Reaction apparatus, reaction system, material manufacturing system, battery material manufacturing system, battery manufacturing system, reaction product manufacturing method, battery material manufacturing method, and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a reaction device etc. that efficiently produces a desired product. [Solution] In the reaction apparatus (10), the reactor (100) is cylindrical, has a supply port at one end for receiving raw materials, and a discharge port at the other end for the reaction product. The temperature control region (110) includes a heating or cooling device and controls the temperature of the reactor at a predetermined position in the middle between the supply port and the discharge port. The screw (120) extends from one end to the other end of the reactor, rotating to transport the raw materials supplied from the supply port toward the discharge port. The first fluid control region (130) includes a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet in a predetermined region in the middle, for passing a first fluid through the reactor. The second fluid control region (140) includes a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet in a region different from the first fluid control region in the middle, for passing a second fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reaction apparatus, a reaction system, a material manufacturing system, a battery material manufacturing system, a battery manufacturing system, a reaction product manufacturing method, a battery material manufacturing method, and a battery manufacturing method.

Background Art

[0002] There are reaction apparatuses for manufacturing a desired product by providing a predetermined atmosphere to a powdery or granular raw material. For example, generally, a reaction apparatus called a rotary kiln heats a hollow reaction furnace that rotates around a central axis, and manufactures a desired product by passing materials through the reaction furnace while rolling them. Also, for example, a reaction apparatus called a roller hearth kiln manufactures a desired product by passing raw materials and workpieces through a tunnel-type reaction furnace. In addition, various other reaction apparatuses have been developed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following reaction apparatus. The reaction apparatus includes a screw feeder main body that serves as a pressure reaction vessel, a catalyst supply unit that introduces a catalyst into the screw feeder main body, and a lower hydrocarbon supply unit that introduces a lower hydrocarbon into the screw feeder main body. Further, this reaction apparatus includes a screw that transfers the generated nano-carbon, a solid discharge unit that discharges the catalyst and nano-carbon transferred by the screw, and a gas discharge unit that discharges the generated hydrogen outside the feeder main body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, for example, a continuous rotary kiln cannot finely control the axial temperature inside the furnace. Also, a roller hearth kiln does not have a function to stir the raw materials inside the furnace because it conveys the granular raw materials in a sheath. Furthermore, in the reaction apparatus using the screw described above, there is only one type of reaction by the material and catalyst introduced from the inlet of the screw feeder. Therefore, when it is desired to cause a plurality of reactions in producing a desired product, the apparatus becomes complicated and the management becomes cumbersome.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and provides a reaction apparatus and the like for efficiently producing a desired product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The reaction apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a reaction furnace, a temperature control region, a screw, a first fluid control region, and a second fluid control region. The reaction furnace is cylindrical and has a supply port for receiving raw materials supplied to one end side and a discharge port for reaction products at the other end side. The temperature control region includes a heating device or a cooling device and controls the temperature of the reaction furnace at a predetermined position in the intermediate portion between the supply port and the discharge port. The screw extends from one end side to the other end side of the reaction furnace and rotates so as to be able to convey the raw materials supplied from the supply port toward the discharge port. The first fluid control region includes a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet for passing a first fluid through the reaction furnace in a predetermined region in the intermediate portion. The second fluid control region includes a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet for passing a second fluid through a region different from the first fluid control region in the intermediate portion.

[0008] The method for manufacturing a reaction product according to the present disclosure is executed by a reaction apparatus as follows. The reaction apparatus is a cylindrical reaction furnace, which has a supply port for receiving a raw material supplied to one end side and a discharge port for a reaction product at the other end side. The reaction apparatus conveys the raw material toward the discharge port by a screw extending from one end side to the other end side of the reaction furnace. The reaction apparatus controls the temperature at a predetermined position in the middle part between the supply port and the discharge port in the reaction furnace. The reaction apparatus passes a first fluid through the reaction furnace in a first fluid control region provided in the middle part. The reaction apparatus passes a second fluid through the reaction furnace in a second fluid control region different from the first fluid control region in the middle part. The reaction apparatus discharges the reaction product that has passed through the second fluid control region from the discharge port.

