Apparatus for firing positive electrode material

The anode material firing apparatus addresses low airtightness in bogie-type pusher kilns by using a trolley system with a divided firing tunnel and cooling door, achieving improved airtightness and temperature control for efficient anode material processing.

WO2026134585A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-25POSCO HLDG INC

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
POSCO HLDG INC
Filing Date
2025-10-17
Publication Date
2026-06-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing anode material firing devices, particularly bogie-type pusher kilns, suffer from low airtightness issues in the firing furnace, which affects the efficiency and productivity of the process.

Method used

The anode material firing apparatus includes a trolley with refractory containers, a firing tunnel divided into heating, isothermal, and cooling zones, and a cooling door to enhance airtightness, along with water sealing and multiple heaters to maintain temperature control and reduce air leakage.

Benefits of technology

The solution increases airtightness, improves temperature uniformity, and enhances productivity by minimizing heat loss and air infiltration, thereby optimizing the firing process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure KR2025016492_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure KR2025016492_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for firing a positive electrode material, the apparatus transporting saggars in which a positive electrode material is stored into a tunnel to continuously fire same. The apparatus for firing a positive electrode material, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: carts in which a plurality of saggars storing a positive electrode material are seated and which is provided with wheels; a firing tunnel divided into a temperature-rising section through which the carts pass and which increases the temperature to dehydrate and oxidize the positive electrode material, an isothermal section which maintains the temperature to crystallize the electrode material, and a cooling section which lowers the temperature; and a cooling door arranged between the isothermal section and the cooling section to block air.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Anode material firing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an anode material firing apparatus, and more specifically, to an anode material firing apparatus that moves a refractory saggar containing an anode material into a tunnel to continuously fire it.

[0002] A cathode material firing device is a device that fires cathode materials for secondary batteries in a firing furnace at a temperature of 400 to 1100 degrees Celsius depending on the characteristics of the material. The cathode material firing device is classified into a Roller Hearth Kiln and a Pusher Kiln depending on the type of firing furnace.

[0003] The roller kiln is equipment that continuously calcines cathode materials through high-temperature gas reactions by loading and transporting them onto rollers, making it suitable for the production of cathode materials that require precise temperature control and airtightness. The pusher kiln is a calcination device that continuously produces cathode materials by using a pusher to move a stack of multiple refractory containers filled with cathode materials, enabling the processing of large quantities of cathode materials.

[0004] These pusher kilns are classified into plate-type, in which refractory boxes are transported by a plate, and bogie-type, in which they are transported by a wheeled bogie. Bogie-type pusher kilns do not have the problem of stacked refractory boxes tipping over and offer high productivity as there are no restrictions on stacking. However, there was a problem with low airtightness of the firing furnace.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an anode material firing apparatus with enhanced airtightness.

[0006] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, an anode material firing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a trolley having wheels and a plurality of refractory containers holding anode materials; a firing tunnel through which the trolley passes, divided into a heating zone that increases the temperature to dehydrate and oxidize the anode materials, an isothermal zone that maintains the temperature to crystallize the anode materials, and a cooling zone that lowers the temperature; and a cooling door disposed between the isothermal zone and the cooling zone to block air.

[0008] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0009] According to the anode material firing apparatus of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are present.

[0010] First, a cooling door is provided between the isothermal zone and the cooling zone, which has the advantage of increasing the airtightness of the heating zone and the isothermal zone.

[0011] Second, it also has the advantage of increasing the airtightness of the plastic tunnel by sealing the bogie and the floor of the plastic tunnel with water and elasticity.

[0012] Third, it also has the advantage of being equipped with an upper heater, which allows the upper temperature to be raised even when the refractory casings are stacked high.

[0013] Fourth, there is also the advantage of improving reactivity by flattening the ceiling of the isothermal zone of the firing tunnel so that oxygen passes around the refractory case.

[0014] Fifth, there is also the advantage of opening the lower side of the firing tunnel to prevent parts placed under the bogie from being damaged by high heat.

[0015] Sixth, there is also the advantage that multiple side heaters are spaced apart in the vertical direction, which can eliminate vertical temperature differences inside the firing tunnel.

[0016] Seventh, there is also the advantage of saving energy required to reheat the bogie by providing a refractory return line separately from the bogie return line and shortening the bogie return line to prevent the bogie from cooling down.

