(1) For electric arc steelmaking furnace

Electric furnace steelmaking is a major user of graphite electrodes. The output of electric furnace steel in China accounts for about 18% of the crude steel output, and graphite electrodes for steelmaking account for 70% to 80% of the total consumption of graphite electrodes. Electric furnace steelmaking uses graphite electrodes to introduce an electric current into the furnace, and uses the high-temperature heat source generated by the electric arc between the electrode ends and the furnace charge to conduct smelting.

(2) For submerged arc furnaces

The submerged arc 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 furnace charge, forming an electric arc within the charge layer, and using the heat energy generated by the resistance of the charge itself to heat the charge. The submerged arc furnace with a high current density requires graphite electrodes, such as about 100kg of graphite electrodes per 1t of silicon production and about 40kg of graphite electrodes per 1t of yellow phosphorus production.

(3) For resistance furnaces

The graphitization furnace for producing graphite products, the furnace for melting glass, and the electric furnace for producing silicon carbide are all resistance furnaces. The materials contained in the furnace are both heating resistors and objects to be heated. Generally, the conductive graphite electrode is embedded in the furnace wall at the end of the resistance furnace, which is used for discontinuous consumption of the graphite electrode.

(4) Used to prepare special-shaped graphite products

The blanks of graphite electrodes are also used to process various types of graphite products such as crucibles, molds, boats, and heaters. For example, in the quartz glass industry, 10t of graphite electrode blank is required for each 1t of electrofusion tube produced; For each 1t of quartz brick produced, 100 kg of graphite electrode blank is consumed.