Lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device with automatic setting and discharging functions

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of tunnel kilns, in particular to an automatic setting and discharging lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device which comprises a kiln body. A kiln car is slidably connected to the kiln body. The placing plate is connected to the kiln car. According to the device, the exhaust frame is inserted into the butt joint frame, the second exhaust groove communicates with the first exhaust groove, after the roasting stage is started, the external exhaust equipment is started, the first exhaust groove is sucked through the exhaust pipe, then high-temperature airflow in the kiln body can flow to saggers on all layers through the square grooves communicating with one another, and the saggers on all the layers are separated from one another. High-temperature airflow is in full contact with all the saggers, circulating heat exchange and atmosphere circulation of the airflow in the sagger stacking body are achieved, and the problems that due to insufficient heat exchange and unsmooth atmosphere circulation of powder in the middle of the sagger stacking body, roasting is insufficient, the lithium ore conversion rate is low, and the sintering time is short are solved. Therefore, the energy consumption cost of subsequent procedures is increased, the performance of positive and negative electrode materials of the battery is degraded, and the roasting effect of the sagger is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tunnel kilns, and more particularly to a continuous roasting apparatus for lithium ore tunnel kilns that automates the stacking and unloading of raw materials. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium ore is a core raw material for cathode materials (such as lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium) and anode materials (such as lithium alloy-based anodes) in battery production. The quality of its pretreatment directly determines the electrochemical performance and lifespan of the battery materials. Among these processes, the roasting process is a key step in breaking down the crystal structure of lithium ore and improving the activity and leaching efficiency of lithium elements. Tunnel kilns, with their advantages of continuous operation, large-scale production capacity, and stable temperature field, have become the mainstream equipment for roasting lithium ore powder.

[0003] In existing technologies, to improve production efficiency and roasting effect, lithium ore powder is typically loaded into saggers for regular support, then stacked on kiln cars, and finally transported to a tunnel kiln for roasting. However, the high-temperature flames and flue gas in the tunnel kiln mainly act on the outer saggers of the stack, allowing the outer powder to rapidly heat up and complete the lattice transformation reaction through radiant and convective heat. Meanwhile, the saggers in the middle of the stack are encased by the outer structure, and the powder can only exchange heat through interlayer heat conduction, resulting in extremely low heat transfer efficiency. This leads to a significant temperature difference between the middle and outer powders during roasting. Furthermore, the tightly stacked saggers lack effective flow channels, making it difficult for the oxidizing or reducing atmosphere required for roasting to penetrate into the middle region. The waste gas generated by the reaction cannot be discharged in time, causing problems such as under-burning and incomplete reaction of the powder in the middle. This results in a low lithium ore roasting conversion rate, which not only increases the energy consumption cost of subsequent lithium extraction and material synthesis processes but also leads to capacity decay and reduced cycle stability of the battery's positive and negative electrode materials due to uneven powder reaction. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing lithium ore powder tunnel kiln roasting process, which is that the powder in the middle of the sagger stack is not roasted due to insufficient heat exchange and poor atmosphere flow, resulting in low lithium ore conversion rate, which in turn increases the energy consumption cost of subsequent processes and degrades the performance of positive and negative electrode materials of batteries, this invention provides an automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for billet stacking and unloading.

[0005] Technical Solution: A continuous roasting device for lithium ore tunnel kiln with automated billet stacking and discharge, comprising a kiln body; a kiln car slidably connected to the kiln body; a placement plate connected to the kiln car; an exhaust frame fixedly connected to the middle of the placement plate; several air inlet slots opened on the exhaust frame; a second exhaust slot opened in the middle of the exhaust frame; each air inlet slot communicating with the second exhaust slot; several saggers stacked on the placement plate; each sagger having several vertically symmetrical square slots; the saggers stacked around the outer surface of the exhaust frame, so that each square slot is interconnected and leads to the corresponding air inlet slot; a pressing component for compressing lithium ore powder connected to the saggers; an automatic loading and unloading component for automatically loading and unloading the saggers installed on the kiln body; and an exhaust component for discharging gas from the kiln body connected inside the kiln.

[0006] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the clamping assembly includes a first pressure plate connected to the lower side of the sagger; a plurality of placement slots are provided on the placement plate; the saggers at the bottom layer are all inserted into the corresponding placement slots; a cover plate is placed on the upper side of the saggers at the top layer; a second pressure plate is fixedly connected to the lower side of the cover plate; the second pressure plate is the same size as the first pressure plate.

