Apparatus and method for rolling graphite flakes in graphite material

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus for more efficiently performing a batch-type spheroidization process of fine powders. [Solution] An apparatus for rolling graphite-based material, comprising: a workspace in which the rolling process is performed; a supply device for supplying graphite-based material into the workspace; a plurality of rolling tools in the form of beaters located in the workspace and positioned on a disk that rotates in the rotational direction about a rotation axis, and configured to rotate and orbit with the disk; preferably, at least one guide device; a separation device for separating fine and ultrafine materials; a product outlet; and preferably, a covering positioned on the rolling tools, wherein the disk holds at least 40 beaters per meter of circumference, more preferably at least 45 beaters, and preferably at least 55 beaters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for rounding graphite flakes in a graphite material according to the features of the independent claims.

Background Art

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries are currently used in a variety of electrical devices such as not only laptop computers or power tools but also automobiles. In this case, graphite is generally used as the anode material. This is because graphite, on the one hand, has excellent electrical conductivity and is thus suitable for supplying current to the outside. Furthermore, lithium ions are well incorporated into the lattice structure of graphite during battery charging.

[0003] However, the problem when using graphite as the anode material is that graphite usually exists in nature as so-called flake graphite, but spherical graphite is much more suitable as the anode material. By using spherical graphite, not only the energy density of the storage battery is increased, but also the life of the storage battery is prolonged.

[0004] For the reasons described above, flake graphite needs to be converted into spherical graphite before being used as the anode material. FIGS. 2A to 2E show the morphological changes of graphite in the process of converting from flake graphite to spherical graphite. FIGS. 2A and 2B show graphite in the form of flake graphite, and the flakes shown in FIG. 2A are significantly smaller than the flakes shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2C shows an intermediate stage in which the graphite particles have already been partially rounded. FIGS. 2D and 2E show the final spherical graphite.

[0005] The conversion of flake graphite to spherical graphite, or the conversion of green coke to the corresponding spherical particles, is known in the prior art and is referred to as spheroidization.

[0006] As a prerequisite, when referring to graphite materials and graphite particles below, it is assumed that this includes their corresponding precursors, green coke and green coke particles, as well as other graphite-based particles. This applies unless the term "graphite materials and graphite particles" should be understood in a narrower, or more precise, sense. This point applies to the entire text below, even if not repeated.

[0007] In the conversion to spheroidized graphite, individual graphite particles are not spheroidized by grinding or grinding, but rather by multiple so-called folding processes. For this purpose, individual graphite particles are intentionally made to move in a way that causes them to collide with a corresponding obstacle. The kinetic energy imposed on the graphite particles is selected so that, upon collision, the particles are not (as far as possible) ground up, but only deformed. This deformation is referred to as folding.

[0008] Typically, before spheroidizing flaked graphite particles, these flaked graphite particles are first subjected to a grinding process. This process is generally carried out using a classification mill. The purpose of this process step is to reduce the size of the graphite particles so that they become small enough to produce spheroidized graphite of the desired quality or fineness class in the subsequent spheroidizing process.

[0009] Actual spheroidization takes place in a so-called spheroidization classifier. A spheroidization classifier has a workspace in which introduced graphite particles come into contact with one or more (usually rotating) rounding tools. Contact with these rounding tools forces the particles to move toward an obstacle (also called a collision surface). When the particles collide with the obstacle, the folding described above occurs.

[0010] To achieve the most optimal spheroidization possible, particles are repeatedly accelerated from the rolling tool toward the impact surface by a process gas flow introduced into the spheroidization classifier from the outside, and guided within the spheroidization classifier to fold there. In this way, the particles circulate within the working space of the spheroidization classifier during the folding process, with all particles repeatedly accelerated from the rolling tool toward the impact surface.

[0011] After a predetermined processing time and a corresponding number of folds, the desired product quality is achieved, and the graphite particles take on a spheroidal form. During spheroidization, not only pure deformation but also slight delamination occurs, so the spheroidal graphite particles ultimately need to be separated from the resulting fine material by an integrated or external classifier.

