Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
cf7ec6cb-3e74-4cd4-abb1-4efcf17a42fe
Materials
Associated ID
70e814ea-4565-4989-86d4-c003bd9be0d1
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
The product represented by this dataset is a porcelain insulator, namely an insulating and mechanical-support device made from electrical ceramics (aluminosilicate porcelain, mainly composed of kaolin, feldspar, quartz, etc.) through forming, glazing, firing and assembly; it has the performance of withstanding voltage and mechanical stress, with an average single-piece weight of about 9.5 kg, in the form of solid or hollow porcelain pieces. The key upstream raw materials of this product are clay (kaolin, feldspar, quartz, etc.) and glaze, manufactured through processes such as forming, glazing, firing and assembly; the downstream is mainly applied to the insulation and mechanical fixing of high-voltage overhead transmission lines, power plants, substations and electrical equipment. As for the system boundary, the dataset includes the raw and auxiliary materials, energy (electricity, etc., based on China's average energy mix) and wastes of the main processes such as forming, glazing, firing and assembly, and does not include infrastructure such as the manufacture of production equipment and plant construction, i.e. equipment manufacture and plant construction, etc., are explicitly excluded from the dataset boundary. In terms of data sources and data processing, the data inventory is formed by merging data from multiple sources, and energy such as electricity is calculated using China's average energy mix.
Activity Description
The system boundary is the cradle-to-gate of porcelain insulators, the starting point is the input of raw materials, and the end point is the delivery of finished porcelain insulators from the factory. The main stages include raw material preparation and clay processing, molding (pressing or extrusion, etc.), glazing, drying, high-temperature firing in the kiln, and assembly and inspection. The above stages together constitute the system boundaries and process steps covered by the data set.
Process Description
Porcelain insulators are insulation and mechanical support devices made of electrical ceramics (aluminosilicate porcelain, mainly composed of kaolin, feldspar, quartz, etc.) through shaping, glazing, firing and assembly. They have the ability to withstand high voltage and mechanical stress and are in the form of solid or hollow porcelain parts. This product is installed between conductors of different potentials or between conductors and grounding components. It is widely used in the insulation and mechanical fixation of high-voltage overhead transmission lines, power plants, substations and electrical equipment. It is a key insulation component in power grids and electrical equipment.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The production of porcelain insulators mainly includes forming, glazing, firing, and assembly. The prepared ceramic body material, including kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, is pugged and aged and then pressed or extruded to form green bodies. A glaze is applied to provide an insulating and protective layer. After drying, the green bodies are fired in a kiln at approximately 1,200-1,400°C, depending on the formulation and kiln type, causing the body to vitrify and the glaze to become glassy. The fired porcelain components are inspected and assembled with metal fittings by cementing or mechanical means to produce finished porcelain insulators.