Carbon-coated sintering control device and method, positive electrode material, single battery

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of batteries, and provides a carbon-coated sintering control device and method, a positive electrode material, and a single battery. The device comprises: a gas volume concentration detection apparatus for collecting the carbon-containing gas volume concentration and the protective gas volume concentration in the sintering furnace hearth; and a controller for adjusting the atmosphere in the sintering furnace according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, so as to form a carbon coating on the positive electrode material precursor in the sintering furnace, thereby obtaining the sintered positive electrode material. The real-time residual carbon content is determined according to the carbon-containing gas volume concentration and the protective gas volume concentration. The present disclosure can accurately and real-timely control the carbon coating layer in the ideal range during the carbon-coated sintering process by real-time monitoring of the carbon-containing gas volume concentration and the protective gas volume concentration in the sintering furnace hearth, and inversely calculating the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, and by using the closed-loop feedback mechanism of the real-time residual carbon content to dynamically adjust the atmosphere in the sintering furnace, thereby effectively solving the problems of carbon-poor and carbon-rich of the carbon coating layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a carbon coating sintering control device and method, a cathode material, and a single cell. Background Technology

[0002] In the carbon coating sintering process of cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate and ternary cathodes, an open-loop carbon content control strategy is usually adopted, which involves collecting and monitoring the exhaust gas from the sintering furnace, and adjusting the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace based on the carbon content detected in the exhaust gas.

[0003] However, exhaust gas monitoring cannot provide real-time feedback on the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace. By the time the furnace atmosphere adjustment is performed after exhaust gas monitoring is completed, the carbon content inside the sintering furnace has already changed. The furnace atmosphere adjustment operation cannot be synchronized with the real-time carbon content inside the sintering furnace, leading to large fluctuations or even loss of control in the carbon content. This makes it difficult to precisely control the carbon coating layer within the ideal range, easily resulting in "carbon-deficient" or "carbon-rich" carbon coating layers. If the carbon coating layer is "carbon-deficient," the battery's conductivity deteriorates; if the carbon coating layer is "carbon-rich," the battery's capacity decreases, leading to microscopic defects in the battery and significant differences in electrochemical performance between batches of battery materials. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure aims to solve the technical problems existing in related technologies. To this end, one aspect of this disclosure proposes a carbon coating sintering control device, which, by real-time monitoring of the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace, calculates the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, and uses a closed-loop feedback mechanism to dynamically adjust the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace based on the real-time residual carbon content. This allows for precise real-time control of the carbon coating layer within an ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon deficiency and carbon enrichment in the carbon coating layer.

[0005] Another aspect of this disclosure proposes a method for controlling carbon coating sintering.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure is the proposal of a cathode material.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure proposes a single-cell battery.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure also proposes a battery pack.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure also proposes an electric vehicle.

[0010] A carbon coating sintering control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a gas volume concentration detection device and a controller, wherein the gas volume concentration detection device and the controller are communicatively connected. The gas volume concentration detection device is used to collect the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace. The controller is used to adjust the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, so as to form a carbon coating on the cathode material precursor inside the sintering furnace to obtain the sintered cathode material; the real-time residual carbon content is determined according to the volume concentration of the carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of the protective gas.

[0011] The above-mentioned technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: By utilizing gas volume concentration detection equipment, the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and protective gas in the furnace of the sintering furnace during the carbon coating sintering process of the cathode material precursor is monitored in real time. Using the volume concentrations of carbon-containing gas and protective gas, the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source is calculated in reverse. Based on the real-time residual carbon content, a closed-loop feedback mechanism for dynamically adjusting the furnace atmosphere ensures that the furnace atmosphere adjustment operation is synchronized with the real-time residual carbon content, avoiding large fluctuations or loss of control in the carbon content. This allows for precise real-time control of the carbon coating layer within the ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon-deficient and carbon-rich carbon coating layers, improving the uniformity of the carbon coating layer, avoiding poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improving the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering material.

[0012] Additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure and are not considered as a limitation of this disclosure. Moreover, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the carbon coating sintering control device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of the carbon coating sintering control method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery pack provided in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electric vehicle provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, the first object can be one or more.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined.

[0021] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, "and / or" is merely a way of describing the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, B1 and / or B2 can represent three cases: B1 existing alone, B1 and B2 existing simultaneously, and B2 existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0022] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 4 The present disclosure describes a carbon coating sintering control device and method, a cathode material, and a single cell.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the carbon coating sintering control device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. The carbon coating sintering control device 100 includes a gas volume concentration detection device 110 and a controller 120, and the gas volume concentration detection device 110 and the controller 120 are connected in communication.

[0024] The gas volume concentration detection device 110 is used to collect the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the furnace of the sintering furnace.

[0025] The controller 120 is used to adjust the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, so as to form carbon coating on the cathode material precursor inside the sintering furnace and obtain the sintered cathode material.

[0026] The real-time residual carbon content is determined based on the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas.

[0027] The volume concentration of carbon-containing gas, also known as the volume percentage of carbon-containing gas or the volume fraction of carbon-containing gas, is the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas inside the furnace of a sintering furnace.

[0028] The carbon-containing gases inside the sintering furnace mainly include carbon oxides such as carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, the volume concentration of carbon-containing gases mainly includes the volume concentration of carbon monoxide. and carbon dioxide volume concentration The volume concentration of carbon oxides.

[0029] The volume concentration of protective gas, also known as the volume percentage or volume fraction of protective gas, is the volume concentration of protective gas inside the furnace of a sintering furnace.

[0030] The protective gas inside the sintering furnace is mainly nitrogen (N2), which can be sourced from air or a protective gas of a specific concentration. Therefore, the volume concentration of the protective gas mainly includes the volume concentration of nitrogen. In addition, the protective gas inside the sintering furnace can also be argon (Ar), etc., which will not be elaborated further.

[0031] It is understandable that the carbon-containing gases in the sintering furnace include not only carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, but also protective gases in addition to nitrogen, which will not be elaborated here.

