Canisters for transporting and / or storing batteries and their uses.

Abstract

A canister (1) for transporting and / or storing batteries, the canister (1) having an internal storage space (4) having a certain volume, the canister (1) having a cover (3) to close the storage space (4), wherein the cover (3) has one or more openings (9) for venting gas from the storage space (4) to the atmosphere, wherein the total surface area of ​​the one or more openings (9) is at least 1.0 square centimeters per liter of storage space (4), wherein at least one foil (8) is present on the outside of the cover (3), the at least one foil covering two or more of the openings (9) of a first group, wherein the foil (8) is connected to the cover (3) completely around the openings (9) of the first group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cylinder for transporting and / or storing batteries or devices containing batteries, and the use of such a cylinder. Background Technology

[0002] Specifically, this involves collecting used batteries at collection points such as stores and placing them in the canisters during the collection process. When the canister is full, it is closed and subsequently transported for processing or recycling of the battery. It should be considered that the batteries may be defective or have obvious or invisible damage.

[0003] In particular, lithium batteries can be unstable, for example, due to misuse, mechanical damage, or short circuits. They can heat up, producing flammable gases that can obviously be ignited by the heat of reaction. These lithium batteries are rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries with different chemical compositions.

[0004] Each of these lithium-ion batteries consists of one or more coupled electrochemical cell units. Therefore, such undesirable spontaneous combustion can also lead to spontaneous combustion in adjacent cell units or within the battery itself. This event is better known in the art as the English term "thermal run-away."

[0005] As the proportion of lithium batteries awaiting processing and / or recycling increases, the risk of a single spontaneous combustion triggering a chain reaction also increases. Therefore, containers such as canisters, which are typically required to be sealed due to laws and regulations governing the transportation and storage of used batteries, may explode due to the generation and ignition of flammable gases.

[0006] Because each battery cell produces flammable gas and heat transfer between battery cells is relatively slow, the ignition of a batch of batteries is a relatively slow process, but fast enough to cause the cylinder to explode.

[0007] According to existing technology, a separate plastic inner bag is first placed into a known tube. This is necessary due to legal regulations, especially the ADR.

[0008] The downside is that these bags themselves are prone to spontaneous combustion due to short circuits between the batteries and other batteries, especially since the electrodes of the LR-61 battery are short-circuited by the button cell, generating a lot of heat within the button cell, but also due to other short circuits between batteries or even between battery cells within a single cell. Therefore, this plastic inner bag is a fire hazard caused by short circuits.

[0009] A cylinder for storing an airbag inflator is known in US2017 / 0328695A1. This known cylinder has a plastic sheet that extends over the entire cover and is attached to the cylinder itself to prevent moisture from entering the cylinder. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To avoid or reduce these disadvantages, the present invention relates to a cylinder, preferably a steel cylinder, for transporting and / or storing batteries, having an internal storage space of a certain volume, and a cover for sealing the storage space, wherein the cover has one or more openings for venting gas from the storage space to the atmosphere.

[0011] The advantage of this is that the gas released when a large number of batteries in the storage chamber are ignited can escape safely without reaching the internal pressure that could cause the cylinder to explode.

[0012] Preferably, the total surface area of ​​the one or more openings is at least 1.0 square centimeters per liter of storage space, allowing the gas to escape sufficiently quickly.

[0013] Preferably, there is at least one foil on the outside of the lid, the at least one foil extending through two or more of the openings of the first group, wherein the foil is connected to the lid completely around the openings of the first group, or more specifically, connected to the lid only around the openings of the first group, rather than connected to the lid between the openings of the first group.

[0014] Preferably, the foil extends through all the openings.

[0015] Foil can also be described as a thin film or foil sheet that extends over a specific area.

[0016] During the fire, the foil tears due to internal pressure before the cylinder itself is damaged.

[0017] At the same time, the foil ensures that no water (such as rainwater) can enter the storage space through the opening during normal use of the tube.

[0018] In other words, the present invention relates to conflicting requirements: rainwater should not enter the storage space through the opening, but if the pressure in the storage space rises above a safe level, gas must be able to escape through the opening. This is achieved using a foil.