[0012] One problem with conventionally known spheroidizing classifiers is that, in addition to the folding of graphite particles, a relatively large proportion are unintentionally crushed, resulting in defective products. Alternatively, if the process is set to be gentle, the particles must circulate within the working space of the spheroidizing classifier for a relatively long time until they are folded or spheroidized to the desired degree. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for more efficiently performing a batch-type spheroidization process of fine powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim relating to the apparatus, according to the present invention.

[0015] In other words, this problem is solved by a device for rolling graphite material. This device comprises a workspace in which the rolling process takes place, and a supply device for supplying graphite material into the workspace, mainly in batches. The device further comprises a rolling tool in the form of a beater, which is located in the workspace and is configured to rotate and circulate.

[0016] The beater is positioned on a disc that rotates in the rotational direction around the axis of rotation. The apparatus also preferably includes at least one guide device and a separation device for separating fine and ultrafine materials. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a product outlet and a covering positioned above the rounding tool.

[0017] The apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a disc with at least 40, more preferably at least 45, and preferably at least 55 beaters spaced apart from each other per meter of circumference. This rotor design according to the present invention allows the material to be held for a longer period in the radially inner edge region of the beaters and loaded there. This is advantageous because the collisions between the particles and the beaters in this region are gentler, and the particles are folded with little to no significant damage.

[0018] Essentially, the design of this invention results in a functionally decisive difference compared to similar classification mills.

[0019] In a classification mill, the particles to be crushed are captured by a beater and thrown radially outward with great force. They then collide with a sharp, serrated (jagged) impact surface located in the housing of the classification mill, which surrounds the outer circumference of the disc containing the beater like a belt, with high force, thereby achieving a considerable degree of crushing effect.

[0020] In the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention, the main point of action is different. In the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention, it is no longer the impact surface described above. This is because the impact surface of the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention is preferably designed to be remarkably gentle. This is because the main function of the impact surface in the present invention is to deflect and recirculate the particles that collide with the impact surface upward without substantially damaging them, that is, to collide again with the radially inner end of the beater from the radially inner side and fold them further. Instead, the main point of action of the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention is the first one-sixth, more preferably the first one-tenth, of the radially inner beater, and ideally the rounded portion formed therein.

[0021] In the region described above, the relative velocity difference between the beater and each particle is small. Therefore, the impulse in this region is insufficient for breaking. Furthermore, the rounded inner surface of the beater generates a velocity component that moves inward towards the classification wheel after contact. As a result, the particles are held longer at the inner edge of the beater, and the large number of beaters in this invention results in a very large number of minor contacts that do not have a crushing effect. These contacts also impart rotation to the particles, which is advantageous for the folding process.

[0022] Furthermore, the solutions to the aforementioned problems will also be achieved in the future by a method for rolling graphite material that may be billed. In this case, the graphite material will be in contact with at least one of several rolling tools configured to rotate and circumferentially move, particularly densely arranged in the circumferential direction, because approximately 40 to 80 rolling tools or beaters are arranged in a row per meter of the circumference of the beater wheel. In addition, a covering is ideally placed above the rolling tools, in which case the covering restricts the space for the process airflow that transports the graphite material and increases the number of contacts between the graphite material and at least one rolling tool.

[0023] By the method according to the present invention and the machine used in this method, rounded graphite particles optimized for battery manufacturing can be easily and cost-effectively produced. In particular, in this case, the corners of the graphite flakes are folded and wrapped around the core of the flakes, whereby the graphite flakes are rounded.

[0024] There are various possibilities for further improving the effectiveness or usefulness of the present invention.

[0025] Therefore, for example, it is particularly preferable that the sides or lateral sides of some or all of the beaters have a tangent at the entire or at least the radially outer end, and form an angle alpha with the radial line at the contact point of the tangent.

