Graphitization system method and apparatus
AssigneeGreat Lakes Carbon Corporation
InventorBerch Y. Karagoz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Amorphous carbon bodies forming a lengthwise series horizontal string or column 26 are converted to graphite by the Joule effect in a semi-cylindrical metal shell 20 with a refractory lining 22 and containing particulate thermal insulation medium 28. When the conversion to graphite is complete the insulation medium is dumped through the bottom of the metal shell into a hopper 50 and transferred for re-use while hot. Air pollution control is facilitated and energy and capital costs are lowered by specialization of equipment, retention of sensible heat and shorter cycle times, allowing operation with less equipment and higher production rates.
Claims23
An apparatus for the production of graphite from carbon bodies comprising a refractory lined open-topped metal and generally U-shaped shell furnace supported by structural support means, a column of carbon bodies within said furnace which are in end abutting relationship surrounded by particulate thermal insulation medium and held in place by and in electrical contact with two electrical power heads located at the ends of said furnace at least one of which is movable by means effective to apply pressure to said column, said power heads being adapted to conduct a current of electricity through said column of bodies to convert the carbon bodies to graphite by the Joule effect, and means to remove said thermal insulation medium by gravity dumping through the bottom of said furnace.
An apparatus for the production of carbon bodies from baked cylindrical carbon bodies comprising an open-topped metal shell furnace having an approximately U-shaped cross-section and closed ends, mounted on structural support means, and lined with a cast-in-place refractory compound held in place by anchors, said furnace comprising a plurality of shell assemblies electrically isolated from each other by a gap sealed against loss of particulate insulation contained therein by a metal insert and gasket conforming to the shape of the interior of said assemblies and on its interior by said cast-in-place refractory compound, said assemblies being isolated from ground by means of insulation pads and anchoring brackets between said support means and ground, said structural support means comprising a metal support structure, said furnace being specially adapted to hold and maintain a series of said carbon bodies in aligned horizontal end-abutting relationship by hydrostatic pressure applied from movable power heads placed at each end of the furnace, to convert said bodies to graphite by the Joule effect with application of electrical current through said power heads, said bodies being held in position by placement within a bed of said particulate insulation medium within said furnace, said furnace and said support means being movable, means effective to connect said furnace power heads to a current source, means to transport said furnace and said structural support means to a plurality of working stations including a firing station, a cooling station and a dump and re-load station, means on said support means to maintain hydrostatic pressure while moving said furnace, gravity dumping means on said furnace comprising a plurality of dump ports and valves situated at the bottom and adapted to dump said insulation medium through chute means movable under said furnace, a plurality of receiving hoppers situated under said furnace to receive said insulation medium at said dump and re-load station, said hoppers adapted to be moved to a storage area and back to the said dump and re-load station, chute means connectible to said hoppers in the shape of an inverted Y, said chute means especially adapted to re-load said furnace with said insulation medium by traversing said furnace longitudinally while discharging said medium on each side of said carbon bodies, and insulation compactor means comprising a vibrator.
A process for operating a furnace for converting amorphous carbon bodies to graphite wherein said bodies are held firmly in end-abutting relationship forming a horizontal column and while held in a bed of particulate insulation medium in a metal shell furnace by two electrical power heads at least one of which is movable and effective to apply hydrostatic pressure to said column while simultaneously conducting a current of electricity through said column until it reaches a peak temperature from 2500.degree. to 3000.degree. C., and cooling the column to 1500.degree. to 1700.degree. C. before removal of stock, and gravity dumping said insulation medium at the end of each operating cycle through the bottom of said furnace.
An apparatus for the production of graphite from carbon bodies comprising a plurality of refractory lined open-topped metal and generally U-shaped shell furnace segments supported by structural support means, a column of carbon bodies within said furnace which are in end abutting relationship surrounded by particulate thermal insulation medium and held in place by, and in electrical contact with two electrical power heads located at the ends of said furnace at least one of which is movable by means effective to apply pressure to said column, said power heads being adapted to conduct a current of electricity through said column of bodies to convert the carbon bodies to graphite by the Joule effect, each of said shell segments being electrically isolated from each other and from ground.
An apparatus for the production of graphite from carbon bodies comprising a refractory lined open-topped metal and generally U-shaped shell furnace supported by structural support means, a column of carbon bodies within said furnace which are in end abutting relationship surrounded by particulate thermal insulation medium and in electrical contact with two electrical power heads located at the ends of said furnace at least one of which is movable by means effective to apply pressure to said column, said power heads being adapted to conduct a current of electricity through said column of bodies to convert the carbon bodies to graphite by the Joule effect, wherein the metal furnace comprises a plurality of shell segments, each of said segments being electrically isolated from each other and from ground, and wherein each shell segment is isolated from another adjacent shell segment by a gap across which an insulating seal arrangement comprising a refractory lined metal member conforming in shape to the interior of the segment is installed and provided with a flexible ceramic fiber seal gasket on the exterior of said member, the whole effective to maintain a sealing action against loss of particulate insulation and to act as an electrical isolator between said segments, while providing for relative movement between said adjacent shell segments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.