Dynamic reaction furnace for preparing lithium oxide from plasma

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of lithium battery material preparation, and provides a dynamic reaction furnace for preparing lithium oxide by plasma, which comprises a charging tray crucible main body, a vacuum container lower cover and a charging tray crucible moving platform, and the charging tray crucible main body is placed on a rotating disc of the vacuum container lower cover. Uniform energy distribution is realized, and LiOH dehydration, Li2O crystal form regulation and impurity gasification are synchronously completed; high-energy particles (such as electrons and ions) in the plasma bombard the surface of the lithium-based material, enough energy is provided to break chemical bonds, and the decomposition process is accelerated. A rotating device is arranged in the reaction furnace, so that raw materials rotate and circulate in an electrode discharge interval, and the reaction conversion rate is increased through multiple cycles. The reaction furnace vacuum container adopts high-strength heat-resistant corrosion-resistant stainless steel to manufacture a vacuum cavity and an argon purging system, the vacuum degree of the cavity is maintained to be 10 <-2 >-10 <-3 > Pa, flange connection and an elastic sealing piece are adopted, a baffle structure is matched, and the reaction furnace vacuum container can bear the high-temperature and high-pressure environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of lithium battery material preparation technology, and in particular to a dynamic reaction furnace for plasma preparation of lithium oxide. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of lithium oxide preparation, traditional Li2O preparation processes have many drawbacks, which greatly limit the development of the lithium oxide industry.

[0003] From an energy consumption perspective, traditional processes are extremely energy-intensive. Taking the high-temperature calcination of lithium ore to extract lithium and then prepare Li2O as an example, a high-temperature environment above 1000℃ must be maintained. This not only consumes a large amount of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, but also, due to the multiple steps involved, the overlapping of heating and stirring operations further exacerbates energy consumption. In addition, traditional equipment is technologically outdated, with low heat transfer efficiency, resulting in significant heat loss and extremely low energy utilization efficiency.

[0004] Regarding product purity, traditional preparation processes present significant problems. Raw materials such as lithium ore and salt lake brine contain numerous impurities. Salt lake brine, for example, contains large amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium ions, which are difficult to remove completely and easily contaminate the final product. Simultaneously, the chemical reaction selectivity is poor, with frequent side reactions generating various impurity complexes. Traditional separation and purification techniques such as filtration and precipitation are ineffective at separating ions and compounds with similar properties, resulting in low product purity and severe impurity residue.

[0005] High production costs are also a major challenge for traditional processes. The scarcity of high-quality lithium ore resources has led to rising procurement costs, and the preparation process requires large quantities of high-purity chemical reagents, further increasing costs. The purchase price of large-scale equipment is exorbitant, and under harsh operating conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and strong corrosion, the equipment suffers severe wear and corrosion, requiring frequent maintenance and replacement. Labor costs also remain high due to the complex production process.

[0006] Constrained by factors such as high energy consumption, low purity, and high cost, traditional processes are difficult to achieve large-scale industrial production and cannot meet the growing market demand for lithium oxide. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a dynamic reactor for plasma preparation of lithium oxide, which solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a dynamic reactor for plasma preparation of lithium oxide, comprising a material tray crucible body, a vacuum container lower cover, and a material tray crucible moving platform. The material tray crucible body is placed on a rotating disk of the vacuum container lower cover. The material tray crucible moving platform is provided at the bottom of the vacuum container lower cover, and a material tray crucible lifting device is provided at the bottom of the material tray crucible moving platform. A vacuum container body is provided on one side of the vacuum container lower cover, and a vacuum container upper cover is provided on the top of the vacuum container body. A vacuum measurement port and a temperature measurement port are provided on the outer side of the top of the vacuum container upper cover. A vacuum extraction port is provided at the front end of the top of the vacuum container upper cover. An upper electrode adjustment device is provided on the top of the vacuum container upper cover. A material tray crucible rotating device is provided at the bottom of the vacuum container body, and an upper electrode body is provided inside the vacuum container body.

[0009] Preferably, the material tray crucible body is used to hold materials, and the lower electrode is located inside the material tray crucible body.

[0010] Preferably, the vacuum measurement port and the temperature measurement port are connected to the interior of the vacuum container body. The vacuum measurement port is used to install a vacuum gauge and a vacuum sensor, and the temperature measurement port is used to install a temperature sensor.