[0009] The method for manufacturing a battery material according to the present disclosure is executed by a battery material manufacturing apparatus as follows. The battery material manufacturing apparatus receives a predetermined raw material from a supply port into a cylindrical reaction furnace that has a supply port for receiving a raw material supplied to one end side and a discharge port for a reaction product at the other end side. The battery material manufacturing apparatus conveys the raw material toward the discharge port by a screw extending from one end side to the other end side of the reaction furnace. The battery material manufacturing apparatus controls the temperature at a predetermined position in the middle part between the supply port and the discharge port in the reaction furnace. The battery material manufacturing apparatus passes a first fluid through the reaction furnace in a first fluid control region provided in the middle part. The battery material manufacturing apparatus passes a second fluid through the reaction furnace in a second fluid control region provided in the middle part different from the first fluid control region. The battery material manufacturing apparatus discharges the reaction product from the discharge port. The battery material manufacturing apparatus manufactures a kneaded product by kneading the discharged reaction product, a binder resin, and a solid electrolyte and continuously extruding them. The battery material manufacturing apparatus manufactures a battery material by forming the kneaded product into a sheet shape.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a reaction apparatus or the like that efficiently manufactures a desired product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. For the sake of clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> Referring to FIG. 1, the main configuration of the reactor according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view of the reactor 10 according to Embodiment 1. The reactor 10 shown in the figure is shown in a state where a part thereof is cut away for easy understanding. The reactor 10 is a device for producing a reaction product by applying conditions such as a predetermined physical stimulus to, for example, a powdery or granular raw material. The types and states of the raw material and the reaction product are not particularly limited, and may be inorganic substances such as metal oxides and metal sulfides containing lithium as one of the components, or may be organic substances such as hydrocarbons. Further, the shape and size of the raw material and the reaction product are not particularly limited, but when the shape is a lump, the diagonal length is preferably 0.1 mm to 50 mm, and more preferably 1 to 20 mm. Further, when the shape of the raw material and the reaction product is a lump, the ratio of the diagonal length (aspect ratio) is preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 1.3 to 1.8. The reactor 10 mainly includes a reaction furnace 100, a temperature control region 110, a screw 120, a first fluid control region 130, and a second fluid control region 140.

[0014] The reaction furnace 100 is a cylindrical furnace, has a supply port 101 for receiving the raw material supplied to one end side, and has a discharge port 102 for the reaction product at the other end side. The reaction furnace 100 also has an intermediate portion between the supply port 101 and the discharge port 102. The reaction furnace 100 is formed of a material that can tolerate temperature changes that occur when producing a reaction product in the furnace and contact with substances supplied into the furnace. For example, the reaction furnace 100 can be formed of an alloy mainly composed of nickel or chromium or ceramics containing alumina. Also, for example, the screw 120 can be formed of an alloy mainly composed of nickel or chromium or ceramics containing alumina.

[0015] The reactor 10 shown in Fig. 1 lies horizontally, has a supply port 101 at its upper left end, and a discharge port 102 at its lower right end. The reactor 100 shown in Fig. 1 receives the raw material R10 from the supply port 101. The reaction device 10 propels the raw material R10 received by the reactor 100 toward the discharge port 102 by rotating a screw 120 provided inside the reactor 100. That is, the raw material R10 supplied to the reactor 100 passes through the middle part and heads toward the discharge port 102. The reaction device 10 manufactures the reaction product R11 from the raw material R10 by passing the raw material R10 through the middle part of the reactor 100. Then the reactor 100 sends out the manufactured reaction product R11 from the discharge port 102.

[0016] The temperature control region 110 includes a temperature control device, that is, a heating device or a cooling device, and controls the temperature of the reactor at a predetermined position in the middle part between the supply port 101 and the discharge port 102. The temperature control region 110 shown in Fig. 1 has a heating device so as to surround the periphery of the cylindrical reactor 100 in the middle part of the reactor 100. The heating device includes any temperature-controllable heater such as a sheath heater, a coil heater, or a ceramic heater. The heating device performs heating in a range, for example, from room temperature to about 800 degrees. Also, the temperature control region 110 can set different temperatures along the axial direction of the screw 120, which will be described later, for each region in the middle part of the reactor 100. For example, the temperature control region 110 can control the temperature change imparted to the raw material R10 in the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140, which will be described later.

