How to make graphite from paper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing graphite from paper for use as a filter or building material. The objective is to provide a cost-effective, simple, and sustainable method for producing graphite. This objective is achieved by soaking paper / waste paper, paper shreds, or paper strips in water in a suitable container for several hours, mixing and shredding the soaked paper using a suitable device until a paste or mixture with a paste-like consistency is produced, where the paste contains sugar or starch as a binder, placing the paste in a suitable mold, and then pressing to squeeze the water out of the paste or isostatically pressing the paste to produce a pressed product. The dehydrated pressed product is removed from the mold and carbonized in a furnace at above 1,000°C, followed by graphitization at above 2,000°C (up to a maximum of 3,000°C).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing graphite from paper for use as a filter or building material. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] The object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective, simple and sustainable method for producing graphite from paper, preferably recycled paper, which can be used as a filter or building material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The problem on which the present invention is based is solved by macerating paper / waste paper, paper shreds or paper strips in water in a suitable container for several hours, then shredding the macerated paper using a suitable device until a paste or mixture with a paste-like consistency is produced, and mixing a binder such as sugar or starch into the paste, which is placed in a suitable mould and then pressed to squeeze the water out of the paste or isostatically pressed the paste to produce a pressed product which is then dried.

[0004] The dried pressings can then be removed from the mold in the usual manner and carbonized in a furnace at above 1,000°C, followed by graphitization at above 2,000°C (up to a maximum of 3,000°C).

[0005] Of course, both carbonization and graphitization must be carried out at least under the exclusion of oxygen or under protective gas.

[0006] The maceration of the paper should occur over a period of about 24 hours.

[0007] To ensure that the dewatered pressings hold together well and do not crumble after graphitization, the soaked paper can be mixed with a binder that dissolves well in water, such as sugar or syrup, which can be distributed well and uniformly in the paste.

[0008] Alternatively, the paste or mixture having a paste-like consistency can be mixed with starch as a binder, such as potato starch, corn starch, rice starch, etc.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous to dry the pressings before further processing, in order to reduce or avoid subsequent outgassing of volatile components and at the same time avoid cracking during subsequent high-temperature treatment.

[0010] To accelerate the drying process, drying can be carried out in a drying cabinet or dehumidifier.

[0011] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 shows paper or paper fragments being macerated in a vessel during the shredding process. [Figure 2] 1 shows a pressed product that has been dewatered by pressing. [Figure 3] 1 shows a high density block produced and graphitized according to the present invention. [Example]

[0013] To produce graphitized blocks, paper / waste paper, paper shreds or paper strips are first macerated in water for several hours, for example 24 hours, in a suitable container 1 of any size. The macerated paper is then shredded using a suitable device 2 until a paste 3 or a mixture with a paste-like consistency is produced (FIG. 1). As a binder, sugar or starch can be mixed into the paste 3.

[0014] In addition to mixers, mincers with shearing propellers and conveying screws or extruders are also suitable for producing the paste 3, which allows the conveying rate to be increased considerably.

[0015] This paste 3 is placed in a suitable mold and then pressed to squeeze the water out of the paste, or the paste is isostatically pressed, thereby obtaining the pressed product 4 shown in FIG.

[0016] The device used to press the paste can be a die, for example a rectangular die, open on two opposite sides and with the lower opening closed by a sieve or perforated plate. Alternatively, a die open on the top can also be used. In this case, the pressing process can be carried out simply by pressing a suitable plunger into the respective die from above, so that the squeezed water can be forced through a sieve or, in the case of a closed die but open only on the top, the squeezed water can be forced upward and flow out. The result in both cases is a compact pressing 4 (Figure 2).

[0017] In order to make it possible to easily remove the pressed product from the mold, it is preferable that the sieve is merely resting on the edge on the underside, so that the pressed product 4 can be easily pushed out of the container together with the sieve after pressing.

[0018] Otherwise, the mold would simply have to be turned upside down and the pressed product 4 tapped out.

[0019] The pressed product may be dried in air or in a suitable drying device before further processing to reduce or possibly avoid subsequent outgassing, while at the same time avoiding the occurrence of cracks during subsequent high-temperature treatment.

[0020] The dried pressings 4 can then be conventionally carbonized in a furnace at above 1,000°C and then graphitized at above 2,000°C (up to 3,000°C) to form graphite blocks 5. The graphite blocks 5 can then be reused or processed as desired.

[0021] Of course, both carbonization and graphitization must be carried out at least under the exclusion of oxygen or under protective gas.

[0022] In order for the dewatered pressings 4 to hold together better and not crumble after graphitization, the soaked paper can be mixed with a binder that dissolves well in water, such as sugar or syrup, which distributes well and uniformly in the paste.

[0023] Alternatively, the paste or mixture having a paste-like consistency can be mixed with starch as a binder, such as potato starch, corn starch, rice starch, etc.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous to dry the pressed product 4 by high-temperature treatment before further processing in order to reduce or avoid subsequent outgassing, while at the same time avoiding the occurrence of cracks. To accelerate the drying process, this can be done in a drying cabinet or dehumidifier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1 container 2 equipment 3. Paste 4 Pressed products 5 graphite blocks

Claims

1. 1. A method for producing graphite from paper for use as a filter or building material, comprising: - soaking the paper / waste paper, paper shreds or paper strips in water in a suitable container for several hours; - Mixing and shredding the soaked paper with a suitable device until a paste or a mixture of paste-like consistency is produced, the paste being mixed with sugar or starch as a binder; - placing the paste into a suitable mould and then pressing to squeeze the water out of the paste or isostatically pressing the paste, thus producing a pressed product; - removing the pressing from the mould and subjecting it to a drying process; - carbonization of the dehydrated pressings in a furnace at above 1,000°C followed by graphitization at above 2,000°C (up to a maximum of 3,000°C); The method, characterized by:

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein both carbonization and graphitization are carried out at least under the exclusion of oxygen or under a protective gas.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the maceration of the paper is carried out for a period of about 24 hours.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the paste or mixture having a paste-like consistency is mixed with a binder that dissolves well in water, such as sugar or syrup.

5. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mixture having a paste or paste-like consistency is mixed with starch as binder.

6. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that potato starch, corn starch, rice starch, etc. are mixed as starch.

7. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the drying is carried out in a drying cabinet or dehumidifier to accelerate the drying process.

Images