Graphitization apparatus for manufacturing artificial graphite using laser

Abstract

The present invention relates to a graphitization apparatus for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser. The graphitization apparatus comprises: a first chamber having doors on opposite walls, the doors being opened only when a saggar enters and exits, and providing a working space for graphitization treatment of a raw material filled in the saggar; a laser heating unit which is composed of a plurality of laser systems and irradiates a laser beam to heat the raw material in the saggar introduced into the first chamber to graphitize the raw material; and a first transfer conveyor which introduces the saggar filled with the raw material into the first chamber and discharges the saggar to the outside of the first chamber after the graphitization treatment is completed.

Description

Graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser

[0001] The present invention relates to a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, and more specifically, to a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, which fills a saggar having a tray structure with all materials that can be used for manufacturing artificial graphite mixed in a powder state (hereinafter referred to as “raw materials”) and applies high temperature of a laser to the raw materials to graphitize the raw materials.

[0002] Artificial graphite is widely used in fields such as negative electrode materials for secondary batteries, electrode rods for iron and steel manufacturing, discharge machining electrodes, nuclear fusion reactors, semiconductors, and solar cells.

[0003] This type of artificial graphite has the disadvantage of having a lower degree of graphitization than natural graphite and being expensive due to manufacturing costs, but its demand is increasing day by day due to its relatively excellent lifespan.

[0004] Patent document 1 below relates to a continuous graphitization device, characterized by including a crucible transport unit that transports crucibles loaded with graphitization material along a set transport path, and an induction heating unit that inductively heats the crucibles in at least one induction heating chamber through the crucible transport unit and graphitizes the graphitization material.

[0005] In addition, the patent document 2 below relates to a graphitization device, which includes a charging unit for charging and kneading graphitization raw materials and an induction heating unit located below the charging unit for heating and graphitizing the graphitization material, and is characterized in that the induction heating unit includes a plurality of induction heating furnaces arranged adjacent to each other.

[0006] However, in order to secure a clear competitive edge in the increasingly severe artificial graphite manufacturing field, while contemplating a technology that could break away from the existing heating method using an electric furnace, it was determined that the high temperature of 2400℃ or higher required for the production of artificial graphite could be provided by adopting laser irradiation technology, and thus the present invention was disclosed.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, which can rapidly graphitize a large amount of raw materials using a laser beam to produce artificial graphite.

[0008] The graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention for solving the above problem comprises: a chamber having doors on both walls that open only when a saga is brought in and out, and providing a work space for graphitizing raw materials filled in the saga; a laser heating unit having a plurality of laser systems that irradiates and heats raw materials in the saga brought in the 1st chamber with a laser beam to graphitize the raw materials; and a transport conveyor that brings the saga filled with raw materials into the 1st chamber and transports the saga out of the 1st chamber after the graphitization process is completed.

[0009] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention comprises a laser system including a laser generator and a laser scanner or a single laser-only head connected to the laser generator via an optical fiber and including an optical lens, and the single chamber has a double-layer structure, and the laser scanner or the single laser-only head is positioned in the upper space thereof, and a plurality of through holes are formed in the boundary layers of the upper and lower portions, and the laser scanner or the single laser-only head is installed therein.

[0010] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is a CW type laser generator having an output performance of 100 W to 100 KW or a Pulse type laser generator having an output performance of 10 W to 50 KW.

[0011] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is configured such that the laser scanner is fixedly installed and an optical lens is driven so that a point, line, or surface light source moves at high speed on the upper surface.

[0012] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is installed such that the 1 laser-only head can move in three directions using a surface light source.

[0013] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is provided with an optical lens protection cover that is detachably attached to the lower portion of the laser scanner or the 1-laser dedicated head.

[0014] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is further equipped with an automatic cover supply means for replacing and inserting a new optical lens protection cover when the optical lens protection cover becomes contaminated beyond a certain level.

[0015] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention comprises a first case in which a new optical lens protection cover is stacked, a second case in which a discarded optical lens protection cover is stored, a lift provided at the bottom of the first case to sequentially upload new optical lens protection covers, a pusher provided at the top of the first case to insert the new optical lens protection cover into the bottom of a laser scanner or a first laser-only head, and a transmittance measuring sensor arranged adjacent to the optical lens protection cover mounting position of the laser scanner or the first laser-only head.

[0016] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention further comprises a plurality of injection nozzles for injecting an inert gas into the first chamber, wherein the injection nozzles are installed around the through hole.

