Slurry transport device and slurry transport method using the same

The slurry transfer device addresses quality degradation and filter clogging issues by using a pressure-sensitive control system to adjust air flow rates, ensuring consistent and continuous transfer of negative electrode slurry for secondary batteries.

JP7659089B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-08LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023578128
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-01-06
Filing Date
2023-01-06
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Estimated Expiration
2043-01-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing slurry transfer systems for secondary batteries face challenges in maintaining the quality of the negative electrode slurry during transfer, often resulting in filter clogging and pulsation issues that hinder continuous production.

Method used

A slurry transfer device equipped with a pump that separates into slurry and air chambers, a pressure sensor, and a control unit that adjusts air flow rates based on pressure differences to prevent filter clogging and maintain consistent slurry transfer.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively prevents slurry quality degradation during transfer, extends filter exchange periods, and ensures continuous production by dynamically adjusting air pressure to match transfer line pressures.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slurry transfer device and a slurry transfer method using the same, and more particularly to a slurry transfer device for a negative electrode of a secondary battery and a slurry transfer method for a negative electrode of a secondary battery using the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the slurry transfer device and the slurry transfer method using the same can prevent deterioration of the quality of the slurry during transfer and can increase the filter replacement cycle.
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slurry transport device and a slurry transport method using the same, and more particularly to an anode slurry transport device for a secondary battery and a method for transporting anode slurry for a secondary battery using the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0001881, dated January 6, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] In general, a secondary battery is a battery that can convert chemical energy into electrical energy and release it, and conversely, if electrical energy is supplied in a discharged state, it can be stored again in the form of chemical energy, i.e., it can be alternately charged and discharged.

[0004] A secondary battery is manufactured through an electrode process, an assembly process, and an activation process. In the negative electrode slurry mixing process, which is a mixing process corresponding to the first step of the electrode process, the negative electrode active material, the conductive material, the binder, and the solvent are mixed together to manufacture the battery in the form of a slurry.

[0005] The negative electrode slurry thus prepared is stored in an external tank, and the slurry in the tank is transferred to a coating device for a coating process by a pumping action of an air pressure pump connected to the tank. A filter is disposed on a transfer line transferring the slurry from the tank to the coating device.

[0006] At this time, a filter may become clogged while the air pressure pump is operating to transport the negative electrode slurry.

[0007] When the filter became clogged, the piping pressure on the transfer line increased, resulting in pulsation that reduced the quality of the negative electrode slurry, making continuous production difficult.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus for transporting anode slurry for secondary batteries that can prevent the quality of the anode slurry from being deteriorated during the transport process and that can transport the anode slurry continuously. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a slurry transport device and a slurry transport method using the same, which can prevent deterioration in the quality of a slurry during transport and increase the filter replacement cycle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a slurry transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tank in which slurry is stored, a pump arranged to transfer the slurry in the tank and including a pump chamber through which the slurry passes, an air chamber into which external air flows in, and a diaphragm arranged to separate the pump chamber from the air chamber and arranged to adjust the volume of the pump chamber, a flow rate adjustment unit connected to the pump and for adjusting the flow rate of air supplied to the air chamber, a filter arranged so that slurry discharged from the pump passes through, a pressure sensor located between the pump and the filter for measuring the pressure of the slurry being transferred, and a control unit for controlling the flow rate adjustment unit based on the difference between the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor and the air pressure supplied to the air chamber.

[0011] The control unit is also configured to increase the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0012] The control unit is also configured to reduce the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0013] The reference pressure may be between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar.

[0014] The reference pressure may also be 0.5 bar.

[0015] The control unit can also control the flow rate adjusting unit so that the air pressure in the air chamber becomes greater than the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

[0016] The flow rate adjusting section may include an electro-pneumatic regulator.

[0017] The pump may also be arranged to transport the slurry in the pump chamber when the air pressure in the air chamber is greater than the pressure in the pump chamber.

[0018] The slurry may be a negative electrode slurry for a secondary battery, and the filter may be provided to filter out foreign matter contained in the negative electrode slurry being transferred.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slurry transfer method using the slurry transfer device, the slurry transfer method including a step of controlling a flow rate control unit based on a difference between a measured pressure measured by a pressure sensor and an air pressure supplied to an air chamber.

