Electrode slurry transport system and electrode slurry temperature control method using the same

Abstract

The electrode slurry transfer system according to the present invention includes a mixer storage tank for storing electrode slurry discharged from a mixer, a first transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer piping branching in parallel and for storing high-temperature slurry, a second transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer piping branching in parallel and for storing low-temperature slurry, a coater supply tank configured to receive the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry from the first transfer tank and the second transfer tank, respectively, and supply the mixed electrode slurry to a coater, a flow rate adjustment unit configured to adjust the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing from the first transfer tank to the coater supply tank and the transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank to the coater supply tank, respectively, and a control unit for controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0139373, filed on October 26, 2022.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode slurry transport system for transporting the electrode slurry from a mixer to a coater that coats an electrode current collector, and a method for controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode slurry transport system and an electrode slurry temperature control method that adjust the temperature of a slurry by mixing a high-temperature slurry and a low-temperature slurry in an electrically powered manner, reduce the waiting time consumed for adjusting the temperature of the slurry, and reduce the loss of the slurry used during the temperature adjustment. [Background technology]

[0004] Secondary batteries, which can be repeatedly charged and discharged, are used in a variety of electronic devices. Meanwhile, as the types and shapes of electronic devices become more diverse, the shapes of the secondary batteries mounted in the electronic devices also become more diverse. In recent years, lithium-ion secondary batteries using lithium are widely used as secondary batteries.

[0005] To manufacture such a secondary battery, a negative electrode coated with a negative active material, a positive electrode coated with a positive active material, and a separator disposed between the negative and positive electrodes are required. To manufacture such a negative and positive active materials, a mixture of an electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, and the like, called a slurry, is often required.

[0006] Specifically, the manufacturing of positive and negative electrodes involves a mixing process in which raw materials are mixed, followed by other processes such as coating, drying, roll pressing, taping, and slitting. During the mixing process in which raw materials such as electrode active material, conductive material, and binder are mixed to create a uniform slurry, heat from mixing is generated, causing the temperature of the slurry to gradually rise. During the subsequent transportation process, the slurry is passed through multiple tanks and cooled with cooling water to adjust the temperature to the desired temperature.

[0007] A conventional electrode slurry transport system is shown in Fig. 1. In the conventional technology, a slurry formed in a mixer 10 is transported through a mixer storage tank 20 and a transfer tank 30 to a coater supply tank 40 that finally supplies the slurry to a coating roll.

[0008] At this time, since the temperature of the slurry affects the coating quality, loading deviation, etc. during the coating process, it is very important to control the temperature at a suitable level in order to ensure a constant quality of the electrode.

[0009] Since the electrode coating is performed continuously but the slurry is mixed in a batch, the temperature of the transferred slurry has a profile in which high and low temperatures are repeated periodically. In this case, in the case of a section where the temperature changes abruptly, it may take an excessively long time to stabilize the slurry at the target temperature. In addition, the coating process, which is a continuous process, may be stopped for a while due to replacement, disconnection, etc., and then resumed after readjusting the process conditions, and the temperature conditions of the slurry may also be readjusted along with the readjustment of the process conditions. In addition, if the waiting time for the slurry to reach the target temperature due to the readjustment of the temperature conditions of the slurry becomes long, the productivity may decrease.

[0010] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology that reduces losses of the current collector and slurry consumed for temperature stabilization during coating and minimizes the waiting time required to adjust the temperature of the slurry to a target value. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention seeks to provide an electrode slurry transport system and electrode slurry temperature control method that minimizes the time it takes to adjust the temperature of the electrode slurry to a target value and minimizes slurry and current collector losses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an electrode slurry transfer system for transferring an electrode slurry from a mixer in which the electrode slurry is mixed to a coater for coating the electrode slurry, and may include: a mixer storage tank for storing the electrode slurry discharged from the mixer; a first transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer piping branching in parallel and for storing a high-temperature slurry; a second transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer piping branching in parallel and for storing a low-temperature slurry; a coater supply tank configured to receive the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry from the first transfer tank and the second transfer tank, respectively, and supply the mixed electrode slurry to the coater; a flow rate adjustment unit configured to adjust a transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing from the first transfer tank to the coater supply tank and a transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank to the coater supply tank, respectively; and a control unit for controlling a temperature of the electrode slurry.

