The Acheson graphitization furnace (AGF), as a most energy-consuming equipment for graphite production, results in substantial thermoelectric losses during heating process. To improve the thermal efficiency, a method is proposed to optimize the structure of furnace core based on the thermoelectric field distribution. In this study, a numerical simulation using FLUENT software was adopted to explore the characteristics and coupling rules in relation to thermoelectric field distribution. Further optimize furnace core structure to achieve more suitable performance indicators, which include electrical heating efficiency and thermal efficiency. The results suggested that the changes of electric (power density) and thermal (temperature) fields with the layout of coke materials exhibited a consistence: the lower power density and temperature were observed at the position of graphitized coke, while the higher values were for calcined coke. The heat producer during the graphitization process was twofold: the electric heat and the transferred heat, and their proportion was confirmed as a range of 7:3–9:1. Under a fixed square side section, which is an optimal scenario, both thermal efficiency and electric heating efficiency with the furnace core length presented a parabolic variation. These findings may provide some guidelines and insights for a better design and operation of AGFs.

中文翻译：

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石墨化炉内热场、电场分布及结构优化的见解

艾奇逊石墨化炉（AGF）作为石墨生产中最耗能的设备，在加热过程中会产生大量的热电损失。为了提高热效率，提出了一种基于热电场分布的炉芯结构优化方法。本研究采用FLUENT软件进行数值模拟，探讨热电场分布的特征和耦合规律。进一步优化炉芯结构，实现更合适的电加热效率、热效率等性能指标。结果表明，电（功率密度）和热（温度）场随焦炭材料布局的变化表现出一致性：石墨化焦位置功率密度和温度较低，而煅烧焦位置功率密度和温度较高。可乐。石墨化过程中的发热体有双重：电热和传递热，其比例确定为7:3~9:1。在最佳方案固定方形边截面下，热效率和电加热效率均随炉芯长度呈抛物线变化。这些发现可能为更好的 AGF 设计和操作提供一些指导和见解。