[0026] In such a design, the graphite particles do not get greatly thrown out radially outward, but collide obliquely with the inner surface of the housing and the collision surface or deflection surface formed therein. Thereby, the re-transfer of the graphite particles thrown out radially from the beater wheel into the working space is improved.

[0027] The angle alpha is preferably less than 25°. However, in some cases, an angle up to 40° is also useful.

[0028] In a preferred further embodiment, the beater is formed by a plate that is curved in an arc shape outward.

[0029] Thereby, the particles do not move substantially radially outward, but move with a rotational motion component. In this case, a stronger spin is loaded on the particles. This spin also improves the re-transfer of the graphite particles thrown out radially from the beater wheel into the working space.

[0030] Ideally, in most or all beaters, the ratio of beater length to beater width should be greater than 5, preferably greater than 10. This ensures that the beaters have sufficient radial extension and can always accelerate multiple graphite particles simultaneously. This increases the processing speed of the device. At the same time, a relatively large number of beaters can be arranged on the disc without excessively narrowing the beater spacing and hindering the free circulation of graphite particles within the working space.

[0031] "Beater length" refers to the length of the hammer from the end facing the axis of rotation of the disc to the end away from the axis of rotation of the disc.

[0032] "Beater width" refers to the average width of a beater from the side facing the directly adjacent first beater to the side facing the directly adjacent second beater.

[0033] Preferably, the radial length of the beater, and / or the spacing between directly adjacent beaters, and / or the height of the beater in the direction of the rotation axis are selected such that the majority of collisions between the particle to be rolled and the beater occur in the first radially inward eighth of the beater, more preferably in the radially inward first ninth of the beater.

[0034] In this radially inward region of the beater, only impacts insufficient to break down particles occur. Therefore, in a classification mill, this region is not effective for grinding and is not designated as the main impact zone, and is avoided as much as possible. Consequently, in a classification mill, the beaters are positioned far apart in the circumferential direction. This is because, in a classification mill, it is only in this case that the particles to be ground quickly and deeply enter the region between the beaters and are ground by impacts from the sides of the beaters.

[0035] This is different in the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention. In the present invention, the pump action of the disc having the beater can be easily adjusted by testing with the parameters described in the claims (this adjustment is comparable to setting the pump action in a centrifugal pump). If the pump action is set correctly, most of the impact between the particles to be rolled and the beater occurs in the desired radially inward inlet region of the beater, and the impact in this region is strong enough to cause folding, but not strong enough to pulverize most of the particles.

[0036] Preferably, the ratio of the radial beater length to the outer radius of the rotatable disc holding the beater is 0.1 to 0.25, and preferably less than 0.2. Maintaining this ratio ensures that the force with which the beater acts on the particles is sufficient to achieve folding in good yield without causing unacceptable particle breakage and defects.

[0037] Ideally, the beater height should vary from its radially inner end to its radially outer end, resulting in a 10% to 40% height reduction from the radially inner end to the radially outer end of each beater. This allows the velocity between beaters, and therefore usually the volumetric flow rate, to remain constant. In particular, in this case, it may be important to limit the pumping action that occurs between adjacent beaters, preventing particles from being excessively drawn in and causing the main impact zone to shift excessively radially outward.

[0038] Preferably, the diameter of the classification wheel effective for classification is 20% to 50%, more preferably 20% to 35%, of the outer diameter of the disc that holds and rotates the beater. This ensures that the classification wheel does not unnecessarily come into contact with the ring of particles that have been sphericalized as intended (particles that do not need to be classified), and that no energy that is not useful or harmful to folding is transferred to the particles.

[0039] In a preferred further embodiment, preferably, the impact surface, which is formed by a cylindrical inner jacket surface region in the housing and into which particles ejected from the gap between adjacent beaters collide, is smooth or edgeless and wavy. This eliminates the risk of numerous particles or particle fragments colliding with and being crushed at the edges of the impact surface. Such crushing increases defective products and reduces the efficiency of the device.

