Question

The false statement about the manufacture of graphite: (1) Graphite is manufactured by Acheson method. (2) The raw materials used in the manufacture of graphite are coke and silica. (3) The intermediate formed during the production of graphite is silicone. (4) Graphite is manufactured in electric furnace.

Short answer

Statement (3) is false; silicon is not formed as an intermediate in graphite production.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Statements

Read through each of the given statements regarding the manufacture of graphite. Identify key terms and processes mentioned in each statement to understand what each one is referring to.

- Verify the Acheson Method

Check statement (1): Verify if the Acheson method is indeed used for the manufacture of graphite by looking it up in your textbook or other reliable sources.

- Check Raw Materials

Check statement (2): Confirm the raw materials used in the manufacture of graphite. Commonly, graphite is produced using coke and optionally silica or other materials, but it needs verification.

- Investigate Intermediate Products

Check statement (3): Determine whether silicon or any other intermediates are actually formed during the production of graphite. Typically, silicon is not an intermediate in this process.

- Method of Manufacture

Check statement (4): Find out if graphite is produced in an electric furnace, commonly known as the correct method for the manufacture of graphite.

- Identify the False Statement

Evaluate the compiled information from the previous steps. Statement (3) should stand out because the intermediate formed during the production of graphite is not silicon.

Key concepts

Acheson method

The Acheson method is a well-known process for producing synthetic graphite. Edward Goodrich Acheson invented it in the late 1800s. The process uses high temperatures to transform raw materials like coke into graphite. In the Acheson method, these materials are heated in an electric furnace to temperatures of up to 3000°C.
The high heat causes the carbon atoms in the coke to rearrange and form graphite.
Additionally, the process requires a controlled atmosphere to prevent unwanted chemical reactions. This method has been foundational in creating high-purity graphite for various applications.

Raw materials

The production of graphite primarily involves two main raw materials: coke and silica.

• Coke: A carbon-rich substance derived from coal. It is favored because it's already high in carbon content, making it easier to convert into graphite.
• Silica: Though not always necessary, silica can be used to enhance certain properties of the graphite depending on the intended use.

During the Acheson process, these materials undergo intense heating, which causes the transformation into graphite. Importantly, no intermediate products like silicon are formed during this production process.
Any presence of silica is mostly consumed or transformed within the reaction itself.

Graphite production process

The graphite production process involves several critical steps:

• Pre-treatment: The raw materials, typically coke and sometimes silica, are prepared and milled into fine particles.
• Mixing: These particles are blended with a binder to ensure an even consistency. This mix is then shaped into the desired form.
• Carbonization: The shaped mixture undergoes carbonization at around 1000°C to create a solid carbon structure.
• Graphitization: This is the crucial step where the intermediate product is subjected to temperatures as high as 3000°C within an electric furnace. Here, carbon atoms are rearranged into graphite's characteristic crystalline structure.

This process is highly controlled to ensure the graphite produced has consistent quality and properties suitable for its intended application.

Electric furnace

An electric furnace is a key component in the graphite production process. It can generate extremely high temperatures necessary for graphitization.
These furnaces use electric currents to produce heat, ensuring precise temperature control.
In the case of the Acheson method, the furnace heats the mixture of coke—or coke and silica—to above 2500°C, often exceeding 3000°C.
This intense heat causes the carbon structures to rearrange and form high-purity graphite.

• Advantages:
  Electric furnaces offer more control over the heating process, resulting in consistent quality graphite. They also allow for the creation of different grades of graphite tailored to specific industrial needs.

Overall, the electric furnace is indispensable in producing high-quality synthetic graphite used in numerous applications, from batteries to high-temperature industrial processes.