[0032] Optionally, in order to collect the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace in real time, the gas volume concentration detection device 110 is installed in the high-temperature zone of the furnace inside the sintering furnace, in the non-tail gas end.

[0033] The gas volume concentration detection device 110 can be any of the following gas detection devices, including but not limited to infrared carbon content analysis probes, laser gas analyzers, and gas mass spectrometers.

[0034] A sintering furnace is a device used for carbon coating and sintering of the positive electrode material of a battery.

[0035] Optionally, the sintering furnace is equipped with a high-precision gas flow meter, a gas flow control system, and an exhaust control system.

[0036] The cathode material precursor can be any of the raw material precursors such as lithium iron phosphate precursor and ternary precursor.

[0037] The carbon source is a carbon-containing compound that is fed into the sintering furnace along with the cathode material precursor for carbon coating sintering of the battery cathode material.

[0038] The carbon source can be any of the carbon-containing compounds such as glucose, sucrose, and PEG.

[0039] Real-time residual carbon content, also known as real-time furnace carbon content, is the carbon content remaining in the furnace after the initial carbon source is fed into the sintering furnace and carbon coating sintering has been carried out for a certain period of time.

[0040] Specifically, the cathode material precursor and the carbon source are fed into the sintering furnace together. The heating system of the sintering furnace is started to raise the furnace temperature. The carbon coating sintering control device 100 starts to work, monitors the carbon content of the gas and carbon source in the furnace, and adjusts the furnace atmosphere in a closed loop according to the monitoring results.

[0041] Specifically, a gas volume concentration detection device 110 installed inside the sintering furnace collects real-time data on the volume concentrations of carbon-containing gases (such as CO and CO2) and protective gases (N2) inside the furnace via an internal probe. The gas volume concentration detection device 110 outputs the collected carbon-containing gas and protective gas volume concentrations to a controller 120, which is communicatively connected to the device. The controller 120 then uses a pre-determined real-time residual carbon content calculation method to determine the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source based on the carbon-containing gas and protective gas volume concentrations. This allows us to obtain the true carbon content status inside the furnace as a feedback signal, enabling real-time carbon content monitoring and data acquisition feedback.

[0042] Controller 120 further adjusts the real-time remaining carbon content of the carbon source. The system generates an in-furnace atmosphere adjustment command and outputs it to the gas flow control system and exhaust control system of the sintering furnace. This controls the changes in the protective gas injection flow rate, dilution gas injection flow rate, and exhaust valve opening of the sintering furnace, thereby achieving closed-loop adjustment of the in-furnace atmosphere. This allows for carbon coating of the cathode material precursor in the sintering furnace, resulting in the sintered cathode material.

[0043] Optionally, adjusting the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace includes anti-decarburization operations and anti-carbon enrichment operations; the anti-decarburization operation is used to suppress carbon deficiency in the carbon coating layer caused by improper atmosphere inside the furnace, thereby increasing the real-time residual carbon content. The carbon enrichment prevention operation is used to suppress carbon enrichment in the carbon coating layer caused by improper atmosphere in the furnace, thereby reducing the real-time residual carbon content. .

[0044] As an optional embodiment, adjusting the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace includes: Adjust the protective gas injection flow rate; And / or, adjust the dilution gas injection flow rate; And / or, adjust the opening of the exhaust valve.

[0045] Adjusting the protective gas injection flow rate includes increasing or decreasing the protective gas injection flow rate; adjusting the dilution gas injection flow rate includes increasing or decreasing the dilution gas injection flow rate; adjusting the exhaust valve opening includes increasing or decreasing the exhaust valve opening.

[0046] It is understandable that adjusting the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace includes at least one of three operations: adjusting the protective gas injection flow rate, adjusting the dilution gas injection flow rate, and adjusting the exhaust valve opening; preventing decarburization includes at least one of three operations: adjusting the protective gas injection flow rate, adjusting the dilution gas injection flow rate, and adjusting the exhaust valve opening; preventing carbon enrichment includes at least one of three operations: adjusting the protective gas injection flow rate, adjusting the dilution gas injection flow rate, and adjusting the exhaust valve opening.

[0047] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment uses a gas volume concentration detection device to monitor the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and protective gas in the furnace chamber during the carbon coating sintering process of the cathode material precursor. It then uses these concentrations to calculate the real-time remaining carbon content of the carbon source. Based on this real-time remaining carbon content, a closed-loop feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts the furnace atmosphere, ensuring that the furnace atmosphere adjustment is synchronized with the real-time remaining carbon content. This prevents large fluctuations or loss of control in the carbon content, thereby precisely controlling the carbon coating layer within an ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process. This effectively solves the problems of carbon-deficient or carbon-rich carbon coating layers, improves the uniformity of the carbon coating layer, avoids poor conductivity or low capacity in the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and enhances the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering process.

[0048] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the real-time residual carbon content is determined as follows: Calculate the total flow rate of the furnace gas based on the input volumetric flow rate and the volumetric concentration of the protective gas; Calculate the carbon-containing gas flow rate based on the total furnace gas flow rate and the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas. The decarbonization rate of the carbon source is calculated based on the carbon-containing gas flow rate, real-time density of the carbon-containing gas, and molar mass of the carbon-containing gas; the real-time density of the carbon-containing gas is determined based on the carbon-containing gas volume concentration, real-time temperature inside the furnace, and standard density of the carbon-containing gas. The amount of carbon removed is determined by integrating the decarbonization efficiency coefficient and the decarbonization rate. The real-time residual carbon content is determined based on the difference between the initial carbon content in the furnace charge and the amount of carbon removed.

[0049] The input volume flow rate of the protective gas is the flow rate of the protective gas input into the furnace chamber of the sintering furnace.

[0050] The total flow rate of furnace gas is the total flow rate of all gases (including protective gas, dilution gas, carbon-containing gas, etc.) in the sintering furnace.

[0051] The carbon-containing gas flow rate is the flow rate of carbon-containing gas inside the sintering furnace.

[0052] The real-time density of carbon-containing gas is the real-time density of carbon-containing gas in the sintering furnace during the carbon coating sintering process.

