiliary material loading; 2. Loading raw crucibles into the furnace; 3. Unloading auxiliary materials from the furnace; 4. Unloading cooked crucibles from the furnace.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an Acheson graphitization furnace for loading auxiliary materials and placing and removing crucibles, and its operating method. It is mainly used for loading auxiliary materials and placing and removing crucibles in an Acheson graphitization furnace for lithium battery anode materials. Background Technology

[0002] Graphitization is the process of transforming thermodynamically unstable carbon atoms from a "random layer structure" to an "orderly graphite crystal structure" through thermal activation. High-temperature heat treatment provides energy for atomic rearrangement and structural transformation during graphitization. The Atchison furnace is currently the main type of furnace used in China for producing high-purity graphite, offering advantages such as simple method, reliable production, and good graphitization effect.

[0003] The existing graphitization and pre-carbonization processes for lithium-ion battery anode materials involve two steps: filling auxiliary materials and placing and removing crucibles.

[0004] Additive loading: Auxiliary materials need to be laid inside the Atchison graphitization furnace to provide insulation and electrical resistance. These materials include insulating and resistive materials. Currently, traditional Atchison furnaces are typically equipped with a suction crane for loading and unloading the high-temperature auxiliary materials after heating. The weight of the suction crane and materials can exceed 300 tons, placing high demands on plant construction and incurring significant construction costs. Furthermore, the suction crane can interfere with ordinary overhead cranes, affecting production efficiency.

[0005] Crucible handling: Raw powder needs to be loaded into graphite crucibles, which are then placed in the Atchison graphitization furnace for heating and holding to complete the graphitization process. Currently, the common method for handling crucibles is to use a wire rope in conjunction with an overhead crane, handling 1-2 crucibles at a time. To improve efficiency, a self-weight gripping fixture in conjunction with an overhead crane is also used, handling 5-6 crucibles in a row at a time. The gripped crucibles are placed on a pallet beside the furnace, and once the pallet is full, the overhead crane transports it to the ground for processing. However, prolonged overhead crane operation can affect other furnace operations, impacting overall work efficiency. This method requires 6-10 workers, resulting in high labor costs. The high temperatures during crucible handling require workers to stand inside the furnace, creating a harsh working environment and safety hazards. When placing crucibles, a 50mm spacing between rows is required; manual placement cannot guarantee accuracy, leading to significant errors and affecting product quality consistency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a reasonably designed Acheson graphitization furnace filling auxiliary material and crucible loading and unloading device and its operation method, which reduces workshop construction costs, improves the working environment, reduces manpower, improves work efficiency, ensures crucible placement accuracy, and ensures that the filling density of the resistive material is better than that of manual filling, thereby ensuring the graphitization effect.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is: a device for loading auxiliary materials and picking up and placing crucibles in an Atchison graphitization furnace, characterized in that: it includes a working vehicle and a track, and the working vehicle includes a filling vehicle, a leveling vehicle, a picking and placing vehicle and a suction vehicle;

[0008] The track is fixedly installed above the Atchison graphitization furnace;

[0009] The tanker truck includes a tanker lifting mechanism, a tanker material pipe assembly, a tanker power vehicle, a tanker material hopper roller conveyor, and a tanker material hopper; the tanker power vehicle is mounted on a track; the tanker material hopper roller conveyor is mounted on the tanker power vehicle; the tanker material hopper is placed on the tanker material hopper roller conveyor; the tanker material pipe assembly is mounted on the tanker power vehicle; and the tanker lifting mechanism is connected to the tanker material pipe assembly.

[0010] The paving vehicle includes a compaction mechanism, a paving lifting mechanism, a paving material pipe assembly, a paving power vehicle, a paving material hopper roller conveyor, and a paving material hopper; the paving power vehicle is mounted on a track; the paving material hopper roller conveyor is installed on the paving power vehicle; the paving material hopper is placed on the paving material hopper roller conveyor; the paving material pipe assembly and the compaction mechanism are both connected to the paving lifting mechanism;

[0011] The loading and unloading vehicle includes a loading and unloading power vehicle, a loading and unloading lifting mechanism, a gripping mechanism, a bottom-supporting mechanism, and a crucible roller conveyor. The loading and unloading power vehicle is mounted on a track. The crucible roller conveyor is installed on the loading and unloading power vehicle. The loading and unloading lifting mechanism is installed on the loading and unloading power vehicle and includes a lifting drive mechanism and a lifting platform. The lifting platform is lifted and installed on the loading and unloading power vehicle, and the lifting drive mechanism is connected to the lifting platform. The gripping mechanism and the bottom-supporting mechanism are both installed on the lifting platform. The bottom-supporting mechanism includes a bottom-supporting frame, a horizontal drive cylinder, a vertical drive cylinder, a bottom-supporting plate bracket, and a bottom-supporting plate. The bottom-supporting frame is horizontally slidably installed on the lifting platform. The horizontal drive cylinder is horizontally installed on the lifting platform and connected to the bottom-supporting frame. The bottom-supporting plate bracket is vertically slidably installed on the bottom-supporting frame. The vertical drive cylinder is vertically installed on the bottom-supporting frame and connected to the bottom-supporting plate bracket. The bottom-supporting plate is fixed to the bottom of the bottom-supporting plate bracket.

[0012] The material suction vehicle includes a material suction power vehicle, a material suction pipe, and a material suction hopper; the material suction power vehicle is set on a track; the material suction hopper is installed on the material suction power vehicle; the material suction pipe is connected to the material suction hopper; the material suction vehicle works in conjunction with the auxiliary material cooling system.

[0013] The canning material pipe assembly of the present invention includes a fixed canning material pipe and a lifting canning material pipe. The fixed canning material pipe is vertically fixed on the canning power vehicle, and the lifting canning material pipe is movably fitted outside the fixed canning material pipe. The canning lifting mechanism is installed on the canning power vehicle, and the lifting canning material pipe is installed on the canning lifting mechanism.