[0017] Also, the temperature control region 110 may include a control device for controlling the heating device or the cooling device. For example, the temperature control region 110 may have a thermometer for monitoring the temperature at a predetermined position of the reactor 100. Also, when the reactor 100 has a principle of heating by passing an electric current through the heating device, for example, temperature control may be performed by monitoring the current value.

[0018] Note that the temperature control region 110 may have a configuration for heating or cooling by circulating, for example, water or oil. Further, the temperature control region 110 may have a configuration for cooling using, for example, a Peltier element or the like. With the above-described configuration, the temperature control region 110 can set various temperature distributions along the axial direction of the screw 120 in the reactor 100.

[0019] The screw 120 extends from one end side to the other end side of the reactor 100 and rotates so as to be able to convey the raw material R10 supplied from the supply port 101 toward the discharge port 102. The screw 120 shown in FIG. 1 has a spiral convex portion 121 formed around an axis extending in the left-right direction. As this convex portion 121 rotates while contacting the raw material R10, the screw 120 conveys the raw material R10 from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1.

[0020] Note that the shape of the convex portion 121 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the shape of the convex portion 121 is not limited to this. The convex portion 121 may have different shapes for each region of the reactor 100. More specifically, for example, the pitch of the helix of the convex portion 121 may change. Also, the spiral shape of the convex portion 121 may be two threads instead of one thread. Further, the convex portion 121 may have a portion that is not in a spiral shape. Thereby, the reaction apparatus 10 can set, for each region, the speed at which an object existing inside the reactor 100 moves and the behavior during movement. More specifically, for example, the reaction apparatus 10 conveys, stirs, mixes, kneads, or pulverizes an object in the reactor 100.

[0021] The screw 120 is pivotally supported at both ends of the reactor 100. Also, the screw 120 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a drive device 150 on the side of the supply port 101. The drive device 150 has a predetermined rotation mechanism such as a motor and rotates the screw 120. The drive device 150 may be set to be able to change the rotation speed of the screw 120. In this case, the drive device 150 may be a motor whose rotation speed is variable, or may be a combination of a motor with a constant rotation speed and a speed reducer whose reduction ratio can be changed.

[0022] The first fluid control region 130 includes a first fluid inlet 131 and a first fluid outlet 132 for passing a first fluid through the reactor 100 in a predetermined region in the middle part. The first fluid control region 130 is provided in the reactor 100 between the supply port 101 and the second fluid control region 140. The first fluid inlet 131 is connected to a first fluid supply pipe 133, and supplies the first fluid supplied from the first fluid supply pipe 133 to the reactor 100. Note that the first fluid supply pipe 133 includes a first valve 134 for adjusting the flow rate of the first fluid. The first fluid outlet 132 is a hole for discharging the fluid in the first fluid control region 130 to the outside of the reactor 100.

[0023] With the above configuration, the reaction device 10 causes the raw material R10 and the first fluid to react in the first fluid control region 130 to generate an intermediate. The reaction device 10 also discharges the fluid after the reaction to the outside of the first fluid control region 130. The reaction device 10 can also promote the reaction by the first fluid by conveying the raw material R10 or the reaction product while the screw 120 rotates and bringing the first fluid into contact therewith. Note that the first fluid may be a gas or a liquid.

[0024] The second fluid control region 140 includes a second fluid inlet 141 and a second fluid outlet 142 for passing a second fluid through a region different from the first fluid control region 130 in the middle part. That is, the second fluid control region 140 may have a configuration equivalent to that of the first fluid control region 130 in a region different from the first fluid control region 130.

[0025] The second fluid control region 140 is provided in the reactor 100 between the first fluid control region 130 and the discharge port 102. The second fluid inlet 141 is connected to a second fluid supply pipe 143, and supplies the second fluid supplied from the second fluid supply pipe 143 to the reactor 100. Note that the second fluid supply pipe 143 includes a second valve 144 for adjusting the flow rate of the second fluid. The second fluid outlet 142 is a hole for discharging the fluid in the second fluid control region 140 to the outside of the reactor 100.

[0026] With the above configuration, the reaction device 10 causes the intermediate after passing through the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid to react in the second fluid control region 140 to generate a reaction product R11. Further, the reaction device 10 discharges the fluid after the reaction to the outside of the second fluid control region 140. Note that the second fluid may be a gas or a liquid.

