Electrode mixer cleaning system

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode mixer cleaning system is provided, which includes a storage tank for storing a solvent, a flow meter for measuring the solvent, a pressure tank for storing the measured solvent, a mixer for mixing the electrode material and the solvent, a first pump for sending the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through a first pipe, a second pump for sending the solvent from the pressure tank to the mixer through a second pipe at increased pressure, and a spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN) disposed in the mixer for introducing the solvent into the mixer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross-Reference to Related Applications] The present application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0091780 filed on July 11, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated as part of the present specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode mixer cleaning system.

Background Art

[0003] In modern society, as the use of portable devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, video cameras, digital cameras, and energy storage systems (ESS) has become commonplace, development of technologies in related fields has been actively progressing. In addition, rechargeable secondary batteries are used as power sources for electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), etc. as a solution to air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels, so the need for development of secondary batteries is increasing.

[0004] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have advantages such as free charge and discharge, low self-discharge rate and high energy density, and are receiving the most attention.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate coated with the positive electrode active material and a negative electrode plate coated with the negative electrode active material are disposed with a separator interposed therebetween, and an exterior material that hermetically houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, that is, a battery case.

[0006] These rechargeable batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium- and large-scale devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), and their use is rapidly increasing. Furthermore, recently, there has been a growing trend to use residential battery packs for energy storage.

[0007] The manufacturing process for such lithium secondary batteries is broadly divided into three stages: the electrode process, the assembly process, and the chemical process. The electrode process is further divided into the active material mixing process, the electrode coating process, the rolling process, the slitting process, and the winding process. Among these, the active material mixing process is for producing an electrode slurry and refers to the process of stirring and mixing electrode materials such as active materials with a solvent in a mixer.

[0008] Figure 1 schematically shows the layout of such a mixing process 10.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1, once the solvent stored in the storage tank 11 has been measured by the flow meter 12, it is introduced into the mixer 13 through the piping 16 by the operation of the pump 14. At this time, a general liquid injection nozzle 15 that is not pressurized is used.

[0010] At this time, the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter 12 is determined considering the solid content of the electrode slurry obtained during the manufacture of the electrode slurry.

[0011] Furthermore, once the solvent injection by the pump 14 as described above is complete, any remaining solvent is introduced into the piping 16 by air purging, which involves injecting air from the air injection port 17 connected to the piping 16.

[0012] However, in such a mixing process, a problem arises in which electrode materials, such as the active material in the slurry, accumulate inside the mixer and on the upper stage of the agitator. As a result, when the mixing process is carried out continuously without a step to clean the inside of the mixer, the electrode materials accumulate for a long time, making cleaning difficult. In addition, there is a problem of solid content specification out, where the solid content, which is a quality item of the slurry, changes. In other words, some of the electrode materials accumulate inside the mixer and agitator, resulting in the solid content in the slurry not reaching the target, or the solid content increasing as the accumulated material falls off.

[0013] Therefore, there is a pressing need for technological development to clean electrode mixers that can solve these problems. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0014] The present invention aims to enable cleaning of the inside of a mixer by introducing a solvent into the mixer at high pressure, thereby dramatically reducing the load of electrode material inside the mixer, reducing the mixer cleaning time, extending the additional cleaning cycle, and reducing the time and manpower consumed for cleaning.

[0015] However, the problems that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve are not limited to those described above, and can be broadly expanded within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] An electrode mixer cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present invention is A storage tank for storing the solvent, A flow meter for measuring the aforementioned solvent, A pressure tank for storing the measured solvent, A mixer for mixing electrode material and solvent, A first pump sends only the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through the first pipe, a second pump configured to send the solvent from said pressure tank to said mixer through a second pipe in a state where the pressure is increased; a high-pressure spray nozzle (HPSN) disposed in said mixer and configured to inject said solvent into said mixer; which is characterized by comprising:

[0017] the apparatus further comprises a third pipe connected at one end to said first pipe and connected at the other end to a first air injection unit, and air can be injected through said third pipe.

[0018] the apparatus further comprises a fourth pipe connected at one end to said pressure tank and connected at the other end to a second air injection unit, and said fourth pipe can be connected to said second pipe at an intermediate position thereof.

[0019] a first valve may be disposed on said first pipe, and a second valve may be disposed on said second pipe.

[0020] there may be 3 to 6 of said high-pressure spray nozzles (HPSN).

[0021] said electrode mixer cleaning apparatus may further comprise, on the second pipe, a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the solvent in said second pipe, and a level switch for measuring current.