[0017] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention further includes a pretreatment unit for removing moisture and volatile impurities by heat-treating the raw material before graphitization of the raw material.

[0018] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention comprises a pretreatment unit having a sealed box-shaped structure and two chambers with doors on both walls, a heating furnace provided on the upper part of the two chambers, a valve for quantitative discharge of raw materials connected to the heating furnace, and two transport conveyors for bringing empty saga into the two chambers and conveying saga filled with raw materials out of the two chambers.

[0019] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention further includes a load cell arranged on the back of a two-transport conveyor directly below the valve, a power base for elevating the load cell, and a vibrator arranged adjacent to the load cell and arranged on the back of the two-transport conveyor.

[0020] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention further comprises a post-processing unit for stabilizing the quality of artificial graphite graphitized in the laser heating unit and for a high-quality process, and the post-processing unit comprises three chambers, a plurality of laser units provided inside the three chambers, and three transport conveyors for loading and unloading the raw material, and the laser unit comprises a laser generator and two laser-only heads connected to the laser generator by an optical fiber and including an optical lens and using a surface light source.

[0021] In addition, the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention is further provided with an optical lens protection cover detachably provided at the lower portion of the two laser-only heads, and an automatic cover supply means for replacing and inserting a new optical lens protection cover when the optical lens protection cover becomes contaminated beyond a certain level.

[0022] According to the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention, a large amount of raw materials can be quickly and stably graphitized through a plurality of laser systems, so power consumption is extremely low compared to an artificial graphite production system using an electric furnace for a conventional graphitization furnace.

[0023] In addition, according to the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention, consumable auxiliary materials such as resistance materials, insulating materials, and carbon black used in existing graphitization furnaces, and large facilities for storing and transporting such auxiliary materials become unnecessary.

[0024] In addition, according to the graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser of the present invention, artificial graphite can be produced in a space that is significantly smaller than that of a conventional factory, and the unit cost of producing artificial graphite is drastically reduced.

[0025] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing the arrangement of a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing the arrangement of a laser system in a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to the present invention, in which the laser system is composed of a laser-only head.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic cover supply means in a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing a preprocessing unit of a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is a configuration diagram showing a post-processing unit of a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to the present invention.

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a chamber (10) that provides a work space for graphitizing raw materials, a laser heating unit (20) that irradiates and heats a raw material brought into the chamber (10) with a laser beam to graphitize the raw material, and a conveyor (30) that transports a saga (a) filled with raw materials.

[0032] Hereinafter, the specific contents of the present invention will be described with a focus on the above components.

[0033] The above 1st chamber (10) is constructed with a box-shaped sealed structure and a double-layer structure to prevent heat or various types of dust generated during work from leaking to the outside.

[0034] Additionally, both walls of the first chamber (10) are provided with a door (b) that opens only when the saga (a) enters or leaves.

[0035] The above laser heating unit (20) is provided inside the first chamber (10) and is composed of a plurality of laser systems (200) arranged in a straight line directly above the first transport conveyor (30).

[0036] The above laser system (200) is configured to graphitize the raw material inside the saga (a) by heating it to approximately 2400 to 3500°C for a predetermined time by irradiating a laser beam on the upper surface of the saga (a) that is brought into the 1st chamber (10) with the raw material filled therein, and is composed of a laser generator (201), and a laser scanner (202) or a 1st laser-only head (203) that is connected to the laser generator (201) by an optical fiber (f) and includes an optical lens.

[0037] The above laser generator (201) is a CW (continuous wave) type laser generator with an output performance of 100 W to 100 KW, or a pulse type laser generator with an output performance of 10 W to 50 KW.

[0038] In addition, the laser generator (201) is connected to a laser scanner (202) or a single laser head (203) via an optical fiber (f), and may be provided in a separate space outside of the first chamber (10) as required by design.

[0039] The above laser scanner (202) is fixedly installed and is configured to drive an optical lens so that a point, line, or surface light source moves at high speed on the upper surface (a).

[0040] In addition, the laser scanner (202) can adjust the height of the laser beam using a 3D scanner so that the laser beam can penetrate to the bottom surface of the raw material of Saga (a), and the moving speed of the laser light source is preferably 1 mm / s to 10 m / s.

[0041] The above 1 laser-only head (203) uses a surface light source and is installed so as to be able to move in three-axis directions.

