Abstract: The invention concerns a process for shaping, by compacting, carbonaceous blocks formed by a carbonaceous paste based on a carbonaceous aggregate such as coke, anthracite or graphite, and an organic cokable binder such as tar and optional additives. The carbonaceous paste is introduced into a mould in which some of the walls are displaceable with respect to their initial position and there are successively applied to said paste at least one stress .sigma..sub.n along an axis A.sub.n, then at least one stress .sigma..sub.n+1 along an axis A.sub.n+1 which is not coincident with the axis A.sub.n, then at least one stress .sigma..sub.n+2 along an axis A.sub.n+2 which is not coincident with the axis A.sub.n+1, and so forth, repetitively, each stress .sigma..sub.(i) being applied after at least partial suppression of the stress .sigma..sub.(i-1). Use of the process substantially enhances compactness of the carbonaceous blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping, by compacting, carbonaceous blocks formed by a carbonaceous paste based on a carbonaceous aggregate such as coke, anthracite or graphite, and an organic cokable binder such as tar and optional additives. The carbonaceous paste is introduced into a mould in which some of the walls are displaceable with respect to their initial position and there are successively applied to said paste at least one stress .sigma.n along an axis An, then at least one stress .sigma.n+1 along an axis An+1 which is not coincident with the axis An, then at least one stress .sigma.n+2 along an axis An+2 which is not coincident with the axis An+1, and so forth, repetitively, each stress .sigma.(i) being applied after at least partial suppression of the stress .sigma.(i-1). Use of the apparatus substantially enhances compactness of the carbonaceous blocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for relaxing lateral stresses at the end of shaping by compacting of a block constituted by an aggregate and a binder (such as a carbon-containing paste), to which is applied a main monoaxial stress in a rigid mold having a bottom and four side walls. According to the process, at the end of compacting and along the compacting axis, there is maintained a residual stress of between 50 and 2000 kilopascals, and preferably between 100 and 500 kilopascals. At least two of the side walls of the mold are then moved apart by a few millimeters, followed by the elimination of the main stress and the extraction of the molded block. The residual stress is maintained for a period of between 1 and 20 seconds following the moving apart of the walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus of the vibrocompactor type for compacting carbonaceous blocks, and which comprises a vibrating table on which a carbonaceous paste is to be disposed, a heavy mass located below the table, and damper means located between the table and the mass for suspending the table above the mass. According to the invention, the damper means comprises inflatable pneumatic cushions. These cushions may be connected in parallel permanently to a source of fluid under a controllable pressure, or alternatively may be connected in parallel during the inflation of the cushions, and then isolated individually or in groups from the source of fluid. The apparatus may also include a means for measuring the pressure in each cushion or in a group of cushions, and a means for signalling the drop in pressure in each cushion or group.