1) For electric arc steelmaking furnace
Graphite electrode is mainly used for electric furnace steelmaking. Electric furnace steelmaking is to use graphite electrode to introduce current into the furnace. Strong current generates arc discharge through gas at the lower end of the electrode, and smelting is carried out by using the heat generated by the arc. According to the capacity of the electric furnace, graphite electrodes with different diameters are used. In order to make the electrodes used continuously, the electrodes are connected by electrode threaded joints. The graphite electrode used in steelmaking accounts for about 70 ~ 80% of the total consumption of graphite electrode.
(2) For submerged arc furnace
Graphite electrode submerged arc furnace is mainly used to produce ferroalloy, pure silicon, yellow phosphorus, matte and calcium carbide. Its feature is that the lower part of the conductive electrode is buried in the furnace charge. Therefore, in addition to the heat generated by the arc between the electric plate and the furnace charge, when the current passes through the furnace charge, the heat is also generated by the resistance of the furnace charge. Each ton of silicon needs to consume about 150kg of graphite electrode, and each ton of yellow phosphorus needs to consume about 40kg of graphite electrode.
(3) For resistance furnace
Graphitization furnaces for producing graphite products, furnaces for melting glass and electric furnaces for producing silicon carbide are resistance furnaces. The materials in the furnaces are both heating resistors and heated objects. Usually, the graphite electrode for conducting is inserted into the furnace head wall at the end of the furnace bed, so the conductive electrode is not continuously consumed.
In addition, a large number of graphite electrode blanks are also used to process into various crucibles, graphite boat dishes, hot pressed molds, vacuum furnace heaters and other special-shaped products. For example, in the quartz glass industry, 10t graphite electrode blank is required for each production of LT fused tube, and 100kg electrode blank is consumed for each production of LT quartz brick.