[0011] Preferably, the upper electrode adjustment device is connected to the upper electrode body inside the vacuum container body, and is used to adjust the distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0013] This invention provides a dynamic reactor for plasma-based lithium oxide preparation. It employs a high-frequency plasma generator to achieve uniform energy distribution and simultaneously complete LiOH dehydration, Li2O crystal structure regulation, and impurity vaporization. High-energy particles (such as electrons and ions) in the plasma bombard the surface of the lithium-based material, providing sufficient energy to break chemical bonds and accelerate the decomposition process. The reactor incorporates a rotating device that circulates the raw materials within the electrode discharge zone, increasing the reaction conversion rate through multiple cycles. The reactor's vacuum container is constructed of high-strength, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and features an argon purging system to maintain a vacuum level of 10⁻²–10⁻¹⁰. -3 The device, employing flange connections and elastic seals, along with a baffle structure, can withstand high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-vacuum environments. This prevents gas leakage and extends the device's lifespan. Through plasma-induced raw material decomposition combined with dynamic circulation, this device significantly improves the synthesis rate and product purity of lithium oxide, making it suitable for the industrial production of lithium battery materials such as Li₂O. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0017] The following are the labels in the attached figures: 1. Crucible body; 2. Lower cover of vacuum container; 3. Crucible moving platform; 4. Crucible lifting device; 5. Crucible rotating device; 6. Upper electrode body; 7. Temperature measuring port; 8. Upper electrode adjusting device; 9. Vacuum extraction port; 10. Upper cover of vacuum container; 11. Vacuum container body; 12. Vacuum measuring port. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0019] To further understand the content of this utility model, a detailed description of this utility model will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Combination Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention discloses a dynamic reactor for plasma preparation of lithium oxide, comprising a material tray and crucible body 1, a vacuum container lower cover 2, and a material tray and crucible moving platform 3. The material tray and crucible body 1 is placed on a rotating disk of the vacuum container lower cover 2. The material tray and crucible moving platform 3 is provided at the bottom of the vacuum container lower cover 2, and a material tray and crucible lifting device 4 is provided at the bottom of the material tray and crucible moving platform 3. A vacuum container body 11 is provided on one side of the vacuum container lower cover 2, and a vacuum container upper cover 10 is provided on the top of the vacuum container body 11. A vacuum measuring port 12 and a temperature measuring port 7 are provided on the outer side of the top of the vacuum container upper cover 10. A vacuum extraction port 9 is provided at the front end of the top of the vacuum container upper cover 10. An upper electrode adjustment device 8 is provided on the top of the vacuum container upper cover 10. A material tray and crucible rotating device 5 is provided at the bottom of the vacuum container body 11, and an upper electrode body 6 is provided inside the vacuum container body 11.

[0021] The material tray crucible body 1 is used to hold materials, and the lower electrode is located inside the material tray crucible body 1.

[0022] Vacuum measuring port 12 and temperature measuring port 7 are connected to the interior of the vacuum container body 11. Vacuum measuring port 12 is used to install a vacuum gauge and a vacuum sensor, and temperature measuring port 7 is used to install a temperature sensor.

[0023] The upper electrode adjustment device 8 is connected to the upper electrode body 6 inside the vacuum container body 11 and is used to adjust the distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

[0024] The specific operating procedure is as follows:

[0025] First, the raw materials are pretreated: LiOH powder is pulverized by air jet milling until D50≤10μm.

[0026] Secondly, charging into the furnace and starting the reaction: The pretreated LiOH powder is evenly spread in the crucible body 1 using a feeder. The crucible body 1 is placed on the rotating disk of the lower cover 2 of the vacuum container. The crucible moving platform 3 is operated to move the crucible body 1 and the lower cover 2 of the vacuum container to below the vacuum container body 11. Then, the crucible lifting device 4 is used to lift the crucible body 1 and send it into the vacuum container body 11.

[0027] After the vacuum level is evacuated to the required value through vacuum port 9, argon gas is introduced for plasma activation. Under the argon (Ar) atmosphere, LiOH undergoes dehydration, decomposition, and recombination reactions in the plasma environment, ultimately generating Li₂O.