[0019] Because the foil is attached to the lid itself, fewer actions are required to close the tube, and errors in the application of the foil are avoided.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the foil is a plastic foil. This makes the foil inexpensive and allows it to remain waterproof for a long time.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the foil is attached to the cover completely around one or more openings by adhering it to the outside of the cover, in other words by attaching it to the outside of the cover with adhesive.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the foil is a sticker with a covering layer that is removed where the foil is attached to the cover.

[0023] The advantage of these two embodiments is that they are very easy to implement and the foil layer can be easily replaced if necessary, for example, in the event of damage.

[0024] Obviously, it is important to use an adhesive that is suitable for long-term (e.g., several years) bonding and that is resistant to water, grease and solvents.

[0025] Preferably, the foil has dimensional stability as measured by standard FINAT™ 14, with the dimension being less than 0.5 mm in any direction, and preferably less than 0.2 mm.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the foil is designed to tear or break when the difference between the pressure inside the cover and atmospheric pressure exceeds a threshold. In this case, the threshold is preferably 50,000 Pa or less, and more preferably 25,000 Pa or less.

[0027] This allows the foil, in particular its size, thickness, and properties, to be designed to correspond to the maximum pressure of the rest of the cylinder.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the foil has a first partial surface through which it is connected to the remainder of the cover, wherein the foil has a second partial surface completely surrounded by the first partial surface, and the second surface portion is not directly connected to the remainder of the cover, but is connected to the remainder of the cover only through the first partial surface.

[0029] Preferably, the second part of the surface has a perimeter C and a surface area A, wherein the foil has a tensile strength of T, where the units of C, A, and T are meters, meters, and meters, respectively. 2 and N / m, where the tensile strength T is determined by one of the following two methods:

[0030] 1) Measure the tensile strength T on the relevant type of foil;

[0031] 2) Measured in N / m on the material used to manufacture the relevant type of foil. 2 The tensile strength X is expressed in units, and the tensile strength T is calculated by multiplying the tensile strength X by the thickness of the foil.

[0032] Where T < 50000*(A / C), and preferably where T < 30000*(A / C).

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder has a circular cap with a diameter of 45 cm or less, wherein (A / C) is greater than 0.035 m.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder has a circular cap with a diameter of 45 cm or less, and the tensile strength of the foil is T < 2500 N / m, and preferably < 1800 N / m.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder includes a cylinder body containing a storage space, and the cylinder body has an epoxy resin coating on its inner side.

[0036] Preferably, the cover also has an epoxy resin coating on its inner side.

[0037] Therefore, the inner wall of the cylinder is electrically insulated, allowing the cylinder to be used for storing and transporting used batteries without an inner plastic bag.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, there are at most four foils on the outer side of the lid, and preferably exactly one foil. Thus, the preference for exactly one foil means that all the openings together form a first group; in other words, a foil extends across all the openings on the outer side of the lid, wherein the foil is attached to the lid completely around the openings, rather than being attached to the lid between the openings.

[0039] If there are many individual foils, then a metal foil that is very easy to tear must be selected. After all, the force exerted by the gas in the storage space on the foil layer is proportional to the surface area of ​​the foil, while the resistance to tearing under a given force is proportional to its perimeter.

[0040] Therefore, if the foil is relatively strong, if the opening is covered individually, or if there are many first sets, the foil will not tear. Obviously, this is undesirable.

[0041] However, it is best to use relatively sturdy foil to ensure that it lasts a long time and is not easily damaged during normal use of the tube.

[0042] Using only a limited number of foils allows for the use of stronger, and therefore more durable, foils than in other cases, while still achieving the same level of protection.

[0043] Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the tensile strength of the foil is T>300N / m.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder is provided with a layer of flame-retardant material extending through one or more openings. This can be above or below one or more openings.