[0040] This problem is effectively solved by a smooth or wavy impact surface in the inner jacket surface region of the housing. In this case, unlike a classification mill, the impact surface of the spheroidizing classifier of the present invention does not crush the particles by impact, but rather acts as a rotational brake against the folded particle flow.

[0041] Preferably, the guide device, composed of guide elements, terminates on its inner side flush with the upper end (upper edge) of the beater. This prevents graphite particles from passing through without contacting the beater. Instead, all particles are accelerated by the beater and folded each time they pass through. In this respect, such an embodiment increases the efficiency of the device.

[0042] In a preferred further embodiment, the rolled graphite material is guided to the separation device of the apparatus without spinning. This allows the folded particles and the detached fine and ultrafine materials to flow optimally into the separation device. This embodiment improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the separation device.

[0043] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the device be operated for a predetermined period of time after it is fully filled, i.e., after reaching the first stop value (this time can be determined empirically, for example, and after which the rounding process of all graphite flakes is reliably completed).

[0044] To further optimize process conditions, it is conceivable to vary the movement speed of the rotating disk, and therefore the movement speed of the rounding tool, during operation. For example, it is conceivable to select a low rotational speed initially and then increase it to the maximum rotational speed during subsequent operation.

[0045] Alternatively, in certain processes, it may be advantageous to start quickly initially and then slow down during subsequent operations.

[0046] Preferably, the device operates with a maximum rotational speed of 60 to 120 meters per second (based on the circumference of the disk) for the rotating disk.

[0047] Although the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention is structurally very similar to a classification mill in appearance, it has a fundamentally different operating principle, and differences are also evident in its physical characteristics.

[0048] One of the major differences, even when considered alone, is that the classification mill operates continuously. In this case, coarse material to be crushed is continuously supplied, and the crushed fine material is continuously discharged through classification.

[0049] This is different in the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention. The spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention operates in a batch, i.e., batch operation, and is designed accordingly. For this purpose, at the start of the process, the entire amount of material to be spheroidized in that cycle is fed in. The material to be spheroidized is then processed in the spheroidizing classifier until it reaches (at least substantially) the desired degree of rounding. During processing, instead of being folded, material that has become too small due to unintended crushing is "sorted" by the classifier. In this respect as well, the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention differs from a classification mill in which useful material is extracted by the classifier.

[0050] In principle, in the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention, the rounding process must always be performed under impulses appropriate to the product and its fineness. This is because otherwise, the particles will be crushed during the rounding process, which must be avoided at all costs. While the integration of the crushing and rounding processes is the basis of a cascade process, it cannot be intentionally utilized in a batch process.

[0051] Furthermore, it has been found that intentionally controlling the impulse intensity distribution has a positive impact on product quality. The method according to the present invention can be most simply explained by folding a very thin book, or, to make it easier to visualize, folding a single sheet of paper. On the one hand, a larger load is required to fold multiple layers simultaneously, while on the other hand, a smaller load is required to smooth the surface and press any protruding paper into a sphere as needed. In this case, these loads should not be applied at an angle of 90° to the tool, if possible, or substantially so, because this often results in breakage rather than folding. It is also easy to imagine that a particularly smooth sphere can be obtained when a particularly large load is applied. Tests have shown that a lot of energy is required, especially in the final folding process. This can also be easily understood from the book example. The force required increases slightly with each folding process, and the final process in particular is extremely difficult. Thus, for a true three-dimensional particle, a wide load distribution below the breakage limit is ideal. In this case, it is preferable to maximize the number of contacts.