[0028] During the reaction, the reaction is monitored in real time by instruments such as a vacuum gauge installed in the vacuum measuring port 12 and a thermometer installed in the temperature measuring port 7. Based on the measurement data, the distance between the upper electrode body 6 and the material tray crucible body 1 is flexibly adjusted using the upper electrode adjustment device 8 to precisely control the reaction rate. The entire reaction process is fully automated through the collaboration of sensors from various monitoring instruments and a microcomputer. This dynamic reactor is equipped with two sets of material tray crucibles, which are used alternately during production to achieve continuous production and effectively increase capacity.

[0029] Finally, product acquisition: After the material reaction is complete, the generated Li2O is cooled to <100℃ to obtain Li2O powder with a purity ≥99.5%. Subsequently, the main body of the material tray crucible 1 is removed and placed in the material handling device to remove the product for packaging.

[0030] It should be noted that:

[0031] During operation, the reaction temperature of this reactor is controlled at 400–600℃, and the vacuum degree is ≤10⁻² Pa. Through a dynamic material linkage mechanism, the crucible tray speed and electrode spacing are automatically adjusted using comprehensive monitoring methods, with a speed range of 0.5–2 m / min, thereby achieving a high efficiency of >99.5% decomposition rate.

[0032] The reactor employs cyclic pulsed discharge plasma electrodes: a unique design using a high-frequency power plasma generator promotes uniform energy distribution. During Li₂O preparation, key steps such as LiOH dehydration, Li₂O crystal structure regulation, and impurity vaporization can be completed simultaneously. High-energy particles in the plasma, such as electrons and ions, continuously bombard the surface of the lithium-based material, providing sufficient energy to break chemical bonds, greatly accelerating the decomposition process and significantly improving reaction efficiency and product quality.

[0033] Dynamic material handling: Through comprehensive monitoring of the reaction process, this reactor achieves automated adjustment of the crucible tray rotation speed and electrode spacing, with a rotation speed range of 0.5–2 m / min. This precise adjustment mechanism ensures a stable lithium-based material decomposition rate of >99.5%, effectively guaranteeing the high efficiency and stability of lithium oxide preparation and significantly improving product quality and production efficiency.

[0034] Vacuum-sealed integrated design: The vacuum chamber is constructed from high-strength, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant stainless steel and equipped with an argon purging system. This design effectively maintains the chamber vacuum at 10⁻²–10⁻³ Pa, creating a highly pure reaction environment and greatly preventing the intrusion of impurity gases. This avoids interference from impurities in the Li₂O preparation process, ensuring the high purity of the product from the source.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0036] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A dynamic reaction furnace for the production of lithium oxide by plasma, comprising a tray-crucible body (1), a vacuum container lower cover (2) and a tray-crucible moving platform (3), characterized in that: The tray crucible main body (1) is placed on the rotary disc of the vacuum container lower cover (2), the bottom of the vacuum container lower cover (2) is provided with a tray crucible moving platform (3), the bottom of the tray crucible moving platform (3) is provided with a tray crucible lifting device (4), one side of the vacuum container lower cover (2) is provided with a vacuum container main body (11), the top of the vacuum container main body (11) is provided with a vacuum container upper cover (10), the outer side of the top of the vacuum container upper cover (10) is provided with a vacuum measurement port (12) and a temperature measurement port (7), the front end of the top of the vacuum container upper cover (10) is provided with a vacuum suction port (9), the top of the vacuum container upper cover (10) is provided with an upper electrode adjusting device (8), the bottom of the vacuum container main body (11) is provided with a tray crucible rotating device (5), and the inside of the vacuum container main body (11) is provided with an upper electrode main body (6).

2. The dynamic reaction furnace for producing lithium oxide by plasma according to claim 1, wherein: The tray crucible main body (1) is used for containing materials, and the lower electrode is arranged in the inside of the tray crucible main body (1).

3. The dynamic reaction furnace for the production of lithium oxide by plasma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum measurement port (12) and the temperature measurement port (7) are communicated with the inside of the vacuum container main body (11), the vacuum measurement port (12) is used for installing a vacuum gauge and a vacuum sensor, and the temperature measurement port (7) is used for installing a temperature sensor.

4. The dynamic reaction furnace for the production of lithium oxide by plasma according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper electrode adjusting device (8) is connected with the upper electrode main body (6) in the inside of the vacuum container main body (11), and is used for adjusting the distance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode.

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