[0013] An electrode slurry transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second transfer piping that connects the first transfer tank and the flow rate control unit to allow high temperature slurry to flow into the flow rate control unit, a third transfer piping that connects the second transfer tank and the flow rate control unit to allow low temperature slurry to flow into the flow rate control unit, a fourth transfer piping that connects the flow rate control unit and the coater supply tank to allow high temperature and low temperature slurries to flow into the coater supply tank, and a fifth transfer piping that connects the coater supply tank and the coater to allow electrode slurry to flow into the coater.

[0014] In an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow rate control unit may include a first port connected to the second transport piping and a second port connected to a third transport piping, and may be configured to adjust the opening / closing rate of the first port and the opening / closing rate of the second port.

[0015] In an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to adjust the opening and closing rates of the first port and the second port to control the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0016] The electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry, and the temperature sensors may be installed in the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, the second transfer tank, the coater supply tank, and the fifth transfer piping, respectively.

[0017] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first return pipe returning to the first transfer tank may branch off from the second transfer pipe, and a first valve may be installed at the branching point of the second transfer pipe and the first return pipe, and a second return pipe returning to the second transfer tank may branch off from the third transfer pipe, and a second valve may be installed at the branching point of the third transfer pipe and the second return pipe.

[0018] An electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a first circulation pump installed on the first return piping and providing a driving force for circulating the high-temperature slurry to the first transfer tank, and a second circulation pump installed on the second return piping and providing a driving force for circulating the low-temperature slurry to the second transfer tank.

[0019] The electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry, and the temperature sensors may be installed in the mixer storage tank, the first return pipe, the second return pipe, the coater supply tank, and the fifth transport pipe, respectively.

[0020] In the electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, and the second transfer tank may include a chamber for accommodating a slurry, and a jacket formed on a wall surface of the chamber for circulating cooling water to adjust the temperature of the slurry.

[0021] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry in one or more of the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, and the second transfer tank by adjusting the temperature of the cooling water in the jacket.

[0022] In the electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry by proportional integral derivative control (PID control).

[0023] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can control the temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 1, and the temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 2.

[0024] [Condition 1] Ts≦Th≦Ts+5℃

[0025] [Condition 2] Ts-5℃≦Tl≦Ts

[0026] In the above Condition 1 and Condition 2, Ts is the target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0027] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can control the temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 3, and the temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 4.

[0028] [Condition 3] Ts+1.5℃≦Th≦Ts+3.5℃

[0029] [Condition 4] Ts-3.5℃≦Tl≦Ts-1.5℃

[0030] In the above conditions 3 and 4, Ts is the target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0031] In the electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may control the temperature of the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank to be the same as the target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0032] In an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry so that the sensing value of a temperature sensor installed in the fifth transport piping is the same as the sensing value of a temperature sensor installed in the coater supply tank.

[0033] A method for controlling the temperature of an electrode slurry according to one embodiment of the present invention uses the above-described electrode slurry transport system. Effect of the Invention

[0034] The electrode slurry transfer system and electrode slurry temperature control method of the present invention have a first transfer tank and a second transfer tank that separately store high temperature slurry and low temperature slurry, respectively, and control the electrode slurry temperature in the coater supply tank by mixing them, and a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank, respectively, so that the slurry in the coater supply tank can quickly reach the target temperature.

[0035] The electrode slurry transport system and electrode slurry temperature control method according to the present invention controls the temperature of the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank to be the same as the target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank during slurry temperature adjustment, thereby reducing the time required to adjust the temperature of the electrode slurry in the first transfer tank and the second transfer tank.

[0036] In addition, the electrode slurry transport system and the electrode slurry temperature control method according to the present invention can be achieved by simply adding another transport tank and a flow rate control unit to a conventional electrode slurry transport system including a storage tank, a transport tank, and a coater supply tank. This reduces the loss of slurry and current collector consumed for stabilizing the temperature during coating without requiring major design changes to the electrode slurry transport system, and at the same time increases the productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional electrode slurry delivery system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flow rate regulator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first transfer tank according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrode slurry transport system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0039] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0040] Furthermore, the sizes of the components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown.

[0041] Also, throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean that it excludes other elements, but that it may further include other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0042] 2 is a schematic diagram of an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which solid arrows indicate the flow of slurry.