[0014] The present invention comprises multiple canning pipe assemblies, one part of which is used for filling thermal insulation material, and another part of which is used for filling resistive material.

[0015] The present invention comprises multiple flat-laying pipe assemblies, one part of which is used for laying the insulation material and the other part is used for laying the resistance material.

[0016] The compaction mechanism of the present invention includes a frame, a motor and a pressure roller. The frame is mounted on a flat lifting mechanism, and the motor and pressure roller are mounted on the frame. The motor is connected to the pressure roller.

[0017] The flat material pipe assembly of the present invention includes a flat fixed material pipe and a flat lifting material pipe. The flat fixed material pipe is vertically fixed on the flat power vehicle, and the flat lifting material pipe is movably fitted outside the flat fixed material pipe. The flat lifting mechanism is installed on the flat power vehicle, and the flat lifting material pipe and the compaction mechanism are both installed on the flat lifting mechanism.

[0018] The gripping mechanism of the present invention includes a four-claw manipulator and a hydraulic cylinder, wherein the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the four-claw manipulator.

[0019] The material suction vehicle of the present invention also includes a dust removal mechanism and a cooling mechanism, both of which are installed on the material suction power vehicle and are connected to the material suction hopper.

[0020] The suction pipe of the present invention includes a swing pipe and a suction head; the swing pipe is rotatably mounted on the suction hopper and communicates with the feed inlet of the suction hopper; the suction head is mounted on the swing pipe and communicates with the swing pipe.

[0021] A method for operating an Acheson graphitization furnace for loading auxiliary materials and placing and removing crucibles includes the following steps:

[0022] I. Filling of auxiliary materials;

[0023] The workflow for laying auxiliary materials using a paving vehicle is as follows:

[0024] 1) Loading materials;

[0025] A shuttle car transports the paving car onto the track, and a crane transports the paving hopper onto the paving hopper roller conveyor on the paving car. The paving hopper travels to the working position via the paving hopper roller conveyor, where the manual connection is made between the paving hopper's outlet and the paving fixed material pipe.

[0026] 2) Lay flat;

[0027] The paving lifting mechanism drives the paving material pipe assembly to sink to the bottom of the crucible to start paving. The paving vehicle moves forward while paving, and at the same time, the compaction mechanism compacts the auxiliary material during the auxiliary material feeding process.

[0028] 3) Rebalancing;

[0029] After the paving hopper at the work station is filled with auxiliary materials, the paving pipe assembly is disconnected, and the empty paving hopper is transported away by the overhead crane. At the same time, the new paving hopper runs to the work station through the paving hopper roller conveyor to continue the paving work.

[0030] 4) Furnace replacement;

[0031] After all the auxiliary materials in the furnace crucibles are laid and compacted, the laying lifting mechanism lifts the laying material pipe assembly to the top of the track, and then moves it to the shuttle car. After that, the shuttle car transports it to other furnaces for laying work.

[0032] After the material is laid out, the auxiliary materials are loaded into tanker trucks. The workflow is as follows:

[0033] 1) Loading materials;

[0034] A shuttle car transports the tanker truck to the track, and a crane transports the tanker silo to the tanker silo roller conveyor on the tanker truck. The tanker silo moves to the working position via the tanker silo roller conveyor, where the manual connection is made between the outlet of the tanker silo and the fixed material pipe.

[0035] 2) Filling;

[0036] The filling lifting mechanism drives the filling pipe assembly to sink to the bottom of the crucible to begin feeding;

[0037] 3) Rebalancing;

[0038] After the auxiliary materials are added to the filling hopper at the work station, the filling pipe assembly is disconnected, and the empty filling hopper is transported away by the overhead crane. At the same time, the new filling hopper runs to the work station through the filling hopper roller conveyor to continue the filling work.

[0039] 4) Furnace replacement;

[0040] After the filling of all the crucible gaps and surrounding spaces with auxiliary materials is completed, the filling lifting mechanism lifts the filling pipe assembly to the top of the track, then moves it to the shuttle car, and then the shuttle car transports it to other furnaces for filling.

[0041] 2. Loading the raw crucible into the furnace;

[0042] In the above steps, after the paving car completes the auxiliary material paving operation at the bottom of the Atchison graphitization furnace, the transfer car transports the pick-up and place car onto the track, and the pick-up and place car begins loading the crucibles into the furnace; the overhead crane transports the crucibles to the crucible roller conveyor of the pick-up and place car, and the pick-up and place car moves to the working position; the gripping mechanism, driven by the pick-up and place lifting mechanism, moves to above the first row of crucibles, and after gripping the crucibles, the crucibles are driven by the roller conveyor to retreat to the waiting position, and the bottom support mechanism moves to the bottom of the crucibles to support the bottom of the crucibles and prevent the crucibles from falling; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism descends, and when the bottom of the crucibles is a set distance away from the auxiliary material layer, the bottom support plate of the bottom support mechanism is retracted; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism continues to descend until the crucibles are placed on the material layer, and the gripping mechanism releases; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism rises back to its original position, and at the same time the pick-up and place car moves forward to the second row of crucibles placement position, and the above crucible placement steps are repeated, and the loading of two rows of crucibles into the furnace is completed after two gripping operations;

[0043] III. Auxiliary materials are unloaded;

[0044] After graphitization is complete, wait for the furnace temperature to drop to a temperature suitable for material suction. Then, drive the suction cart onto the furnace to suction the heated high-temperature auxiliary materials. The suction operation workflow is as follows:

[0045] 1) Material suction;

[0046] The shuttle car transports the suction car to the track, the suction car moves to the position of the furnace to be suctioned, and suctions material into the suction hopper through the suction pipe;

[0047] 2) Unloading;

[0048] Stop feeding when the feeding hopper is full;

[0049] IV. Remove the cooked crucible from the furnace;

[0050] After graphitization is completed, the auxiliary material is completely removed by the suction cart. The suction cart then moves to another furnace body for material removal. The pick-up and drop cart moves to the crucible exit station to start picking up the crucible. The pick-up and drop lifting mechanism drives the gripping mechanism to descend to the head of the crucible. After the gripping mechanism grips the crucible, the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism lifts the crucible to the bottom of the crucible, exposing the auxiliary material layer. The bottom plate of the bottom support mechanism descends and moves horizontally to the bottom of the crucible to support it. The pick-up and drop lifting mechanism continues to rise until it reaches the crucible placement height. Then, the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism descends, the bottom support mechanism returns to its original position, and the crucible is placed on the crucible roller conveyor. The gripping mechanism is then released, and the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism rises. The pick-up and drop cart moves forward, and the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism drives the gripping mechanism to descend and start picking up the second row of crucibles.