[0052] In summary, the spheroidizing classifier according to the present invention is designed such that the load on the particles to be spheroidized is substantially below the load intensity that would lead to particle breakage. In many cases, the spheroidizing classifier is designed to increase the number of impacts the particles to be spheroidized receive during batch processing time compared to a similar classification mill. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figures 2A to 2E are explanatory diagrams of graphite material before, during, and after processing within the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are horizontal cross-sectional views showing the apparatus according to the present invention in Figure 1, as well as beater wheels or enlarged views thereof. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a partial enlargement view of Figure 1. [Figure 6] Unlike the beater wheels in Figures 3A and 3B, this is an explanatory diagram of an alternative beater wheel having a beater of the same thickness in the circumferential direction. [Figure 7] This is a side view of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of an alternative beater wheel that has a straight but inclined beater, unlike the beater wheels shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 6, and 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a side view of Figure 8, and Figure 9A is an explanatory diagram of another preferred embodiment of the beater wheel. [Figure 10] Unlike the beater wheels (also called rounding discs) shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 8, and 9, this is an explanatory diagram of an alternative beater wheel that has a curved beater. [Figure 11] This is a detailed enlarged view of Figure 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] The operation will be explained below, starting with Figures 1 to 5. 6 ~Figure 11 The examples shown will be described later.

[0055] First, the basic operating principle of the spheroidization classifier according to the present invention will be explained, and then the individual measures according to the present invention will be explained.

[0056] Figure 1 shows the apparatus 1 according to the present invention for rolling graphite flakes GF in graphite material GM.

[0057] Apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2 formed in a nearly upright cylindrical shape, on its upper side, a supply device 3 for supplying graphite material GM or green coke, usually in a batch manner. When graphite material is supplied, this graphite is usually composed of at least substantially graphite flakes GF. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the supply device 3 is configured as a drop pipe, but it is also conceivable that the graphite material GM could be supplied via an injector feed.

[0058] In this case, the graphite material GM is directed towards the bottom of the work space 40. There, the graphite material collides with a rounding tool from the radially inward direction, which is configured as a beater (impacting body) 5 fixed to a disc-shaped carrier or disc 74. The disc 74 rotates together with a support plate or disc 7, and this configuration can be called a beater wheel. When the graphite flakes collide with the beater at their radially inward end, i.e., the rounded portion region on the end face side of the beater, they fold according to the present invention. In this case, most of the graphite flakes are thrown back into the process space 40 in the radially inward direction, approaching again the radially inward end region of the beater wheel and the beater attached to the beater wheel, and are folded again. The graphite material, having passed radially outward through the radially inner region of the beater wheel (generally, arbitrarily, about 1 / 5 of the innermost part of the beater wheel, more preferably 1 / 8 of the innermost part), is conveyed outward by beaters that are particularly densely arranged according to the present invention and act like centrifugal pumps. In this case, there are virtually no further collisions between the beaters 5 and the graphite particles, and the graphite particles are ejected from the outer circumference of the beater wheel.

[0059] In this case, the graphite particles come into contact with the impact surface 6, which may be the inner jacket surface of the outer wall of the housing 2 in the spheroidizing classifier, or often a separate annular component. Not limited to the illustrated embodiment, generally, the impact surface is not designed to cause an impact that would pulverize the graphite particles (unlike a classification mill). Instead, according to the present invention, the impact surface is designed to support the tendency of the process airflow PL (see right side of Figure 1) to transport the graphite particles upward through a “chimney” formed by the air guide ring 15 and air guide element 25, without substantially pulverizing them, and to return them radially inward to the process space 40. Within the process space 40, the graphite particles settle again to the bottom region. In this case, the graphite particles move outward again due to the effect of centrifugal force. As a result, upon reaching the bottom region, they come into contact with the beater wheel or its beater again and are folded again.

[0060] The graphite particle fragments that are unintentionally crushed are subjected to only a small centrifugal force and are therefore carried into the classifying wheel 11 by the process airflow PL flowing into the separation device 10 or its classifying wheel 11, and are thus discharged through the separation device 10.

[0061] The separation device 10 is positioned above the disk 7 having a rounding tool 5. The classification wheel 11 is connected to the second drive device 13 via the second drive shaft 12. In particular, the first drive shaft 8 and the second drive shaft 12 are assumed to be coaxially arranged.

