Synthetic Graphite Production

Graphite is a versatile and valuable material with numerous industrial applications, ranging from lithium batteries to aerospace components. Although natural graphite is abundant, synthetic graphite production is gaining increasing importance due to its exceptional quality and purity. The synthetic graphite production process consists of several stages:

1. Raw Material Selection: the first step in synthetic graphite production involves selecting the raw materials. Typically, petroleum coke or coal tar are used as the primary carbon sources.
2. Mixing and Grinding: the selected raw materials are mixed to achieve the desired composition in terms of carbon content and the characteristics required for the intended application. This mixture is then finely ground to create a homogeneous powder.
3. Forming: the powder mixture is then compacted into the desired shape.
4. Baking: The formed material is subjected to high-temperature baking in a controlled environment.
5. Graphitization: after baking, the amorphous carbon undergoes a second heat treatment process called graphitization.
6. Machining and Surface Treatment: once the graphite structure has been formed, it undergoes machining to obtain the final dimensions and surface finish required for the application.
7. Quality Control: throughout the production process, rigorous quality control measures are applied to ensure that the final product meets the required specifications.

The result of this intricate production process is high-quality synthetic graphite with properties tailored to specific industrial requirements. Synthetic graphite finds application in numerous sectors, including the metallurgical industry, electronics, chemicals, and aerospace. Its high conductivity and thermal resistance make it an essential material for many industrial applications.

A crucial stage preceding final processing is when the material from the furnaces must be crushed and subsequently pulverized. In the context of synthetic graphite production, a multinational company in the rare earth sector requested our assistance to provide an industrial shredder capable of handling this operation.

The proposed solution is a 75 kW twin-shaft shredder, operational at one of the customer’s European facilities since this summer. The graphite blocks removed from the open-top furnaces are loaded into the shredder hopper at temperatures up to approximately 300°C. The installed shredder is a twin-shaft model with dual electric motors mod. 2R 20/100/ER.

This shredder is mounted on a robust structural frame with a walkable platform and handrail. Additionally, the hopper is equipped with an additional accessory, such as a 4 kW hydraulic arch pusher.

To ensure compliance with stringent quality control standards, the system is equipped with an automatic sampling system that periodically collects a small quantity of processed material exiting the shredder and deposits it in a secure area for quality control.

Our sales team is at your complete disposal to provide further information and present our extensive range of industrial shredders.