[0043] An electrode slurry transfer system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mixer storage tank 110, a first transfer tank 120, a second transfer tank 130, a coater supply tank 140, a flow rate control unit 150, and a control unit (not shown).

[0044] In a mixer (not shown), an electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, etc. may be mixed to prepare an electrode slurry, and the electrode slurry prepared in the mixer may be transferred in this order to a mixer storage tank 110, a first transfer tank 120, a second transfer tank 130, a flow rate control unit 150, and a coater supply tank 140. The electrode slurry transferred to the coater supply tank 140 may be supplied to a coater C and coated on a current collector, followed by processes such as drying and rolling.

[0045] The mixer storage tank 110 is a tank for temporarily storing the electrode slurry discharged from the mixer. The electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110 is transferred in parallel to the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130.

[0046] In order to transfer the electrode slurry discharged from the mixer storage tank 110 in parallel to the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130, the mixer storage tank 110 and the first transfer tank 120, and the mixer storage tank 110 and the second transfer tank 130 are connected by a first transfer pipe 161 that branches in parallel, respectively. That is, the first transfer pipe 161 has a structure that branches into two pipes as shown in FIG. 2, and one end of the first transfer pipe 161 extends inside the mixer storage tank 110, and the other end of the branched transfer pipe extends inside the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130, respectively.

[0047] In one specific example, a valve 193 may be installed at a branch point on the path of the first transfer pipe, and the valve 193 may be a three-way valve.

[0048] The first transfer tank 120 receives the electrode slurry from the mixer storage tank 110 through the first transfer pipe 161 and stores the high-temperature slurry. In one specific example, the temperature of the high-temperature slurry stored in the first transfer tank 120 may be set to be higher than or equal to the target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140.

[0049] The second transfer tank 130 receives the electrode slurry from the mixer storage tank 110 via the first transfer pipe 161 and stores the low-temperature slurry. In one specific example, the temperature of the low-temperature slurry stored in the second transfer tank 130 may be set to be lower than or equal to the target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140.

[0050] The coater supply tank 140 is a tank that stores electrode slurry to be supplied to the coater C, and can store the electrode slurry that is a mixture of high-temperature slurry and low-temperature slurry supplied from the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130, respectively.

[0051] The flow rate control unit 150 may be configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 by respectively adjusting the flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing from the first transfer tank 120 to the coater supply tank 140 and the flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank 130 to the coater supply tank 140.

[0052] The first transfer tank 120 and the flow rate control unit 150 are connected by a second transfer pipe 162 , and the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank 120 flows into the flow rate control unit 150 through the second transfer pipe 162 .

[0053] The second transfer tank 130 and the flow rate control unit 150 are connected by a third transfer pipe 163 , and the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank 130 flows into the flow rate control unit 150 through the third transfer pipe 163 .

[0054] The flow rate regulator 150 and the coater supply tank 140 are connected by a fourth transfer pipe 164 , and the fourth transfer pipe allows the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry to flow into the coater supply tank 140 .

[0055] The coater supply tank 140 and the coater C are connected by a fifth transfer pipe 165 , and the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140 flows into the coater C through the fifth transfer pipe 165 .

[0056] The control unit (not shown) is for controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry, and may be configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank by controlling the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, the second transfer tank, and the flow rate adjustment unit, respectively.

[0057] In order to minimize the time it takes for the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140 to reach the target temperature (Ts), the electrode slurry transfer system 100 according to the present invention separates the transfer tank for supplying the electrode slurry to the coater supply tank 140 into two, the first transfer tank 120 supplies high-temperature slurry, and the second transfer tank 130 supplies low-temperature slurry, and the flow rate control unit 150 controls the flow rates of the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry, respectively, thereby controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140 to quickly reach the target temperature (Ts). Here, the target temperature is a value that is arbitrarily designated as a target temperature for the slurry temperature control.

[0058] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow rate adjustment unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, flow rate adjustment unit 150 may include a first port 151, a second port 152, and a third port 153 connected to a second transfer pipe 162, a third transfer pipe 163, and a fourth transfer pipe 164, respectively. The first port 151 to the third port 153 may constitute a flow rate adjustment unit housing 154 of the flow rate adjustment unit.

