Question

Graphite is used for making electrodes and articles like writing pencils. It is made by heating coke with some silica for many hours in:

• A. a blast furnace
• B. a high electric furnace
• C. the presence of air
• D. a blast of steam under pressure

Answer 1

The correct option is B a high electric furnace

• The Acheson process is a process to synthesize graphite and silicon carbide (SiC), named after its inventor Edward Goodrich Acheson.
  
• The process consists of heating a mixture of silica or quartz sand and powdered coke (carbon) in an iron bowl for many hours.
• When heated the silicon is removed, leaving graphite. After discovering this process, Acheson developed an efficient high electric furnace based on resistive heating, the design of which is the basis of most silicon carbide manufacturing today.
  
• Silicon carbide was a useful material in jewelry making due to its abrasive properties, and this was the first commercial application of the Acheson process.
  
• Hence,option B is correct answer.