KR20240100046A - Artificial Graphite Manufacturing Furnace - Google Patents

Abstract

We provide artificial graphite furnaces. The artificial graphitization furnace according to the present invention includes a main body having a main passage in a vertical direction inside, a first electrode head and a second electrode head respectively installed at the top and bottom of the main passage, and a graphitizer stacked on the main passage and charged inside. It includes a plurality of crucible heaters for generating artificial graphite by directly heating raw materials to a set temperature.

Description

Artificial Graphite Manufacturing Furnace

The present invention relates to an artificial graphite furnace.

In general, graphite has excellent lubricity, conductivity, heat resistance, acid resistance, and alkali resistance, and is used in various applications such as mechanical seals, brake pads, linings, electrode paste, casting paint, batteries, refractories, steelmaking insulation, crucibles, and electric brushes. It is used and its application range is very wide.

In particular, lithium ion batteries utilize the phenomenon of lithium (Li) ions entering the layered structure of graphite crystals and are used as electrode materials.

The heating process for making artificial graphite used in lithium-ion batteries accounts for a significant portion of the total energy cost, so establishing an efficient manufacturing method is very important.

Generally, artificial graphite uses green coke, a carbon material made by separating and heating coal tar, a by-product of coal and oil, as a raw material. In order for this to be used in lithium ion batteries, the crystallinity of graphite molecules must be raised to the highest level.

An important requirement for increasing the crystallinity of graphite molecules is that they must be heated at, for example, 2800°C or higher for a long time. Graphite is the most common material that can withstand heating above 2800°C, so the production of artificial graphite uses a furnace or member made of graphite.

In a vertical artificial graphitization furnace, as the raw material graphitized from coke drawn on the wall of the carbon graphite furnace descends inside an ultra-high temperature heater, foreign substances contained within the coke sublimate and gases generated recombine or damage the wall.

That is, impurities such as moisture, ash, volatile substances (VM), nitrogen, and sulfur contained in the raw materials are gasified and deteriorate or stick to the sides of the furnace.

For example, this gasification mostly occurs below 1500°C. Because of these characteristics, the graphitization process includes a calcination process to remove unnecessary foreign substances at a relatively low temperature, for example, below 1500°C.

In addition, the temperature required for the graphitization process is, for example, 2900°C to 3000°C or higher. In most cases, the crucible is charged at room temperature, the temperature is raised over a long period of time, and the temperature is maintained at the highest temperature for at least 1 hour or up to 20 hours. Cool the crucible to room temperature where the operator can handle it.

At this time, since the method of applying heat to the crucible is indirect heating by radiation from the heater, only a much smaller amount of heat than 100% of the amount of heat generated by the heater is transmitted to the crucible, resulting in a long delay for the coke that needs to receive the heat. occurs, energy consumption increases accordingly, and the artificial graphitization process cost increases significantly.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method that is more efficient than the indirect method and can greatly reduce the time delay in the artificial graphitization process by applying a direct heating method that directly heats the graphitization raw material using the crucible itself as a heat source.

The present invention applies a direct heating method in which the graphitization raw material is directly heated using the crucible itself as a heat source when producing artificial graphite in a vertical artificial graphitization furnace, which is more efficient than the indirect heating method and reduces the time delay phenomenon in the artificial graphitization process. We would like to provide an artificial graphite furnace that can reduce the cost to a minimum.

The artificial graphitization furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention is a vertical artificial graphitization furnace for producing artificial graphite, comprising a main body having a main passage in a vertical direction inside, and first furnaces installed at the upper and lower portions of the main passage of the main body, respectively. It may include an electrode head and a second electrode head.

Additionally, the artificial graphitization furnace may include a plurality of crucible heaters for producing artificial graphite by directly heating the graphitization raw materials stacked in the main passage and charged therein to a set temperature.

The first electrode head and the second electrode head may each have a first passage and a second passage in communication with the main moving passage and in which the crucible heater is stacked.

The first electrode head and the second electrode head may be respectively connected to the first electrode connection part and the second electrode connection part for connection to the power supply.

The first electrode connection part and the second electrode connection part may support the crucible heaters stacked in the first passage and the second passage, respectively.

The body may have a rectangular or cylindrical shape.

The crucible heater may have a square or cylindrical shape.

The outside of the crucible heater may be filled with an inert gas.

The crucible heater may be made of graphite material.

The first electrode head and the second electrode head may be made of graphite material.