[0059] A flow control valve (not shown) configured to open and close the first port 151 and the second port 152 may be installed inside the flow control unit housing 154, and one flow control valve may adjust the opening and closing rates of the first port 151 and the second port 152, or a flow control valve may be installed in each of the first port 151 and the second port 152, and each flow control valve may adjust the opening and closing rate of the first port 151 and the opening and closing rate of the second port 152.

[0060] The flow rate adjusting unit 150 can adjust the opening / closing ratio of each of the first port 151 and the second port 152 by the control unit, thereby controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140. Specifically, when it is necessary to increase the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140, the first port 151 can be opened 100% to 75% and the second port 152 can be opened 0% to 25% to adjust the flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing in through the first port to be increased, and conversely, when it is necessary to decrease the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140, the second port 152 can be opened 0% to 25% and the second port 152 can be opened 100% to 75% to adjust the flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing in through the second port to be increased.

[0061] The flow rate control unit 150 may further include an actuator (not shown) that operates the flow rate control valve on one side of the flow rate control valve (not shown) and a flow rate control valve controller (not shown) that receives the opening and closing rates of the first and second ports from a control unit (not shown) and controls the operation of the actuator.

[0062] The electrode slurry transport system of the present invention further includes a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry in order to control the temperature of the electrode slurry, and the temperature sensors may be installed in the mixer storage tank 110, the first transfer tank 120, the second transfer tank 130, the coater supply tank 140, and the fifth transfer pipe 165, respectively.

[0063] The temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature of the electrode slurry in real time and transmit the measured temperature data to the control unit in real time, so that the control unit can control the temperature of the electrode slurry supplied to the coater C to a target temperature in real time based on the received temperature data.

[0064] In one specific example, the control unit may control the temperature of the electrode slurry by proportional integral derivative control (PID control). PID control is a proportional control method using the difference between a target temperature and a current temperature, and this control method may control the temperature of the electrode slurry supplied to the coater C to a target temperature.

[0065] 4 is a schematic diagram of a first transfer tank according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the first transfer tank may include a chamber 121 for accommodating a slurry S, an impeller 122 disposed inside the chamber 121 for stirring the slurry S, a temperature sensor 170 for measuring the temperature of the slurry S, and a jacket 123 formed on a wall surface of the chamber 121 for adjusting the temperature of the slurry S.

[0066] An inlet pipe 121a and an outlet pipe 121b are formed in the chamber 121, and the slurry S can be introduced into and discharged from the chamber 121. The impeller 122 is installed inside the chamber 121 and can be driven by a driving force outside the chamber 121 to agitate the electrode slurry S inside the chamber. For example, the impeller 122 can be driven by a motor provided in the central upper part of the chamber 121.

[0067] The jacket 123 may be formed on the outer surface of the chamber 121 and configured to circulate cooling water to adjust the internal temperature of the chamber 121 and the temperature of the slurry S flowing in. For example, the jacket 123 connected in a spiral shape along the outer surface of the chamber 121 forms a passage between the chamber 121 and the jacket 123, and the cooling water may circulate along this passage. In addition, a cooling water inlet pipe 123a and a cooling water outlet pipe 123b may be connected to the jacket 123, so that the cooling water may continuously flow in and out. Meanwhile, since there is no particular limitation on the position of the jacket 123, a configuration in which the jacket 123 is formed on the inner surface of the chamber 121 is also possible.

[0068] The temperature sensor 170 is installed inside the chamber 121 and can measure the internal temperature of the chamber 121 and the temperature of the inflowing slurry S in real time. The temperature data measured by the temperature sensor 170 is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit can adjust the temperature of the cooling water flowing inside the jacket based on the temperature data, thereby controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry stored in the first transfer tank 120 to a high temperature.

[0069] The configuration of the first transfer tank 120 can be directly adopted for the second transfer tank 130 and the mixer storage tank 110. That is, the second transfer tank, like the first transfer tank, can include a chamber, an impeller, a temperature sensor, and a jacket configuration in order to control the electrode slurry temperature in the second transfer tank 130 to a low temperature, and the mixer storage tank 110 can also include a chamber, an impeller, a temperature sensor, and a jacket configuration in order to control the temperature of the electrode slurry stored in the mixer storage tank 110.