[0053] The standard density of carbon-containing gas is the density of carbon-containing gas under standard conditions.

[0054] The decarburization rate is used to represent the mass of carbon discharged from the carbon source per unit time; the integral of the decarburization rate represents the mass of carbon elements flowing out of the carbon source during the sintering process.

[0055] The decarburization efficiency coefficient is determined based on the type of sintering furnace.

[0056] Specifically, in the steps of implementing carbon content monitoring and data collection and feedback, the core is to back-calculate the real-time residual carbon content in the furnace based on the measured volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas, combined with the gas state equation and the principle of chemical equilibrium.

[0057] Considering that the protective gas (such as nitrogen) does not participate in the reaction and its flow rate is controllable, the protective gas is used as a reference. The input volume flow rate of the protective gas is known. After determining the input volume flow rate of the protective gas, the total flow rate of the furnace gas is calculated based on the input volume flow rate and the volume concentration of the protective gas.

[0058] The carbon-containing gas flow rate is obtained by multiplying the total furnace gas flow rate and the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas.

[0059] When determining the decarburization rate of the carbon source, it is necessary to first calculate the real-time density of the carbon-containing gas. During the carbon coating sintering process, the pressure inside the sintering furnace is close to atmospheric pressure, and the influence of pressure fluctuations can be ignored. That is, the real-time density of the carbon-containing gas of each component can be calculated according to the ideal gas law.

[0060] Furthermore, based on the carbon-containing gas flow rate, real-time density of the carbon-containing gas, and molar mass of the carbon-containing gas, the decarbonization rate of each component is calculated, and the sum of the decarbonization rates of each component is taken as the decarbonization rate of the carbon source.

[0061] For example, when the carbon-containing gas includes carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the decarbonization rate of carbon monoxide is calculated based on the carbon monoxide flow rate, the real-time density of carbon monoxide, and the molar mass of carbon monoxide; the decarbonization rate of carbon dioxide is calculated based on the carbon dioxide flow rate, the real-time density of carbon dioxide, and the molar mass of carbon dioxide. The sum of the decarbonization rates of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is determined as the decarbonization rate of the carbon source.

[0062] Finally, a real-time residual carbon content model was established. The amount of carbon removed was determined by the integral of the decarbonization rate and the decarbonization efficiency coefficient. The real-time residual carbon content was determined based on the difference between the initial carbon content of the carbon source and the amount of carbon removed.

[0063] Optionally, considering that the carbon coating sintering production line has a certain burn-off rate (such as about 20%), a correction term is introduced to compensate for material loss. First, the difference between the initial carbon content and the amount of decarburization is determined, and then the sum of the difference and the correction term is determined as the real-time remaining carbon content.

[0064] In one embodiment, the formula for calculating the total flow rate of the furnace gas is as follows: (1) in, This refers to the total flow rate of the furnace gas. To protect the input volumetric flow rate of the gas; To protect the gas volume concentration.

[0065] For example, when the protective gas is nitrogen, the total furnace gas flow rate ,in, This represents the input volumetric flow rate of nitrogen. This represents the nitrogen volume concentration.

[0066] In one embodiment, the formula for calculating the carbon-containing gas flow rate is as follows: (2) in, The flow rate of carbon-containing gas; This refers to the total flow rate of the furnace gas. This represents the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas.

[0067] For example, when the carbon-containing gas includes carbon monoxide, the carbon monoxide flow rate ,in, This refers to the total flow rate of the furnace gas. This represents the volume concentration of carbon monoxide.

[0068] For example, when the carbon-containing gas includes carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide flow rate... ,in, This refers to the total flow rate of the furnace gas. This represents the volume concentration of carbon dioxide.

[0069] In one embodiment, the formula for calculating the real-time density of the carbon-containing gas is as follows: (3) in, Real-time density of carbon-containing gas; The standard density of carbon-containing gases; This represents the real-time temperature inside the furnace.

[0070] For example, when the carbon-containing gas includes carbon monoxide, the real-time density of carbon monoxide. ,in, The standard density of carbon monoxide , This represents the real-time temperature inside the furnace.

[0071] For example, when carbon-containing gases include carbon dioxide, the real-time density of carbon dioxide... ,in, The standard density of carbon dioxide, , This represents the real-time temperature inside the furnace.

[0072] In one embodiment, the formula for calculating the decarbonization rate of the carbon source is as follows: (4) (5) (6) in, The decarbonization rate of the carbon source; The decarbonization rate of carbon monoxide; The rate of carbon dioxide decarbonization; This represents the carbon monoxide flow rate. This represents the real-time density of carbon monoxide. This represents the molar mass of carbon monoxide. This refers to the carbon dioxide flow rate; This represents the real-time density of carbon dioxide. is the molar mass of carbon dioxide.

[0073] In one embodiment, the formula for calculating the real-time residual carbon content is as follows: (7) in, This represents the real-time remaining carbon content of the carbon source. The initial carbon content of the carbon source in the furnace charge; The decarbonization efficiency coefficient; The decarbonization rate of the carbon source; This represents the elapsed carbon coating sintering time. This is a correction term used to compensate for dissolved carbon and measurement lag; This represents the amount of carbon removed.

[0074] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment combines the gas state equation and the principle of chemical equilibrium. First, it derives the total furnace gas flow rate based on the input volume flow rate of the protective gas that does not participate in the reaction and the real-time measured volume concentration. Then, it calculates the carbon-containing gas flow rate using the total furnace gas flow rate and the real-time measured volume concentration of the carbon-containing gas. Based on the carbon-containing gas flow rate, real-time density, and molar mass, it calculates the amount of carbon decarburization of the carbon source during the carbon coating sintering process. Based on the difference between the initial furnace carbon content and the amount of decarburization, it back-calculates the real-time remaining carbon content in the furnace, thus realizing a nanoscale carbon coating sintering process with accurate real-time feedback of carbon content.

[0075] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: The atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted based on the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content. The first target carbon content is determined based on the carbon equilibrium solubility at the current set temperature; the current set temperature is pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time of the cathode material precursor.