The first electrode head and the second electrode head may have a square cylindrical or cylindrical shape.

The width or diameter of the first electrode head and the second electrode head may be at least 1.2 to 3 times the width or diameter of the crucible heater.

The interior of the main body may be filled with an insulating material for insulating the main body.

The insulation material may be made of carbon black material.

A supply unit may be installed in the main body to supply a crucible heater to the main passage of the main body from the outside.

A discharge portion may be installed in the main body to discharge the crucible heater to the outside from the main passage of the main body.

The supply unit is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the main body and includes a first transfer line for transferring the crucible heater from one side of the main body to one end of the main body, and a crucible disposed between the main body and the first transfer line and transferred to the first transfer line. It may include a first chamber for supplying a heater to the main passage.

At least one first clean room filled with an inert gas may be installed in the first transfer line to remove air mixed with the crucible heater transferred to the first chamber.

A vertical transfer device may be installed in the first chamber to vertically transfer the crucible heater transferred to the first chamber to the main passage.

The discharge unit is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the main body, a second transfer line for transferring the crucible heater from the other end of the main body to one side of the main body, and a crucible disposed between the main body and the second transfer line and transferred to the other end of the main body. It may include a second chamber for discharging the heater into a second transfer line.

At least one second clean room filled with an inert gas may be installed in the second transfer line to remove air mixed with the crucible heater transferred from the second chamber.

A horizontal transfer device may be installed in the second chamber to horizontally transfer the crucible heater transferred to the second chamber to the second transfer line.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when manufacturing artificial graphite in a vertical artificial graphitization furnace, a direct heating method of directly heating the graphitization raw material using the crucible itself as a heat source is applied, which is more efficient than the indirect heating method and provides an artificial graphitization process. The time delay phenomenon can also be greatly reduced.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an artificial graphitization furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. As can be easily understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, the embodiments described below may be modified into various forms without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention. As much as possible, identical or similar parts are indicated using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

The terminology used below is only for referring to specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, singular forms include plural forms unless phrases clearly indicate the contrary. As used in the specification, the meaning of "comprising" is to specify a specific characteristic, area, integer, step, operation, element, and/or component, and to specify another specific property, area, integer, step, operation, element, component, and/or group. It does not exclude the existence or addition of .

All terms including technical and scientific terms used below have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in the dictionary are further interpreted as having meanings consistent with the related technical literature and currently disclosed content, and are not interpreted in ideal or very formal meanings unless defined.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an artificial graphitization furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the artificial graphitization furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main body 10, a first electrode head 20, a second electrode head 30, and a crucible heater 40. .

The main body 10 may have a main passage 11 inside in a vertical direction (Y direction in FIG. 1).

In addition, the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 are respectively installed at the upper and lower parts of the main passage 11 of the main body 10, and the first passage 21 communicates with the main passage 11. ) and a second passage 31.

The crucible heater 40 is stacked on the first passage 21, the main passage 11, and the second passage 31, and is used to directly heat the graphitization raw material charged inside to a set temperature to generate artificial graphite. Multiple units can be provided.

The first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 may be respectively connected to the first electrode connection part 23 and the second electrode connection part 33 for connection to the power supply unit 50, respectively.

The first electrode connection part 23 and the second electrode connection part 33 may support the crucible heaters 40 stacked in the first passage 21 and the second passage 31, respectively.

The main body 10 may have a rectangular or cylindrical shape with a main passage 11 through which the crucible heaters 40 can pass while being stacked in a vertical direction (Y direction in FIG. 1).

The crucible heater 40 may have a square or cylindrical shape into which a graphitizing raw material can be charged, and may be made of a material such as graphite.

The outside of the crucible heater 40 may be filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon gas so that the crucible heater 40 can maintain the set temperature.

The first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 may be made of the same material as the crucible heater 40, such as graphite.

Additionally, the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 may have the same shape as the crucible heater 40, such as a square cylinder or a cylindrical shape.

The width (or diameter) W2 of the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 (length in the It can be two to three times larger in size.

Additionally, the interior of the main body 10 may be filled with an insulating material 60 for insulating and keeping warm the crucible heater 40, the first electrode head 20, and the second electrode head 30 within the main body 10.

The insulation material 60 may be made of a material such as carbon black that can sufficiently withstand high temperatures.