[0070] In the electrode slurry transfer system configured as above, the control unit can control the electrode slurry temperature in the mixer storage tank 110, the first transfer tank 120, and the second transfer tank 130 to a suitable temperature range by adjusting the temperature of the cooling water.

[0071] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can control the temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank 120 to satisfy the following condition 1, and the temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank 130 to satisfy the following condition 2.

[0072] [Condition 1] Ts≦Th≦Ts+5℃

[0073] [Condition 2] Ts-5℃≦Tl≦Ts

[0074] In the above Condition 1 and Condition 2, Ts is the target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0075] In an electrode slurry transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can also control the temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 3, and the temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank to satisfy the following condition 4.

[0076] [Condition 3] Ts+1.5℃≦Th≦Ts+3.5℃

[0077] [Condition 4] Ts-3.5℃≦Tl≦Ts-1.5℃

[0078] In the above conditions 3 and 4, Ts is the target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

[0079] By controlling the temperature of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank 120 and the temperature of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank 130 to satisfy the above conditions 1 and 2, more specifically conditions 3 and 4, respectively, the temperature change due to mixing of the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 can be achieved within a short period of time.

[0080] In an electrode slurry transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may control the temperature of the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110 to be the same as the target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140.

[0081] The greater the temperature difference between the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110 and the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140, the longer it may take to heat and cool the slurry in the first and second transfer tanks, respectively. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110 to be the same as the target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140, the temperature change of the slurries supplied in the first and second transfer tanks 120 and 130, respectively, may be minimized, and the stabilization time of the slurry temperature may be reduced.

[0082] In the electrode slurry transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may control the temperature of the electrode slurry so that a sensing value of the temperature sensor 170 installed in the fifth transport pipe 165 becomes equal to a sensing value of the temperature sensor 170 installed in the coater supply tank 140. In this manner, the electrode slurry transport system allows the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140, whose temperature has been changed according to the control of the flow rates of the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140, to be supplied to the coater C.

[0083] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrode slurry transfer system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5, in the electrode slurry transfer system 200, a first return pipe 266 returning to the first transfer tank 220 branches from the second transfer pipe 262, a first valve 291 is installed at a branch point of the second transfer pipe 262 and the first return pipe 266, a second return pipe 267 returning to the second transfer tank 230 branches from the third transfer pipe 263, and a second valve 292 may be installed at a branch point of the third transfer pipe 263 and the second return pipe 267. Each of the first valve 291 and the second valve 292 may be a three-way valve.

[0084] The electrode slurry discharged from the first transfer tank 220 is pumped by a pump (not shown) and transferred to the coater supply tank 240 via the second transfer piping 262. When a set amount of slurry or more is supplied to the coater supply tank 240, the first valve 291 cuts off the supply of slurry to the coater supply tank 240, and the electrode slurry can be returned to the first transfer tank 220 again via the first return piping 266.

[0085] Similarly, the electrode slurry discharged from the second transfer tank 230 can be returned to the second transfer tank 230 again via the second return pipe 267 by blocking the slurry supply to the coater supply tank 240 by the second valve 292.

[0086] In addition, the electrode slurry transfer system 200 may further include a first circulation pump (not shown) installed on the first return piping 266 and providing a driving force for circulating the high-temperature slurry to the first transfer tank 220, and a second circulation pump (not shown) installed on the second return piping 267 and providing a driving force for circulating the low-temperature slurry to the second transfer tank 230.

[0087] In addition, the electrode slurry transfer system 200 may further include a plurality of temperature sensors 270 for measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry, and the temperature sensors 270 may be installed in the mixer storage tank 210, the first return pipe 266, the second return pipe 267, the coater supply tank 240 and the fifth transfer pipe 265, respectively.

[0088] The temperature sensor 270 may be configured to measure the temperature of the electrode slurry in real time and send the measurement data to the control unit, and the control unit may adjust the operation of various components constituting the electrode transport system based on the measurement data received from the temperature sensor to control the temperature of the electrode slurry so that it reaches a target temperature.

[0089] A method for controlling the temperature of an electrode slurry according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The method for controlling the temperature of an electrode slurry according to the present invention controls the temperature of the electrode slurry using the above-mentioned electrode slurry transport system.

