Lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system, which comprises a feeding bin and a crushing device, the crushing device comprises a mechanical mill device, a jet mill device and a first conveying assembly, the first conveying assembly is provided with a feed port and two discharge ports, the feed port is connected with the feeding bin, and the two discharge ports are connected with the mechanical mill device. The two discharging ports are connected with the mechanical grinding device and the airflow grinding device correspondingly, the first conveying assembly can selectively convey materials in the feeding bin to the mechanical grinding device or the airflow grinding device, and the mechanical grinding device and the airflow grinding device are both used for smashing the materials. The device can crush different types of products, is good in compatibility, can adapt to various products, and enlarges the application range of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of lithium battery cathode material processing equipment, specifically to a lithium battery cathode material pulverization system. Background Technology

[0002] The main components of a lithium battery include electrolyte, separator, and positive and negative electrode materials. The positive electrode material accounts for a large proportion because its performance directly affects the performance of the lithium-ion battery, and its cost directly determines the cost of the battery. In the production process of lithium batteries, the positive and negative electrode materials need to be crushed.

[0003] Patent CN216573335U discloses a pulverizing device for lithium battery cathode materials, comprising a first feeding device, a pre-crushing device, a second feeding device, and an airflow pulverizing device connected in sequence. This invention first pre-crushes larger lithium iron phosphate particles through rotary grinding to reduce their particle size, and then uses airflow pulverization to crush the reduced-size lithium iron phosphate into fine particles that meet the particle size requirements. Rotary grinding is effective at crushing large lithium iron phosphate particles with low energy consumption and production costs, while airflow pulverization is highly efficient, resulting in smaller, more uniform, and higher-quality products.

[0004] However, lithium battery cathode materials are divided into secondary spherical products and single crystal products. Different types of products require different crushing equipment. The existing technology mentioned above can only crush a single product, resulting in poor compatibility. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system to solve the technical problem that the existing technology can only pulverize a single product and has poor compatibility.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] This utility model provides a lithium battery cathode material pulverization system, comprising:

[0008] Feed bins; and

[0009] A pulverizing device includes a mechanical mill, an air jet mill, and a first conveying assembly. The first conveying assembly has a feed inlet and two discharge outlets. The feed inlet is connected to a feeding bin, and the two discharge outlets are respectively connected to the mechanical mill and the air jet mill. The first conveying assembly can selectively convey the material in the feeding bin to the mechanical mill or the air jet mill. Both the mechanical mill and the air jet mill are used to pulverize materials.

[0010] In some embodiments, a first valve is provided between one of the discharge ports and the mechanical mill, and a second valve is provided between the other discharge port and the air jet mill.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first conveying assembly includes a housing, a helical blade, and a drive assembly. The housing has a conveying cavity, the inlet and two outlets are located in the housing and are all connected to the conveying cavity, the outlets are located at opposite ends of the housing, the helical blade is rotatably mounted in the conveying cavity, and the drive assembly is connected to the helical blade to drive the helical blade to rotate forward or backward.

[0012] In some embodiments, the housing is located below the feeding bin, the inlet is located at the top of the housing and connected to the bottom of the feeding bin, and the outlet is located at the bottom of the housing.

[0013] In some embodiments, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system further includes a storage bin and a second conveying component. The storage bin is connected to the mechanical mill and the air jet mill via the second conveying component. The second conveying component is used to convey the material in the mechanical mill or the air jet mill to the storage bin.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second conveying assembly includes a cyclone separator, a bag filter, and an induced draft fan connected in sequence. The air inlet of the cyclone separator is connected to the mechanical mill and the air jet mill, respectively. The discharge ports of the cyclone separator and the bag filter are both connected to the storage silo. A third valve is also provided between the cyclone separator and the mechanical mill, and a fourth valve is also provided between the cyclone separator and the air jet mill.

[0015] In some embodiments, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system further includes a first filter located between the bag filter and the induced draft fan.

[0016] In some embodiments, the grinding chamber of the mechanical grinding equipment is sealed.

[0017] The air outlet of the induced draft fan is connected to both the outside and the crushing chamber, and a fifth valve is provided on the pipe connecting the air outlet of the induced draft fan to the outside.