[0051] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and effects:

[0052] 1. It can accurately locate the crucible placement position, ensure placement accuracy, improve the efficiency of crucible loading and unloading from the furnace, reduce the labor intensity of workers, and ensure safe and reliable crucible transportation.

[0053] 2. It can simultaneously fill the crucible gap and both sides with resistance material and insulation material. During the filling of auxiliary materials, dust dispersion is controlled, the working environment is improved, manpower is reduced, and work efficiency is increased. At the same time, the filling density of the resistance material will be better than that of manual filling, thus ensuring the graphitization effect.

[0054] 3. It can replace overhead suction cranes, reducing the height of graphitization plants and allowing workshops to be converted from heavy-duty workshops to ordinary workshops, thus reducing construction costs. Compared to overhead suction cranes, suction trolleys are lighter and offer more flexible equipment handling.

[0055] 4. It can simultaneously fill and level the resistance material in the middle of the bottom or top surface of the crucible and the insulation material on both sides. When laying the auxiliary materials, it ensures that the bottom surface of the crucible is flat, ensuring that the placement of the crucible is controllable, reducing quality problems of graphite crucibles, and thus ensuring the graphitization effect. At the same time, it can effectively control dust dispersion, improve the working environment, reduce labor, and improve work efficiency.

[0056] 5. The graphitization workshop allows for flexible scheduling of various processes, resulting in a smoother production cycle and increased capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0057] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tanker truck according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A side view structural diagram.

[0060] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flatbed vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A side view structural diagram.

[0062] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the loading and unloading vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A side view structural diagram.

[0064] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A magnified structural diagram of part A in the middle.

[0065] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the suction cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A top-view structural diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0067] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention include a work vehicle 3 and a track 2. The work vehicle 3 includes a tanker 4, a leveling vehicle 5, a pick-and-place vehicle 6, and a suction vehicle 7.

[0069] Track 2 is fixedly installed above Atchison graphitization furnace 1.

[0070] The tanker truck 4 includes a vibration device 4.1, a tanker lifting mechanism 4.2, a tanker material pipe assembly 4.3, a tanker power vehicle 4.4, a tanker hopper roller conveyor 4.5, and a tanker hopper 4.6.

[0071] The tank-loading power vehicle 4.4 is mounted on track 2. The tank-loading vehicle 4 moves back and forth on track 2 via the power vehicle 4.4, which is powered by a sliding contact line or its own lithium battery. The power vehicle 4.4 is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism to prevent slippage and allows for precise positioning.

[0072] The filling silo roller conveyor 4.5 is installed on top of the filling power vehicle 4.4.

[0073] The filling hopper 4.6 is placed on the filling hopper roller conveyor 4.5, which transports the filling hopper 4.6. There are two filling hoppers 4.6; while one is being filled with auxiliary materials, the other is being prepared simultaneously. After filling is completed, a crane transports the filling hopper 4.6 to the auxiliary material buffer area, and the prepared filling hopper 4.6 is transported to the working position via the filling hopper roller conveyor 4.5 to continue filling, thereby improving the auxiliary material filling efficiency. The internal volume of the filling hopper 4.6 is configured according to the total amount of material required for each filling area, and the bottom slope of the hopper is designed to take into account the angle of repose of the material. Each cone hopper of the filling hopper 4.6 is equipped with a gate valve at its discharge port.

[0074] The filling pipe assembly 4.3 includes a fixed filling pipe 4.31 and a lifting filling pipe 4.32. The fixed filling pipe 4.31 is vertically fixed on the filling power vehicle 4.4, and the lifting filling pipe 4.32 is movably fitted outside the fixed filling pipe 4.31. The lifting filling pipe 4.32 can be configured in two sections. The top opening of the fixed filling pipe 4.31 is the inlet, employing a flared mouth and elastic device to facilitate connection with the outlet of the filling hopper 4.6 while ensuring a leak-proof seal. Multiple filling pipe assemblies 4.3 are evenly arranged according to the crucible gaps. These assemblies 4.3 are connected as a single unit, allowing for overall lifting and lowering, ensuring rigidity while simplifying the lifting mechanism, making them reliable and practical. One part of the filling tube assembly 4.3 is used for filling the insulation material. This part of the filling tube assembly 4.3 is located on both sides and is designed as a rectangular flat tube; the other part of the filling tube assembly 4.3 is used for filling the resistance material. This part of the filling tube assembly 4.3 is located in the middle and is designed as a round tube.

[0075] The can-filling lifting mechanism 4.2 is mounted on the can-filling power vehicle 4.4 and is driven by a sprocket and chain. The can-filling lifting pipe 4.32 and the vibration device 4.1 are both mounted on the can-filling lifting mechanism 4.2. The can-filling lifting mechanism 4.2 drives the can-filling lifting pipe 4.32 and the vibration device 4.1 to rise and fall. The lifting stroke includes the required height for the vertical extension and retraction of the can-filling pipe assembly 4.32 and the raising of the lowest point of the pipe above the track 2 after filling. The vibration device 4.1 vibrates continuously during the auxiliary material filling process, ensuring the auxiliary material flows smoothly and fills the material densely without gaps.