[0090] 1 to 4, the method for controlling the temperature of electrode slurry according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a slurry supply step (S1) of supplying electrode slurry produced by a mixer (not shown) to a mixer storage tank 110, a first transfer tank 120, a second transfer tank 130, and a coater supply tank 140, a step (S2) of measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry through temperature sensors installed in the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, the second transfer tank, the coater supply tank, and a fifth transfer pipe, and a step (S3) of indirectly cooling the electrode slurry from the mixer storage tank 110 using cooling water. The method may include a process (S3) of adjusting the temperature of each electrode slurry in the first transfer tank 110, the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130, a process (S4) of adjusting the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing from the first transfer tank 120 to the coater supply tank 140 and the transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank 130 to the coater supply tank 140 by the flow rate adjustment unit 150, and a process (S5) of controlling the temperature of the cooling water, the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry and the transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry by the flow rate adjustment unit in real time.

[0091] In the slurry supply process (S1), the electrode slurry discharged from the mixer storage tank 110 may flow into the first transfer tank 120 and the second transfer tank 130 through the first transfer pipe 161 having a parallel branching structure. As a result, the first transfer tank 120 supplies high-temperature slurry to the coater supply tank 140 via the second transfer pipe 162 and the flow rate control unit 150, and the second transfer tank 130 supplies low-temperature slurry to the coater supply tank 140 via the third transfer pipe 163 and the flow rate control unit 150.

[0092] The process of measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry (S2) is a process of checking the current temperature of the electrode slurry, and the electrode slurry temperature control method according to the present invention measures the temperature of the electrode slurry in real time through the temperature sensor and transmits the temperature data to the control unit.

[0093] In the process (S3) of adjusting the temperature of each electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110, the first transfer tank 120, and the second transfer tank 130, the indirect method of cooling water may be a heat exchange method in which cooling water circulates inside the jacket to perform indirect heating or indirect cooling, as described above.

[0094] The process (S4) of adjusting the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 and the transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank 130 into the coater supply tank 140 is a process of adjusting the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 and the transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 so that the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140 quickly reaches the target temperature.

[0095] At this time, the flow rate control unit 150 can adjust the transfer flow rates of the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank 140 by adjusting the opening / closing ratio of each of the first port 151 connected to the second transfer pipe 162 and the second port 152 connected to the third transfer pipe 163.

[0096] The process (S5) of controlling in real time the transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry by the cooling water temperature and the flow rate regulator may include a process of controlling the temperature of each electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank 110, the first transfer tank 120, and the second transfer tank 130 by regulating the temperature of the cooling water circulating through the jackets installed in the mixer storage tank 110, the first transfer tank 120, and the second transfer tank 130 based on the difference between the current temperature of the electrode slurry measured in real time in the process (S2) of measuring the temperature by the temperature sensor 170 and the target temperature. Also, it may include a process of controlling the operation of the flow rate regulator so that the temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank 140 matches the target temperature.

[0097] In the electrode slurry transfer system and electrode slurry temperature control method according to the present invention as described above, the first transfer tank and the second transfer tank separately store the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry, respectively, and the flow rate adjuster adjusts the flow rates of the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry flowing into the coater supply tank, thereby controlling the temperature of the slurry in the coater supply tank to quickly reach a target temperature.

[0098] It also reduces the time it takes to reach a target value during slurry temperature adjustment, thereby increasing production rates and reducing losses of slurry and current collector consumed for temperature stabilization during coating.

[0099] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments, etc. in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not fully represent the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 100, 200: Electrode slurry transport system 110, 210: Storage tank 120, 220: First transfer tank 130, 230: Second transfer tank 140, 240: Coater supply tank 150, 250: Flow rate adjustment section 151: First port 152: Second port 153: 3rd port 161, 261: First transfer pipe 162, 262: Second transfer pipe 163, 263: 3rd transfer pipe 164, 264: 4th transfer pipe 165, 265: 5th transfer pipe 266: First return pipe 267: Second return pipe 170, 270: Temperature sensor 291: First valve 292: 2nd valve 293: 3rd valve C: Coater