[0076] Specifically, during the carbon coating sintering process of the cathode material precursor, the furnace temperature needs to be adjusted according to a pre-set heating curve. The controller, based on the carbon coating sintering time already elapsed for the cathode material precursor, determines the set temperature for the current moment from the pre-set heating curve by selecting the temperature data pre-correlated with that carbon coating sintering time. This refers to the upper limit of the sintering temperature window for the material.

[0077] The controller further sets the current temperature. The carbon equilibrium solubility was determined as the primary target carbon content. This refers to the ideal atmosphere corresponding to the preset target carbon content value. The first target carbon content... Set the temperature for the current moment. The carbon balance solubility can prevent graphite precipitation due to excess carbon in the material or oxidation due to insufficient carbon.

[0078] The controller will use a rule-based real-time adjustment algorithm to compare the real-time residual carbon content with the first target carbon content. Based on the relationship between the real-time residual carbon content and the first target carbon content, it will generate an in-furnace atmosphere adjustment command to perform closed-loop adjustment of the in-furnace atmosphere of the sintering furnace.

[0079] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment determines the set temperature at the current moment based on the carbon coating sintering time of the cathode material precursor, and determines the carbon equilibrium solubility at the set temperature at the current moment as the first target carbon content. The first target carbon content is used as the furnace atmosphere adjustment benchmark. Based on the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content, the furnace atmosphere of the sintering furnace is adjusted. This can prevent graphite precipitation due to excessive carbon in the material or oxidation due to insufficient carbon. Thus, the carbon coating layer is accurately and in real-time controlled within the ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon-poor and carbon-rich carbon coating layers, avoiding poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improving the batch stability of carbon coating sintering.

[0080] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere according to the relationship between the real-time residual carbon content and the first target carbon content includes: If the real-time remaining carbon content is less than the first target carbon content, perform decarbonization prevention operation; If the real-time remaining carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content, execute the carbon enrichment prevention operation.

[0081] Specifically, during the process of the controller adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the relationship between the real-time residual carbon content and the first target carbon content, if the real-time residual carbon content is less than the first target carbon content... If the carbon content is too low, the controller generates an anti-decarburization operation command and outputs the command to the gas flow control system and exhaust control system of the sintering furnace. This command performs anti-decarburization operations such as injecting trace amounts of nitrogen or other inert gases into the sintering furnace, thereby changing the atmosphere balance, suppressing excessive decarburization, increasing the carbon content, and improving the conductivity of the battery cathode material.

[0082] If the real-time remaining carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content If the carbon content is too high, the controller generates an anti-carbon-rich operation command and outputs the command to the gas flow control system and exhaust control system of the sintering furnace. This command performs anti-carbon-rich operations such as adding protective gas to the sintering furnace for dilution or fine-tuning the exhaust system to reduce the partial pressure of the carbon source, prevent carbon-rich deposition, and ensure the capacity of the battery cathode material.

[0083] If the real-time remaining carbon content equals the first target carbon content If the carbon content meets the standard, the controller will not perform anti-decarbonization or anti-carbon enrichment operations, and will maintain the current power and airflow.

[0084] It should be noted that during the execution of decarbonization prevention and carbon enrichment prevention operations, the changes in protective gas injection flow rate, dilution gas injection flow rate, and exhaust valve opening can be determined by comprehensive calculation based on at least two of the following factors: furnace type, real-time furnace temperature, real-time residual carbon content, and first target carbon content. No restrictions are imposed on these factors.

[0085] For example, when the real-time remaining carbon content is less than the first target carbon content. In this case, the amount of nitrogen injected into the sintering furnace is calculated based on the difference between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content in order to perform decarburization prevention operation.

[0086] For example, when the real-time remaining carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content. In this case, based on the difference between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content, the change in dilution gas injected into the sintering furnace and / or the change in the opening of the exhaust valve are calculated to perform carbon enrichment prevention operation.

[0087] As an optional embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the relationship between the real-time residual carbon content and the first target carbon content includes: Real-time residual carbon content Less than the first target carbon content And real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content The difference between them is greater than the preset carbon content fluctuation threshold. In the case that, Perform decarbonization prevention operations; Real-time residual carbon content Greater than the first target carbon content And real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content The difference between them is greater than the preset carbon content fluctuation threshold. In the case that, Implement carbon enrichment prevention operations.

[0088] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment compares the real-time residual carbon content with the first target carbon content and performs dynamic feedback closed-loop regulation control. When the real-time residual carbon content is less than the first target carbon content, it performs anti-decarburization operation; when the real-time residual carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content, it performs anti-carbon enrichment operation. This allows the furnace atmosphere adjustment operation to be synchronized with the real-time residual carbon content, avoiding large fluctuations or loss of control in the carbon content. As a result, the carbon coating layer is precisely and in real-time controlled within the ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon-deficient and carbon-rich carbon coating layers. This also prevents the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface from having poor conductivity or low capacity, thus improving the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering material.

[0089] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: Adjust the furnace atmosphere and / or heating power of the sintering furnace based on the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature.

[0090] The real-time temperature inside the furnace is the temperature inside the sintering furnace that is monitored in real time.

[0091] Specifically, on the one hand, a gas volume concentration detection device installed inside the sintering furnace uses probes inside the furnace to collect real-time volume concentrations of both carbon-containing gas and protective gas. The controller then uses these concentrations to infer the real-time residual carbon content inside the furnace. On the other hand, a temperature data acquisition device (such as a thermocouple) installed inside the sintering furnace collects real-time temperature data and outputs it to the controller.

[0092] The controller generates furnace atmosphere adjustment commands or heating power adjustment commands, or both, based on the real-time residual carbon content and furnace temperature inside the sintering furnace. These commands are then output to the gas flow control system, exhaust control system, and power regulator of the sintering furnace. This controls changes in the protective gas injection flow rate, dilution gas injection flow rate, exhaust valve opening, heating power, etc., thereby achieving closed-loop adjustment of the furnace atmosphere and temperature.