[0022] accordingly, when the pressure of the solvent measured by said pressure gauge is 10 bar or less and the current measured by said level switch is 5 mA or less, the operation of said second pump can be stopped.

[0023] the solvent may be distilled water (DI water).

[0024] meanwhile, after the measurement of the solvent by said flow meter is completed, said first valve is opened to store the solvent in said pressure tank; thereafter, when said first valve is closed and said second valve is opened, the solvent can be injected into said mixer by the operation of said second pump.

[0025] Here, the solvent can be fed into the mixer by the second pump at a pressure of 90 bar to 120 bar.

[0026] Also, after the solvent is fed into the mixer by the second pump, air purging can be performed, in which air is injected into the first air injection part to feed the solvent remaining in the pressure tank, the first pipe, and the second pipe into the mixer.

[0027] At this time, in the air purging, the first valve is kept open; after the air purging is completed, the vent valve of the pressure tank is opened, and the first valve and the second valve can be closed.

[0028] Furthermore, when the solvent is fed from the pressure tank to the mixer by the second pump, un-fed solvent is generated due to the difference between the flow rate of the second pump and the flow rate of the high-pressure spray nozzle, and the un-fed solvent can further flow into the pressure tank through the fourth pipe.

[0029] Here, the un-fed solvent is mixed with the solvent existing in the pressure tank, and can be further fed into the mixer through the second pipe by the second pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the layout of a partial system of a conventional electrode slurry manufacturing process in which an electrode material and a solvent are mixed. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing the layout of another electrode mixer cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0032] To clearly explain the present invention, irrelevant explanatory parts have been omitted, and the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0033] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrary for the sake of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown.

[0034] Furthermore, when a specification states that a certain part "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise specified, this means that it can further encompass other components rather than excluding them.

[0035] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "one end" refers to one side end of the length formed by the part, and "the other end" refers to the other side end of the length formed by the part.

[0036] Figure 2 shows an electrode mixer cleaning system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, the electrode mixer cleaning system according to the present invention is configured to include a storage tank 110 for storing a solvent, a flow meter 111 for measuring the solvent, a pressure tank 120 for storing the measured solvent, a mixer 130 for mixing the electrode material and the solvent, a first pump 113 for sending only the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter 111 to the pressure tank 120 through a first pipe 112, a second pump 122 for sending the solvent from the pressure tank 120 to the mixer 130 through a second pipe 121 while increasing the pressure, and a spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN) 140 positioned inside the mixer 130 for introducing the solvent into the mixer 130.

[0038] Here, the storage tank 110 stores the solvent and is connected to the first piping 112, which has a first valve 114, a first pump 113, and a flow meter 111.

[0039] The solvent used in the electrode mixer cleaning system may be an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent, and more specifically, it may be influenced by the electrode material being mixed in the mixer. Specifically, if the electrode material is a positive electrode material, the solvent may be an organic solvent, and if the electrode material is a negative electrode material, the solvent may be an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent, more specifically distilled water (DI water).

[0040] The solvent is transferred from the storage tank 110 to the pressure tank 120 via the first pipe 112. At this time, the solvent is sent to the pressure tank 120 after being measured by the flow meter 111.

[0041] In this case, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning of the mixer 130 can be carried out simultaneously with the production of the electrode slurry, and in this case, the amount of solvent can be determined by taking into consideration the solvent content of the electrode slurry, that is, the solid content, viscosity, etc.

[0042] As another example, if the cleaning of the mixer 130 is not carried out simultaneously with the production of the electrode slurry, the amount required solely for cleaning the mixer 130 may be weighed and transported.

[0043] However, in any case, the solvent used may be the same solvent as the electrode slurry. This enhances the cleaning power of the mixer 130, prevents residual solvent from acting as an impurity in the subsequent production of the electrode slurry, and prevents a deterioration in the quality of the electrode slurry.

[0044] The transfer is performed by the first pump 113 and operates until only the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter 111 is supplied to the pressure tank 120. This operation begins with the first valve 114 open and the second valve 123 formed in the second piping 121 connecting the pressure tank 120 and the mixer 130 closed.

[0045] Thereafter, once the metering of the solvent into the pressure tank 120 is complete, the operation of the first pump 113 is stopped and the first valve 114 is closed.

[0046] The pressure tank 120 stores the metered solvent and is connected to the second piping 121, which includes a second valve 123 and a second pump 122.