Claims

1. An electrode slurry transport system for transporting an electrode slurry from a mixer in which the electrode slurry is mixed to a coater for coating the electrode slurry, comprising: a mixer storage tank for storing the electrode slurry discharged from the mixer; a first transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer pipe branched in parallel and configured to store high-temperature slurry; a second transfer tank connected to the mixer storage tank by a first transfer pipe branched in parallel and configured to store low-temperature slurry; a coater supply tank configured to receive the high-temperature slurry and the low-temperature slurry from the first transfer tank and the second transfer tank, respectively, and to supply a mixed electrode slurry to a coater; a flow rate adjusting unit configured to adjust a transfer flow rate of the high-temperature slurry flowing from the first transfer tank to the coater supply tank and a transfer flow rate of the low-temperature slurry flowing from the second transfer tank to the coater supply tank, and a control unit for controlling a temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

2. a second transfer pipe connecting the first transfer tank and the flow rate control unit to allow the high-temperature slurry to flow into the flow rate control unit; a third transfer pipe connecting the second transfer tank and the flow rate control unit to allow the low-temperature slurry to flow into the flow rate control unit; a fourth transfer pipe connecting the flow rate regulator and the coater supply tank to allow the high temperature slurry and the low temperature slurry to flow into the coater supply tank; The electrode slurry transport system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fifth transport pipe connecting the coater supply tank and the coater to allow the electrode slurry to flow into the coater.

3. The flow rate adjusting unit is a first port connected to the second transfer pipe; a second port connected to the third transfer pipe; The electrode slurry transport system of claim 2 configured to adjust a rate at which the first port is opened and a rate at which the second port is opened and closed.

4. The electrode slurry transport system according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit adjusts an opening / closing rate of each of the first port and the second port to control a temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

5. further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry; 3. The electrode slurry transport system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are respectively installed in the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, the second transfer tank, the coater supply tank and the fifth transfer pipe.

6. A first return pipe returning to the first transfer tank branches from the second transfer pipe, and a first valve is installed at a branch point of the second transfer pipe and the first return pipe; 3. The electrode slurry transfer system according to claim 2, wherein a second return pipe returning to the second transfer tank branches off from the third transfer pipe, and a second valve is installed at a branch point between the third transfer pipe and the second return pipe.

7. a first circulating pump installed on the first return pipe and providing a driving force for circulating the high-temperature slurry to the first transfer tank; The electrode slurry transfer system according to claim 6 , further comprising: a second circulating pump installed on the second return pipe to provide a driving force for circulating the low-temperature slurry to the second transfer tank.

8. a plurality of temperature sensors for measuring a temperature of the electrode slurry; 7. The electrode slurry transport system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of temperature sensors are respectively installed in the mixer storage tank, the first return pipe, the second return pipe, the coater supply tank and the fifth transfer pipe.

9. At least one of the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, and the second transfer tank is a chamber for containing the slurry; 2. The electrode slurry transport system according to claim 1, further comprising: a jacket formed on a wall surface of the chamber for circulating cooling water to adjust the temperature of the slurry.

10. 10. The electrode slurry transfer system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to control a temperature of the electrode slurry in any one or more of the mixer storage tank, the first transfer tank, and the second transfer tank by adjusting a temperature of the cooling water in the jacket.

11. The electrode slurry transport system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to control the temperature of the electrode slurry by PID control.

12. The control unit is The temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank satisfies the following condition 1, The temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank is controlled so as to satisfy the following condition 2, [Condition 1] Ts≦Th≦Ts+5° C. [Condition 2] Ts-5℃≦Tl≦Ts 2. The electrode slurry transport system of claim 1, wherein in said condition 1 and said condition 2, Ts is a target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

13. The control unit is The temperature (Th) of the high-temperature slurry in the first transfer tank satisfies the following condition 3, The temperature (Tl) of the low-temperature slurry in the second transfer tank is controlled so as to satisfy the following condition 4, [Condition 3] Ts+1.5℃≦Th≦Ts+3.5℃ [Condition 4] Ts-3.5℃≦Tl≦Ts-1.5℃ 2. The electrode slurry transport system of claim 1, wherein in said condition 3 and said condition 4, Ts is a target temperature of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

14. The electrode slurry transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the electrode slurry in the mixer storage tank to be the same as a target temperature (Ts) of the electrode slurry in the coater supply tank.

15. 3. The electrode slurry transport system of claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the temperature of the electrode slurry so that a sensing value of a temperature sensor installed in the fifth transport piping and a sensing value of a temperature sensor installed in the coater supply tank become equal to each other.

16. A method for controlling the temperature of an electrode slurry using the electrode slurry transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

Images