30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CARBON INDUSTRY

Electrode paste high consumption directly increases production costs and may affect furnace stability. The causes of electrode paste high consumption are complex, usually resulting from the combined effects of equipment, process operation, raw materials, and management. This article explores the causes of high electrode paste consumption from the perspective of physical and chemical erosion.

Chemical Erosion, it mainly manifests in two aspects:

1. Oxides in the furnace charge (such as FeO, SiO₂) and metal vapors generated at high temperatures (such as Si, Fe) react with electrode carbon, causing erosion and increasing electrode paste consumption.

2. Direct oxidation of the electrode sides by oxygen in the air at the furnace mouth also increases electrode paste consumption.

Mechanical Wear and Physical Erosion, the following situations my occur: 

1. Arc Erosion: The powerful electric arc generates severe physical erosion and high-temperature erosion on the electrode ends, increasing electrode paste consumption.

2. Collapse and Collision: When the furnace charge collapses, the impact of large pieces of material on the electrodes can cause them to break or flake off, thus increasing electrode paste consumption.

3. Improper electrode placement/removal: Excessive force during electrode placement can cause a hard collision with the material, resulting in electrode fragments falling off and increased consumption.

In actual production, preventing physical and chemical corrosion of the electrode paste is not a problem that can be solved by a single measure. It is a systematic project that addresses both external factors (operation, furnace conditions) and internal factors (electrode paste quality, sintering). Excellent operation creates a mild, stable, and reducing working environment for the electrode; high-quality electrode paste and thorough sintering provide the electrode with a robust structure capable of withstanding harsh environments. Only by combining these two aspects can unnecessary electrode paste consumption be minimized, achieving safe, stable, efficient, and low-consumption production.