[0093] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment uses a closed-loop feedback mechanism to dynamically adjust the furnace atmosphere and / or heating power of the sintering furnace based on the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature. This allows the furnace atmosphere adjustment operation and temperature adjustment operation to be synchronized with the real-time residual carbon content, avoiding large fluctuations or loss of control in the carbon content. As a result, the carbon coating layer is precisely and in real-time controlled within the ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon-deficient or carbon-rich carbon coating layers, avoiding poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improving the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering material.

[0094] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: During the first sintering period, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted according to the real-time remaining carbon content. During the second sintering period, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace and the heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted according to the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time temperature inside the furnace. Specifically, the heating rate of the first heating period in the first sintering stage is lower than the heating rate of the second heating period in the second sintering stage, the highest temperature of the first heating period is less than or equal to the lowest temperature of the second heating period, and the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency in the first sintering stage is less than the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency in the second sintering stage.

[0095] In the carbon coating sintering process of cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate and ternary cathodes, if a single heating rate is used, the carbon source, such as sugar, will pyrolyze too quickly, resulting in pores or agglomeration, and failing to form a continuous and dense nano-carbon film, resulting in uneven carbon coating of the material.

[0096] Therefore, this disclosure provides a nanoscale carbon coating sintering process based on two-stage heating and real-time carbon content feedback. By constructing a closed-loop system of "kinetic segmented control" and "carbon content monitoring", the process achieves controllable decomposition and uniform deposition of carbon source, and accurately controls carbon content within an ideal range.

[0097] In the two-stage heating sintering process for nanoscale carbon coating, a two-stage heating kinetic model is followed, which includes a first sintering period and a second sintering period.

[0098] The first sintering stage is the low-temperature preheating and carbon element film formation stage in the carbon coating sintering process. The first sintering stage can be understood as the low-temperature carbonization film formation zone, which focuses on carbon element film formation. It adopts a very slow or relatively slow heating rate control strategy to maintain a stable and low carbon content fluctuation, ensuring that the organic carbon source is fully dehydrated and cross-linked to form a preliminary carbon skeleton, and preventing the carbon source from decomposing too quickly and violently to generate bubbles.

[0099] The second sintering stage is the high-temperature sintering and carbon rearrangement phase in the carbon coating sintering process. The second sintering stage can be understood as the high-temperature densification zone, which focuses on carbon rearrangement. A moderate or relatively fast heating rate control strategy is adopted, and a high-frequency regulation mode is entered. High-frequency furnace atmosphere regulation is carried out based on real-time carbon content monitoring, so as to utilize high vacuum or a specific atmosphere to enable carbon atoms to rearrange at the nanoscale on the material surface and form a conductive network.

[0100] For example, the first sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature is 250°C to 450°C, and the second sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature is 600°C to 750°C.

[0101] Furthermore, in the two-stage heating nanoscale carbon coating sintering process, the process objective of the first sintering stage is low-temperature preheating and film formation, while the process objective of the second sintering stage is high-temperature sintering and rearrangement.

[0102] The first sintering period includes a first heating period and a first isothermal period. The key control objective of the first heating period is to prevent the carbon source from volatilizing violently and to initially form a carbon skeleton. The key control objective of the first isothermal period is to pyrolyze and crosslink the carbon source to form a dense primary carbon film.

[0103] The second sintering period includes a second heating period and a second isothermal period. The key control objective of the second heating period is to coordinate with the carbon content feedback to carry out grain growth and carbon graphitization. The key control objective of the second isothermal period is to complete crystal growth, carbon densification, and nanoscale rearrangement.

[0104] In the two-stage heating nanoscale carbon coating sintering process, the heating rate of the first heating stage is lower than that of the second heating stage, the highest temperature of the first sintering stage is less than or equal to the lowest temperature of the second sintering stage, and the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency of the first sintering stage is less than that of the second sintering stage.

[0105] For example, the first sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from room temperature to 400°C; the first heating period within the first sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from room temperature to 350°C, lasting 1.5 hours with a heating rate of 1~3°C / min; the first isothermal period within the first sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from 350°C to 400°C, lasting 2.7 hours; the second sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from 400°C to 750°C; the second heating period within the second sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from 400°C to 700°C, lasting 2 hours with a heating rate of 3~5°C / min; the second isothermal period within the second sintering period is the sintering period when the furnace temperature rises from 700°C to 750°C, lasting 4.8 hours.

[0106] Furthermore, the two-stage heating nanoscale carbon coating sintering process also includes a third stage of furnace cooling and shaping. The key control objective is to prevent lattice defects caused by rapid cooling and to maintain the stability of carbon content. After sintering and furnace cooling are completed, a cathode material (such as lithium iron phosphate material) with a uniform nanoscale carbon film coated on the surface is obtained.

[0107] For example, the furnace cooling and shaping stage is the sintering period in which the furnace temperature drops from 750℃ to room temperature, with a cooling rate of 2~5℃ / min and a duration of 10 hours.

[0108] Specifically, in the process of carbon coating sintering of cathode materials using a two-stage heating nanoscale carbon coating sintering process, the controller, based on the aforementioned characteristics of the first and second sintering periods, adjusts the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace solely based on the real-time residual carbon content monitored and fed back during the first sintering period, performing separate real-time feedback closed-loop sintering control of carbon content to regulate the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace. During the second sintering period, it simultaneously performs synchronous real-time feedback closed-loop sintering control of carbon content and temperature based on the real-time residual carbon content monitored and fed back during the second sintering period, adjusting the atmosphere and temperature inside the sintering furnace in real time.

[0109] During the high-temperature densification stage of the second sintering period, the furnace temperature affects the diffusion rate of carbon elements in the carbon source, and the carbon content, in turn, affects the liquid phase formation temperature, i.e., the eutectic point. If the temperature and carbon content are not controlled in a coordinated manner, the grains of the carbon coating layer will grow excessively or liquid phase will be generated, leading to deformation.