[0007] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the automatic loading and unloading assembly includes a robotic arm, a support frame, and an electric guide rail; a support frame is installed at both the inlet and outlet of the kiln body; a set of electric guide rails is fixedly connected to each support frame, and a robotic arm for clamping and transferring the sagger is slidably connected to each set of electric guide rails.

[0008] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the exhaust assembly includes several electric push rods fixedly connected to the kiln body; a first exhaust groove is opened in the kiln body; a docking frame is slidably connected to the air inlet of the first exhaust groove; the output end of each electric push rod passes through the kiln body and is fixedly connected to the docking frame; the docking frame and the exhaust frame are fitted with a clearance.

[0009] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the height of the docking frame is greater than the height of the first venting groove.

[0010] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the kiln car has a slot; the placement plate is inserted into the slot to complete the assembly.

[0011] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the device also includes a filter screen fixedly attached to the second exhaust groove; a collection box is detachably connected to the lower side of the placement plate, and the collection box is located directly below the filter screen.

[0012] In addition, it is particularly preferred that the device also includes several lifting rings connected to the cover plate.

[0013] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the sagger also includes a sliding plate connected inside the sagger; each sagger has a through hole on its underside.

[0014] Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the first pressure plate is detachably connected to the sagger.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: by inserting the exhaust frame into the docking frame to connect the second exhaust groove with the first exhaust groove, after entering the roasting stage, the external exhaust device is started, and the first exhaust groove is sucked through the exhaust pipe. Then the high-temperature airflow in the kiln will flow to the saggers of each layer through the interconnected square grooves, so that the high-temperature airflow can fully contact each sagger, realize the circulation heat exchange and atmosphere flow of the airflow in the sagger stack, solve the problem that the powder in the middle of the sagger stack is not roasted due to insufficient heat exchange and poor atmosphere flow, resulting in low lithium ore conversion rate, which in turn increases the energy consumption cost of subsequent processes and degrades the performance of the positive and negative electrode materials of the battery, and greatly improves the roasting effect of the sagger. During the stacking of saggers, the saggers placed on the kiln car are pressed and limited by the first pressure plate, the cover plate, the second pressure plate and the placement groove to prevent the saggers from shaking and collapsing during the movement of the kiln car. The cover plate squeezes the lower sagger, the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate, thereby pressing the first pressure plate and the second pressure plate tightly inside the sagger, compacting the lithium ore powder inside the sagger, and preventing the lithium ore powder from loosening and affecting the subsequent roasting effect. The lithium ore powder is covered and protected by the first pressure plate to prevent the flue gas carried in the hot air from contaminating the lithium ore powder as it flows into the second exhaust trough through the square channel, thus affecting the roasting effect of the lithium ore powder. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for stacking and discharging of lithium ore according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the automatic loading and unloading component of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the stacking state of the saggers according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the kiln car, placement plate and exhaust frame combination of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the combination of the placement plate, exhaust frame, filter screen and collection box of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the combined sagger, sliding plate, and first pressure plate of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the sagger, sliding plate, and first pressure plate of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the cover plate and the second pressure plate of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the electric push rod, docking frame, and exhaust frame assembly of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 1-Kiln body, 1001-First exhaust trough, 2-Kiln car, 2001-Card slot, 3-Robot arm, 101-Placement plate, 10101-Placement slot, 102-Exhaust frame, 10201-Inlet slot, 10202-Second exhaust trough, 103-Filter screen, 104-Collection box, 105-Sagger, 10501-Square slot, 10502-Through hole, 106-Sliding plate, 107-First pressure plate, 108-Cover plate, 10801-Lifting ring, 109-Second pressure plate, 201-Electric push rod, 202-Dating frame, 203-Exhaust pipe, 301-Bracket, 302-Electric guide rail. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the invention.