At the upper and lower parts of the main body 10, there is a supply part 100 for supplying the crucible heater 40 to the main passage 11 of the main body 10 from the outside, and a crucible is supplied from the main passage 11 of the main body 10. A discharge unit 200 may be installed to discharge the heater 40 to the outside.

Hereinafter, it will be described that the supply part 100 is installed in the lower part of the main body 10 and the discharge part 200 is installed in the upper part of the main body 10 (in FIG. 1, the crucible heater moves as shown by the solid arrow). Conversely, a discharge part may be installed in the lower part of the main body 10 and a supply part may be installed in the upper part of the main body 10 (in FIG. 1, the crucible heater moves as indicated by the dotted arrow).

An upper cooling device (not shown) and a lower cooling device (not shown) may be installed on the upper and lower parts of the main body 10 to cool the crucible heater 40 to a set temperature, respectively. The upper cooling device and the lower cooling device may be made of a water cooling jacket, etc. for easy cooling of the crucible heater 40.

And, the supply unit 100 may include a first transfer line 110 and a first chamber 120.

The first transfer line 110 is disposed at the lower part of the main body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the main body 10 (X direction in FIG. 1), and connects the crucible heater 40 to the main body 10 from one side of the main body 10. ) can be transported horizontally to the lower part of the.

In addition, the first chamber 120 is disposed between the lower part of the main body 10 and the first transfer line 110, and controls the crucible heater 40, which is transferred to the first transfer line 110, of the main body 10. It can be supplied through the main passage (11).

The first transfer line 110 is equipped with at least one first clean gas that removes air introduced with the crucible heater 40, which is transferred to the first chamber 120 along the first transfer line 110, and is filled with an inert gas. Rooms 130 and 131 may be installed.

The first chamber 120 is provided with a vertical transfer device ( (not shown) may be installed.

Additionally, the discharge unit 200 may include a second transfer line 210 and a second chamber 220.

The second transfer line 210 is disposed on the upper part of the main body 10 in a direction perpendicular to the main body 10 (X direction in FIG. 1), and moves the crucible heater 40 from the upper part of the main body 10 to the main body ( 10) It can be transported horizontally to one side.

In addition, the second chamber 220 is disposed between the upper part of the main body 10 and the second transfer line 210, and transfers the crucible heater 40 transferred to the upper part of the main body 10 to the second transfer line 210. ) can be discharged.

In the second transfer line 210, at least one second clean room 230, 231 is installed to remove air introduced with the crucible heater 40 transferred from the second chamber 220 and to be filled with an inert gas. It can be.

In the second chamber 220, the crucible heater 40 transferred to the second chamber 220 is transported in the horizontal direction (X direction in FIG. 1) to the second clean room 230 of the second transfer line 210. A horizontal transfer device (not shown) may be installed.

Below, with reference to FIG. 1, the operation of an artificial graphitization furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Hereinafter, it will be described that the supply part 100 is installed in the lower part of the main body 10 and the discharge part 200 is installed in the upper part of the main body 10.

Here, the crucible heater 40 itself acts as a heater in which the graphitization raw material is charged.

That is, the crucible heater 40 is stacked on the first passage 21 of the first electrode head 20, the main passage 11 of the main body 10, and the second passage 31 of the second electrode head 30. In this state, the crucible heater 40 is in contact with the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 installed at the upper and lower parts of the main body 10, respectively.

Therefore, since the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 are connected to the power supply unit 50 and the first electrode connection part 23 and the second electrode connection part 33, the crucible heater 40 Electricity is passed through.

Since the width W2 of the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 is set to be at least 1.2 to 2.5 times larger than the width W1 of the crucible heater 40, the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30 The two-electrode head 30 generates relatively very little heat compared to the crucible heater 40.

Therefore, the crucible heater 40 generates a relatively large amount of heat compared to the first electrode head 20 and the second electrode head 30, so it is easily heated to the set temperature (e.g., 2900°C to 3100°C), Artificial graphite can be generated by efficiently heating the graphitization raw material charged inside the crucible heater 40.

In addition, the outside of the crucible heater 40 is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon gas, and an insulating material 60 is installed, so the crucible heater 40 can maintain the set temperature (2900°C to 3100°C). .

In addition, the crucible heater 40 can be supplied from the outside to the main passage 11 through the supply unit 100 with graphitization raw materials charged therein.

That is, the crucible heater 40 is transported along the first transfer line 110 and passes through the first clean rooms 130 and 131. At this time, the crucible heater 40 and the first clean rooms 130 and 131 are Remove any mixed air, etc.