[0110] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment employs a two-stage heating nanoscale carbon coating sintering process. In the first sintering stage, only furnace atmosphere adjustment control based on carbon content is performed. In the second sintering stage, furnace atmosphere and heating power adjustment control based on both carbon content and temperature are performed simultaneously. By coordinating temperature control and carbon content control, excessive grain growth or deformation caused by liquid phase is prevented. Carbon densification is ensured during carbon coating grain growth, solving the problem of loose coating caused by excessively rapid heating in traditional processes. It can achieve a non-discontinuous and dense carbon coating film with no leakage and uniform distribution on the cathode material. The carbon coating layer is precisely controlled within the ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process, effectively solving the problems of carbon-poor or carbon-rich carbon coating layers, avoiding poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improving the batch stability of carbon coating sintering.

[0111] In another embodiment, adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: During the first and second sintering periods, the furnace atmosphere and heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted according to the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature. Specifically, the heating rate of the first heating period in the first sintering period is lower than the heating rate of the second heating period in the second sintering period, the highest temperature in the first sintering period is less than or equal to the lowest temperature in the second sintering period, and the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency in the first sintering period is less than the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency in the second sintering period.

[0112] Considering the characteristics of carbon chemical reactions in the first and second sintering stages of the two-stage heating process, although the control cost of simultaneously adjusting and controlling the furnace atmosphere and heating power based on carbon content and temperature in both the first and second sintering stages is higher than adjusting and controlling the furnace atmosphere and heating power based on carbon content and temperature only in the second sintering stage, the method of simultaneously controlling the carbon coating sintering with temperature control and carbon content control throughout the process can maximize the growth of carbon coating grains and the densification of carbon content, thereby improving the uniformity of the carbon coating layer.

[0113] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, during the second heating period in the second sintering period, the furnace atmosphere and heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted according to the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature, including: Based on the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the second target carbon content, adjust the furnace atmosphere and heating power of the sintering furnace. The second target carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content. The first target carbon content is determined based on the carbon equilibrium solubility at the current set temperature. The current set temperature is pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time of the cathode material precursor.

[0114] Specifically, during the second heating period of the second sintering stage in the carbon coating sintering process of the cathode material precursor using a two-stage heating method, the controller determines the set temperature for the current moment from the temperature data pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time from a pre-set heating curve, based on the carbon coating sintering time already elapsed by the cathode material precursor. Set the current temperature The carbon equilibrium solubility was determined as the primary target carbon content. And set a carbon content greater than the first target. The second target carbon content .

[0115] For example, the sum of the first target carbon content and the preset positive value can be used as the second target carbon content.

[0116] The controller will employ a rule-based real-time adjustment algorithm to monitor the real-time residual carbon content. Second target carbon content Compare the sizes based on the real-time remaining carbon content. Second target carbon content The relationship between the sizes of the elements is used to generate furnace atmosphere adjustment commands, which are then used to perform closed-loop adjustment of the furnace atmosphere in the sintering furnace.

[0117] During the second sintering stage of high-temperature densification, the carbon source at high temperature exists. The loss due to evaporation.

[0118] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment raises the temperature to a set temperature during the second sintering period. During the process, a carbon content greater than the first target was set. The second target carbon content And based on the real-time remaining carbon content Second target carbon content The relative sizes of the furnace elements and the real-time temperature inside the furnace are used to adjust the furnace atmosphere and heating power, thereby ensuring the furnace temperature reaches the set point. During the sintering process, the residual carbon content can be maintained in real time. Greater than the first target carbon content The slightly higher carbon potential compensates for the loss of carbon volatilization at high temperatures, avoids poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improves the batch stability of carbon coating sintering of materials.

[0119] Based on the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is greater than the current set temperature, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted according to the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the second target carbon content, including: If the real-time residual carbon content is less than the second target carbon content, reduce the heating power of the sintering furnace and perform decarburization prevention operation, and modify the current set temperature value to the first temperature value; the first temperature value is less than the current set temperature value. If the real-time residual carbon content is greater than the second target carbon content, reduce the heating power of the sintering furnace and perform anti-carbon enrichment operation, and modify the current set temperature value to the second temperature value; the second temperature value is greater than the current set temperature value.

[0120] Specifically, during the second sintering period of high-temperature densification, the controller first sets a collaborative control target window, which includes determining the temperature data pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time from a pre-set heating curve, based on the carbon coating sintering time already elapsed by the cathode material precursor, as the set temperature for the current moment. This refers to the upper limit of the material sintering temperature window, which further limits the current set temperature. The carbon equilibrium solubility was determined as the primary target carbon content. To determine the carbon content greater than the first target The second target carbon content .

[0121] The controller collects real-time temperature data from the furnace via thermocouples or thermocouple arrays installed inside the sintering furnace. Thermocouple arrays include multiple thermocouples.

[0122] The controller monitors the real-time temperature inside the furnace. and the current set temperature A size comparison is performed; if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is greater than the current set temperature... This involves reducing the heating power and checking and correcting the carbon potential.

[0123] On one hand, the controller generates a heating power reduction command and outputs it to the power regulator of the sintering furnace to reduce the heating power of the power regulator, thereby lowering the furnace temperature to the current set temperature. .

[0124] On the other hand, the controller measures the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas using gas volume concentration detection equipment installed inside the sintering furnace, and uses this information to infer the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source inside the furnace. The controller monitors the real-time residual carbon content. Second target carbon content Perform a size comparison.

[0125] If the real-time remaining carbon content is less than the second target carbon content The controller generates anti-decarburization operation commands and heating power reduction commands. On one hand, the heating power reduction command is output to the power regulator of the sintering furnace to reduce the heating power of the power regulator, thereby lowering the furnace temperature. On the other hand, the anti-decarburization operation command is output to the gas flow control system and exhaust control system of the sintering furnace to perform anti-decarburization operations such as injecting trace amounts of nitrogen or other inert gases into the sintering furnace. Additionally, the controller adjusts the current set temperature. The temperature value is cooled down to a level lower than the current set temperature. The first temperature value, and the current set temperature. The temperature value was changed to the first temperature value, and the carburizing time was extended.