[0019] Example 1: An automated continuous roasting device for lithium ore tunnel kiln, such as... Figures 1-9 As shown, it includes a kiln body 1 and a kiln car 2; the kiln car 2 is slidably connected to the kiln body 1. It also includes a placement plate 101, an exhaust frame 102, saggers 105, a clamping assembly, an automatic loading and unloading assembly, and an exhaust assembly; the placement plate 101 is connected to the kiln car 2; the exhaust frame 102 is welded to the middle of the placement plate 101; the exhaust frame 102 has several air inlet slots 10201; the exhaust frame 102 has a second exhaust slot 10202 in the middle; each air inlet slot 10201 is connected to the second exhaust slot 10202; several saggers 105 are stacked on the placement plate 101; each sagger 105 has eight vertically symmetrical square slots 10501; the saggers 105 are stacked around the outer surface of the exhaust frame 102, so that each square slot 10501 is interconnected and leads to the corresponding air inlet slot 10201; the clamping assembly is connected to the sagger 105; the automatic loading and unloading assembly is installed on the kiln body 1; the exhaust assembly is connected inside the kiln body 1.

[0020] The clamping assembly includes a first pressure plate 107, a cover plate 108, and a second pressure plate 109; the first pressure plate 107 is connected to the lower side of each sagger 105; a plurality of placement slots 10101 are provided on the placement plate 101; the saggers 105 at the bottom layer are all inserted into the corresponding placement slots 10101; the cover plate 108 is placed on the upper side of the sagger 105 at the top layer; the second pressure plate 109 is fixed to the lower side of the cover plate 108; the second pressure plate 109 is the same size as the first pressure plate 107.

[0021] The automatic loading and unloading assembly includes a robotic arm 3, a support 301, and an electric guide rail 302; a support 301 is installed at both the inlet and outlet of the kiln body 1; a set of electric guide rails 302 is fixedly connected to each support 301, and a robotic arm 3 is slidably connected to each set of electric guide rails 302; the robotic arm 3 is used to clamp and transfer the sagger 105.

[0022] The exhaust assembly includes an electric push rod 201, a docking frame 202, and an exhaust pipe 203; four electric push rods 201 are fixedly connected to the upper side of the kiln body 1; a first exhaust groove 1001 is opened inside the kiln body 1; a docking frame 202 is slidably connected to the air inlet of the first exhaust groove 1001; the output end of each electric push rod 201 passes through the kiln body 1 and is fixedly connected to the docking frame 202; the docking frame 202 and the exhaust frame 102 are fitted with a clearance.

[0023] First, the worker connects the external exhaust device to the exhaust pipe 203. Then, the robot arm 3 is driven to slide via the electric guide rail 302 on the bracket 301 at the feed inlet of the kiln body 1. The robot arm 3 clamps the saggers 105 containing lithium ore powder and stacks the saggers 105 around the exhaust frame 102 onto the placement plate 101, completing the automatic feeding. After the saggers 105 are stacked, the square slots 10501 on each sagger 105 will be interconnected and dock with the corresponding air inlet slots 10201 on the exhaust frame 102. Next, the kiln car 2, placement plate 101, exhaust frame 102, and loaded sagger 105 are sent into the kiln body 1 for firing via an external conveying device. After the kiln car 2 enters the kiln body 1, the exhaust frame 102 is located directly below the docking frame 202. Then, the electric push rod 201 is activated to move the docking frame 202 downward, inserting the exhaust frame 102 into the docking frame 202, so that the second exhaust groove 10202 is connected to the first exhaust groove 1001. After entering the firing stage, the external exhaust device is activated, and the exhaust is discharged through the exhaust pipe 2. 03. The first exhaust trough 1001 is evacuated, and then the high-temperature airflow in the kiln body 1 flows to the saggers 105 of each layer through the interconnected square grooves 10501, so that the high-temperature airflow can fully contact each sagger 105, realizing the circulation and heat exchange and atmosphere flow of the airflow inside the stack of saggers 105. This solves the problem of insufficient heat exchange and poor atmosphere flow in the middle of the stack of saggers 105, which leads to insufficient roasting of powder, resulting in low lithium ore conversion rate, which in turn increases the energy consumption cost of subsequent processes and degrades the performance of positive and negative electrode materials of the battery. The problem of the sagger 105 was greatly improved. The waste generated during the firing process will enter the second exhaust trough 10202 through the air inlet trough 10201, and then enter the first exhaust trough 1001. Finally, it will be discharged to the external exhaust equipment through the exhaust pipe 203. After the firing is completed, the kiln car 2 moves the placement plate 101 to the discharge port of the kiln body 1. The electric guide rail 302 on the bracket 301 at the discharge port drives the robot arm 3 to slide. The robot arm 3 clamps and transfers the sagger 105 to complete the automatic discharge.

