Device and method for rounding graphite flakes of a graphite material

A method for rounding a graphite material, comprising:

• using a device having:
• a feeding device,
• a rotating disc which includes a plurality of rounding tools arranged at an outer circumference of the rotating disc, wherein the rotating disc is rotatable about a rotational axis and in a rotational direction, wherein the rounding tools are designed to revolve while rotating to round the graphite material and minimize corners in the graphite material;
• a separating device,
• at least one guide apparatus for guiding the graphite material to the rounding tools and/or the separating device,
• a discharge outlet,
• a product outlet, and
• a cover ring arranged above the rounding tools;
• feeding the graphite material into the device via the feeding device;
• providing a process air flow to convey the graphite material towards the rounding tools and the separating device;
• rounding the graphite material by driving the rotating disc so that the graphite material comes into active contact with at least one rounding tool of the plurality of rounding tools;
• separating material of a first size and material of a second size from the rounded graphite material, the second size being smaller than the first size;
• removing the material of the first size and the material of the second size from the device via the discharge outlet;
• and
• removing the rounded graphite material from the device via the product outlet;
• wherein the cover ring limits a movement space for the process air flow conveying the graphite material and increases a number of contacts between the graphite material and the at least one rounding tool.

A device for rounding a graphite material comprising:

• a feeding device for feeding the graphite material to the device;
• a plurality of rounding tools designed to revolve while rotating, the rounding tools being arranged at an outer circumference of a rotating disc rotating about a rotational axis and in a rotational direction;
• at least one guide apparatus;
• a separating device for separating material of a first size and material of a second smaller size;
• a product outlet;
• wherein a cover ring is arranged above the rounding tools
• wherein the guide apparatus comprises a plurality of guide elements and a guide ring, wherein the number of the guide elements is less than the number of the rounding tools.