[0042] That is, the above 1 laser-only head (203) adjusts its height so that the laser beam can penetrate to the bottom surface of the raw material of the saga (a), and then moves over the upper part of the saga (a) to perform an investigation operation on the entire upper plane of the saga (a).

[0043] At this time, the movement of the 1 laser-only head (203) uses an LM guide and a servo motor.

[0044] Meanwhile, in order to increase the production efficiency of the product, multiple laser systems (200) are arranged in a row directly above the first conveyor (30) so that multiple sagas (a) can be heated simultaneously (the number is shown as 5 in the drawing, but is not limited thereto).

[0045] That is, among the multiple sagas (a) filled with raw materials, as many sagas (a) as the number of laser scanners (202) are simultaneously introduced into one chamber (10) in batches and heated together.

[0046] Meanwhile, during the heating process, fume, which is the oxide dust of the raw material, floats, and some of it attaches to the walls of the first chamber (10). To prevent this fume from attaching to the laser scanner (202) or the first laser-only head (203), the first chamber (10) is manufactured with a double-layer structure.

[0047] And, a laser scanner (202) or a single laser head (203) is positioned in the upper space, and multiple through holes are created in the upper and lower boundary layers (101) and the laser scanner (202) or the single laser head (203) is installed therein, and an optical lens protection cover (25) is detachably provided at the lower portion of the laser scanner (202) or the single laser head (203).

[0048] At this time, when equipped with the above 1 laser-only head (203), the 1 laser-only head (203) must be movable, so the boundary layer (101) is equipped with a steel Javara (103) as shown in Fig. 2.

[0049] The above steel Javara (103) is installed on a support frame (105) that can move up and down by a separate driving means and enables forward, backward, left and right, and up and down movement of the 1 laser-only head (203).

[0050] However, if the optical lens protection cover (25) is contaminated by fume, the laser light source transmittance is reduced. Therefore, in the present invention, if the contamination exceeds a certain level, an automatic cover supply means (250) may be additionally provided to replace and insert a new optical lens protection cover (25) into the lower part of the laser scanner (202) or the 1 laser-only head (203).

[0051] The above automatic cover supply means (250) is composed of, as shown in FIG. 3, a first case (251) in which a new optical lens protection cover (25) is stacked, a second case (252) in which a discarded optical lens protection cover (25) is stored, a lift (253) provided at the bottom of the first case (251) to sequentially upload a new optical lens protection cover (25), a pusher (254) provided at the top of the first case (251) to insert a new optical lens protection cover (25) into the bottom of a laser scanner (202) or a first laser-only head (203), and a transmittance measuring sensor (255) arranged adjacent to the optical lens protection cover (25) mounting position of the laser scanner (202) or the first laser-only head (203).

[0052] That is, when the transmittance falls below a certain level due to an increase in the contamination rate caused by fume generated during laser heating of the optical lens protection cover (25), the transmittance measurement sensor (255) detects this and operates the lift (253) and pusher (254) to place a new optical lens protection cover (25) and dump the existing optical lens protection cover (25) into the second housing (252).

[0053] In addition, when an inert atmosphere is created inside the first chamber (10), the generation of fume is suppressed. To this end, a plurality of injection nozzles (150) for injecting an inert gas such as argon gas are provided inside the first chamber (10). In this case, when each injection nozzle (150) is installed around the through hole, the fume can be more effectively suppressed from being attached to the optical lens protection cover (25) by the gas injection force.

[0054] And it is desirable that the fumes floating inside the first chamber (10) be discharged to the outside as quickly as possible. To this end, a suction device (160) is additionally provided on the wall of the first chamber (10).

[0055] The above 1st conveyor (30) is configured to bring the raw material-filled saga (a) into the 1st chamber (10) and, after the graphitization process is completed, to take the saga (a) out of the 1st chamber (10).

[0056] At this time, the raw material is transported by being placed in a square crucible made of graphite, called saga (a). Due to the characteristics of the laser beam, it is desirable for the raw material placed in saga (a) to have a wide upper surface area and a thin layer thickness for efficient heating. Therefore, the saga (a) is provided in the shape of a square or circular tray with a low height.

[0057] Meanwhile, the present invention may further comprise a pretreatment unit (40) for removing moisture and volatile impurities by heat-treating the raw material before graphitization of the raw material in order to improve the efficiency of graphitization treatment and to achieve quantitative measurement and surface flattening of the raw material.