[0024] Furthermore, during the stacking of the saggers 105, the bottommost sagger 105 is inserted into the corresponding placement slot 10101 on the placement plate 101, thereby limiting the bottommost sagger 105. When the top sagger 105 is placed on the bottom sagger 105, the first pressure plate 107 on the top sagger 105 is inserted into the bottom sagger 105. After the saggers 105 are stacked, the cover plate 108 is placed on the topmost sagger 105, and the second pressure plate 109 fixed to the bottom of the cover plate 108 is inserted into the topmost sagger 105, thereby connecting and limiting the vertically stacked saggers 105. At the same time, the placement plate 101 and the cover plate 108 can also hold the vertically stacked saggers 105 together. 5. A horizontal limit is applied to the sagger 105 placed on the kiln car 2, thereby pressing and limiting it to prevent the sagger 105 from shaking and collapsing during the movement of the kiln car 2. At the same time, the cover plate 108 will squeeze the sagger 105, the first pressure plate 107 and the second pressure plate 109 on the lower side, thereby pressing the first pressure plate 107 and the second pressure plate 109 tightly inside the sagger 105, compacting the lithium ore powder inside the sagger 105, and preventing the lithium ore powder from loosening and affecting the subsequent roasting effect. The first pressure plate 107 can also cover and protect the lithium ore powder, preventing the flue gas carried in the hot air from contaminating the lithium ore powder during the process of flowing into the second exhaust trough 10202 through the square trough 10501, which would affect the roasting effect of the lithium ore powder.

[0025] In some optional implementations of this embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the height of the docking frame 202 is greater than the height of the first exhaust groove 1001.

[0026] In this embodiment, when the kiln car 2 and the sagger 105 are not in the kiln body 1 for firing, the electric push rod 201 is in the retracted state. At this time, the docking frame 202 is retracted into the first exhaust groove 1001. Since the height of the docking frame 202 is greater than the height of the first exhaust groove 1001, the retracted docking frame 202 will completely block the air inlet of the first exhaust groove 1001, thereby sealing the first exhaust groove 1001 during the non-firing stage, preventing the hot air in the kiln body 1 from leaking out through the first exhaust groove 1001, and reducing energy consumption costs.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the kiln car 2 has a slot 2001; the placement plate 101 is inserted into the slot 2001 to complete the assembly.

[0028] In this embodiment, the placement plate 101 is detachably connected to the kiln car 2. When other items need to be roasted, the placement plate 101 can be removed from the slot 2001 of the kiln car 2 and the supporting structure adapted to other items can be replaced, which effectively improves the adaptability of the kiln car 2 to different roasting materials.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 As shown, it also includes a filter screen 103 and a collection box 104; the filter screen 103 is fixedly connected to the upper side of the second exhaust groove 10202; the collection box 104 is detachably connected to the lower side of the placement plate 101, and the collection box 104 is located directly below the filter screen 103.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the roasting exhaust gas enters the first exhaust trough 1001 from the second exhaust trough 10202, the particulate impurities in the exhaust gas are filtered and intercepted by the filter screen 103. Some of the intercepted impurities will adhere to the filter screen 103, and some will fall down into the collection box 104. Therefore, workers only need to clean the placement plate 101, exhaust frame 102, filter screen 103 and collection box 104 regularly to prevent particulate impurities from entering and adhering to the first exhaust trough 1001, preventing long-term accumulation of particulate impurities and blockage of the first exhaust trough 1001, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the kiln body 1 and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, it also includes a hoisting ring 10801; two hoisting rings 10801 are fixedly connected to the cover plate 108.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the cover plate 108 is placed on the stack of crucibles 105, the worker can use an external hoisting device to hang the hook of the hoisting device on the hoisting ring 10801, and then hoist the cover plate 108, thereby realizing the convenient installation and disassembly of the cover plate 108.

[0033] Example 2: Based on Example 1, such as Figure 6 As shown, it also includes a sliding plate 106; each sagger 105 has a sliding plate 106 placed inside it; each sagger 105 has a through hole 10502 on its lower side.