[0018] In some embodiments, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system further includes a cooler and a second filter, which are arranged sequentially between the induced draft fan and the pulverizing chamber along the airflow direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system further includes a gas source device connected to the pulverizing chamber for supplying protective gas into the pulverizing chamber.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system provided by this utility model has a feeding bin for storing materials to be pulverized. The mechanical mill is suitable for pulverizing secondary spherical products, and the air jet mill is suitable for pulverizing single-crystal products. The feeding bin is connected to the mechanical mill and the air jet mill via a first conveying component. The first conveying component can selectively convey materials to one of the mechanical mill and the air jet mill. In specific use, when the material is a secondary spherical product, the first conveying component connects the feeding bin and the mechanical mill, conveying the secondary spherical product to the mechanical mill for pulverization. When the material is a single-crystal product, the first conveying component connects the feeding bin and the air jet mill, conveying the single-crystal product to the air jet mill for pulverization. This application can pulverize different types of products, has good compatibility, can adapt to various products, and expands the application range of the device.

[0021] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. To better understand the technical means of this utility model and to enable its implementation according to the description, the preferred embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific implementation methods of this utility model are given in detail in the following embodiments and their accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of a lithium-ion battery cathode material pulverization system.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1-Feeding bin, 2-First conveying assembly, 21-First valve, 22-Second valve, 3-Mechanical mill, 4-Air jet mill, 5-Second conveying assembly, 51-Cyclone separator, 52-Bag dust collector, 53-Exhaust fan, 54-Third valve, 55-Fourth valve, 56-Fifth valve, 57-Sixth valve, 6-Storage bin, 7-First filter, 8-Second filter, 9-Cooler. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0027] To address the technical problem that existing technologies can only pulverize single products and have poor compatibility, this invention provides a lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system that can pulverize different types of products, has good compatibility, can be adapted to various products, and expands the application range of the device.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] This utility model provides a lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system, including a feeding bin 1 and a pulverizing device. The pulverizing device includes a mechanical mill 3, an air jet mill 4, and a first conveying component 2. The first conveying component 2 has an inlet and two outlets. The inlet is connected to the feeding bin 1, and the two outlets are respectively connected to the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4. The first conveying component 2 can selectively convey the material in the feeding bin 1 to the mechanical mill 3 or the air jet mill 4. Both the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 are used to pulverize materials.

[0030] In this embodiment, the feeding bin 1 is used to store the material to be crushed. The mechanical mill 3 is suitable for crushing secondary spherical products, and the air jet mill 4 is suitable for crushing single-crystal products. The feeding bin 1 is connected to the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 through the first conveying component 2. The first conveying component 2 can selectively convey the material to one of the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4. In specific use, when the material is a secondary spherical product, the first conveying component 2 connects the feeding bin 1 and the mechanical mill 3, and conveys the secondary spherical product to the mechanical mill 3 for crushing. When the material is a single-crystal product, the first conveying component 2 connects the feeding bin 1 and the air jet mill 4, and conveys the single-crystal product to the air jet mill 4 for crushing. This application can crush different types of products, has good compatibility, can be adapted to various products, and expands the application range of the device.

[0031] It should be noted that the mechanical mill 3 is a device that uses mechanical pulverization, while the air jet mill 4 is a complete pulverization system consisting of a cyclone separator 51, a dust collector, and an induced draft fan 53. Compressed air, after being filtered and dried, is injected at high speed into the pulverization chamber of the air jet mill 4 through a Laval nozzle. At the confluence of multiple high-pressure airflows, the material is repeatedly pulverized by collision, friction, and shearing. The pulverized material, under the suction of the induced draft fan 53, moves with the rising airflow to the classification zone. Under the strong centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotating classification turbine, coarse and fine materials are separated. Fine particles that meet the particle size requirements enter the cyclone separator 51 and dust collector for collection through the classification wheel, while coarse particles descend to the pulverization zone for further pulverization. Both the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0032] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 One of the discharge ports and the mechanical mill 3 is provided with a first valve 21, and the other discharge port and the air jet mill 4 are provided with a second valve 22.