[0027] As described above, the configuration of the reaction device 10 has been described. However, the reaction device 10 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above configuration. For example, if the number of screws 120 is one or more, it may be two or more. That is, the reaction device 10 may have a plurality of screws 120 arranged in parallel.

[0028] The cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the screw 120 of the reactor 100 may have a combination defined by a constant-width figure of a roulette. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 121 of the screw 120 has a shape formed by combining a plurality of arcs corresponding to the constant-width figure of the roulette. For example, when the cross-sectional shape inside the reactor 100 is circular, the cross-sectional shape of the screw 120 has a roulette constant-width figure composed of three arcs.

[0029] The reactor 100 is not limited to lying horizontally in parallel in the horizontal direction, and may have a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane and may have an inclined surface. The reaction device 10 has the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140 in the middle portion, but may further have a configuration for allowing another fluid to pass through. That is, the reaction device 10 may have three or more fluid control regions. Note that the above-described reaction device 10 is controlled by a control device described later.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the function of the reaction device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the reaction device 10 according to the first embodiment. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the reaction device 10 includes a control device 200, a temperature control device 210, a first fluid control device 230, a second fluid control device 240, and an information input / output unit 250.

[0031] The control device 200 is a circuit board including an arithmetic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control device 200 is communicably connected to each of the temperature control device 210, the first fluid control device 230, the second fluid control device 240, and the information input / output unit 250, and controls the configuration thereof. The control device 200 realizes its functions by hardware and software mounted on the circuit board.

[0032] As main functional configurations, the control device 200 has an overall control unit 201, a temperature control unit 202, a screw rotation control unit 203, a first fluid control unit 204, a second fluid control unit 205, an IF control unit 206, and a storage unit 207. These functional configurations of the control device 200 may be integrated or discrete. Further, these functional configurations of the control device 200 may be realized by the interlocking of a plurality of separate devices.

[0033] The overall control unit 201 is connected to each functional configuration of the control device 200 and controls the overall operation of these functions. For example, the overall control unit 201 can perform operations such as issuing an operation instruction to the screw rotation control unit 203 according to the temperature state supplied from the temperature control unit 202.

[0034] The temperature control unit 202 is connected to the temperature control device 210 and controls the temperature of the reactor 100 in the temperature control region 110. The temperature control unit 202 has at least one of a heating device and a cooling device. Further, the temperature control unit 202 may have one or more thermometers for controlling the temperature.

[0035] The screw rotation control unit 203 is connected to the drive device 150 and controls the operation of the drive device 150. The screw rotation control unit 203 may have, for example, a motor drive circuit for driving a motor included in the drive device 150. Further, the screw rotation control unit 203 may have a rotation sensor for monitoring the rotation speed of the motor.

[0036] The first fluid control unit 204 controls the flow of the first fluid in the first fluid control region 130. More specifically, the first fluid control unit 204 is connected to the first fluid control device 230 and controls the operation of the first fluid control device 230. The first fluid control device 230 includes a first valve 134 for pumping the first fluid. The second fluid control unit 205 controls the flow of the second fluid in the second fluid control region 140. More specifically, the second fluid control unit 205 is connected to the second fluid control device 240 and controls the operation of the second fluid control device 240. The second fluid control device 240 includes a second valve 144 for pumping the second fluid.

[0037] The IF control unit 206 (IF = Interface) is an interface that is connected to the information input / output unit 250 and performs information exchange with the user via the information input / output unit 250. That is, the IF control unit 206 receives an operation from the user via the information input / output unit 250 and appropriately supplies the information related to the received operation to each component of the control device 200. Further, the IF control unit 206 controls the state of the display unit included in the information input / output unit 250.

[0038] The storage unit 207 is a storage device including a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 207 stores a program for the reaction device 10 to realize the functions in the present disclosure. The storage unit 207 also includes a volatile memory and temporarily stores predetermined information when the control device 200 operates. The information input / output unit 250 has, for example, buttons, switches, or a touch panel for receiving operations from the user. The information input / output unit 250 also includes a display device or the like for presenting information to the user.

[0039] The functional blocks of the reaction device 10 have been described above. With the above-described configuration, the reaction device 10 conveys the received raw material R10 by the screw 120, controls the temperature of the reaction furnace 100, and controls the atmosphere in the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140.

