Relevant people in the carbon industry talk about graphite electrode production

We have a chat with a person engaged in carbon industry about the production of graphite electrode, which is recorded as follows to show our gratitude:

• 1. Q: Is it true that only the imported needle coke can make a good ultra high graphite electrode? Is the process threshold of graphite electrode really high? At present, we all think that if we want to recover, in addition to being subject to raw materials, we are also subject to human factors. We can't do well without good technology and skilled workers?

• A: From the current actual use situation, imported needle coke may be better than domestic ones in terms of raw material particle size distribution, trace element content, true density, coefficient of thermal expansion and quality stability, especially produces more than 600 UHP, imported coke can better ensure the quality. At present, a considerable part of domestic needle coke is imported from abroad. In 2016, the import volume of domestic needle coke was about 44000 tons, and coal-series needle coke was about 72000 tons, totaling about 116000 tons. From January to June this year, the import volume of oil-series needle coke was about 47000 tons and  coal-series needle coke was about 50000 tons.

  The raw material formula of this industry is very important. At the same time, the production process of graphite electrode is relatively long, which is greatly affected by the intermediate links. Generally speaking, there are certain technical barriers, but it is not particularly strong. It mainly depends on the accumulation of production experience and understanding of the industry dynamics at home and abroad. However, due to the long process, more intermediate links, long overall production cycle and UHP (ultra-high power) electrode production cycle takes 3-4 months and the electrode nipples takes 4-6 months. The production cycle of HP (high power graphite electrode) and RP (regular power) is shortened in turn, and the overall capital occupation is high.

  In order to get better products, first of all, the design should be reasonable and smooth. At present, several domestic design units have done some section design in this regard, but they basically focus on Guiyang Aluminum Magnesium Design Institute, which Kaifeng carbon, Fangda carbon (80's design) and Chengdu carbon. It is said that the new Jitan is designed by them; secondly, good management requires knowledgeable people.

  With the progress of technology, the importance of raw materials has been weakened, but it is also quite important. Now most of the raw materials are used in the way of matching, taking ultra-high power graphite electrode as an example, most of them are prepared by petroleum coke and needle coke, some of them are prepared by two kinds of needle coke of different quality, and only a few of them are prepared by ultra-high technology. Another is the construction cycle is relatively long and tons of product investment is relatively high.

   

  

• 2. Q: It means that if there is no good production line design, the quality of the electrode will not be good. Can I take it this way? In the past, the graphite electrode quality requirements of floor steel are not so high, and the graphite electrode produced by small factories can also be used. Up to now, for the electric arc furnace, the poor electrode can not be used, so part of the production capacity is invalid.

• A: It's not that it can't be used. This means that the current intensity borne by regular power is low, about below 17A/cm², while UHP can reach more than 25A/cm². Relatively speaking, RP is used in regular power electric furnaces. At present, the demand for this part continues to shrink, enterprises are unwilling to use it, and the operation cost of iron and steel enterprises is high. However, the demand for HP and UHP, especially the demand for more than 550mm, is increasing. Currently, HP and UHP in the range of 500-650mm are the best sellers.

  This is a multi-faceted process, which requires not only good design, but also good operation management team. Graphite electrodes are divided into several types: regular power (RP), high power (HP) and ultra-high power (UHP), among which there are some kinds, another is the product specifications, from 300-700mm, at the same time, there are joints, different types of electrode, the process is different, in general, ultra-high power, In particular, the matching joint process is the longest, and the requirements for raw materials, technology and equipment are also the highest.

  The previous several processes basically have the same equipment, and there are several processes in which regular power is not needed. That is to say to build a good super power graphite production line, basically can produce regular power and super power. If it is regular power graphite electrode production line, it can not produce ultra-high power graphite electrode.

  
  

• 3. Q: Some sources say that the construction period will take two years. Is it reasonable to require 200 million yuan per 10,000 tons?

• A: The construction period is more than one and a half years, and the investment of 200 million tons is needed.

  
  

• 4. Q: Do you know whether the government will not approve the investment now?

• A: According to the national industrial adjustment catalogue, ultra-high power graphite electrodes above 600mm are encouraged by the state. Now iron and steel enterprises basically use high power and ultra-high power graphite electrodes above 500mm. Therefore, new projects are basically considered as ultra-high above 600mm, and the government will basically approve them.

  With the resumption of production, as well as those under construction, the initial understanding is about 40,000-60,000 tons, in addition to some small enterprises. It is said that Hongte, Shida Carbon and other enterprises have put forward plans to resume production, and Hunan Mingda and other enterprises are also speeding up construction. Preliminary analysis shows that it is not likely to start production this year, and it may be around March next year. Now the enterprise investment enthusiasm is very high, some have not done this industry also want to take part in this field.

   

• 5. Can the existing first tier enterprises design graphite electrode production lines?

• A: After years of accumulation, the production process of graphite electrode can be carried out, but there may be some problems in some core sections and safety, fire protection, environmental protection and other aspects. At present, the aluminum cathode factory can switch to graphite electrode by combing the relevant process and adding a small amount of equipment. Unfortunately, most of these plants belong to state-owned enterprises with insufficient power, while belong to private enterprises In Shanxi Province, where cathode plants are concentrated, most of them lack relevant impregnation, graphitization, processing (New additions) and other small transformation, which can not be realized at present, get more graphite electrode news consult us.