[0058] The above pretreatment unit (40) is configured as a sealed structure in the shape of a box to prevent various types of dust generated during work from leaking to the outside, and includes a second chamber (41) with doors (b) on both walls, a heating furnace (42) provided on the upper part of the second chamber (41), a raw material supply hopper (43) provided directly above the heating furnace (42), a valve (44) for quantitative discharge of raw materials connected to the heating furnace (21) while installed inside the second chamber (41), a second transport conveyor (45) for bringing empty saga (a) into the second chamber (41) and transporting saga (a) filled with raw materials out of the second chamber (41), a load cell (46) arranged on the back of the second transport conveyor (45) directly under the valve (44), a power base (47) for elevating the load cell (46), and an electric power base (47) arranged adjacent to the load cell (25). It includes a vibrator (48) placed on the back of the 2nd conveyor (45).

[0059] When the above preprocessing unit (40) is configured, the second transport conveyor (45) is integrally connected to the first transport conveyor (30).

[0060] The above heating furnace (42) is configured to remove moisture and volatile impurities contained in raw materials. A small electric furnace is mainly used, and raw material inlets and outlets are formed at the top and bottom, and piping facilities for discharging moisture and volatile impurities to the outside are connected to the outer wall.

[0061] When the inside of the above-mentioned heating furnace (42) is maintained at approximately 1000 to 1500°C for a predetermined holding time, moisture and volatile impurities of the charged raw material are vaporized, and the vaporized moisture and volatile impurities are discharged to the outside through a vent formed on the upper surface of the heating furnace (42) and processed.

[0062] The raw material loaded into the above-mentioned heating furnace (42) is sequentially pushed downward when a fixed amount of raw material is discharged from the discharge port, and the raw material discharged from the discharge port is stored in the saga (a) in the atmosphere directly below the valve (44) and at the same time, the raw material is replenished through the hopper (43) to perform continuous work.

[0063] And the above load cell (46) is configured for quantitative measurement, and when the power base (47) lifts the load cell (46), the load cell (46) is in a state of supporting the saga (a) waiting on the two-transport conveyor (45), and in this state, the raw material is filled into the saga (a) through the valve (44) and simultaneously measured by the load cell (46), so that a fixed amount of the raw material can be filled into the saga (a). When the filling is completed, the load cell (46) is returned to its original position by the power base (47).

[0064] Meanwhile, the saga (a) on which the quantitative raw material is piled is moved to a vibrator (48) adjacent to the load cell (46), and the surface of the raw material is flattened by the vibration applied by the vibrator (48). This is to ensure that the laser beam is evenly irradiated to the surface of the raw material in the subsequent process.

[0065] The saga (a) that has completed the flattening process is lined up around the export side door (b) inside the second chamber (41).

[0066] Meanwhile, residual volatile impurities may be released during the raw material (a) filling process, and a duct (49) may be additionally provided near the discharge side of the valve (44) to discharge them to the outside.

[0067] In addition, the present invention can additionally configure a post-processing unit (50) for stabilizing the quality of artificial graphite and performing a high-quality process (hereinafter referred to as “post-processing”) after the graphitization process is completed.

[0068] The above post-processing unit (50) has three chambers (51), a plurality of laser units (52) provided inside the three chambers (51), and three transport conveyors (53) for loading and unloading the saga (a). The configuration thereof is similar to that of the laser heating unit (20) described above, and will be briefly described.

[0069] However, the laser unit (52) is different in that it is composed of a two-laser dedicated head (520) that uses a surface light source with a wider width than the surface light source of the laser scanner (202).

[0070] When the above post-processing unit (50) is configured, the 3-transport conveyor (53) is integrally connected to the 1-transport conveyor (30).

[0071] As with the above laser heating unit (20), an optical lens protection cover (25) may be detachably provided at the bottom of the 2-laser dedicated head (520), and an automatic cover supply means (250) for replacing and inserting a new optical lens protection cover (25) may be further provided at the bottom of the 2-laser dedicated head (520).

[0072] The present invention can secure competitiveness by having the following advantages through the above-described configurations.

[0073] First, the laser system (200) consumes extremely little power for operation compared to conventional electric furnaces for graphite production.

[0074] In addition, since consumable auxiliary materials (resistance materials, insulating materials, carbon black) are unnecessary, there is no need for large facilities (silos or gantry robots) for storing and transporting auxiliary materials required in existing graphitization furnaces, so there are many advantages in terms of initial facility construction and subsequent management and operation.