[0076] The paving vehicle 5 includes a compaction mechanism 5.1, a paving lifting mechanism 5.2, a paving material pipe assembly 5.3, a paving power vehicle 5.4, a paving material silo roller conveyor 5.5, and a paving material silo 5.6.

[0077] The tiling power car 5.4 is mounted on track 2. The tiling car 5 moves back and forth on track 2 via the tiling power car 5.4, and is powered by a sliding contact line or its own lithium battery. The tiling power car 5.4 is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism to prevent slippage and to precisely position itself.

[0078] The flat material silo roller conveyor 5.5 is installed on top of the flat power vehicle 5.4.

[0079] The leveling hopper 5.6 is placed on the leveling hopper roller conveyor 5.5, which transports the leveling hopper 5.6. There are two leveling hoppers 5.6; while one is leveling the auxiliary material, the other is simultaneously preparing the material. After leveling is completed, a crane transports the leveling hopper 5.6 to the auxiliary material buffer area. The leveling hopper 5.6 that is preparing the material is then transported to the working position via the leveling hopper roller conveyor 5.5 to continue leveling, thereby improving the efficiency of auxiliary material leveling. The internal volume of the leveling hopper 5.6 is configured according to the total amount of material required for each filling area, and the bottom slope of the hopper is designed to take into account the angle of repose of the material. Each cone hopper of the leveling hopper 5.6 is equipped with a gate valve at its discharge port.

[0080] The flat material pipe assembly 5.3 includes a flat fixed material pipe 5.31 and a flat lifting material pipe 5.32. The flat fixed material pipe 5.31 is vertically fixed on the flat power vehicle 5.4, and the flat lifting material pipe 5.32 is movably fitted outside the flat fixed material pipe 5.31. The flat lifting material pipe 5.32 can be configured in two sections. Multiple flat material pipe assemblies 5.3 are evenly arranged along the width of the crucible for uniform material spreading. The flat material pipe assemblies 5.3 are connected as a single unit and can be raised and lowered as a whole, ensuring rigidity while simplifying the lifting device, making them reliable and practical. One portion of the flat material pipe assemblies 5.3 is used for spreading insulation material and is located on both sides; another portion is used for spreading resistance material and is located in the middle. The flat material pipe assembly 5.3 is a rectangular flat pipe, and its working mode is that the material is spread while the flat vehicle moves forward. A scraper is installed at the bottom rear of the flat-laying lifting pipe 5.32 to ensure the flatness of the material.

[0081] The tiling lifting mechanism 5.2 is installed on the tiling power vehicle 5.4 and is driven by a sprocket and chain. The tiling lifting pipe 5.32 and the compaction mechanism 5.1 are both installed on the tiling lifting mechanism 5.2. The tiling lifting mechanism 5.2 drives the tiling lifting pipe 5.32 and the compaction mechanism 5.1 to rise and fall. The lifting stroke includes the height required for the tiling pipe assembly 5.3 to extend and retract, and the lowest point of the pipe to rise above the track 2 after tiling is completed.

[0082] The compaction mechanism 5.1 compacts the auxiliary materials during the spreading process. The compaction mechanism 5.1 includes a frame 5.11, a motor, and a pressure roller 5.22. The frame 5.11 is mounted on the spreading lifting mechanism 5.2, and the motor and pressure roller 5.22 are mounted on the frame 5.11. The motor is connected to the pressure roller 5.22. During the spreading process, the motor drives the pressure roller 5.22 to rotate continuously, ensuring the flow of the auxiliary materials while simultaneously compacting and flattening them.

[0083] The loading and unloading vehicle 6 includes a loading and unloading power vehicle 6.1, a loading and unloading lifting mechanism 6.2, a gripping mechanism 6.3, a crucible tray 6.4, a bottom support mechanism 6.6, and a crucible roller conveyor 6.5.

[0084] The retrieval and placement power trolley 6.1 is mounted on track 2. The retrieval and placement trolley 6 moves back and forth on track 2 via a sliding contact line, or it can be powered by its own lithium battery. The retrieval and placement power trolley 6.1 is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism to prevent slippage and to precisely position itself.

[0085] The crucible roller conveyor 6.5 is installed on top of the loading and unloading power vehicle 6.1. A crucible tray 6.4 is placed on the crucible roller conveyor 6.5 and can move on the roller conveyor to assist in the loading and unloading of crucibles.

[0086] The pick-and-place lifting mechanism 6.2 is mounted on the pick-and-place power vehicle 6.1. The mechanism includes a lifting drive mechanism 6.21 and a lifting platform 6.22. The lifting platform 6.22 is mounted on the pick-and-place power vehicle 6.1. The lifting drive mechanism 6.21 is connected to the lifting platform 6.22 and drives it to move up and down. The lifting drive mechanism 6.21 can be driven by a motor, sprocket, and chain. The gripping mechanism 6.3 and the bottom-supporting mechanism 6.6 are both mounted on the lifting platform 6.22. The pick-and-place lifting mechanism 6.2 drives the gripping mechanism 6.3 and the bottom-supporting mechanism 6.6 to move up and down, raising them above the track 2.

[0087] Multiple gripping mechanisms 6.3 are evenly arranged along the width of the crucible. These gripping mechanisms 6.3 are connected as a single unit, allowing for overall lifting and lowering, ensuring rigidity while simplifying the lifting device, making them reliable and practical. Each gripping mechanism 6.3 includes a four-jaw manipulator 6.31 and a hydraulic cylinder 6.32. The hydraulic cylinder 6.32 is connected to the four-jaw manipulator 6.31, which uses the hydraulic cylinder 6.32 as power to grip the crucible, ensuring reliable crucible gripping.