[0034] In this embodiment, to address the problem of inconvenience in removing lithium ore powder from the crucible 105 after roasting, the following operation method is adopted: When filling lithium ore powder, first place the sliding plate 106 into the crucible 105, then fill the crucible 105 with lithium ore powder and spread it on the upper side of the sliding plate 106; when removing the lithium ore powder after roasting, the worker only needs to insert a material removal tool such as an iron rod into the through hole 10502 on the lower side of the crucible 105 and press the bottom of the sliding plate 106 upwards, which will push the sliding plate 106 together with the roasted lithium ore powder on it to slide out of the crucible 105, thus achieving convenient material removal.

[0035] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure plate 107 is detachably connected to the sagger 105.

[0036] In this embodiment, when taking out the roasted lithium ore powder, the worker can first remove the first pressure plate 107 to avoid the first pressure plate 107 affecting the worker's material taking operation.

[0037] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes made to the content described in the claims of the present invention should be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated continuous roasting device for lithium ore tunnel kiln with stacking and unloading, comprising a kiln body (1); a kiln car (2) slidably connected to the kiln body (1); characterized in that, It also includes a placement plate (101) connected to the kiln car (2); an exhaust frame (102) is fixedly connected to the middle of the placement plate (101); several air inlet slots (10201) are opened on the exhaust frame (102); a second exhaust slot (10202) is opened in the middle of the exhaust frame (102); each air inlet slot (10201) is connected to the second exhaust slot (10202); several saggars (105) are stacked on the placement plate (101); each saggar (105) has a [missing information - likely a design element]. There are several symmetrical square slots (10501); the saggers (105) are stacked around the outer surface of the exhaust frame (102) so that each square slot (10501) is connected to the other and leads to the corresponding air inlet slot (10201); the saggers (105) are connected to a pressing component for pressing lithium ore powder; the kiln body (1) is equipped with an automatic loading and unloading component for automatically loading and unloading the saggers (105); the kiln body (1) is connected to an exhaust component for discharging gas from the kiln.

2. The automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for stacking and discharging of raw materials according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping assembly includes a first pressure plate (107) connected to the lower side of the sagger (105); a plurality of placement slots (10101) are provided on the placement plate (101); the saggers (105) at the bottom layer are all inserted into the corresponding placement slots (10101); a cover plate (108) is placed on the upper side of the sagger (105) at the top layer; a second pressure plate (109) is fixed to the lower side of the cover plate (108); the second pressure plate (109) is the same size as the first pressure plate (107).

3. The automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for stacking and discharging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic loading and unloading assembly includes a robotic arm (3), a bracket (301), and an electric guide rail (302); a bracket (301) is installed at the inlet and outlet of the kiln body (1); a set of electric guide rails (302) is fixedly connected to each bracket (301), and a robotic arm (3) for clamping and transferring the sagger (105) is slidably connected to each set of electric guide rails (302).

4. The automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for stacking and discharging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust assembly includes several electric push rods (201) fixed to the kiln body (1); a first exhaust groove (1001) is provided inside the kiln body (1); a docking frame (202) is slidably connected to the air inlet of the first exhaust groove (1001); the output end of each electric push rod (201) passes through the kiln body (1) and is fixed to the docking frame (202); the docking frame (202) and the exhaust frame (102) are fitted with a clearance.

5. A continuous roasting apparatus for an automated lithium ore tunnel kiln with stacking and unloading system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The height of the docking frame (202) is greater than the height of the first exhaust groove (1001).

6. The automated lithium ore tunnel kiln continuous roasting device for stacking and discharging of raw materials according to claim 2, characterized in that, A slot (2001) is provided on the kiln car (2); the placement plate (101) is inserted into the slot (2001) to complete the assembly.

7. A continuous roasting apparatus for lithium ore tunnel kiln with automated billet stacking and discharge according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, It also includes a filter screen (103) fixed in the second exhaust channel (10202); a collection box (104) is detachably connected to the lower side of the placement plate (101), and the collection box (104) is located directly below the filter screen (103).

8. A continuous roasting apparatus for lithium ore tunnel kiln with automated billet stacking and discharge according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes several lifting rings (10801) connected to the cover plate (108).

9. A continuous roasting apparatus for lithium ore tunnel kiln with automated billet stacking and discharge according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a sliding plate (106) connected inside the sagger (105); each sagger (105) has a through hole (10502) on its lower side.

10. A continuous roasting apparatus for an automated lithium ore tunnel kiln with stacking and unloading system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first pressure plate (107) is detachably connected to the sagger (105).

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