[0047] After the solvent has been metered in the pressure tank 120 and the first valve 114 has been closed, the second valve 123 is opened, and the second pump 122 operates while the metered solvent is introduced into the mixer 130.

[0048] At this time, the measured solvent is introduced into the mixer 130 by a high-pressure spray nozzle (HPSN) 140. The high-pressure spray nozzle (HPSN) 140 can introduce the solvent into the mixer 130 under high pressure, and the direction in which the solvent is introduced by the high-pressure spray nozzle 140 can be varied and introduced in a single step so that the entire inside of the mixer 130 is cleaned, which is advantageous for cleaning compared to existing liquid spray nozzles.

[0049] Furthermore, the high-pressure spray nozzle 140 is capable of producing a fine mist and can be used when the input pressure is high.

[0050] Therefore, the entire inside of the mixer 130 can be cleaned using such a high-pressure spray nozzle 140.

[0051] Furthermore, such high-pressure spray nozzles 140 can be included in the mixer in more detail as 3 to 6 units, and more specifically as 4 units. In addition, the high-pressure spray nozzles 140 can be formed at equal intervals from one another in the circumferential direction on the inner wall of the mixer 130 for ease of cleaning and overall cleaning of the mixer 130.

[0052] If the number of particles exceeds the above range and is less than three, the inside of the mixer cannot be adequately cleaned, and if it exceeds six, it is inefficient.

[0053] On the other hand, the solvent for cleaning the inner surface of the mixer 130 can be introduced by the second pump 122 at a pressure of 90 bar to 120 bar, more specifically at a pressure of 100 bar to 110 bar, and even more specifically at a pressure of 100 bar to 105 bar.

[0054] At this time, if the procedure is performed at a lower pressure than the above range, the intended effect of this invention cannot be obtained, and if the procedure is performed at a higher pressure, the work becomes difficult and problems such as increased equipment costs arise.

[0055] Therefore, according to the present invention, the second pipe 121 may further include a pressure gauge 124 for measuring the pressure of the solvent and a level switch 125 for measuring the current.

[0056] The pressure gauge 124 and the level switch 125 serve to stop the operation of the second pump 122 if the solvent is not introduced into the mixer 130. If the second pump 122 operates even when no solvent is introduced, there may be an equipment malfunction, and the operation of the second pump 122 can be adjusted using the pressure gauge 124 and the level switch 125.

[0057] More specifically, if both the pressure gauge 124 and the level switch 125 are below a certain condition, the operation of the second pump 122 will be stopped. This is to prepare for the possibility of one of the two failing.

[0058] Specifically, if the pressure of the solvent measured by the pressure gauge 124 is 10 bar or less, and the current measured by the level switch 125 is 5 mA or less, the operation of the second pump 122 can be stopped.

[0059] By introducing a high-pressure solvent in this manner, the inside of the mixer 130 can be easily cleaned, increasing the cleaning cycle by a separate operator, improving process efficiency, reducing the workload of the operator, and also having the effect of dramatically reducing changes in the solid content of the electrode slurry, thereby improving the quality of the electrode slurry, as it can be applied to each configuration.

[0060] On the other hand, in such a pressure tank 130, during the process of introducing the solvent into the mixer 130 by the second pump 122, there is a possibility that unintroduced solvent may be generated due to the difference between the flow rate of the second pump 122 and the flow rate of the spray high-pressure nozzle 140.

[0061] Therefore, according to the present invention, a fourth pipe 162 may be further included, which is connected at one end to the pressure tank 120 and at the other end to the second air injection section 161, and since the fourth pipe 162 is connected to the second pipe 121, the uninjected solvent is transferred to the pressure tank 120 via the return line through the fourth pipe 162.

[0062] In this way, any remaining solvent sent to the pressure tank 120 can be mixed with the solvent already present in the pressure tank 120 and then introduced into the mixer 130 via the second piping 121 by the second pump 122, allowing all of the metered solvent to be introduced into the mixer 130 without any loss of solvent.

[0063] Once all of the previously unadded solvent has been introduced into the mixer via the return line, the second pump 122 stops operating, and air is injected through the second air injection port 161 connected to the fourth pipe 162, sending the remaining small amount of solvent in the fourth pipe 162 to the pressure tank 120.

[0064] Thereafter, as explained above, the solvent is used to clean the mixer while manufacturing the electrode slurry, or it is added in a measured amount to clean only the mixer 130. Therefore, it is important to add the entire amount of the solvent without any loss, and air purging can be performed after the solvent is added by the second pump 122.