[0088] The bottom support mechanism 6.6 includes a bottom support frame 6.61, a horizontal drive cylinder 6.62, a vertical drive cylinder 6.63, a bottom support plate bracket 6.64, and a bottom support plate 6.65. The bottom support frame 6.61 is horizontally slidably mounted on the lifting platform 6.22; the horizontal drive cylinder 6.62 is horizontally mounted on the lifting platform 6.22 and connected to the bottom support frame 6.61, driving the bottom support frame 6.61 to move horizontally; the bottom support plate bracket 6.64 is vertically slidably mounted on the bottom support frame 6.61; the vertical drive cylinder 6.63 is vertically mounted on the bottom support frame 6.61 and connected to the bottom support plate bracket 6.64, driving the bottom support plate bracket 6.64 to move vertically; the bottom support plate 6.65 is fixed to the bottom of the bottom support plate bracket 6.64. After the four-claw manipulator 6.31 grasps the crucible, the horizontal drive cylinder 6.62 drives the bottom support frame 6.61 to move horizontally, and the vertical drive cylinder 6.63 drives the bottom support plate bracket 6.64 to move vertically, so that the bottom support plate 6.65 moves to the bottom of the crucible, supporting the crucible and preventing it from falling during operation.

[0089] The suction car 7 includes a suction power car 7.1, a suction pipe 7.2, a suction hopper 7.3, a dust removal mechanism 7.4, and a cooling mechanism 7.5.

[0090] The suction cart 7.1 is mounted on track 2. The suction cart 7 moves back and forth on track 2 via the suction cart 7.1, and is powered by a sliding contact line or its own lithium battery. The suction cart 7.1 is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism to prevent slippage and allows for precise positioning.

[0091] The material suction hopper 7.3, dust removal mechanism 7.4, and cooling mechanism 7.5 are all installed on the material suction power vehicle 7.1. The dust removal mechanism 7.4 and cooling mechanism 7.5 are connected to the material suction hopper 7.3 and are used to cool and remove dust from the material suction hopper 7.3. The dust removal mechanism 7.4 is equipped with a cyclone dust collector, a bag filter dust collector, and a Roots blower.

[0092] The suction pipe 7.2 is connected to the suction hopper 7.3. The suction pipe 7.2 includes a swing pipe 7.21 and a suction head 7.22; the swing pipe 7.21 is rotatably mounted on the suction hopper 7.3 and communicates with the feed inlet of the suction hopper 7.3, and can swing in a 180° direction; the suction head 7.22 is mounted on the swing pipe 7.21 and communicates with the swing pipe 7.21. The suction head 7.22 can be a lifting suction head. By the longitudinal back-and-forth movement of the suction cart 7 and the up-and-down lifting and swinging of the suction head, it can easily cover all areas inside the furnace and meet the suction requirements.

[0093] A method for operating an Acheson graphitization furnace for loading auxiliary materials and placing and removing crucibles includes the following steps:

[0094] I. Filling of auxiliary materials.

[0095] The Acheson graphitization furnace 1 is divided into three areas: upper, middle, and lower. The upper area contains auxiliary materials such as furnace top insulation material, the middle area contains auxiliary materials such as crucible gap resistance material, box plate insulation material, and side insulation material, and the lower area contains auxiliary materials such as furnace bottom resistance material, furnace bottom insulation material, and furnace bottom carbon black.

[0096] First, the paving cart 5 is used to lay the auxiliary materials at the bottom of the Atchison graphitization furnace 1, which can simultaneously lay several rows of different materials in a single layer. After the first layer of crucibles is arranged, the canning cart 4 is used to lay the auxiliary materials required for the gaps between the crucibles and the surrounding space. After the second layer of crucibles is arranged, the canning cart 4 is used to lay the auxiliary materials required for the gaps between the crucibles and the surrounding space. Then, the paving cart 5 is used to lay the auxiliary materials at the top of the Atchison graphitization furnace 1.

[0097] The overhead crane transports the filled flattening hopper 5.6 to the hopper buffer position on the flattening cart 5. The flattening cart 5 then automatically spreads the material. Once all the material in the flattening hopper 5.6 is spread, the overhead crane transports the empty flattening hopper 5.6 to the empty hopper position in the auxiliary material buffer area, while simultaneously transporting a new full flattening hopper 5.6 onto the flattening cart 5. This process is repeated to ensure the efficiency of the overhead crane operation. Due to space constraints, the insulation material at the furnace head and tail needs to be filled manually.

[0098] In the above process, the workflow for the auxiliary material laying operation of the paving vehicle 5 is as follows:

[0099] 1) Feeding materials.

[0100] A shuttle car transports the paving car 5 to track 2, and a traveling crane transports the paving hopper 5.6 from the buffer area to the paving hopper roller conveyor 5.5 on the paving car 5. The paving hopper 5.6 moves to the working position via the paving hopper roller conveyor 5.5, where the manual connection is made between the discharge port of the paving hopper 5.6 and the paving fixed material pipe 5.31. The auxiliary material is then paved by moving the paving car 5 according to the paving speed.

[0101] 2) Lay flat.

[0102] The leveling and lifting mechanism 5.2 drives the leveling and lifting pipe 5.32 of the leveling material pipe assembly 5.3 to sink to the bottom of the crucible to begin spreading the material. The leveling cart 5 moves forward while spreading the material, and the scraper smooths the spread material to control dust. At the same time, during the material feeding process, the pressure roller 5.22 continuously rotates to compact the material. After filling one layer of the lower or upper part of the crucible, the leveling cart 5 moves to the furnace head to begin leveling the next layer of the lower or upper part of the crucible, and the material is spread from back to front again.

[0103] 3) Switching positions.

[0104] After the auxiliary materials are added to the paving hopper 5.6 at the work station, the bottom gate valve of the paving hopper 5.6 is manually closed, the paving pipe assembly 5.3 is disconnected, and the empty paving hopper 5.6 is transported away by the crane. At the same time, the paving hopper 5.6 at the waiting position is moved to the work station through the paving hopper roller conveyor 5.5 to continue the paving work.