[0017] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of a trolley of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the trolley circulation structure for an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of an anode material firing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0027] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0028] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0029] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0030] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0031] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0032] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0033] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0034] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining an anode material firing apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a trolley of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] An anode material firing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a trolley (200) having wheels (240) on which a plurality of refractory boxes (300) containing anode materials are seated; a firing tunnel (150) through which the trolley (200) passes to fire the anode materials; a replacement chamber (10) positioned in front of the firing tunnel (150) to block heat and air from the outside; a cooling door (105) positioned between an isothermal zone (120) and a cooling zone (130) to block air; a water sealing (160) into which the lower part of the apron (260) of the trolley (200) is inserted; an upper heater (173) positioned between the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) and the uppermost part of the plurality of refractory boxes (300) to generate heat; and a vertical heater (171) positioned downward from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to generate heat.

[0037] The replacement chamber (10) changes the process atmosphere of the firing tunnel (150), maintains an appropriate temperature and gas composition inside the firing tunnel (150), blocks the inflow of outside air, and minimizes heat loss.

[0038] A replacement room entrance door (11) is provided at the entrance of the replacement room (10), and a firing tunnel entrance door (103) is provided between the replacement room (10) and the firing tunnel (150). The replacement room entrance door (11) and the firing tunnel entrance door (103) are opened and closed alternately to allow the entry of the trolley (200) and to maintain the airtightness of the firing tunnel (150). It is preferable that the replacement room entrance door (11) and the firing tunnel entrance door (103) be of a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close.

[0039] The firing tunnel (150) is formed in a tunnel shape with the top surface and both sides closed to allow the trolley (200) to pass through. The firing tunnel (150) is divided into a heating zone (110) for increasing the temperature to dehydrate and oxidize the anode material, an isothermal zone (120) for maintaining the temperature to crystallize the anode material, and a cooling zone (130) for lowering the temperature.

[0040] In the heating zone (110), an upper heater (173) and a vertical heater (171) are provided inside the firing tunnel (150). The heating zone (110) is a zone where the upper heater (173), the vertical heater (171), and the bogie heater (270), which will be described later, generate heat to raise the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the heating zone (110), the bogie (200), the refractory box (300), and the anode material contained in the refractory box (300) are heated.

[0041] In the heating zone (110), it is preferable that an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) be provided on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150). Additionally, since a large amount of reaction gas (H2O or CO2) is generated in the heating zone (110), it is preferable that an exhaust port (not shown) for exhausting the reaction gas be provided on the upper side of the firing tunnel (150) in the heating zone (110).

[0042] In the isothermal zone (120), an upper heater (173) and a vertical heater (171) are provided inside the firing tunnel (150). The isothermal zone (120) is a zone where the upper heater (173), the vertical heater (171), and the trolley heater (270) generate heat to maintain the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the isothermal zone (120), the trolley (200), the refractory box (300), and the anode material contained in the refractory box (300) are continuously heated.

[0043] In the isothermal zone (120), it is preferable to have an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) provided on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150). Since not much reaction gas (H2O or CO2) is generated in the isothermal zone (120), an exhaust port is not provided. Therefore, oxygen introduced through the air supply port moves to the heating zone (110), and in the case of an arched ceiling generally used in a firing furnace, most of the oxygen moves to the ceiling. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable for the firing tunnel (150) of the present invention to have a flat ceiling in the isothermal zone (120) so that oxygen passes around the refractory box (300).

[0044] In the cooling zone (130), a fan or fin tube, etc., is provided inside the firing tunnel (150) to lower the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the cooling zone (130), it is preferable to provide an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150).

[0045] A large amount of oxygen must be supplied to the cooling zone (130) for cooling, but it is desirable to prevent the cold oxygen in the cooling zone (130) from moving to the isothermal zone (120). Accordingly, a cooling door (105) that blocks air is provided between the isothermal zone (120) and the cooling zone (130).

[0046] A firing tunnel exit door (107) is provided at the end of the cooling zone (130). The firing tunnel exit door (107) is opened and closed to maintain airtightness, allowing the bogie (200) to advance. It is preferable that the firing tunnel exit door (107) be a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close.