[0040] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for manufacturing a reaction product (reaction product manufacturing method) executed by the reaction apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the processes executed by the reaction apparatus 10. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts, for example, by starting the supply of the raw material R10 to the reaction apparatus 10.

[0041] First, the reaction apparatus 10 receives a predetermined raw material R10 from the supply port 101 (step S11).

[0042] Next, the control device 200 of the reaction apparatus 10 controls the temperature by driving a heating device or a cooling device in the temperature control region 110 of the reaction furnace 100 via the temperature control unit 202 (step S12).

[0043] Next, the control device 200 of the reaction apparatus 10 drives the drive device 150 via the screw rotation control unit 203. Thereby, the drive device 150 rotates the screw 120. Then, the screw 120 conveys the received raw material R10 toward the discharge port 102 (step S13).

[0044] Next, the control device 200 of the reaction apparatus 10 controls the flow of the first fluid passing through the first fluid control region 130 via the first fluid control unit 204 (step S14).

[0045] Next, the control device 200 of the reaction apparatus 10 controls the flow of the second fluid passing through the second fluid control region 140 via the second fluid control unit 205 (step S15).

[0046] Next, the reaction apparatus 10 sends out the reaction product R11 that has passed through the second fluid control region 140 from the discharge port 102 (step S16).

[0047] The reaction method executed by the reaction apparatus 10 has been described above. The above method is shown along the flow from when the reaction apparatus 10 manufactures the reaction product R11 from the raw material R10 until the manufactured reaction product R11 is discharged. However, the reaction apparatus 10 may execute, for example, the temperature control in step S12 from before step S11. Also, for example, the reaction apparatus 10 may start steps S14 and S15 simultaneously.

[0048] The above describes Embodiment 1. In the above-described reaction apparatus 10, although the reaction apparatus 10 has two fluid control regions (the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140), the reaction apparatus 10 may have three or more fluid control regions. Also, the reaction apparatus 10 may have a plurality of temperature control regions 110 along the axial direction of the screw 120. The above-described reaction apparatus 10 separately contacts a plurality of fluids with the raw material R10 received from the supply port 101 in the middle part. Also, the reaction apparatus 10 performs temperature control of the reaction furnace 100 along the axial direction of the screw 120 in the middle part. Further, the reaction apparatus 10 can convey the objects inside the reaction furnace 100 and apply physical stimuli such as stirring and kneading. The reaction apparatus 10 can perform the above-described atmosphere control, temperature control, and physical control simultaneously and with high precision. Therefore, according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to provide a reaction apparatus or the like that efficiently manufactures a desired product.

[0049] <Embodiment 2> Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a side view of the reaction apparatus 20 according to Embodiment 2. The configuration of the screw 120 of the reaction apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 4 is different from that of the reaction apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. Also, the reaction apparatus 20 is different from the reaction apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140 include a forced discharge mechanism for forcibly discharging the fluid from the reaction furnace 100. Further, the reaction apparatus 20 is different from the reaction apparatus 10 in that it has an air flow stirring region 160.

[0050] The screw 120 according to this embodiment has a configuration of the convex portion 121 different from that of the screw 120 shown in FIG. 1. The screw 120 has a structure in which the pitch of the convex portion for conveying the raw material changes in the feed direction. For the screw 120 shown in FIG. 2, the pitch of the convex portion 121 (i.e., the screw pitch) in the first fluid control region 130 is the distance D1, and the screw pitch of the convex portion 121 in the second fluid control region 140 is the distance D2. Also, the distance D1 is larger than the distance D2. That is, for the screw 120, the screw pitch corresponding to the second fluid control region 140 is smaller than the screw pitch corresponding to the first fluid control region 130. Thereby, the reaction device 20 sets the conveyance speed of the object in the second fluid control region 140 to be slower than the conveyance speed of the object in the first fluid control region 130.

[0051] Further, the screw 120 of the reaction device 20 may have convex portions having a surface or arrangement forming an angle in the range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees with the feed direction for the purpose of retaining, stirring, mixing, kneading, or pulverizing the raw material. The screw 120 shown in FIG. 4 has a stirring portion 122 between the second fluid control region 140 and the discharge port 102. The stirring portion 122 has a plurality of convex portions parallel to the feed direction, that is, forming an angle of 0 degrees with respect to the feed direction.