[0020] The slurry transfer method may also include a step of increasing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0021] The slurry transfer method may also include a step of reducing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0022] The reference pressure may be between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar.

[0023] The slurry may be an anode slurry for a secondary battery. Effect of the Invention

[0024] As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the slurry transport device and the slurry transport method using the same of the present invention, deterioration of the quality of the slurry during transport can be prevented, and the filter replacement cycle can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a slurry transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a pump constituting the slurry transfer device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a pump constituting the slurry transfer device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a pump constituting the slurry transfer device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a pump constituting the slurry transfer device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a slurry transporting device and a slurry transporting method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] In addition, regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The size and shape of each component shown for convenience of explanation may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a slurry transfer apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 5 are schematic views for explaining one operating state of a pump 100 constituting the slurry transfer apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

[0029] In this specification, the slurry may be a negative electrode slurry for a secondary battery, and the slurry transfer device may be a slurry transfer device for a secondary battery.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a slurry transfer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tank 10, a pump 100, a filter 30, a pressure sensor 40, a control unit 50, and a flow rate adjustment unit 60.

[0031] Specifically, the slurry transfer device 1 includes a tank 10 in which slurry S is stored, and a pump 100. The pump 100 is provided to transfer the slurry S in the tank 10, and includes pump chambers 130, 140 through which the slurry passes, an air chamber 160 into which external air flows in, and diaphragms 171, 175 arranged to separate the pump chambers 130, 140 from the air chamber 160 and to adjust the volume of the pump chambers 130, 140.

[0032] The slurry transfer device 1 also includes a flow rate control unit 60 connected to the pump 100 for controlling the flow rate of air supplied to the air chamber 160, a filter 30 through which the slurry discharged from the pump 100 passes, and a pressure sensor 40 located on the transfer path between the pump 100 and the filter 30 for measuring the pressure of the slurry during transfer.

[0033] The slurry transfer device 1 also includes a control unit 50 that controls a flow rate adjustment unit 60 based on the difference between the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 40 and the air pressure supplied to the air chamber.

[0034] Furthermore, the slurry transfer apparatus 1 may include an air supply unit 20 for supplying air to the pump 100 via a flow rate adjustment unit 60. The air supply unit 20 is provided to supply air at a predetermined pressure, and the flow rate adjustment unit 60 may perform a function of adjusting the flow rate and pressure of the air supplied from the air supply unit 20. Furthermore, the flow rate adjustment unit 60 may include an electro-pneumatic regulator.

[0035] At this time, the control unit 50 is electrically connected to each of the pressure sensor and the flow rate adjustment unit. The measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor 40 and the air pressure adjusted by passing through the flow rate adjustment unit 60 are transmitted to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 adjusts the flow rate and pressure of the air passing through the flow rate adjustment unit 60 based on the difference between the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor 40 and the air pressure supplied to the air chamber 160. In this way, the air pressure in the air chamber 160 in the pump 100 can be adjusted.

[0036] The slurry transfer device 1 may also include a piping section 70 for connecting the tank 10 and the pump 100. The piping section 70 may include a first pipe 71 connecting the inlet end of the tank 10 and the pump P, 100, and a second pipe 72 connected to the discharge end of the pump 100.

[0037] In addition, the pressure sensor 40 and the filter 30 are respectively provided on the second pipe 72, and the second pipe 72 may be divided into a first region 73 on the upstream side of the filter 30 and a second region 74 on the downstream side after passing through the filter 30 along the slurry transfer direction. As described above, the slurry S may be transferred to the electrode coating process, which is the next process, through the second pipe 72.

[0038] The tank 10 stores the negative electrode slurry S prepared through a negative electrode mixing process. For example, the negative electrode slurry may be a mixture of a negative electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent. In this case, the types of the negative electrode active material, the conductive material, the binder, and the solvent are not particularly limited and may be any type known in the art.

[0039] The pump 100 is a device for transferring the slurry S by applying pressure, and transfers the negative electrode slurry stored in the tank 10 .

