(1) For electric arc furnace
Electric furnace steelmaking is a large user of graphite electrodes. China's electric furnace steel output accounts for about 18% of crude steel output, and graphite electrodes for steelmaking account for 70% to 80% of the total amount of graphite electrodes. Electric furnace steelmaking uses graphite electrodes to introduce current into the furnace, and uses high-temperature heat sources generated by the arc between the electrode end and the charge to perform smelting.
(2) Used in mineral heat electric furnace
The mineral thermal electric furnace is mainly used for the production of industrial silicon and yellow phosphorus. Its characteristics are that the lower part of the conductive electrode is buried in the charge, and an arc is formed in the layer. Graphite electrodes are required for high density mineral heat electric furnaces. For example, approximately 100 kg of graphite electrodes are consumed for each 1t of silicon produced, and approximately 40 kg of graphite electrodes are consumed for each 1t of yellow phosphorus produced.
(3) For resistance furnace
Graphite furnaces for the production of graphite products, melting furnaces for melting glass, and electric furnaces for the production of silicon carbide are all resistance furnaces. The materials contained in the furnace are both heating resistors and objects to be heated. Generally, graphite electrodes for electrical conduction are embedded in the resistance furnace end. In the hearth wall of the center, the graphite electrode used here is discontinuously consumed.
(4) For the production of shaped graphite products
The graphite electrode blank is also used to process various shaped graphite products such as crucibles, molds, boats and heating elements. For example, in the quartz glass industry, graphite electrode blanks need to be used for every 10 tons of fused tubes produced; 100 kg of graphite electrode blanks are required for every 1 ton of quartz bricks produced.