[0047] It is preferable that the cooling door (105) be a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close. In order to prevent oxygen from the cooling zone (130) from moving to the isothermal zone (120), it is preferable that the cooling door (105) descend to the bottom of the bogie (200) when closed, as shown in FIG. 1. When closed, the cooling door (105) may descend to the bottom of the bogie body (210) or the bottom of the apron (260) to be described later.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the upper heater (173) is placed in the heating zone (110) and the isothermal zone (120) of the firing tunnel (150). The upper heater (173) is in the shape of a rod formed long in the horizontal direction and is placed between the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) and the top of a plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked on the trolley (200). Since the temperature of the upper part of the firing tunnel (150) may be low due to temperature variation when a plurality of refractory casings (300) are stacked, the upper heater (173) raises or maintains the temperature of the upper part of the firing tunnel (150).

[0049] The upper heaters (173) are provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple upper heaters (173) may be spaced apart along the direction of movement of the carriage (200). It is preferable that one upper heater (173) be placed per refractory box (300).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, a vertical heater (171) is placed in the heating zone (110) and isothermal zone (120) of the firing tunnel (150). The vertical heater (171) is in the shape of a rod formed long in the vertical direction and is placed between the inner side wall of the firing tunnel (150) and the side of a plurality of refractory casings (300). The vertical heater (171) can be placed between a plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked in a row and another plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked in a row.

[0051] The vertical heater (171) is positioned from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to below the middle of the lowest refractory box (300) among the plurality of refractory boxes (300) or below the top of the trolley (200). The vertical heater (171) is positioned below the lowest of the plurality of stacked refractory boxes (300). It is preferable that the vertical heater (171) be positioned from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to the trolley heater (270) of the trolley (200) to be described later.

[0052] The vertical heaters (171) are provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple vertical heaters (171) may be spaced apart along the direction of movement of the carriage (200). It is preferable that one vertical heater (171) be placed per refractory box (300).

[0053] A plurality of refractory plates (300) are stacked and placed on a trolley (200). A plurality of rows of refractory plates (300) can be placed on a single trolley (200). A plurality of trolleys (200) are provided, and the plurality of trolleys (200) are arranged lengthwise along the direction of movement of the trolley (200) so that the plurality of trolleys (200) can move continuously in the firing tunnel (150). They can move continuously in the firing tunnel (150). Two adjacent trolleys (200) among the plurality of trolleys (200) can be physically joined.

[0054] The bogie (200) includes a rotatable wheel (240), a bogie body (210) mounted so that the wheel (240) can roll on the lower side, a bogie supporter (220) positioned on the upper side of the bogie body (210) to support a plurality of refractory plates (300), a bogie heater (270) positioned in the middle of the bogie supporter (220) to generate heat, and a plate-shaped apron (260) formed extending downward from the side of the bogie body (210).

[0055] The wheel (240) is positioned on the lower side of the bogie body (210) so that the bogie (200) can roll. The wheel (240) can roll along a rail (not shown) provided on the floor of the firing tunnel (150).

[0056] The bogie body (210) is formed with a wide and flat upper surface, while the sides are formed in a stepped shape. A wheel (240) is provided on the bottom of the bogie body (210), an apron (260) is provided on both sides of the bogie body (210), and a bogie supporter (220) is provided on the upper side. The bogie body (210) prevents heat inside the firing tunnel (150) from escaping downwards, thereby preventing the apron (260), water sealing (160), wheel (240), and wiring of the bogie heater (270) from being damaged by high heat.

[0057] The inner side wall of the firing tunnel (150) is formed to correspond to the side shape of the bogie body (210) to maintain airtightness inside the firing tunnel (150).

[0058] A bogie supporter (220) is positioned between a plurality of refractory boxes (300) and a bogie body (210) to support the plurality of refractory boxes (300). A plurality of bogie supports (220) are provided, and the plurality of bogie supports (220) are spaced apart from each other so that heat, air, or gas can move smoothly. In this embodiment, a row of a plurality of refractory boxes (300) is supported by four spaced-apart bogie supports (220), so that the contact area between the lowest refractory box (300) and the bogie supporter (220) is minimized. Accordingly, the action of heat, the supply of oxygen, and the exhaust of gas are made smooth. The upper part of a bogie heater (270) is positioned between the plurality of bogie supports (220).

[0059] The bogie heater (270) has a staple shape (inverted U-shape) formed with legs extending downward from both ends of a horizontally long rod. The bogie heater (270) generates heat from the horizontal rod. The lower end of the legs of the bogie heater (270) is positioned below the lower end of the bogie body (210). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is longer than the horizontal length of the plurality of refractory casings (300) seated on the bogie (200). That is, it is preferable for the horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) to protrude beyond both sides of the plurality of refractory casings (300). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is positioned between the bogie supporters (220). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is positioned below the upper end of the bogie supporter (220) and above the lower end of the bogie supporter (220).