[0040] In one embodiment, the pump 100 can be driven by an electrical signal. The pump 100 can be a low pulsation pump. Specifically, the pump can be a pump with low vibration. For example, the pump can have a pulsation of 0.2 bar or less. By using the low pulsation pump, the filter replacement cycle can be increased.

[0041] The pump 100 may be an electric double diaphragm pump, for example, the Graco H2150E model. Such an electric double diaphragm pump is configured so that the slurry in the pump chamber is pumped when the air pressure in the air chamber is greater than the pressure in the pump chamber. In contrast, the electric double diaphragm pump is configured so that no pumping action occurs in the pump chamber when the air pressure in the air chamber is less than the pressure in the pump chamber. Therefore, the air pressure in the air chamber is important for the pumping action, and the air pressure in the air chamber is configured to be adjustable via an electro-pneumatic regulator or the like.

[0042] 2 and 3, the pump 100 in one embodiment may be an electric double diaphragm pump, and the pump 100 includes a housing 101 having a first inlet 111 and a second inlet 113, and a first outlet 121 and a second outlet 123. A slurry S_in flows into the housing 101 through the first inlet 111 and the second inlet 113. The first inlet 111 and the second inlet 113 are fluidly connected to a first pipe 71, respectively.

[0043] By the pumping action inside the housing 101, the slurry S_out is discharged to the outside (second piping) through the first discharge part 121 and the second discharge part 123. The first discharge part 121 and the second discharge part 123 are respectively connected to the second piping 72 so as to be capable of fluid movement.

[0044] The pump 100 includes a first pump chamber 130, a second pump chamber 140, and an air chamber 160, each of which is provided inside a housing 101.

[0045] The first pump chamber 130 connects the first inlet 111 and the first outlet 121, and the second pump chamber 140 connects the second inlet 113 and the second outlet 123. The first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140 are spaces in which the pumping action of the slurry flowing in through each inlet is performed.

[0046] The pump 100 also includes a first diaphragm 171 provided to separate the first pump chamber 130 and the air chamber 160, and a second diaphragm 175 provided to separate the second pump chamber 140 and the air chamber 160.

[0047] The pump also includes a driving unit 150 for expanding and contracting the first diaphragm 171 and the second diaphragm 175. The driving unit 150 is disposed in the air chamber 160. The driving unit 150 changes the volumes of the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140 by interlockingly expanding and contracting the first diaphragm 171 and the second diaphragm 175, so that a pumping action is performed alternately in the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140.

[0048] The driving unit 150 includes a motor 151, a cam 152 connected to a driving shaft of the motor 151 and arranged to rotate together with the motor, and a driving plate 153 having a first accommodating groove 153a arranged at a position facing the first pump chamber 130, a second accommodating groove 153b arranged at a position facing the second pump chamber 140, and a cam hole 153c in which the cam 152 is arranged. The cam hole 153c may be located between the first accommodating groove 153a and the second accommodating groove 153b. The first accommodating groove 153a and the second accommodating groove 153b are partially opened in areas facing the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140, respectively, and drive shafts 173 and 177 described below can pass through the opened portions.

[0049] The drive unit 150 also includes a first drive shaft 173 that is slidably arranged within the first accommodating groove 153a and connected to the first diaphragm 171, and a second drive shaft 177 that is slidably arranged within the second accommodating groove 153b and connected to the second diaphragm 175.

[0050] Further, in order to prevent the first driving shaft 173 from falling out of the first accommodating groove 153a, a locking step 157 is provided in the first accommodating groove 153a, and a locking plate 174 is provided on the first driving shaft 173 so as to come into contact with the locking step 157. Further, in order to prevent the second driving shaft 177 from falling out of the second accommodating groove 153b, a locking step 157 is provided in the second accommodating groove 153b, and a locking plate 178 is provided on the second driving shaft 177 so as to come into contact with the locking step 157.

[0051] In such a structure, when the motor 151 rotates, the cam 152 rotates in a circular motion C, and since the cam hole 153c is formed in a long hole shape having a long axis in the vertical direction, the drive plate 153 moves in the left-right direction M (M1, M2) within the air chamber 160 along an imaginary line connecting the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140.

