Sichuan Chengdu Lithium Graphite Pot Feeder Conveying Case

In the lithium battery and graphite processing industry, material handling plays a critical role in maintaining production efficiency and product quality. The following case study illustrates how headpowder addressed a specific conveying challenge for a lithium graphite manufacturing facility in Sichuan, Chengdu.

Case Overview

A prominent manufacturer in the lithium battery supply chain required a reliable and dust-free conveying system for transferring graphite powder and lithium carbonate from storage silos to pot feeders. The existing manual feeding process caused frequent material spillage, inconsistent feed rates, and airborne dust issues, which directly affected product consistency and workplace safety.

Customer Pain Points

The facility faced several operational difficulties:

• High dust emission during manual feeding, posing health risks and requiring frequent cleaning.
• Inconsistent material flow leading to variations in pot filling weight, which impacted downstream sintering quality.
• Frequent equipment jams and wear due to abrasive graphite powder, resulting in unplanned downtime and maintenance costs.
• Limited automation capability, making it hard to integrate with existing PLC-based production line controls.

Product Solution by headpowder

headpowder designed and installed a purpose-built enclosed screw feeder system with integrated hopper and pneumatic conveying lines. The system features:

• Fully sealed conveying path to eliminate dust leakage and material loss.
• Variable speed drive for precise feed rate control, ensuring consistent pot fill weight within ±1% tolerance.
• Wear-resistant screw and liner materials (hardened alloy and ceramic coating) to handle abrasive graphite powder with extended service life.
• Modular design that allowed quick retrofit into the existing pot feeding station without major structural modification.
• Centralized control interface compatible with the plant's existing automation system, enabling remote monitoring and operation.

Operational Results

After implementation, the customer reported a 40% reduction in material waste, 60% decrease in dust concentration in the feeding area, and significantly lower maintenance intervals. The consistent feed rate also improved the quality uniformity of the final lithium graphite product. The system has been running continuously for over 12 months with minimal unscheduled downtime.