[0075] In addition, in the case of an unexpected accident that occurs during operation at approximately 3000°C in a conventional graphitization furnace, for example, when a refractory brick is damaged due to deterioration and the temperature decreases, emergency response is difficult, whereas in the present invention, even if the laser system (200) breaks down during heating, it is easy to replace the laser system (200), making emergency response possible.

[0076] Additionally, production can be started in a space that is significantly smaller than the production capacity of existing factories, the factory itself is more environmentally friendly than existing factories, workers are protected from imperfect hazards, and the unit cost of producing artificial graphite is drastically reduced compared to existing factories.

[0077] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention extends to a range substantially equivalent to the embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be implemented by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention pertains within a range that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chamber having a door on both walls that opens only when the saga enters and exits, and providing a work space for graphitization of raw materials filled in the saga; A laser heating unit that consists of multiple laser systems and irradiates and heats the raw material in the saga introduced into the first chamber with a laser beam to graphitize the raw material; and A conveyor 1 that transports the saga filled with raw materials into the 1st chamber and transports the saga outside the 1st chamber after the graphitization process is completed; A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that it comprises:

2. In paragraph 1, The above laser system comprises a laser generator, a laser scanner or a single laser head connected to the laser generator via an optical fiber and including an optical lens, A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that the above 1 chamber has a double-layer structure, and a laser scanner or a 1-laser-only head is positioned in the upper space thereof, and a plurality of through holes are created in the upper and lower boundary layers, and the laser scanner or the 1-laser-only head is installed therein.

3. In paragraph 2, A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that the laser generator is a CW type laser generator having an output performance of 100 W to 100 KW or a pulse type laser generator having an output performance of 10 W to 50 KW.

4. In paragraph 2, A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that the above laser scanner is fixedly installed and configured to drive an optical lens so that a point, line, or surface light source moves at high speed on the upper surface.

5. In paragraph 2, A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that the above 1 laser-only head uses a surface light source and is installed so as to be able to move in three-axis directions.

6. In paragraph 2, A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that an optical lens protection cover is detachably provided at the bottom of the laser scanner or the 1-laser dedicated head.

7. In paragraph 6, A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that an automatic cover supply means is further provided to replace and insert a new optical lens protection cover when the optical lens protection cover becomes contaminated beyond a certain level.

8. In paragraph 7, The above cover automatic supply means A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized by comprising: a first box in which new optical lens protection covers are stacked; a second box in which discarded optical lens protection covers are stored; a lift provided at the bottom of the first box to sequentially upload new optical lens protection covers; a pusher provided at the top of the first box to insert the new optical lens protection covers into the bottom of a laser scanner or a first laser-dedicated head; and a transmittance measuring sensor arranged adjacent to the optical lens protection cover mounting position of the laser scanner or the first laser-dedicated head.

9. In paragraph 2, A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that a plurality of injection nozzles for injecting inert gas are further provided inside the above-mentioned first chamber, and the injection nozzles are installed around the hole.

10. In paragraph 1, A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that it further comprises a pretreatment section for removing moisture and volatile impurities by heat-treating the raw material before graphitization of the raw material.

11. In paragraph 10, The above preprocessing unit A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized by comprising: two chambers having a box-shaped sealed structure and doors on both walls; a heating furnace provided on the upper part of the two chambers; a valve for quantitative discharge of raw materials connected to the heating furnace; and two transport conveyors for bringing empty saga into the two chambers and conveying saga filled with raw materials out of the two chambers.

12. In paragraph 11, The above preprocessing unit A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that it further includes a load cell arranged on the back of a two-transport conveyor directly below the valve, a power base for elevating the load cell, and a vibrator arranged adjacent to the load cell and arranged on the back of the two-transport conveyor.

13. In paragraph 1, In addition, a post-processing unit is provided for stabilizing the quality of the artificial graphite graphitized in the above laser heating unit and for the advanced process, The above post-processing unit has three chambers, multiple laser units installed inside the three chambers, and three transport conveyors for loading and unloading the saga. A graphitization device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that the laser unit is composed of a laser generator and a two-laser dedicated head that is connected to the laser generator optical fiber and includes an optical lens and uses a surface light source.

14. In paragraph 13, An optical lens protection cover is detachably provided on the lower part of the above 2 laser-only heads, A graphitizing device for manufacturing artificial graphite using a laser, characterized in that an automatic cover supply means is further provided to replace and insert a new optical lens protection cover when the optical lens protection cover becomes contaminated beyond a certain level.

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