[0052] The first pump chamber 130 has a first hole 112 connected to the first inlet 111 and a second hole 122 connected to the first outlet 121. The first pump chamber 130 includes a first ball 131 disposed on the first hole 112 side, a first stopper 135 for closing the first hole 112 when in contact with the first ball 131, a second ball 133 disposed on the second hole 122 side, and a second stopper 137 provided to close the second hole 122 when in contact with the second ball 133. Each of the stoppers 135, 137 may have a ring shape, and each of the balls 131, 133 is disposed so as to be inserted into an opening of the ring when in contact with the stoppers 135, 137, and when the balls 131, 133 are inserted into the opening of the ring, each of the holes 112, 122 is switched to a closed state. Additionally, when the balls 131, 133 leave the stoppers, the slurry can flow through the ring openings in the stoppers 135, 137.

[0053] The second pump chamber 140 also has a third hole 114 connected to the second inlet 113 and a fourth hole 125 connected to the second outlet 123. The second pump chamber 140 includes a third ball 141 arranged on the third hole 114 side, a third stopper 145 for closing the third hole 114 when in contact with the third ball 141, a fourth ball 143 arranged on the fourth hole 125 side, and a fourth stopper 147 provided to close the fourth hole 125 when in contact with the fourth ball 143. Each of the stoppers may have a ring shape, and each ball is arranged to be inserted into an opening of the ring when in contact with the stopper, and when the ball is inserted into the opening of the ring, each hole is switched to a closed state.

[0054] 2 and 3, in response to the left-right movement of the drive plate 153, the first diaphragm 171 changes the volume of the first pump chamber 130, and the second diaphragm 175 changes the volume of the second pump chamber 140.

[0055] In response to the movement of the drive plate 153, the first drive shaft 173 and the second drive shaft 177 arranged in the respective accommodation grooves 153a, 153b move, and in response thereto, the first diaphragm 171 and the second diaphragm 175 expand and contract, respectively.

[0056] 2 and 4, when the driving unit 150 is operated and the driving plate 153 in the air chamber 160 moves in a direction M1 approaching the first pump chamber 130, the first diaphragm 171 expands and contracts so that the area connected to the first driving shaft 173 moves in a direction away from the second pump chamber, and the volume of the first pump chamber 130 decreases, and the second diaphragm 175 expands and contracts so that the area connected to the second driving shaft 177 moves in a direction approaching the first pump chamber, and the volume of the second pump chamber 140 increases. At this time, in the first pump chamber 130, the first ball 131 contacts the first stopper 135 to close the first hole 112, and the second ball 133 separates from the second stopper 137 to open the second hole 122. The slurry A1 in the first pump chamber 130 is discharged to the first discharge part 121 side through the second hole 122 by the pumping action. In addition, in the second pump chamber 140, the third ball 141 moves away from the third stopper 145 to open the third hole 114, and the fourth ball 143 contacts the fourth stopper 147 to close the fourth hole 125. At this time, the slurry B1 flows into the second pump chamber 140 through the third hole 114.

[0057] 3 and 4, when the drive plate 153 in the air chamber 160 moves in a direction M2 approaching the second pump chamber 140, the first diaphragm 171 expands and contracts so that the area connected to the first drive shaft 173 moves in a direction approaching the second pump chamber, and the volume of the first pump chamber 130 increases, and the second diaphragm 175 expands and contracts so that the area connected to the second drive shaft 177 moves in a direction away from the first pump chamber, and the volume of the second pump chamber 140 decreases. At this time, in the first pump chamber 130, the first ball 131 moves away from the first stopper 135, opening the first hole 112, and the second ball 133 contacts the second stopper 137 to close the second hole 122. At this time, the slurry B2 flows into the inside of the first pump chamber 130 through the first hole 112. In the second pump chamber 140, the third ball 141 contacts the third stopper 145 to close the third hole 114, and the fourth ball 143 moves away from the fourth stopper 147 to open the fourth hole 125. The slurry A2 in the second pump chamber 140 is discharged to the second discharge part 123 side through the fourth hole 125 by the pumping action.