[0060] The apron (260) is formed in a plate shape large enough to cover the lower side of the bogie body (210) and most of the side of the wheel (240). The lower part of the apron (260) is inserted into the water sealing (160) and impregnated with water to maintain airtightness between the bogie (200) and the firing tunnel (150).

[0061] The water seal (160) is formed to be long in the direction in which the bogie (200) moves. The water seal (160) is provided in a pair, and the pair of water seals (160) are spaced apart horizontally on the floor of the firing tunnel (150). The pair of water seals (160) are positioned corresponding to both edges of the bogie (200).

[0062] The water seal (160) contains water, and the apron of the bogie (200) is impregnated with water to maintain airtightness inside the firing tunnel (150). A detailed description of the water seal (160) will be given later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the water sealing of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The water seal (160) of the present invention comprises a sealing body (161) formed long in the direction in which the trolley (200) moves and having side walls formed on both sides to receive water, a sealing partition (163) disposed in the front part of the sealing body (161) to prevent the water from leaking out and having a slit formed through which the apron (260) passes, a sealing cock (165) disposed at the front end of the slit of the sealing partition (163) and in contact with both sides of the apron (260), and an elastic body (167) disposed between the sealing cock (165) and the side walls of the sealing body (161) to provide elastic force to the sealing cock (165).

[0065] The sealing body (161) is formed and arranged along the firing tunnel (150). The sealing body (161) has a U-shaped cross-section and is filled with water. An apron (260) is inserted into the sealing body (161), and the lower part of the apron (260) is impregnated with water.

[0066] The sealing bulkhead (163) is formed such that the wall is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (movement direction of the trolley (200)) of the sealing body (161) and is formed in a T-shape or Y-shape extending forward from a slit through which the central apron (260) passes. The sealing bulkhead (163) prevents the outflow of water contained in the sealing body (161) and guides the apron (260) to be inserted through the slit. A sealing cock (165) is positioned at the front end of the sealing bulkhead (163).

[0067] The sealing coke (165) is positioned at the front of the sealing bulkhead (163) and is in close contact with the apron (260) to maintain airtightness inside the firing tunnel (150). The sealing coke (165) is preferably made of Teflon material, which is elastic, has a low coefficient of friction, and has excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance.

[0068] A pair of sealing cocks (165) are provided, and the pair of sealing cocks (165) are in contact with both sides of the apron (260). The pair of sealing cocks (165) are in close contact with the apron (260) or are in close contact with each other by the elastic force of the elastic body (167).

[0069] An elastic body (167) is positioned between the side wall of the sealing body (161) and the sealing cock (165) to provide elastic force to the sealing cock (165). The elastic body (167) can be configured in various ways to provide elastic force, and in this embodiment, it is a spring. The elastic body (167) is provided in a pair, and each of the pair of elastic bodies (167) provides elastic force to each of the pair of sealing cocks (165).

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the trolley circulation structure for an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] A firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bogie return line (180) in which a bogie (200) that has passed through a firing tunnel (150) returns to enter a firing tunnel, and a refractory box return line (190) for recovering and refilling anode material from a plurality of refractory boxes (300) removed from the bogie (200) that has passed through the firing tunnel (150) and stacking a plurality of refractory boxes (300) on the bogie.

[0072] The trolley return line (180) is a line for taking a plurality of refractory boxes (300) from the trolley (200), maintaining the trolley (200), and stacking a plurality of refractory boxes (300) on the trolley (200). The refractory box return line (190) is a line for recovering the anode material from the refractory box (300), maintaining the refractory box (300), and filling the anode material.

[0073] The refractory return line (190) is provided separately from the bogie return line (180), and the bogie return line (180) is shorter than the refractory return line (190). Accordingly, the time the bogie (200) is outside the firing tunnel (150) is minimized, thereby saving energy for reheating the bogie (200) which has a high specific heat.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0075] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling door (1105) of the anode material firing device comes down to the bottom of a plurality of refractory boxes (300) (the top of the trolley body (210)) when closed. The cooling door (1105) comes into contact with the plurality of refractory boxes (300). Accordingly, the opening and closing time of the cooling door (1105) can be reduced, thereby minimizing the movement of oxygen from the cooling zone (130) to the isothermal zone (120).

