Graphitization Furnace Vertical Inversion and Granule Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a vertical continuous graphitization furnace, material contact with the furnace wall causes friction and damage, and uneven inert gas circulation leads to localized impurity gas hitting the surface, deteriorating the furnace, especially when graphitizable material is in powder form.
Innovation Solution
Introducing graphitizable material particulates with an average diameter of 3 to 30 mm, obtained by granulating a mixture of graphitizable carbonaceous substance powder, a binder, and a solvent, allows for easy inert gas circulation and uniform heating, preventing furnace damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If graphitizable material powder is used in a vertical continuous graphitization furnace, then the material can be continuously processed, but the powder causes uneven inert gas circulation and localized impurity gas concentration that deteriorates the furnace wall
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the graphitizable material from powder form to granulated pellet form. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous processing while preventing uneven gas circulation and furnace wall deterioration, as the granulated material allows uniform inert gas flow and even distribution of impurity gases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite granulated material by mixing graphitizable carbonaceous substance powder with a binder and solvent to form pellets. This composite structure maintains the continuous processing capability while the granulated form ensures uniform gas circulation and prevents localized impurity concentration that would otherwise damage the furnace wall.
2Productivity
If graphitizable material powder is used, then the material can be fed continuously, but friction with the furnace wall causes damage to both the material and furnace surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical form parameter from fine powder to granulated pellets with larger particle size. This parameter change reduces friction between the material and furnace wall during continuous feeding, thereby preventing damage to both the material and the furnace surface while maintaining continuous processing capability.
3Productivity
If a horizontal graphitization furnace with conveyor belt is used, then continuous graphitization is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and requires additional facilities for material movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional horizontal furnace configuration to a vertical furnace design. Material is fed from the top and falls through the heating zone vertically, eliminating the need for conveyor belts and complex material movement facilities while achieving continuous graphitization. This directional inversion simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the conveyor belt system and associated material movement facilities from the graphitization process. By using a vertical furnace where material falls under gravity, the complex horizontal transmission equipment is removed, simplifying the structure while maintaining continuous processing capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If graphitizable material powder is used, then the material can be processed, but uniform heating becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical form parameter from powder to granulated pellets. This parameter change improves heating uniformity because the granulated material has better thermal contact and more uniform heat distribution characteristics compared to fine powder, while still allowing easy processing and feeding.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method ensures uniform graphitization and effective exhaust of impurity gases, preventing furnace damage and maintaining its integrity.
Implementation Method 1
making inert gas flow from a lower part toward an upper part thereof
Implementation Method 2
heating the graphitizable material particulates at 2200°C to 3200°C
Implementation Method 3
graphitize the graphitizable material particulates
Implementation Method 4
a binder evaporable or evaporable through decomposition at a temperature of lower than 1000°C
Implementation Method 5
a binder evaporable or evaporable through decomposition at a temperature of lower than 1000°C
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided are a method for producing artificial graphite through a vertical graphitization furnace with easy circulation of inert gas, uniform heating and no damage to the furnace; and particulates used therefor. The method comprises steps of: introducing graphitizable particulates having average particle diameter of 3 to 30 mm into an inside of the furnace from upper part thereof, heating the particulates at 2200°C to 3200°C while making inert gas flow from lower part toward upper part thereof to graphitize the particulates, and removing the graphite through lower part thereof. The particulates have average particle diameter of 3 to 30 mm and are obtained by granulating mixture comprising 100 wt parts of graphitizable carbonaceous substance powder having average particle diameter of 10 to 20 µm, 3 to 20 wt parts of binder decomposable at lower than 1000°C, and 5 to 30 wt parts of liquid which can dissolve the binder.