[0045] This prevents the flame that would normally be produced when the battery is ignited from passing through the opening on the outside of the tube, causing damage or igniting other objects.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the flame-retardant material is made of steel fibers or mineral fibers, and more preferably mineral wool or steel wool, or textiles made of steel fibers or mineral fibers. This is a practical method for forming layers of such flame-retardant material. Mineral wool is a general term for glass wool and rock wool, wherein rock wool can be based on various different types of minerals.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the flame-retardant material has a porosity of at least 80% by volume, preferably at least 90% by volume, and more preferably at least 95% by volume. Therefore, the ability of these openings to allow gas passage is not or almost unrestricted.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the flame-retardant material layer extends parallel to the cap; in other words, it extends parallel or substantially parallel to the cap when the cap is placed on the cylinder. The thickness of the flame-retardant material layer is 40 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the mass of the flame-retardant material layer is at least 0.75 grams, preferably at least 1.0 gram, per liter of storage space. Therefore, the flame-retardant material has sufficient capacity to absorb heat from a flame that may be generated when a batch of batteries is ignited, such that the flame is not only extinguished but the associated gases are cooled to a level that prevents spontaneous reignition and / or ignition of other objects.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the flame-retardant material is made of fibers, wherein the average diameter of the fibers is at most 0.5 mm, preferably at most 0.25 mm. This allows for sufficient fiber surface area to absorb the heat of any potential flame, thereby extinguishing the flame.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, two or more, and preferably all, of the openings are provided with a common layer of flame-retardant material, allowing the container to be easily manufactured. In this case, the bonding layer of flame-retardant material also extends to the portion of the associated wall located between the one or more openings.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the individual area of ​​the one or more openings is at least 0.04 cm². 2 This ensures that enough gas can be expelled.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the individual surface area of ​​the one or more openings is at most 9 cm². 2 The preferred size is at most 5cm. 2 More preferably, up to 2.5cm 2 This makes it unsuitable or impossible for a single battery to pass through the opening, thus preventing it from being ejected from the cartridge in the event of a violent spontaneous combustion.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, at the location of the one or more openings, the cover has at least three layers, wherein the first and second layers are both provided with the one or more openings and are made of metal plates, and the third layer is formed of a layer of flame-retardant material, wherein the layer of flame-retardant material is disposed between the first and second layers.

[0055] Preferably, at the location of the one or more openings, the cover has at least four layers, wherein the fourth layer is formed of foil.

[0056] Preferably, the first and second layers are made of steel and are attached to each other by riveting.

[0057] This is a simple way to keep the flame-retardant material layer in place, especially by placing it between the first and second layers.

[0058] Preferably, the total surface area of ​​the one or more openings is at least 2.0 square centimeters per liter of storage space.

[0059] The present invention also relates to the use of the cylinder according to the invention in storing or transporting batteries.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the storage space comprises one or more used batteries, wherein the storage space is sealed by a lid. Preferably, used batteries, including lithium batteries, are used to fill the storage space to at least 25% of its volume, and more preferably to at least 40% of its volume.

[0061] Preferably, the storage space has a volume of at least 20L, more preferably at least 30L. Preferably, the storage space has a volume of 100L or less, more preferably 75L or less.

[0062] Preferably, during use, the storage space is at least partially filled with batteries, preferably used batteries, and the storage space is sealed by a cover.

[0063] The battery mass is preferably at least 0.1 kg per liter of storage space. In this case, the battery preferably comprises one or more lithium batteries. Attached Figure Description

[0064] To illustrate the present invention, preferred embodiments of the cylinder according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

[0065] Figure 1 A perspective view of the cylinder according to the present invention is shown;

[0066] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An exploded view of the cylinder;

[0067] Figure 3 As shown in the top view based on F3 Figure 1and Figure 2 Part of the tube;

[0068] Figures 4 to 6 It shows in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The continuous state shown along the cross section IV-IV during the manufacturing process of a portion of the cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0069] The cylinder 1 shown in the figure mainly consists of a cylindrical body 2 and a circular cap 3. The body 2 is mainly made of bent steel plate and defines an internal storage space 4 for items (in this case, used batteries). The cylinder 1 is coated with an epoxy resin surface layer with a thickness of approximately 9 μm on its entire inner side.

[0070] The outer diameter of cylinder 1 is 35cm and its volume is 53 liters.

[0071] The cylinder 1 is designed to withstand an internal pressure of 50,000 Pa above atmospheric pressure without damage when the cover 3 is installed on the cylinder 2 and secured with a fastening ring.

[0072] The cover 3 consists of four main parts, namely four layers, from bottom to top: a base plate 5, a layer of steel wool 6 made of stainless steel or Inox with a thickness of 10 mm, a top plate 7, and a circular plastic foil sheet 8 with a diameter D of 259 mm.

[0073] The shape of the top plate 7 fits tightly with the cylinder 2, similar to a traditional cylinder cover.

[0074] The bottom surface of the base plate 5 is coated with the same epoxy resin as the inner side of the cylinder 2.