[0105] 4) Furnace replacement.

[0106] After all the auxiliary materials on the bottom or top surface of the crucible in the furnace are laid flat and compacted, the flat lifting mechanism 5.2 lifts the flat lifting pipe 5.32 of the flat material pipe assembly 5.3 above the track 2, and then moves it to the shuttle car. After that, the shuttle car transports it to other furnaces for flat laying work.

[0107] In the above process, the workflow for the auxiliary material filling operation of tanker truck 4 is as follows:

[0108] 1) Feeding materials.

[0109] A shuttle car transports the filling car 4 to the track 2 on the furnace, and a traveling crane transports the filling hopper 4.6 from the buffer area to the filling hopper roller conveyor 4.5 on the filling car 4. The filling hopper 4.6 moves to the working position via the filling hopper roller conveyor 4.5, where the manual connection is made between the discharge port of the filling hopper 4.6 and the fixed material pipe 4.31. The auxiliary material filling can then be performed by moving the filling car 4 according to the gap between the crucibles and the surrounding space.

[0110] 2) Filling.

[0111] The filling lifting mechanism 4.2 lowers the filling lifting pipe 4.32 of the filling pipe assembly 4.3 to the bottom of the crucible to begin filling, and slowly raises the filling lifting pipe 4.32 of the filling pipe assembly 4.3 to control dust. After filling the gaps between one row of crucibles, the filling truck 4 moves to the next row and fills from bottom to top again.

[0112] 3) Switching positions.

[0113] After the auxiliary materials are added to the filling hopper 4.6 at the work station, the bottom gate valve of the filling hopper 4.6 is manually closed, the filling pipe assembly 4.3 is disconnected, and the empty filling hopper 4.6 is transported away by the crane. At the same time, the filling hopper 4.6 at the waiting position runs to the work station through the filling hopper roller conveyor 4.5 to continue the filling work.

[0114] 4) Furnace replacement.

[0115] After the filling of all the crucible gaps and surrounding spaces with auxiliary materials is completed, the filling lifting mechanism 4.2 lifts the filling lifting pipe 4.32 of the filling pipe assembly 4.3 above the track 2, and then moves it to the shuttle car, which then transports it to other furnaces for filling.

[0116] 2. Loading raw crucibles into the furnace.

[0117] In the above steps, after the paving car 5 completes the auxiliary material paving operation at the bottom of the Atchison graphitization furnace 1, the loading car 6 begins loading the raw crucibles. Each crucible tray 6.4 contains 10 raw crucibles. The full crucible tray 6.4 is transported by a crane to the crucible roller conveyor 6.5 of the loading car 6 at the buffer position. The loading car 6 moves to the working position. The gripping mechanism 6.3, driven by the loading and lifting mechanism 6.2, moves to above the first row of crucibles. After gripping the crucibles, the tray is driven by the roller conveyor to retreat to the waiting position. The bottom support mechanism 6.6 moves to the bottom of the crucible to support the bottom of the crucible and prevent it from falling. The loading and lifting mechanism 6.2 descends, and the crucibles are loaded into the furnace. When the bottom of the crucible is 100mm away from the auxiliary material layer, the bottom plate 6.65 of the bottom support mechanism 6.6 retracts; the pick-and-place lifting mechanism 6.2 continues to descend until the crucible is placed on the material layer, at which point the gripping mechanism 6.3 releases; the pick-and-place lifting mechanism 6.2 rises back to its original position, and simultaneously the pick-and-place trolley moves forward to the second row of crucible placement positions; the crucible tray 6.4, driven by the crucible roller conveyor 6.5, delivers the second row of crucibles to below the gripping mechanism 6.3, repeating the above crucible placement steps, completing the loading of two rows of crucibles into the furnace after two gripping operations. The empty tray returns to the crucible roller conveyor 6.5 to wait at the workstation, where a crane carries the empty tray back to the buffer empty tray position, and then the crane transports the new raw crucible tray to the pick-and-place trolley 6.

[0118] III. Auxiliary materials are removed from the furnace.

[0119] After graphitization is complete, wait for the furnace temperature to drop to a temperature suitable for material suction. Then, drive the suction cart 7 onto the furnace to suck up the heated high-temperature auxiliary materials. The material suction operation workflow is as follows:

[0120] 1) Material suction.

[0121] Before material suction, the auxiliary materials at the vent holes on the furnace top are first manually cleared using a remote-controlled grab bucket. The suction cart 7 is then transported to the track by a shuttle vehicle. The suction cart 7 is moved to the furnace position, and the position of the suction head 7.22 is adjusted vertically. Material suction begins by swinging the suction head 7.22 and moving the suction cart 7 longitudinally, suctioning 100mm thick material per layer. Material suction is performed layer by layer by adjusting the height of the suction head 7.22. Suction is stopped when red-hot material (above 400 degrees Celsius) is reached, and the material must be allowed to cool down to a suitable suction temperature before resuming suction. Because the auxiliary material temperature is very high, the depth of the suction pipe 7.2 is adjusted according to the temperature of the material being suctioned each time to prevent high-temperature material from being sucked into the suction hopper 7.3, which would affect equipment quality and operating efficiency.

[0122] 2) Unloading.

[0123] When the material suction hopper 7.3 is full, material suction stops, and the material suction car 7 moves to the furnace tail unloading position to unload the material. After emptying the material suction hopper, the material suction car 7 moves back to the original material suction position to continue suction.

[0124] 3) Transshipment.

[0125] After the insulation and resistance materials in the furnace are exhausted, the crucible will be removed from the furnace. This removal will be accomplished using a loading and unloading trolley. At this point, the material suction trolley 7 will be moved by a transfer car to another furnace awaiting material suction to continue the suction process.

[0126] 5. Remove the cooked crucible from the furnace.