[0076] In another embodiment of the present invention, an air curtain module (1106) that sprays air when the cooling door (1105) is opened may be positioned adjacent to the cooling door (1105). The air curtain module (1106) is provided on the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) between the isothermal zone (120) and the cooling zone (130) and sprays air downward.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a partial side view of an anode material firing apparatus according to another embodiment.

[0078] In another embodiment of the present invention, the firing tunnel (1150) of the anode material firing device has a lower side opening so that the lower part of the bogie (200) is exposed in the heating zone (110) and / or isothermal zone (120). An apron (260), a water seal (160), a wheel (240), and a bogie heater (270) are arranged in the lower part of the firing tunnel (150), and these parts may be damaged by the high heat inside the firing tunnel (150). Accordingly, the side wall of the firing tunnel (1150) may be opened so that the lower part of the bogie body (210) of the bogie (200) is exposed to the outside.

[0079] In another embodiment of the present invention, a side heater (1179) that is formed to be elongated in the direction of movement of the bogie (200) is disposed on the inner side wall of the firing tunnel (1150). The side heater (1179) is provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple side heaters (1179) are spaced apart in the vertical direction. A vertical temperature difference may occur in the firing tunnel (1150). The vertical temperature difference can be eliminated by controlling the multiple side heaters (1179).

[0080] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the patent claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

1. A trolley equipped with wheels and having a plurality of refractory cases containing anode materials mounted thereon; A calcination tunnel divided into a heating zone through which the above-mentioned trolley passes to increase the temperature for dehydration and oxidation of the above-mentioned anode material, an isothermal zone to maintain the temperature for crystallization of the above-mentioned anode material, and a cooling zone to lower the temperature; and A cathode material firing apparatus comprising a cooling door disposed between the above-mentioned isothermal zone and the above-mentioned cooling zone to block air.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above cooling door is a cathode material firing device that descends to the bottom of the above trolley when closed.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above cooling door is an anode material firing device that descends to the bottom of the plurality of refractory boxes when closed.

4. In Paragraph 1, A cathode material firing apparatus further comprising an air curtain module disposed adjacent to the cooling door and spraying air when the cooling door is opened.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above bogie includes an apron formed extending downward from the side, and The lower part of the above apron further includes a water seal into which it is inserted, and The above water sealing is, A sealing body formed long in the direction in which the above-mentioned carriage moves and having side walls formed on both sides to accommodate water; A sealing bulkhead disposed in the front portion of the sealing body to prevent water from leaking out and having a slit formed therein through which the apron passes; A sealing cock disposed at the shear of the slit of the sealing bulkhead and in contact with both sides of the apron; and An anode material firing apparatus comprising an elastic body disposed between the sealing coke and the side wall of the sealing body to provide elastic force to the sealing coke.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned firing tunnel is an anode material firing device in which the lower side is open so that the lower part of the bogie is exposed in the above-mentioned heating zone or the above-mentioned isothermal zone.

7. In Paragraph 1, An anode material firing apparatus further comprising an upper heater disposed between the ceiling of the firing tunnel and the uppermost of the plurality of refractory boxes.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned firing tunnel is an anode material firing apparatus with a flat ceiling in the above-mentioned isothermal zone.

9. In Paragraph 1, A cathode material firing apparatus further comprising a side heater disposed on the side wall of the firing tunnel and formed to be elongated in the direction of movement of the bogie.

10. In Paragraph 9, An anode material firing device in which the above-mentioned side heaters are provided in plurality and the plurality of side heaters are spaced apart in the vertical direction.

11. In Paragraph 1, A bogie return line through which the bogie that has passed through the above-mentioned firing tunnel turns around and enters the above-mentioned firing tunnel; and It further includes a refractory box return line that recovers and fills anode material from the plurality of refractory boxes removed from the trolley that has passed through the firing tunnel and stacks the plurality of refractory boxes on the trolley. The above bogie return line is a cathode material firing device shorter than the above refractory return line.

12. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a vertical heater positioned downward from the ceiling of the above-mentioned firing tunnel to generate heat, and The above vertical heater is an anode material firing device positioned from the ceiling of the firing tunnel down to the middle or lower of the lowest refractory box among the plurality of refractory boxes.