[0075] Each of the base plate 5 and the top plate 7 has a regular pattern of sixty-one circular openings 9 on most of its surface, each opening having a diameter d of 16 mm. The openings 9 in the base plate 5 are located directly below the openings 9 in the top plate 7.

[0076] The total throughput area of ​​opening 9 is 61 * 0.25 * π * (16 mm). 2 It corresponds to 118cm 2 .

[0077] Steel wool 6 is made of fibers with an average diameter of 30 μm. At a thickness of 10 mm, the mass of steel wool layer 6 is 1200 g / m³. 2 The free volume between fibers is 98.5% by volume. The diameter of the steel wool 6 layer is 259mm, and the total mass is 63g.

[0078] The plastic foil sheet 8 is designed as a self-adhesive paper having an adhesive layer and a cover layer 10 covering the adhesive layer, wherein the cover layer 10 is removed at the outermost 9 mm, so that the adhesive layer of the sticker is exposed in a ring shape and adheres to the top plate 7 completely around the opening 9, rather than adhering to the top plate between the openings.

[0079] Therefore, the plastic foil 8 has a first partial surface 11 and a second partial surface 12, the area of ​​which is 259 mm². 2 -(259mm-2*9mm) 2 0.25π = 7.07π / 10 -3 m 2 The plastic foil 8 is adhered to the rest of the cover 3 through the first part of the surface, and the area A of the second part of the surface is (259mm - 2*9mm). 2 *0.25*π=45.6*10 -3 m 2 The plastic foil 8 does not adhere directly to the rest of the cover 3 through the second part of the surface, but extends over the opening 9.

[0080] The perimeter C of the second part surface 12 is (259mm-2*9mm)*π=0.76m.

[0081] When the covering layer 10 is ignored, the thickness of the plastic foil 8 is 60 μm, and it is made of PVC with a tensile strength X of 19 MPa. Therefore, the tensile strength T of the plastic foil 8 is 19 MPa * 60 μm = 1140 N / m.

[0082] The plastic foil 8 has dimensional stability measured according to standard FINAT™ 14, which is less than 0.1 mm in the transverse direction and less than the measurement threshold in the longitudinal direction.

[0083] The plastic foil 8 has an adhesive layer with an adhesive strength of 18 N / 25 m, which is measured on stainless steel after 24 hours according to standard FINAT™ 1.

[0084] Cover 3 can be easily manufactured in the following ways, such as Figures 4 to 6 As shown schematically.

[0085] First, correctly position the bottom plate 5 and the top plate 7 (with a layer of steel wool 6 in between) relative to each other.

[0086] Subsequently, the top plate 7 and the bottom plate 5 are fixed to each other at four attachment points 13 by riveting. Thus, the steel wool layer 6 is permanently fixed in the closed cavity 14 between the top plate 7 and the bottom plate 5. Riveting is a known technique in which point deformation of the sheet metal is achieved by cold pressing between two tools 15 formed for this purpose, thereby joining the sheet metal.

[0087] The condition before riveting is as follows Figure 4 As shown, the situation after riveting is as follows: Figure 5 As shown.

[0088] Subsequently, the custom sticker made of plastic foil 8 and having a covering layer 10 is removed, the outermost 9mm of the covering layer 10 is removed, and the sticker is then adhered to the top plate 7. (See attached image.) Figure 6 As shown.

[0089] Cylinder 1 can be used to collect used batteries at collection points, whether or not they are placed in a decorative casing.

[0090] When these batteries are transported to the processing location, the cover 3 is placed on the cylinder 2 and secured with a fastening ring (not shown).

[0091] Therefore, the plastic foil 8 prevents rainwater from entering the cylinder 1 during transportation and / or storage, pending treatment.

[0092] If the batteries in the storage area are ignited, internal pressure will be generated due to the release of gas and the increase in temperature.

[0093] At any given moment, this will cause the plastic foil 8 at the transition between the bonded and unbonded parts to tear, allowing gas to escape through the opening 9 and one or more tears formed in the plastic foil 8 before the cylinder 1 explodes.

[0094] The pressure that would tear this plastic foil 8 can be calculated, or at least approximated, as follows.

[0095] As described above, the tensile strength of the plastic foil 8 is 1140 N / m, and the perimeter of the unattached second part surface 12 is 0.76 m. This means that the plastic foil 8 can withstand a resultant force of 1140 * 0.76 = 866 N on the second part surface 12 before tearing.