[0127] After graphitization, the suction cart 7 cleans the top and sides of the crucible by removing the auxiliary materials. Then, manual assistance is used to remove any adhering auxiliary materials around the crucible. The suction cart 7 is moved to another furnace body via a transfer cart for material removal, while the loading and unloading cart 6 is moved to the furnace head to remove the crucible. The loading and unloading cart 6 moves to the crucible exit position and is precisely positioned. The loading and unloading lifting mechanism 6.2 drives five sets of gripping mechanisms 6.3 to descend to the crucible head. The hydraulic cylinder 6.32 drives the four-jaw robotic arms 6.31 to grip each of the five crucibles in the same row. The loading and unloading lifting mechanism 6.2 then lifts the crucible to the bottom, exposing the auxiliary material layer. The bottom plate 6.65 of the bottom support mechanism 6.6 descends and moves horizontally to the bottom of the crucible, supporting it and preventing it from falling. The loading and unloading lifting mechanism 6.2 continues to rise to the crucible placement height, and the crucible tray 6.4, driven by the crucible roller conveyor 6.5, moves to the crucible. The placement mechanism 6.2 lowers, the bottom support mechanism 6.6 returns to its original position, and after the crucible is placed on the crucible tray 6.4, the gripping mechanism 6.3 is released, and the placement mechanism 6.2 rises. The crucible tray 6.4 moves backward, the placement trolley 6 moves forward, and the placement mechanism 6.2 drives the gripping mechanism 6.3 to lower to begin gripping the second row of crucibles. After the crucible tray 6.4 is filled with two rows of crucibles, the trolley transports the full crucible tray to the cooling area of ​​the cooked crucibles. When the trolley returns to the vicinity of the placement trolley 6, it transports an empty tray to the crucible roller conveyor 6.5, waiting to load the next tray of crucibles.

[0128] Furthermore, it should be noted that the specific embodiments described in this specification may differ in the shape and name of their components, etc. The above description is merely illustrative of the structure of the present invention. All equivalent or simple variations made based on the structure, features, and principles described in this patent concept are included within the protection scope of this patent. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the present invention or exceed the scope defined by the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for loading auxiliary materials and placing / removing crucibles in an Atchison graphitization furnace, characterized in that: It includes work vehicles and tracks. The work vehicles include tank trucks, leveling trucks, pick-and-place trucks and suction trucks. The track is fixedly installed above the Atchison graphitization furnace; The tanker truck includes a tanker lifting mechanism, a tanker material pipe assembly, a tanker power vehicle, a tanker material hopper roller conveyor, and a tanker material hopper; the tanker power vehicle is mounted on a track; the tanker material hopper roller conveyor is mounted on the tanker power vehicle; the tanker material hopper is placed on the tanker material hopper roller conveyor; the tanker material pipe assembly is mounted on the tanker power vehicle; and the tanker lifting mechanism is connected to the tanker material pipe assembly. The paving vehicle includes a compaction mechanism, a paving lifting mechanism, a paving material pipe assembly, a paving power vehicle, a paving material hopper roller conveyor, and a paving material hopper; the paving power vehicle is mounted on a track; the paving material hopper roller conveyor is installed on the paving power vehicle; the paving material hopper is placed on the paving material hopper roller conveyor; the paving material pipe assembly and the compaction mechanism are both connected to the paving lifting mechanism; The loading and unloading vehicle includes a loading and unloading power vehicle, a loading and unloading lifting mechanism, a gripping mechanism, a bottom-supporting mechanism, and a crucible roller conveyor. The loading and unloading power vehicle is mounted on a track. The crucible roller conveyor is installed on the loading and unloading power vehicle. The loading and unloading lifting mechanism is installed on the loading and unloading power vehicle and includes a lifting drive mechanism and a lifting platform. The lifting platform is mounted on the loading and unloading power vehicle, and the lifting drive mechanism is connected to the lifting platform. The gripping mechanism and the bottom-supporting mechanism are both installed on the lifting platform. The bottom-supporting mechanism includes a bottom-supporting frame, a horizontal drive cylinder, a vertical drive cylinder, a bottom-supporting plate bracket, and a bottom-supporting plate. The bottom-supporting frame is horizontally slidably mounted on the lifting platform. The horizontal drive cylinder is horizontally mounted on the lifting platform and connected to the bottom-supporting frame. The bottom-supporting plate bracket is vertically slidably mounted on the bottom-supporting frame. The vertical drive cylinder is vertically mounted on the bottom-supporting frame and connected to the bottom-supporting plate bracket. The base plate is fixed to the bottom of the base plate bracket; The material suction vehicle includes a material suction power unit, a material suction pipe, and a material suction hopper; the material suction power unit is mounted on a track; the material suction hopper is installed on the material suction power unit; the material suction pipe is connected to the material suction hopper; the material suction vehicle works in conjunction with an auxiliary material cooling system. The filling pipe assembly includes a fixed filling pipe and a lifting filling pipe. The fixed filling pipe is vertically fixed on the filling power vehicle, and the lifting filling pipe is movably fitted outside the fixed filling pipe. The filling lifting mechanism is installed on the filling power vehicle, and the lifting filling pipe is installed on the filling lifting mechanism. The flat material pipe assembly includes a flat fixed material pipe and a flat lifting material pipe. The flat fixed material pipe is vertically fixed on the flat power vehicle, and the flat lifting material pipe is movably fitted outside the flat fixed material pipe. The flat lifting mechanism is installed on the flat power vehicle, and both the flat lifting material pipe and the compaction mechanism are installed on the flat lifting mechanism. The suction pipe includes a swing pipe and a suction head; the swing pipe is rotatably mounted on the suction hopper and is connected to the inlet of the suction hopper; the suction head is mounted on the swing pipe and is connected to the swing pipe.

2. The Acheson graphitization furnace loading and crucible handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned filling tube assembly comprises multiple parts, with one part used for filling the thermal insulation material and the other part used for filling the resistive material.