[0033] In this embodiment, one of the discharge ports is connected to the feed port of the mechanical mill 3 via a first pipe. The first valve 21 is installed on the first pipe and can control the opening and closing of the first pipe. The other discharge port is connected to the feed port of the air jet mill 4 via a second pipe. The second valve 22 is installed on the second pipe and can control the opening and closing of the second pipe. When the mechanical mill 3 is needed, the first valve 21 is opened and the second valve 22 is closed, thereby ensuring that the material is delivered to the mechanical mill 3. When the air jet mill 4 is needed, the first valve 21 is closed and the second valve 22 is opened, so as to ensure that the material is delivered to the air jet mill 4.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first conveying assembly 2 includes a housing, a spiral blade, and a drive assembly. The housing has a conveying cavity. The inlet and two outlets are located in the housing and are all connected to the conveying cavity. The outlets are located at opposite ends of the housing. The spiral blade is rotatably mounted in the conveying cavity. The drive assembly is connected to the spiral blade to drive the spiral blade to rotate forward or backward.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first conveying component 2 is a screw conveyor. The housing is provided with a columnar conveying cavity. The discharge port is located at both ends of the housing and is connected to the conveying cavity. The feed port is located in the middle of the housing and is connected to the conveying cavity. The screw blade is adapted to the conveying cavity and is rotatably installed in the conveying cavity along the axis of the conveying cavity. The drive component is located at the end of the housing and is connected to one end of the screw blade. The drive component can rotate forward and reverse, thereby driving the screw blade to rotate forward and reverse. The forward and reverse conveying directions of the screw blade are opposite, thereby conveying the material at the feed port to different discharge ports, thereby achieving the purpose of switching the operation of the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4.

[0036] Specifically, the drive assembly includes a drive motor, the main shaft of which is fixedly connected to one end of the helical blade, and the drive motor is capable of driving the helical blade to rotate in both directions.

[0037] In one embodiment, the housing is located below the feeding bin 1, the inlet is located at the top of the housing, the inlet is connected to the bottom of the feeding bin 1, and the outlet is located at the bottom of the housing.

[0038] In this embodiment, the housing is located below the feeding bin 1, and the housing and the feeding bin 1 are integrally formed. That is, the feeding bin 1 has an opening at its lower end, which corresponds to the inlet. The opening and the inlet are adapted to each other and are welded together, so that the material in the feeding bin 1 can fall into the conveying chamber under its own gravity. The mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 are located below the housing, and the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 correspond to the two discharge ports, so that the material enters the mechanical mill 3 or the air jet mill 4 by its own gravity.

[0039] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lithium battery cathode material crushing system further includes a storage bin 6 and a second conveying component 5. The storage bin 6 is connected to the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 through the second conveying component 5. The second conveying component 5 is used to convey the material in the mechanical mill 3 or the air jet mill 4 to the storage bin 6.

[0040] In this embodiment, the material needs to be stored after crushing, so a storage silo 6 is also provided. The storage silo 6 is connected to the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4 through the second conveying component 5. When the material is a secondary spherical product, the feeding silo 1, the mechanical mill 3, the second conveying component 5 and the storage silo 6 are connected in sequence. When the material is a single crystal product, the feeding silo 1, the air jet mill 4, the second conveying component 5 and the storage silo 6 are connected in sequence. This arrangement allows the mechanical crushing system and the air jet crushing system to be compatible with most equipment, reducing the overall investment.

[0041] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The second conveying assembly 5 includes a cyclone separator 51, a bag filter 52, and an induced draft fan 53 connected in sequence. The air inlet of the cyclone separator 51 is connected to the mechanical mill 3 and the air jet mill 4, respectively. The discharge ports of the cyclone separator 51 and the bag filter 52 are both connected to the storage silo 6. A third valve 54 is also provided between the cyclone separator 51 and the mechanical mill 3, and a fourth valve 55 is also provided between the cyclone separator 51 and the air jet mill.

[0042] In this embodiment, since the air jet mill 4 needs to be used in conjunction with a cyclone separator 51, a dust collector, and an induced draft fan 53, and these devices can also handle the conveying of the material after being pulverized by the mechanical mill 3, the second conveying assembly 5 includes a cyclone separator 51, a bag filter 52, and an induced draft fan 53 connected in sequence. Both the cyclone separator 51 and the bag filter 52 are provided with an air inlet, an air outlet, and a discharge port. The induced draft fan 53 is also provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and outlet are located on the sides of the cyclone separator 51 and the bag filter 52, while the discharge port is located at the bottom of the cyclone separator 51 and the bag filter 52. The air inlet of the cyclone separator 51... The air inlet of the cyclone separator 51 is connected to the mechanical grinding equipment 3 through a third pipe, and the air inlet of the cyclone separator 51 is connected to the airflow mill 4 through a fourth pipe. The third valve 54 is located on the third pipe, and the fourth valve 55 is located on the fourth pipe. The air outlet of the cyclone separator 51 is connected to the air inlet of the bag dust collector 52, and the air outlet of the bag dust collector 52 is connected to the air inlet of the induced draft fan 53. The storage silo 6 is located below the cyclone separator 51 and the bag dust collector 52. The discharge ports of the cyclone separator 51 and the bag dust collector 52 are connected to the storage silo 6 through pipes. Both the cyclone separator 51 and the bag dust collector 52 can perform gas-solid separation and discharge solid materials from the discharge port. In practical use, when the mechanical mill 3 is used, the third valve 54 is opened and the fourth valve 55 is closed. When the air jet mill 4 is used, the third valve 54 is closed and the fourth valve 55 is opened. The induced draft fan 53 is started, creating a negative pressure environment in the system. This allows the material that has been pulverized in the mechanical mill 3 or the air jet mill 4 to be drawn into the cyclone separator 51 for primary gas-solid separation, and then into the bag filter dust collector 52 for secondary gas-solid separation, thus completing the material conveying process.