[0058] As the drive plate 153 continues to move in the left-right direction M in this manner, the slurry is alternately discharged from the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140 to the respective discharge portions, and the transfer of the slurry progresses.

[0059] On the other hand, referring to Figures 4 and 5, the first surface of the diaphragm facing the pump chamber is pressurized by the slurry pressure Ps in the pump chamber, and the second surface opposite the first surface of the diaphragm is pressurized by the air pressure Pa in the air chamber.

[0060] That is, a first surface of the first diaphragm 171 facing the first pump chamber 130 is pressurized by the slurry pressure Ps in the first pump chamber 130, and a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface of the first diaphragm 171 is pressurized by the air pressure Pa in the air chamber 160. Similarly, a first surface of the second diaphragm 175 facing the second pump chamber 140 is pressurized by the slurry pressure Ps in the second pump chamber 140, and a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface of the second diaphragm 175 is pressurized by the air pressure Pa in the air chamber 160.

[0061] In this case, the electric double diaphragm pump is configured so that when the air pressure Pa in the air chamber is greater than the pressure Ps in the pump chamber, the slurry in the pump chamber is transferred by pumping action, and when the air pressure Pa in the air chamber is less than the pressure Ps in the pump chamber, no pumping action is performed in the pump chamber.

[0062] 4, when the air pressure Pa in the air chamber is greater than the pressure in the first and second pump chambers, the locking plates 174, 178 of the drive shafts 173, 177 connected to the first and second diaphragms, respectively, are designed to engage with the locking steps 157 of the receiving grooves 153a, 153b, and the drive shafts 173, 177 are arranged to move together in accordance with the movement of the drive plate 153. In this way, when the drive plate 153 moves, the drive shafts must move together to expand and contract the first and second diaphragms, generating a pumping action.

[0063] 5, when the air pressure Pa in the air chamber is lower than the pressure in the first and second pump chambers, the locking plates 174, 178 of the drive shafts 173, 177 connected to the first diaphragm 171 and the second diaphragm 175, respectively, do not engage with the locking steps 157 of the respective receiving grooves, and the locking plates 174, 178 are designed to be located inside the receiving grooves. In this case, when the drive plate 153 moves left and right, the drive shafts 173, 177 do not move together, and the first and second diaphragms do not expand or contract, resulting in no pumping action.

[0064] Therefore, in order for the pumping action to occur in the first pump chamber 130 and the second pump chamber 140, the air pressure Pa in the air chamber 160 is important, and the air pressure Pa in the air chamber 160 is adjustable via the flow rate control unit 60. In addition, in order to transport the slurry, the air pressure Pa in the air chamber 160 must be maintained higher than the pressure in the pump chamber by a preset reference pressure.

[0065] As described above, the pump 100 is configured to transfer the slurry in the pump chamber when the air pressure Pa in the air chamber is greater than the pressure Ps in the pump chamber, and the control unit 50 can increase the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber 160 and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor 40 is less than a predetermined reference pressure. That is, when the filter 30 gradually becomes clogged and the transfer pressure of the slurry in the second pipe 72 increases, the pressure Ps in each of the pump chambers 130, 140 also increases.

[0066] As a result, the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber 160 and the pressure in the pump chamber becomes smaller, so that the control unit controls the flow rate regulator 60 to increase the air flow rate supplied to the air chamber 160. As the air flow rate increases, the pressure in the air chamber increases, and again the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber 160 and the pressure in the pump chamber can be maintained at a preset reference pressure. Meanwhile, unexplained reference numeral 61 denotes an air pipe connecting the flow rate regulator 60 and the air chamber 160.

[0067] Alternatively, the control unit 50 may reduce the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when the difference between the air pressure Pa supplied to the air chamber 160 and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure. That is, when it is determined that the difference between the air pressure Pa and the pressure in the pump chamber is maintained greater than the reference pressure, the control unit 50 may reduce the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber.

[0068] The reference pressure may be between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar, and the reference pressure may be 0.5 bar.