[0065] The air purging allows any residual solvent remaining in the solvent pressure tank 120, the first pipe 112, and the second pipe 121 to be added to the mixer 130.

[0066] Therefore, during air purging, the first valve 114 is opened, and air is injected from the first air injection port 151, which is connected to the first pipe 112 at one end. When the air is injected into the first pipe 112 through the third pipe 152, which is connected to the first air injection port 151 at the other end, the solvent remaining in the pressure tank 120, the first pipe 112, and the second pipe 121 can be introduced into the mixer 130.

[0067] At this time, the air purge can be performed for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or more specifically, 1 minute to 2 minutes, at a pressure of 1 bar to 10 bar, more specifically 2 bar to 8 bar, or more specifically 2 bar to 5 bar.

[0068] The measured solvent can now be entirely added to the mixer 130.

[0069] Once this air purging is complete, the vent valve 126 of the pressure tank 120 is opened, and the first valve 114 and the second valve 123 are both closed, completing the cleaning of the mixer 130.

[0070] Thus, in the electrode mixer system according to the present invention, since all of the measured solvent can be used, the mixer 130 can be cleaned at the same time as the production of an electrode slurry in which adjusting the solvent content is important.

[0071] In other words, when the solvent content used in the electrode slurry is measured and introduced into the mixer 130, if it is introduced through the spray high-pressure nozzle 140 at a pressure within the above range, it is possible to simultaneously remove electrode material that accumulates in the upper part of the mixer 130 and in the agitator (not shown), etc.

[0072] Therefore, the electrode mixer cleaning system according to the present invention can be performed simultaneously with the manufacture of the electrode slurry, dramatically reducing downtime losses of the mixer equipment, shortening cleaning time and improving process efficiency, and also improving the quality of the electrode slurry because cleaning is possible for each component.

[0073] While preferred examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art, utilizing the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0074] According to the present invention, by introducing a solvent into the mixer at high pressure using a spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN) to clean the mixer, it is possible to reduce the time and manpower consumed for cleaning.

[0075] Furthermore, when measuring and applying the amount of solvent contained in the electrode slurry, the manufacturing of the electrode slurry and the cleaning of the mixer can be performed simultaneously, and cleaning can be performed for each configuration. This allows for continuous cleaning without equipment downtime losses, and increases the cleaning cycle performed by the operator.

Claims

1. A storage tank for storing the solvent, A flow meter for measuring the aforementioned solvent, A pressure tank for storing the measured solvent, A mixer for mixing electrode material and solvent, A first pump sends only the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through the first pipe, A second pump that sends the solvent from the pressure tank to the mixer through a second pipe while increasing the pressure, A spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN) is placed inside the mixer and is used to introduce the solvent into the mixer, An electrode mixer cleaning system, including one.

2. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising a third pipe connected at one end to the first pipe and connected at the other end to a first air injection section, wherein air is injected into the pressure tank through the third pipe.

3. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth pipe connected at one end to the pressure tank and connected at the other end to a second air injection section, wherein the fourth pipe is connected to the second pipe in the middle.

4. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein a first valve is formed in the first pipe and a second valve is formed in the second pipe.

5. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the spray high-pressure nozzles number three to six.

6. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the solvent in the second pipe and a level switch for measuring current in the second pipe.

7. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 6, wherein the operation of the second pump is stopped when the pressure of the solvent measured by the pressure gauge is 10 bar or less and the current measured by the level switch is 5 mA or less.

8. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is distilled water (DI water).

9. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, once the solvent has been measured by the flow meter, the first valve is opened and stored in the pressure tank, and thereafter, when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened, the solvent is introduced into the mixer by the operation of the second pump.

10. An electrode mixer cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein after the solvent is introduced into the mixer by the second pump, an air purge is performed by injecting air into the first air injection port to introduce the solvent remaining in the second pressure tank piping into the mixer.

11. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 10, wherein the air purging is performed with the first valve open, and after the air purging is completed, the vent valve of the pressure tank is opened and the first valve and the second valve are closed.

12. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the solvent is introduced from the pressure tank to the mixer by the second pump, if any unintroduced solvent is generated due to the difference between the flow rate of the second pump and the flow rate of the high-pressure nozzle of the spray, the unintroduced solvent is further introduced into the pressure tank through the fourth pipe.

13. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to claim 12, wherein the previously unadded solvent is mixed with the solvent present in the pressure tank and further introduced into the mixer through the second piping by the second pump.

14. The electrode mixer cleaning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the solvent is introduced into the mixer by the second pump at a pressure of 90 bar to 120 bar.

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