02 Nov Industrial Shredder in the Synthetic Graphite Production Process

The production of synthetic graphite

Graphite is a versatile and valuable material with a wide range of industrial applications, from lithium-ion batteries to aerospace components. While natural graphite is abundant, the production of synthetic graphite has gained importance due to its exceptional quality and purity. The synthetic graphite production process consists of several phases:

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

The context

The result of this intricate production process is high-quality synthetic graphite with properties tailored to specific industrial needs. Synthetic graphite finds applications in various sectors, including metallurgy, electronics, chemistry, and aerospace. Its high conductivity and thermal resistance make it an essential material for many industrial applications.

The phase following baking and graphitization, before the final processing begins, requires the material exiting the furnaces to be crushed and subsequently pulverized. In the context of synthetic graphite production, a multinational rare earth sector client requested our assistance in providing an industrial shredder to handle this operation.

The solution

The proposed solution is a dual-shaft shredder with a power of 75 kW. It has been operational since last summer at one of the client’s European facilities. The graphite blocks taken from open-air furnaces are loaded into the shredder’s hopper at temperatures of up to approximately 300°C. The installed shredder is a dual-shaft model with dual electric motorization, model 2R 20/100/ER.

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

To comply with the quality control phase, the plant is equipped with an automatic sampling system, which periodically collects a small amount of the processed material from the shredder’s output and deposits it in a safe area for quality control.

Our sales team is at your full disposal to provide further information and introduce you to our extensive range of industrial shredders.

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