[0126] If the real-time remaining carbon content is greater than the second target carbon content The controller generates anti-carbon enrichment operation commands and heating power reduction commands. On one hand, the heating power reduction command is output to the power regulator of the sintering furnace to reduce the heating power of the power regulator and thus lower the furnace temperature. On the other hand, the anti-carbon enrichment command is output to the gas flow control system and exhaust control system of the sintering furnace to perform anti-carbon enrichment operations such as introducing trace amounts of oxygen or air into the sintering furnace, introducing nitrogen to dilute the carbon potential, or fine-tuning the exhaust system. Additionally, the controller adjusts the current set temperature. The temperature value is increased to a value higher than the current set temperature. The second temperature value, and the current set temperature. The temperature value was changed to the second temperature value to reduce the carburizing time.

[0127] Furthermore, during the densification period of the second isothermal phase in the second sintering stage, the real-time temperature inside the furnace... The set temperature has been reached. At this point, "carbon potential lock" is activated, based on The principle of reaction equilibrium, utilizing Proportional control of carbon potential, by adjusting and The partial pressure ratio maintains the carbon potential at the first target carbon content. This ensures that there is neither decarbonization nor carbonization at high temperatures, thus achieving densification without changing the composition.

[0128] In addition, if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is lower than the set temperature at the current moment... The controller generates a heating power increase command and outputs it to the power regulator of the sintering furnace to increase the heating power of the power regulator, thereby raising the furnace temperature to the current set temperature. .

[0129] The carbon coating sintering control device provided in this embodiment reduces the heating power during the heating period of the second sintering stage of high-temperature densification in a two-stage heating process if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is higher than the current set temperature. It also adjusts the furnace atmosphere according to the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the second target carbon content, and performs temperature rise and fall operations based on the linked temperature control logic. This achieves synchronized sintering control of temperature and carbon content during the high-temperature densification stage, ensuring the growth of carbon coating grains and carbon densification, avoiding poor conductivity or low capacity of the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and improving the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering material.

[0130] In one embodiment, during abnormal handling in the carbon coating sintering process, if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is too high (e.g., the real-time temperature inside the furnace is greater than the current set temperature and the difference between the two is greater than a preset threshold) and the real-time carbon content inside the furnace is too low (the real-time carbon content inside the furnace is less than the first target carbon content and the difference between the two is greater than a preset threshold), the furnace temperature is immediately reduced to prevent material oxidation and decarburization; if the real-time temperature inside the furnace is too high and the real-time carbon content inside the furnace is too high (the real-time carbon content inside the furnace is greater than the first target carbon content and the difference between the two is greater than a preset threshold), the ventilation volume is increased to promote combustion and decarburization, while the temperature is finely adjusted.

[0131] According to the carbon coating sintering control device provided in this disclosure, taking the preparation of lithium iron phosphate cathode material as an example, the cathode material precursor is lithium iron phosphate precursor, and the carbon source is glucose. The lithium iron phosphate precursor and glucose are fully mixed to obtain carbon coating sintering raw material.

[0132] In the first sintering period based on low-temperature carbonization film formation kinetics control, the sintering temperature range is set from 250℃ to 450℃, the heating rate in the first heating period is 2℃ / min, and the duration of the first isothermal period is 2 hours. In the second sintering period based on high-temperature densification and sintering synergistic control, the sintering temperature range is set from 600℃ to 750℃, the heating rate in the second heating period is 5℃ / min, and the target carbon content is a carbon content range of 1.3%.

[0133] The carbon-coated sintering raw material is fed into the sintering furnace for carbon-coated sintering. Based on the probe of the gas volume concentration detection device installed inside the sintering furnace, the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and protective gas inside the furnace is collected in real time. The real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source in the furnace is calculated in real time. Based on the comparison between the real-time residual carbon content and the target carbon content, the furnace atmosphere is adjusted by regulating the output of gas valves. This realizes a real-time data feedback and furnace atmosphere change-based carbon content closed-loop control algorithm, which achieves precise deposition of nanoscale carbon content to ensure the uniformity of nanoscale carbon coating.

[0134] After sintering and furnace cooling, lithium iron phosphate material with a carbon coating of 3.2±0.5 nm can be obtained, which has excellent electrochemical performance.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of the carbon coating sintering control method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. The carbon coating sintering control method includes, but is not limited to, step 201.

[0136] Step 201: Adjust the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source to form a carbon coating on the cathode material precursor inside the sintering furnace, and obtain the sintered cathode material.

[0137] The real-time residual carbon content is determined based on the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace.

[0138] It should be noted that the carbon coating sintering control method provided in this embodiment can be executed by the carbon coating sintering control device described in any of the above embodiments in specific implementation, and this embodiment will not elaborate on this.

[0139] The carbon coating sintering control method provided in this embodiment utilizes a gas volume concentration detection device to monitor in real time the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and protective gas in the sintering furnace during the carbon coating sintering process of the cathode material precursor. Using these concentrations, the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source is calculated. A closed-loop feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts the furnace atmosphere based on the real-time residual carbon content, ensuring that the furnace atmosphere adjustment is synchronized with the real-time residual carbon content. This prevents large fluctuations or loss of control in the carbon content, thereby precisely controlling the carbon coating layer within an ideal range during the carbon coating sintering process. This effectively solves the problems of carbon-deficient or carbon-rich carbon coating layers, improves the uniformity of the carbon coating layer, avoids poor conductivity or low capacity in the carbon coating layer formed on the material surface, and enhances the batch stability of the carbon coating sintering process.

[0140] This disclosure also provides a cathode material having a uniformly distributed carbon coating layer, which is obtained by sintering a cathode material precursor according to the carbon coating sintering control device provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0141] This disclosure also provides a single-cell battery, which includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode includes the positive electrode material provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0142] This disclosure also provides a battery pack, which includes a housing and at least two individual batteries provided in the above embodiments. Each individual battery is disposed in the housing and is electrically connected to each other.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery pack provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery pack includes a housing 310 and multiple battery packs 320. The housing 310 includes multiple sub-accommodating spaces, and each sub-accommodating space is provided with a battery pack 320. Each battery pack 320 includes multiple stacked individual batteries. Each individual battery is electrically connected to each other. The stacking direction of the individual batteries can be a direction parallel to the plane of the bottom plate of the housing 310.