[0096] If the pressure inside the cylinder multiplied by the area of ​​the unadhesive second part surface 12 is also 866 N, then this force is applied. Since the surface area A of the second part surface 12 is equal to 45.6 * 10⁻⁶... -3 m 2 Therefore, the pressure applied is equal to 866N / 45.6*10. - 3 m 2It is equal to 18985 Pa.

[0097] This is about 2.5 times lower than the maximum pressure designed for cylinder 1, causing the plastic foil 8 to tear before the pressure in cylinder 1 becomes too high.

[0098] The hot and potentially combustible reactive gases generated during the ignition of such a battery flow through the layer 6 of steel wool and are cooled by the layer 6 of steel wool, so that the flame is extinguished by the cooling of the steel wool 6 and no flame leaves the cylinder 1.

[0099] Therefore, cylinder 1 is ideal for the safe transport and storage of used batteries on road or rail vehicles, as cylinder 1 will not explode and no flame will leave cylinder 1.

[0100] Because of the epoxy resin coating, short circuits will not occur through the wall of cylinder 1. Therefore, there is no need to place a plastic inner bag inside the cylinder before putting the used batteries into cylinder 1.

Claims

1. A cylinder (1) for transporting and / or storing batteries, the cylinder (1) having an internal storage space (4) having a certain volume, the cylinder (1) being provided with a cover (3) to close the storage space (4). in, The cover (3) has a bottom plate (5) adjacent to the internal storage space (4) and a top plate (7) above the bottom plate (5), each of the bottom plate (5) and the top plate (7) having one or more openings (9) for venting gas from the storage space (4) to the atmosphere, wherein the total surface area of ​​the one or more openings (9) is at least 1.0 square centimeters per liter of storage space (4). There is at least one foil (8) on the outside of the cover (3), the at least one foil covering the one or more openings (9) of the top plate (7), wherein the foil (8) is connected to the cover (3) completely around the one or more openings (9) of the top plate (7). The breathable flame-retardant material layer (6) extends through one or more openings (9) in the top plate and one or more openings in the bottom plate. The foil (8) has a first partial surface (11) through which it is connected to the cover (3). The foil (8) also has a second partial surface (12) completely surrounded by the first partial surface (11). The second partial surface (12) has a perimeter C and an area A, where C and A are in meters (m) and meters (m²) respectively. 2 , The cylinder has a circular cap with a diameter of 45 cm or less, where (A / C) > 0.035 m.

2. The cylinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foil (8) is attached to the cover (3) by adhering the foil (8) to the outside of the cover (3).

3. The cylinder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The foil (8) is a sticker with a cover layer (10) that is removed at the point where the foil (8) is attached to the cover (3).

4. The cylinder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The foil (8) is designed to tear or break when the difference between the pressure inside the cover (3) and the atmospheric pressure is greater than a threshold of 50,000 Pa or less.

5. The cylinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder (1) includes a cylinder body (2) containing a storage space, wherein the cylinder body (2) has an epoxy resin coating on its inner side.

6. The cylinder (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The foil (8) has a tensile strength T, where the unit of T is N / m, and the tensile strength T is determined by one of the following two methods: Method 1) Measure the tensile strength T on the relevant type of foil; Method 2) Measure in N / m on the material used to manufacture the relevant type of foil. 2 The tensile strength X is expressed in units, and the tensile strength T is calculated by multiplying the tensile strength X by the thickness of the foil. Where T < 50000 * (A / C).

7. The cylinder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The flame-retardant material is made of steel fiber or mineral fiber.

8. The cylinder (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mass of the flame-retardant material layer (6) is at least 0.75 grams per liter of storage space (4), wherein the average diameter of the steel fiber or mineral fiber is at most 0.5 mm.

9. The cylinder (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cover (3) has at least four layers, wherein the first layer is a bottom plate (5), the second layer is a top plate (7), the third layer is formed by a layer (6) of flame-retardant material, wherein the layer (6) of flame-retardant material is disposed between the bottom plate (5) and the top plate (7), and the fourth layer is formed by the foil (8).

10. The cylinder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The storage space has a volume of at least 20L.

11. A method for storing and / or transporting a battery, wherein, The battery is placed in the storage space of the cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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