[0052] The stirring portion 122 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reactor according to Embodiment 2. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5 shows the V-V cross-section of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the stirring portion 122 disposed inside the reactor 100. The stirring portion 122 has a plurality of convex portions formed radially from the center C of the axis of the screw 120. Also, the stirring portion 122 rotates clockwise with the center C as the rotation axis. Thereby, the stirring portion 122 stirs the substance in contact with the stirring portion 122.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 4, the description of the reaction apparatus 20 will be continued. The reaction apparatus 20 has a first forced discharge mechanism 136 in the first fluid control region 130 in the first fluid discharge pipe 135. The first forced discharge mechanism 136 is a mechanism for increasing the flow rate of the fluid discharged into the first fluid discharge pipe 135 via the first fluid outlet 132 and forcibly discharging such fluid. The first forced discharge mechanism 136 is, for example, a pump including a motor. In this case, the pump that is the forced discharge mechanism 136 drives the motor to suck the fluid, thereby increasing the flow rate of the fluid discharged into the first fluid discharge pipe 135. The reaction apparatus 20 can preferably control the flow of the first fluid in the first fluid control region 130 by having the first valve 134 and the first forced discharge mechanism 136. Note that the first forced discharge mechanism 136 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it is a mechanism capable of forcibly discharging the fluid discharged from the first fluid control region 130.

[0054] Similarly, the reaction apparatus 20 has a second forced discharge mechanism 146 in the second fluid discharge pipe 145 in the second fluid control region 140. The second forced discharge mechanism 146 increases the flow rate of the fluid discharged into the second fluid discharge pipe 145 via the second fluid outlet 142. The second forced discharge mechanism 146 is, for example, a pump including a motor. In this case, the pump that is the forced discharge mechanism 146 drives the motor to suck the fluid, thereby increasing the flow rate of the fluid discharged into the second fluid discharge pipe 145. The reaction apparatus 20 can preferably control the flow of the second fluid in the second fluid control region 140 by having the second valve 144 and the second forced discharge mechanism 146. Note that the second forced discharge mechanism 146 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it is a mechanism capable of forcibly discharging the fluid discharged from the second fluid control region 140.

[0055] The reaction apparatus 20 has an air flow stirring region 160 in a portion corresponding to the stirring unit 122. The air flow stirring region 160 generates an air flow inside the reaction furnace 100 in the middle part of the reaction furnace 100.

[0056] The air flow stirring region 160 mainly includes a blower fan 161, an air flow control valve 162, and an air outlet hole 163. The blower fan 161 pumps a predetermined inert gas to the air flow control valve 162. Note that, for example, a gas compressor or a compressed gas cylinder may be used as an alternative to the blower fan 161. The air flow control valve 162 controls the flow rate of the inert gas pumped from the blower fan 161. The air outlet hole 163 is a hole for discharging the inert gas pumped through the air flow control valve 162 into the reactor 100. The air outlet hole 163 has a labyrinth structure including a bent portion at a portion facing the inside of the reactor 100. Thereby, the air flow stirring region 160 generates an air flow and suppresses the object in the reactor 100 from flowing into the air outlet hole 163 which is the discharge port.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, the air flow stirring region 160 will be further described. In the cross section shown in FIG. 5, the air outlet holes 163 are arranged at three positions. Thus, since the air flow stirring region 160 has a plurality of air outlet holes 163, the reaction apparatus 20 can suitably generate an air flow in a desired region inside the reactor 100. Further, thereby, the reaction apparatus 20 can suitably stir the objects existing inside the reactor 100. Note that the above-described air outlet hole 163 may have a small-diameter hole smaller than the particle size of the objects existing inside the reactor 100 instead of the labyrinth structure. Thereby, the air outlet hole 163 can suppress the objects existing inside the reactor 100 from flowing in.

[0058] As described above, Embodiment 2 has been described. However, the configuration of the reaction apparatus 20 is not limited to the above-described one. For example, various patterns can be considered for the shape or configuration of the screw 120 depending on what kind of physical stimulus is given to the raw material R10. Further, the position where the air flow stirring region 160 is arranged is not limited to the above-described position and can be set to a desired position. According to Embodiment 2, a reaction apparatus or the like that can efficiently manufacture a desired product can be provided.

