Thermophysical Treatment of Petroleum Coke-Based Electrode Paste as a New Promising Approach to Integrating the Oil Refining and Metallurgical Industries for Carbon-Graphite Electrode Production

The study focuses on developing a thermophysical treatment technology for petroleum coke to create a homogeneous layered structure required for producing high-performance electrodes in metallurgical and petrochemical industries. The relevance stems from the shortage of anisotropic petroleum coke in the Russian market and the need to enhance the competitiveness of domestic electrode products. The objective of the study is to develop and experimentally validate a technology that improves the structural anisotropy of carbon material. The materials used include samples of green petroleum coke calcined in an inert atmosphere and coke-pitch charge subjected to thermal and mechanical treatment. An experimental setup with an extruder (heating up to 520°C, pressure up to 100 MPa) was developed, alongside structural analysis methods such as FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and XRD analyses. Results confirmed increased material homogeneity, enhanced graphitization tendency, and improved electrode performance, made by treated carbon material. The technology demonstrates potential for industrial implementation, fostering new production chains for carbon-graphite products and increasing oil refining profitability.