3. The device for loading auxiliary materials and placing / removing crucibles in the Atchison graphitization furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned flat-laying pipe assembly comprises multiple components, with one portion used for laying the insulation material and the other portion used for laying the resistance material.

4. The Acheson graphitization furnace loading and crucible handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compaction mechanism includes a frame, a motor, and a pressure roller. The frame is mounted on a flat lifting mechanism, and the motor and pressure roller are mounted on the frame. The motor is connected to the pressure roller.

5. The Acheson graphitization furnace loading and crucible handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripping mechanism includes a four-claw manipulator and a hydraulic cylinder, with the hydraulic cylinder connected to the four-claw manipulator.

6. The device for loading auxiliary materials and placing / removing crucibles in the Atchison graphitization furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aforementioned suction vehicle also includes a dust removal mechanism and a cooling mechanism, both of which are installed on the suction power vehicle and connected to the suction hopper.

7. A method for operating the Acheson graphitization furnace loading and crucible handling device according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising the following steps: I. Filling of auxiliary materials; The workflow for laying auxiliary materials using a paving vehicle is as follows: 1) Loading materials; A shuttle car transports the paving car onto the track, and a crane transports the paving hopper onto the paving hopper roller conveyor on the paving car. The paving hopper travels to the working position via the paving hopper roller conveyor, where the manual connection is made between the paving hopper's outlet and the paving fixed material pipe. 2) Lay flat; The paving lifting mechanism drives the paving material pipe assembly to sink to the bottom of the crucible to start paving. The paving vehicle moves forward while paving, and at the same time, the compaction mechanism compacts the auxiliary material during the auxiliary material feeding process. 3) Rebalancing; After the paving hopper at the work station is filled with auxiliary materials, the paving pipe assembly is disconnected, and the empty paving hopper is transported away by the overhead crane. At the same time, the new paving hopper runs to the work station through the paving hopper roller conveyor to continue the paving work. 4) Furnace replacement; After all the auxiliary materials in the furnace crucibles are laid and compacted, the laying lifting mechanism lifts the laying material pipe assembly to the top of the track, and then moves it to the shuttle car. After that, the shuttle car transports it to other furnaces for laying work. After the material is laid out, the auxiliary materials are loaded into tanker trucks. The workflow is as follows: 1) Loading materials; A shuttle car transports the tanker truck to the track, and a crane transports the tanker silo to the tanker silo roller conveyor on the tanker truck. The tanker silo moves to the working position via the tanker silo roller conveyor, where the manual connection is made between the outlet of the tanker silo and the fixed material pipe. 2) Filling; The filling lifting mechanism drives the filling pipe assembly to sink to the bottom of the crucible to begin feeding; 3) Rebalancing; After the auxiliary materials are added to the filling hopper at the work station, the filling pipe assembly is disconnected, and the empty filling hopper is transported away by the overhead crane. At the same time, the new filling hopper runs to the work station through the filling hopper roller conveyor to continue the filling work. 4) Furnace replacement; After the filling of all the crucible gaps and surrounding spaces with auxiliary materials is completed, the filling lifting mechanism lifts the filling pipe assembly to the top of the track, then moves it to the shuttle car, and then the shuttle car transports it to other furnaces for filling.

2. Loading the raw crucible into the furnace; In the above steps, after the paving car completes the auxiliary material paving operation at the bottom of the Atchison graphitization furnace, the transfer car transports the pick-up and place car onto the track, and the pick-up and place car begins loading the crucibles into the furnace; the overhead crane transports the crucibles to the crucible roller conveyor of the pick-up and place car, and the pick-up and place car moves to the working position; the gripping mechanism, driven by the pick-up and place lifting mechanism, moves to above the first row of crucibles, and after gripping the crucibles, the crucibles are driven by the roller conveyor to retreat to the waiting position, and the bottom support mechanism moves to the bottom of the crucibles to support the bottom of the crucibles and prevent the crucibles from falling; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism descends, and when the bottom of the crucibles is a set distance away from the auxiliary material layer, the bottom support plate of the bottom support mechanism is retracted; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism continues to descend until the crucibles are placed on the material layer, and the gripping mechanism releases; the pick-up and place lifting mechanism rises back to its original position, and at the same time the pick-up and place car moves forward to the second row of crucibles placement position, and the above crucible placement steps are repeated, and the loading of two rows of crucibles into the furnace is completed after two gripping operations; III. Auxiliary materials are unloaded; After graphitization is complete, wait for the furnace temperature to drop to a temperature suitable for material suction. Then, drive the suction cart onto the furnace to suction the heated high-temperature auxiliary materials. The suction operation workflow is as follows: 1) Material suction; The shuttle car transports the suction car to the track, the suction car moves to the position of the furnace to be suctioned, and suctions material into the suction hopper through the suction pipe; 2) Unloading; Stop feeding when the hopper is full; IV. Remove the cooked crucible from the furnace; After graphitization is completed, the auxiliary material is completely removed by the suction cart. The suction cart then moves to another furnace body for material removal. The pick-up and drop cart moves to the crucible exit station to start picking up the crucible. The pick-up and drop lifting mechanism drives the gripping mechanism to descend to the head of the crucible. After the gripping mechanism grips the crucible, the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism lifts the crucible to the bottom of the crucible, exposing the auxiliary material layer. The bottom plate of the bottom support mechanism descends and moves horizontally to the bottom of the crucible to support it. The pick-up and drop lifting mechanism continues to rise until it reaches the crucible placement height. Then, the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism descends, the bottom support mechanism returns to its original position, and the crucible is placed on the crucible roller conveyor. The gripping mechanism is then released, and the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism rises. The pick-up and drop cart moves forward, and the pick-up and drop lifting mechanism drives the gripping mechanism to descend and start picking up the second row of crucibles.

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