[0043] It should be noted that the cyclone separator 51, the bag dust collector 52 and the induced draft fan 53 are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0044] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The lithium battery cathode material crushing system also includes a first filter 7, which is located between the bag dust collector 52 and the induced draft fan 53.

[0045] In this embodiment, to prevent residual dust or materials from entering the induced draft fan 53 or escaping to the outside, a first filter 7 is provided on the pipe connecting the air outlet of the bag dust collector 52 and the air inlet of the induced draft fan 53. The first filter 7 can filter the gas and prevent impurities from entering the induced draft fan 53.

[0046] In one embodiment, the grinding chamber of the mechanical grinding equipment 3 is sealed; the air outlet of the induced draft fan 53 is connected to the outside and the grinding chamber respectively, and a fifth valve 56 is provided on the pipe connecting the air outlet of the induced draft fan 53 to the outside.

[0047] In this embodiment, the air outlet of the induced draft fan 53 is connected to the outside through a fifth pipe. The fifth valve 56 is located on the fifth pipe. When the fifth valve 56 is open, the entire system is open, and the gas from the induced draft fan 53 is discharged to the outside. The air outlet of the induced draft fan 53 is also connected to the grinding chamber of the mechanical grinding equipment 3 through a sixth pipe. When the fifth valve 56 is closed, the entire system is closed, and the gas from the induced draft fan 53 is delivered to the grinding chamber of the mechanical grinding equipment 3, thereby minimizing the increase of moisture during the grinding process of the mechanical grinding equipment 3. In specific use, the open or closed system can be selected according to the material. When the material is a medium-high nickel product, the closed system can be selected, and when the material is a low nickel product, the open system can be selected.

[0048] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 The lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system also includes a cooler 9 and a second filter 8, which are arranged sequentially between the blower 53 and the pulverizing chamber along the airflow direction.

[0049] In this embodiment, in order to ensure the temperature and purity of the gas delivered to the grinding chamber of the mechanical grinding equipment 3, a cooler 9 and a second filter 8 are also provided on the sixth pipe. The cooler 9 can reduce the gas temperature, and the second filter 8 can further filter the gas.

[0050] In one embodiment, the lithium battery cathode material pulverizing system further includes a gas source device connected to the pulverizing chamber for supplying protective gas into the pulverizing chamber.

[0051] In this embodiment, when the system is closed, in order to ensure the dew point and pressure within the system, the gas source device is connected to the sixth pipe through the seventh pipe, and the seventh pipe is also equipped with a sixth valve 57. The gas source device can supply compressed air or nitrogen to the pulverizing chamber to ensure the dew point and pressure of the entire system. In specific use, when the dew point and pressure within the system are lower than the set value, the sixth valve 57 is opened, and the gas source device continuously supplies compressed air or nitrogen to ensure the dew point and pressure of the entire system.

[0052] It should be noted that the first filter, the second filter, and the cooler are all existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0053] To better understand this utility model, the following is combined with... Figures 1 to 2 The technical solution of this utility model is described in detail below:

[0054] When monocrystalline products are put into use, the system operates in open mode with the air jet mill. The first valve 21 is closed, the second valve 22 is open, the third valve 54 is closed, the fourth valve 55 is open, the fifth valve 56 is open, and the sixth valve 57 is closed. The material in the feeding bin 1 is conveyed to the air jet mill 4 through the first conveying assembly 2. After being pulverized by air jet nozzles in the air jet mill 4, it is drawn by the induced draft fan 53 to the cyclone separator 51 and the bag filter dust collector 52 for gas-solid separation before entering the storage bin 6.