[0144] The battery packs provided in this disclosure have a wide range of applications, including but not limited to electrical equipment such as vehicles, ships, and aircraft, and can also be used in energy storage devices. Using the battery packs provided in this disclosure, the power systems required for the aforementioned electrical equipment or energy storage devices can be constructed.

[0145] Optionally, the electrical equipment is a vehicle. The vehicle can be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle, including pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, range-extended vehicles, and other types.

[0146] This disclosure also provides an electric vehicle that includes the battery pack provided in the above embodiments.

[0147] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electric vehicle provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric vehicle 400 includes a battery pack controller 410 and a battery pack 300 provided in the above embodiment.

[0148] The battery pack 300 provides power to the electric vehicle 400, for example, acting as the operating power source for the electric vehicle 400. The electric vehicle is equipped with a battery pack controller 410 and a motor ( Figure 4 (Not shown in the image) The battery pack controller 410 is used to schedule the battery pack 300 to supply electrical energy to the motor in order to meet the power demand of the electric vehicle 400 during starting, navigation and driving.

[0149] In some alternatives, the battery pack can not only serve as the operating power source, but also as the driving power source, providing all or part of the driving power for electric vehicles by replacing traditional fuels such as fuel oil and natural gas.

[0150] Alternatively, the battery pack can be located inside the electric vehicle, and can be installed at the bottom, front, or rear of the electric vehicle.

[0151] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of this disclosure do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this disclosure and should be covered within the scope of the claims of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A carbon-coated sintering control device, characterized by comprising: It includes a gas volume concentration detection device and a controller, wherein the gas volume concentration detection device and the controller are communicatively connected; The gas volume concentration detection device is used to collect the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace. The controller is used to adjust the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace according to the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source, so as to form a carbon coating on the cathode material precursor inside the sintering furnace to obtain the sintered cathode material; the real-time residual carbon content is determined according to the volume concentration of the carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of the protective gas.

2. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: The atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted according to the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content. The first target carbon content is determined based on the carbon equilibrium solubility at the current set temperature; the current set temperature is pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time of the cathode material precursor.

3. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the first target carbon content includes: If the real-time remaining carbon content is less than the first target carbon content, an anti-decarbonization operation is performed; If the real-time remaining carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content, a carbon enrichment prevention operation is performed.

4. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: The furnace atmosphere and / or heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted based on the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature.

5. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Adjusting the furnace atmosphere based on the real-time residual carbon content of the carbon source includes: During the first sintering period, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted according to the real-time remaining carbon content. During the second sintering period, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace and the heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted according to the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time temperature inside the furnace. Wherein, the heating rate of the first heating period of the first sintering period is lower than the heating rate of the second heating period of the second sintering period, the highest temperature of the first sintering period is less than or equal to the lowest temperature of the second sintering period, and the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency of the first sintering period is less than the furnace atmosphere adjustment frequency of the second sintering period.

6. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 4, characterized in that, During the second heating phase of the second sintering period, adjusting the furnace atmosphere and heating power of the sintering furnace based on the real-time residual carbon content and the real-time furnace temperature includes: Based on the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the second target carbon content, and the real-time temperature inside the furnace, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace and the heating power of the sintering furnace are adjusted. Wherein, the second target carbon content is greater than the first target carbon content, and the first target carbon content is determined based on the carbon equilibrium solubility at the current set temperature; the current set temperature is pre-correlated with the carbon coating sintering time of the cathode material precursor.

7. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, If the real-time temperature inside the furnace is greater than the set temperature at the current moment, then adjusting the furnace atmosphere according to the relationship between the real-time remaining carbon content and the second target carbon content includes: If the real-time residual carbon content is less than the second target carbon content, the heating power of the sintering furnace is reduced and an anti-decarburization operation is performed, and the temperature value of the current set temperature is modified to a first temperature value; the first temperature value is less than the temperature value of the current set temperature. If the real-time residual carbon content is greater than the second target carbon content, the heating power of the sintering furnace is reduced and an anti-carbon enrichment operation is performed, and the current set temperature value is modified to the second temperature value; the second temperature value is greater than the current set temperature value.

8. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The real-time residual carbon content is determined as follows: Calculate the total flow rate of the furnace gas based on the input volumetric flow rate and the volumetric concentration of the protective gas; Calculate the carbon-containing gas flow rate based on the total furnace gas flow rate and the carbon-containing gas volume concentration; The decarbonization rate of the carbon source is calculated based on the carbon-containing gas flow rate, real-time density of the carbon-containing gas, and molar mass of the carbon-containing gas; the real-time density of the carbon-containing gas is determined based on the carbon-containing gas volume concentration, real-time temperature inside the furnace, and standard density of the carbon-containing gas. The amount of carbon removed is determined based on the integral of the carbon removal efficiency coefficient and the carbon removal rate. The real-time residual carbon content is determined based on the difference between the initial carbon content in the furnace charge and the amount of decarbonization.

9. The carbon coating sintering control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Adjusting the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace includes: Adjust the protective gas injection flow rate; And / or, adjust the dilution gas injection flow rate; And / or, adjust the opening of the exhaust valve.

10. A method for controlling carbon coating sintering, characterized in that, include: Based on the real-time remaining carbon content of the carbon source, the atmosphere inside the sintering furnace is adjusted to form a carbon coating on the cathode material precursor inside the sintering furnace, thereby obtaining the sintered cathode material. The real-time residual carbon content is determined based on the volume concentration of carbon-containing gas and the volume concentration of protective gas in the sintering furnace.

11. A positive electrode material, characterized in that, The cathode material has a uniformly distributed carbon coating layer, and the cathode material is obtained by sintering the cathode material precursor using the carbon coating sintering control device according to any one of claims 1-9.

12. A single-cell battery, characterized in that, The single cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode includes the positive electrode material as described in claim 11.

13. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes a housing and at least two individual batteries as described in claim 12, each of the individual batteries being disposed within the housing and electrically connected to each other.

14. An electric vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack as described in claim 13.

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