[0062] As a supplement, it should be noted that the process air mentioned above is supplied as follows: Process air PL is supplied from below upward through a supply pipe 14 located in the lower region of the apparatus 1, particularly below the rotating disk 7 having the rounding tool 5. This air is then guided to the separation apparatus 10 via the rounding region and guide element 25. In this case, the process air PL carries fine and ultrafine materials FM that do not have sufficient centrifugal force to escape the transport effect of the process air, and these materials are discharged from the apparatus 1 via the suction pipe 16.

[0063] Figure 3A mainly compares to Figure 1 and Figure 5 Based on the above, a horizontal and vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment is shown. Figure 3B shows a partially enlarged view thereof.

[0064] Figure 3A clearly shows the disc 7, which forms the beater wheel together with the rounding tool 5 and rotates within the housing 2.

[0065] Also, Figure 1 and Figure 5 The guide element 25, which has already been shown, is also clearly indicated, and this guide element 25 is held in a predetermined position by its arm-shaped bending region 27. Furthermore, it is also clearly shown how the annular region between the radially inner end of the beater 5 and the classification wheel 11 or its projection forms the process space 40 axially downward.

[0066] In Figure 3A, it is immediately apparent that the beaters are arranged at a particularly high density on disk 7. Previously, it was thought that the beater density in the circumferential direction needed to be significantly reduced, i.e., significantly less than 35 beaters across 360°. This would result in (according to this assumption, which is now recognized as incorrect) larger spacing between adjacent (consecutive) beaters, leading to more intense collisions between the beaters and graphite particles.

[0067] In this invention, it has been found that by reducing the spacing between the circumferentially continuous beaters, more efficient yet gentler folding (less damage and therefore fewer defective products) can be achieved.

[0068] Given this background, the following points apply not only to the illustrated examples but more generally. That is, The minimum distance between two directly consecutive beaters 5 is preferably smaller than the maximum width of the beater in the circumferential direction. - Most of the beaters 5 are particularly elongated, with the maximum beater width in the circumferential direction corresponding to at least 6 times, more preferably at least 8 times, the maximum beater length in the radial direction. - In the circumferential direction of the beater wheel, a wider beater 5a follows a plurality of elongated beaters 5 that are directly adjacent to one another, and this wider beater 5a has at least one, more preferably at least two, screw holes for securing a covering 18 that covers the top (see covering 18 in Figure 1). • The beaters 5 are formed such that, in the circumferential direction, the distance between beaters at the radially outer ends is greater than the distance between beaters at the radially inner ends. • The beaters are rounded radially inward, preferably having substantially semicircular ends, and preferably similarly formed at the radially outer ends. The beater has a constant thickness in the circumferential direction. The beaters have smooth sides, which forms radial channels between adjacent hammers. These radial channels transport the graphite particles, which have been separated from the radially inner region of the beater pre-formed for folding, radially outward in a laminar flow without causing significant further collisions between the beaters. The beaters are not only closely spaced in the circumferential direction, but preferably rotate at high speed, so that most or substantially all of the particles collide with the aforementioned rounded radial inner edges on their way to or into the beater wheel. The beaters must have sufficient thickness in the circumferential direction to form a prominent rounded portion at their radial edges, so that most or substantially all of the particles collide with the aforementioned rounded radial inner edges on their way to or into the beater wheel.

[0069] In the embodiments shown in Figures 3A and 3B, each beater 5 is positioned parallel to the radius line of the disc 7 and passes through the apex of the rounded portion of the beater 5 on the side away from the axis of rotation of the disc 7.

[0070] figure 6 and figure 7 This shows a modified beater wheel in which only identical beaters are arranged, and these beaters are perfectly radially aligned, similar to the beaters shown in Figure 3. In other respects, this modified version corresponds to the embodiment described with reference to Figure 3, and therefore everything described above applies in this case as well (except that the beaters are thicker).

[0071] What is even more noteworthy is the figure 6 This is because the radius RH and the imaginary auxiliary circumference H indicated by the radius visualize where most or substantially all of the collisions occur, namely in the rounded region of the inner end of each beater (by narrowing the spacing between the beaters, arbitrarily rounding them, and arbitrarily adjusting the rotation speed of the beater wheel).

