High-performance preparation plant for cathode paste

In the course of a modernization program, the Ukrainian company Ukrgrafit has converted part of their paste preparation line for cathodes and carbon blocks front conventional mixing technology to intensive mixing. The new system was put into operation in the middle of 2006. Apart from the mixer, it also comprises heating of dry aggregates, feeding of pitch, addition of stearin, cooling of the mix in the mixer, intermediate storage of the finished mix, transport of the mix to the presses as well as the entire automation. The substantially improved homogeneity of the mix as well as the complete documentation of the preparation process clearly refined the quality of the final products. The paper describes the criteria leading to the decision on the system as well as the realization of the task definition. Moreover, first operating results are presented.