[0055] When secondary ball products, especially those of medium to high nickel content, are put into use, the system operates in a closed-loop mechanical mill. The first valve 21 is open, the second valve 22 is closed, the third valve 54 is open, the fourth valve 55 is closed, the fifth valve 56 is closed, and the sixth valve 57 is open. The material in the feeding bin 1 is conveyed to the mechanical mill 3 through the first conveying assembly 2. After being crushed by the mechanical mill 3, it is drawn by the induced draft fan 53 to the cyclone separator 51 and the bag dust collector 52 for gas-solid separation. The material then enters the storage bin 6, while the gas is filtered and cooled in two stages before being conveyed back to the mechanical mill 3. The gas source device can supply compressed air or nitrogen, which is free of carbon dioxide, into the system to ensure the dew point and pressure of the entire system.

[0056] When the secondary ball product is a low-nickel product, the system operates in open mechanical mill mode. The first valve 21 is open, the second valve 22 is closed, the third valve 54 is open, the fourth valve 55 is closed, the fifth valve 56 is open, and the sixth valve 57 is closed. The material in the feeding bin 1 is conveyed to the mechanical mill 3 through the first conveying assembly 2. After being crushed by the mechanical mill 3, it is drawn by the induced draft fan 53 to the cyclone separator 51 and the bag dust collector 52 for gas-solid separation. The material then enters the storage bin 6, while the gas is discharged to the outside through the fifth pipe.

[0057] The specific embodiments of this utility model described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lithium battery cathode material crushing system, characterized in that, It comprises: a feeding bin; and a crushing device comprising a mechanical grinding device, an air flow grinding device and a first conveying assembly, the first conveying assembly having a feeding port and two discharging ports, the feeding port being connected with the feeding bin, the two discharging ports being connected with the mechanical grinding device and the air flow grinding device respectively, the first conveying assembly being capable of selectively conveying the material in the feeding bin to the mechanical grinding device or the air flow grinding device, the mechanical grinding device and the air flow grinding device being both used for crushing the material.

2. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 1, wherein, A first valve is arranged between one of the discharging ports and the mechanical grinding device, and a second valve is arranged between the other discharging port and the air flow grinding device.

3. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 1, wherein, The first conveying assembly comprises a housing, a spiral blade and a driving assembly, the housing being provided with a conveying cavity, the feeding port and the two discharging ports being located in the housing and being both communicated with the conveying cavity, the discharging ports being located at opposite ends of the housing, the spiral blade being rotatably installed in the conveying cavity, and the driving assembly being connected with the spiral blade to drive the spiral blade to rotate in a forward direction or a reverse direction.

4. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 3, wherein, The housing is located below the feeding bin, the feeding port is located at the top of the housing, the feeding port is connected with the bottom of the feeding bin, and the discharging ports are located at the bottom of the housing.

5. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system of claim 1, wherein, The lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system further comprises a storage bin and a second conveying assembly, the storage bin being connected with the mechanical grinding device and the air flow grinding device through the second conveying assembly, and the second conveying assembly being used for conveying the material in the mechanical grinding device or the air flow grinding device to the storage bin.

6. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 5, wherein, The second conveying assembly comprises a cyclone separator, a bag dust collector and an induced draft fan which are connected in sequence, the air inlets of the cyclone separator being connected with the mechanical grinding device and the air flow grinding device respectively, the discharge outlets of the cyclone separator and the bag dust collector being connected with the storage bin, a third valve being arranged between the cyclone separator and the mechanical grinding device, and a fourth valve being arranged between the cyclone separator and the air flow grinding device.

7. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 6, wherein, The lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system further comprises a first filter, the first filter being located between the bag dust collector and the induced draft fan.

8. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 6, wherein, The crushing cavity of the mechanical grinding device is in a sealed arrangement; the air outlets of the induced draft fan are communicated with the outside and the crushing cavity respectively, and a fifth valve is arranged on the pipeline through which the air outlet of the induced draft fan is communicated with the outside.

9. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system according to claim 8, wherein, The lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system further comprises a cooler and a second filter, the cooler and the second filter being arranged in sequence along the airflow direction between the induced draft fan and the crushing cavity.

10. The lithium battery cathode material crushing system of claim 8, wherein, The lithium battery positive electrode material crushing system further comprises a gas source device, the gas source device being connected with the crushing cavity and being used for conveying a protective gas into the crushing cavity.

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