[0072] figure 8 and figure 9 The third embodiment is shown. In this beater wheel, the beater itself is still straight at an angle ALPHA of 10° to 25°, more preferably 10° to 17.5° with respect to the radius line. It is sloped in a certain way. This slope causes the radially inner end of the beater to lag behind.

[0073] These measures allow for alteration of the impact effect and, if necessary, influence the conveying capacity of the beater wheel, which in this case also acts like a centrifugal pump. A particularly useful aspect of this is that, since particles that enter the region between the beaters are thrown against the impact surface 6 while rotating (spinning) radially outward, in many cases it becomes easier for the particles to return to the working space. This point is illustrated in Figures 1 and 1. 5 Please refer to the explanation based on the above. As shown in Figure 9a, the rolling disc is specially designed for the present invention. In conventional structures, individual beaters are screw-fixed to the grinding disc, which is a rotating component.

[0074] Disc 74 has recently come to be used to secure beaters. If the present invention were to be implemented with a conventional structure, it would quickly become clear that the strength of the beater and screw connection would not be sufficient to achieve the height and thinness of a beater as envisioned by the present invention.

[0075] Furthermore, twisted beaters are particularly problematic because their strength is reduced while the force acting on them increases. In addition, because beaters rotate at high speeds, they are the most worn-out parts. Regularly replacing well over 100 beaters, each secured by two screws, is extremely time-consuming.

[0076] Therefore, Figure 9a A structure like the one shown is preferred. In this case, the universal disc 7 forms the bottom of the grinding disc, and different beater rings can be screw-fixed to this bottom. Pre-installed rings are fixed with screws 77. The beater ring has a disc 74 to which two types of beaters are attached. One is a fixed beater 5 that is screw-fixed as shown in Figure 9a, and the other is a insert beater that is inserted into the grooves of the disc 74 and the covering ring 18. The whole thing is firmly screw-fixed together to form a ring. Therefore, if the screw fixing strength of the desired beater shape is not sufficient, beaters can be inserted, and only a few fixed beaters need to be reinforced to maintain the structure.

[0077] This allows the entire ring to be replaced using a single, integrated ring, making maintenance easier.

[0078] figure 10 and figure 11 In the embodiment of the disc 7 and beater 5 shown only schematically, the beater 5 is curved, unlike in the embodiment described above. The radially inner end of the beater 5 has a rounded portion on the end face side, as described in detail in the first embodiment described above (not shown). Also, the density of the beater is actually according to the present invention, but again in the figure 10 and figure 11 It is not shown.

[0079] Generally, this modification corresponds to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B, and therefore all of the above (except for the curvature of the beater) also applies in this case.

[0080] figure 11 The shape and arrangement of the beater 5 shown are best described using (hypothetical) lines r1 and r2. Line r1 is the radius line of the disk 7 extending from the axis of rotation and is tangent to the radially inner end of the beater on the rotation-leading side. Line r2 is the tangent to the radially outer end of the beater on the rotation-leading side. An angle alpha exists between these two lines. The angle ALPHA is approximately 10° to 25°, more preferably 15° to 20°.

[0081] The beater preferably has a substantially constant curvature along its entire length.

[0082] The advantage of this shape of beater 5 is that, in this case as well, a stronger rotational load is applied to the graphite particles. This facilitates the re-transport of the particles into the work space 40 when they collide with the collision surface 6.

[0083] Although the claims are not currently described, it should be noted that the spheroidizing classifier claimed herein may also be suitable in some cases for rolling or folding other material particles, such as aluminum or other metal particles. Accordingly, the term "graphite-based particles" in the claims is reserved to be replaced with the broader term "material particles to be rolled."