In this way, when the air mixed with the crucible heater 40 is removed in the first clean room 130, 131, the crucible heater 40 is transferred to the first chamber 120 and then transferred to the vertical transfer device (not shown). is pushed up in the vertical direction into the main passage 11 of the main body 10.

Additionally, when the production of artificial graphite is completed in the crucible heater 40, the crucible heater 40 is discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 200.

That is, the crucible heater 40 in which the artificial graphite is generated is discharged to the second chamber 220, and is transferred from the second chamber 220 along the second transfer line 210 by a horizontal transfer device (not shown). is discharged to the outside.

The crucible heater 40 discharged to the second transfer line 210 passes through the second clean room 230, 231. At this time, the crucible heater 40 mixed with the crucible heater 40 in the second clean room 230, 231 This removes air, etc.

Therefore, when manufacturing artificial graphite in a vertical artificial graphitization furnace, the direct heating method of directly heating the graphitization raw material using the crucible heater 40 itself as a heat source is applied, which is more efficient than the indirect heating method and reduces the time of the artificial graphitization process. Delays can also be reduced to a minimum.

Although the present disclosure has been described through preferred embodiments as described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Those working in the field will easily understand.

10: body
11: Main passage
20: first electrode head
30: second electrode head
40: Crucible heater

Claims (21)

In a vertical artificial graphite furnace for producing artificial graphite,
A body having a main passage in a vertical direction inside,
A first electrode head and a second electrode head respectively installed at the upper and lower portions of the main passage of the main body, and
A plurality of crucible heaters stacked in the main passage and directly heating the graphitization raw material charged inside to a set temperature to generate artificial graphite.
An artificial graphitization furnace containing. According to paragraph 1,
The first electrode head and the second electrode head are in communication with the main moving passage and have a first passage and a second passage, respectively, on which the crucible heater is stacked. According to paragraph 2,
The first electrode head and the second electrode head are respectively connected to a first electrode connection part and a second electrode connection part to be connected to a power source. According to paragraph 3,
The first electrode connection part and the second electrode connection part support the crucible heaters stacked in the first passage and the second passage, respectively. According to paragraph 1,
The main body is an artificial graphitization furnace having a rectangular or cylindrical shape. According to clause 5,
The crucible heater is an artificial graphitization furnace having a square or cylindrical shape. According to clause 6,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which the outside of the crucible heater is filled with an inert gas. In clause 7,
The crucible heater is an artificial graphitization furnace made of graphite material. According to clause 8,
The first electrode head and the second electrode head are manufactured from a graphite material. According to clause 9,
The first electrode head and the second electrode head have a square or cylindrical shape. According to clause 10,
The width or diameter of the first electrode head and the second electrode head is at least 1.2 to 3 times larger than the width or diameter of the crucible heater. According to paragraph 1,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which the interior of the main body is filled with an insulating material for insulating the main body. According to clause 12,
The insulation material is made of carbon black material, an artificial graphitization furnace. According to any one of claims 1 to 13,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which a supply part for supplying the crucible heater to the main passage of the main body from the outside is installed in the main body. According to clause 14,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which a discharge part for discharging the crucible heater to the outside from the main passage of the main body is installed in the main body. According to clause 15,
The supply department,
A first transfer line disposed in a direction perpendicular to the main body and transporting the crucible heater from one side of the main body to one end of the main body, and
An artificial graphitization furnace disposed between the main body and the first transfer line and comprising a first chamber for supplying the crucible heater transferred to the first transfer line to the main passage. According to clause 16,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which at least one first clean room filled with an inert gas is installed in the first transfer line to remove air introduced together with the crucible heater transferred to the first chamber. According to clause 16,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which a vertical transfer device is installed in the first chamber to vertically transfer the crucible heater transferred to the first chamber to the main passage. According to clause 15,
The discharge part,
A second transfer line disposed in a direction perpendicular to the main body and transporting the crucible heater from the other end of the main body to one side of the main body, and
An artificial graphitization furnace disposed between the main body and the second transfer line, and comprising a second chamber for discharging the crucible heater transferred to the other end of the main body to the second transfer line. According to clause 19,
In the second transfer line, at least one second clean room filled with an inert gas is installed to remove air mixed with the crucible heater transferred from the second chamber. According to clause 20,
An artificial graphitization furnace in which a horizontal transfer device is installed in the second chamber to horizontally transfer the crucible heater transferred to the second chamber to the second transfer line.

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