[0069] In addition, the control unit 50 can control the flow rate adjusting unit 60 so that the air pressure in the air chamber becomes greater than the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor. The air pressure in the air chamber can be a pressure adjusted by the flow rate adjusting unit 60 by a predetermined pressure value.

[0070] The filter 30 filters the negative electrode slurry being transferred and is disposed on the discharge side of the pump. The negative electrode slurry transferred by the pump may pass through the filter and then be transferred to the next process.

[0071] In one example, the filter 30 can filter out foreign matter contained in the negative electrode slurry being transferred, and in one example, the filter can filter out foreign matter having a size of, for example, 50 μm to 200 μm.

[0072] The pressure sensor 40 may be a pressure transmitter and is provided to measure the pressure on the transfer line between the discharge end of the pump and the filter when the pump is driven, i.e., to measure the transfer pressure of the slurry in the first region 73 of the second pipe 72.

[0073] The control unit may be configured to perform control using a programmable logic controller (PLC) for precise operation control to which an automatic pressure compensation program is applied.

[0074] Thus, the flow rate adjusting unit 60 can adjust the flow rate of air so that the air pressure in the air chamber is maintained higher than the pressure measured by the pressure transmitter. The air pressure in the air chamber is adjusted according to the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber.

[0075] The air supply unit 20 may be provided to supply air within a utility installed in a secondary battery manufacturing factory.

[0076] Next, a method for transferring anode slurry for a secondary battery using the apparatus for transferring anode slurry for a secondary battery having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

[0077] A slurry transfer method using the slurry transfer device, which is one embodiment of the present invention, includes a step of controlling the flow rate control unit based on the difference between the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor and the air pressure supplied to the air chamber.

[0078] The slurry transfer method may also include a step of increasing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0079] The slurry transfer method may also include a step of reducing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure.

[0080] The reference pressure may be between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar.

[0081] The slurry may be an anode slurry for a secondary battery.

[0082] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] According to at least one embodiment of the slurry transport device and the slurry transport method using the same of the present invention, deterioration of the quality of the slurry during transport can be prevented, and the filter replacement cycle can be increased.

Claims

1. A tank in which the slurry is stored; a pump provided to transport the slurry in the tank, the pump including a pump chamber through which the slurry passes, an air chamber into which external air flows, and a diaphragm disposed to separate the pump chamber from the air chamber and configured to adjust the volume of the pump chamber; a flow rate adjusting unit connected to the pump for adjusting the flow rate of air supplied to the air chamber; a filter through which the slurry discharged from the pump passes; a pressure sensor located between the pump and the filter for measuring the pressure of the slurry being transferred to a coating device; a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment unit based on a difference between a pressure measured by the pressure sensor and an air pressure supplied to the air chamber.

2. The slurry transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined reference pressure.

3. 3. The slurry transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reduces the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when a difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure.

4. The slurry transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the reference pressure is between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar.

5. 5. The slurry transfer apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base pressure is 0.5 bar.

6. The slurry transfer device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the flow rate adjusting unit so that the air pressure in the air chamber is greater than a pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

7. The slurry transfer apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flow rate adjusting section includes an electro-pneumatic regulator.

8. 2. The slurry transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is arranged to transfer the slurry in the pump chamber when the air pressure in the air chamber is greater than the pressure in the pump chamber.

9. 2. The slurry transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slurry is a negative electrode slurry for a secondary battery.

10. A method for transferring a slurry using the slurry transfer device according to claim 1, A method for transferring a slurry, comprising the step of controlling a flow rate regulator based on a difference between a pressure measured by a pressure sensor and an air pressure supplied to an air chamber.

11. The method for transporting a slurry according to claim 10, further comprising the step of increasing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is smaller than a predetermined reference pressure.

12. The method for transporting a slurry according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a step of reducing the flow rate of air flowing into the air chamber when the difference between the air pressure supplied to the air chamber and the measured pressure measured by the pressure sensor is greater than a predetermined reference pressure.

13. The method for transferring a slurry according to claim 11, wherein the reference pressure is between 0.1 bar and 0.5 bar.

14. The method for transferring a slurry according to claim 10, wherein the slurry is a negative electrode slurry for a secondary battery.

Citation Information

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