[0084] This point applies to the entire text mentioned above, even if it is not repeated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 device 2 Housing 3 Feeding device 5.5a Rounding tool / beater 6 Collision surface 7. Disc or support plate 8. First drive shaft 9. First drive unit 10 Separation device 11-minute wheels 12. Second drive shaft 13. Second drive unit 14. Supply pipe 15 Air guide ring 16 Suction pipe 17 Product outlet 18 Covering 19. Second rounding tool 20 Control device 21 Inner jacket surface 25 Guide Elements 26 Guide Plate 27 Bend area 30 Fixing means 31 Screw connection part 40 Process space / workspace 41 Guide Ring 45 gap 50 Side facing the axis of rotation 51 Collision surface 55 Side view away from the axis of rotation 56 Partial area 57 Partial area 60 Guide device 65 Suction Unit 66 Movable Cylinder 66c Movable cylinder in the closed position 66o Movable cylinder in the open position 67 Auxiliary air pipe 70. Serrated inner jacket surface 71 Wavy inner jacket surface 73 Main impact surface of the beater 74. Disks or disc-shaped carriers 75 Fixing means / screw 76 Fixing means / screws 77 Fixing means / screws 78 Housing section 79 Gap 80 Fixing means / screw 81 volts A interval AP suction position B5 width of the rounding tool D Rotation axis DR Rotation Direction EP final product FM fine materials and / or ultrafine materials GF Graphite Flake GM Graphite Materials / Graphite-based Materials gGF Large Graphite Flakes kGF Small Graphite Flakes L Air L5 Longitudinal axis L56 Length of the subsequent subregion in the rotational direction L57 Length of the partial region preceding the rotational direction RH radius line H Virtual auxiliary circle PL process air vGT rolled graphite particles Ta tangent r1 Radius line / tangent to the inner end of the main impact surface 73 in the beater r2 tangent ALPHA Angle Alpha

Claims

1. A device (1) for rolling graphite-based material (GM), The workspace (40) where the rounding process takes place, A supply device (3) for supplying the graphite-based material (GM) into the work space (40), A plurality of rounding tools (5) in the form of beaters (5) are located within the aforementioned working space (40), positioned on a disk (7) that rotates in the rotational direction (DR) around a rotation axis (D), and configured to rotate and orbit together with the disk (7), Preferably, at least one guide device (60) and A separation apparatus (10) for separating fine materials and ultrafine materials (FM), Product exit (17), Preferably, a covering (18) is placed on the rounding tool (5), In a device equipped with, The apparatus is characterized in that the disk (7) holds at least 40 beaters (5) per meter of circumference, more preferably at least 45, and preferably at least 55 beaters (5).

2. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) as described in claim 1, The apparatus is characterized in that the radial length of the beater (5), and / or the spacing between directly adjacent beaters (5), and / or the height of the beater (5) in the direction of the rotation axis (D), is selected such that the majority of collisions between the particle to be rolled and the beater (5) occur in the first radially inward sixth of the beater (5), more preferably in the radially inward first ninth of the area.

3. An apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ratio of the radial beater length to the outer radius of the rotatable disk (7) that holds the beater (5) is 0.1 to 0.25, preferably less than 0.

2.

4. An apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the height of the beater (5) changes from its radially inner end to its radially outer end, preferably characterized in that a height reduction of 10% to 40% occurs from the radially inner end to the radially outer end of each beater (5).

5. An apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diameter of a classification wheel (11) effective for classification is 20% to 50%, more preferably 20% to 35%, of the outer radius of the disc (7) that holds and rotates the beater (5).

6. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) as described in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein for most or all beaters (5), the ratio of beater length to beater width is greater than 5, preferably greater than 10.

7. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the impact surface (6) formed by the cylindrical inner jacket surface (21) region in the housing (2) is smooth or edgeless and is formed in a wavy manner.

8. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a guide device (60) composed of guide elements (25) is characterized in that the inside is terminated flush with the upper end of the beater.

9. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the main impact surface (73) of some or all of the beaters (5) has a tangent line (r2) that forms an angle alpha with a radial line (r1) at the whole or at least its radially outer end.

10. Preferably, an apparatus (1) for rolling a graphite-based material (GM) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the beater (5) is formed by a plate that is curved outward in an arc shape.

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