[0059] <Embodiment 3> Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the reaction system 1 according to Embodiment 3. The reaction system 1 shown in FIG. 6 is a system in which two reaction apparatuses 10, namely, a first reaction apparatus 10A and a second reaction apparatus 10B, are connected in series. In FIG. 6, a state in which the first reaction apparatus 10A and the second reaction apparatus 10B are connected is schematically shown.

[0060] The first reaction apparatus 10A shown in the figure has a first fluid control region 130A and a second fluid control region 140A. The first fluid control region 130A imparts reaction A to the raw material R10 received from the first supply port 101A. The second fluid control region 140A imparts reaction B to the reaction product A generated by imparting reaction A. Further, the first reaction apparatus 10A sends out the reaction product B generated by imparting reaction B from the first delivery port 102A and supplies it to the second supply port 101B of the second reaction apparatus 10B.

[0061] The second reaction apparatus 10B has a first fluid control region 130B and a second fluid control region 140B. In the second reaction apparatus 10B, the first fluid control region 130B imparts reaction C to the reaction product B received from the second supply port 101B. The second fluid control region 140B imparts reaction D to the reaction product C generated by imparting reaction C. Further, the second reaction apparatus 10B sends out the reaction product D generated by imparting reaction D from the second delivery port 102B.

[0062] The above is the description of Embodiment 3. Note that one or both of the above-described reaction apparatuses 10 may of course be reaction apparatuses 20. Further, the reaction system according to Embodiment 3 may be one in which three or more reaction apparatuses 10 are connected. With such a configuration, the reaction system 1 according to Embodiment 3 can continuously impart a plurality of reactions. Also, with such a configuration, the reaction system 1 according to Embodiment 3 enables a flexible arrangement of the system itself and a flexible system configuration. That is, according to Embodiment 3, it is possible to provide a reaction system that efficiently manufactures a desired product that requires a plurality of reactions.

[0063] <Embodiment 4> Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the reaction system 2 according to Embodiment 4. The reaction system 2 shown in FIG. 7 mainly includes a kneader 310, a granulator 320, a dryer 330, a reaction device 10, and a pulverizing classifier 340.

[0064] The kneader 310 (kneaded product manufacturing device) receives the powder components A, B, and C respectively, and kneads the received powder components by a screw. The kneader 310 is connected to the granulator 320 and supplies the kneaded powder components to the granulator 320.

[0065] The granulator 320 receives the powder components kneaded by the kneader 310 and generates granular materials of a predetermined size from the received powder components. The granulator 320 supplies the generated granular materials to the dryer 330. The dryer 330 dries the granular materials received from the granulator 320 to generate a predetermined raw material. Further, the dryer 330 supplies the generated raw material to the reaction device 10.

[0066] The reaction device 10 receives the raw material from the dryer 330, passes the received raw material through the first fluid control region 130 and the second fluid control region 140, and generates a reaction product. The reaction device 10 supplies the generated reaction product to the pulverizing classifier 340. The pulverizing classifier 340 receives the reaction product from the reaction device 10, pulverizes the received reaction product, and further classifies it. Then, the pulverizing classifier 340 discharges the classified product.

[0067] The above describes Embodiment 4. Note that the configuration of the reaction system 2 is not limited to the above. For example, the reaction system 2 may have at least any one of the kneader 310, the granulator 320, and the dryer 330. Also, the reaction system 2 may not include the pulverization classifier 340. In the above-described reaction system 2, the reaction device 10 can be replaced with the reaction device 20. Also, the reaction device 10 can be replaced with the reaction system 1 according to Embodiment 3. As described above, according to Embodiment 4, a reaction system capable of efficiently manufacturing a desired product that requires a complex reaction can be provided.

[0068] <Embodiment 5> Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the reaction system 3 according to Embodiment 5. The reaction system 3 according to Embodiment 5 is different from the above-described reaction device in that it has supply ports for receiving a plurality of different raw materials respectively.

[0069] The reaction system 3 shown in FIG. 8 includes a reaction device 11 and a pulverization classifier 340. The reaction device 11 receives a powder component A, a powder component B, and a powder component C as raw materials respectively. That is, in the reaction device 11 according to Embodiment 5, the reaction furnace 100 has a plurality of supply ports for receiving a plurality of different raw materials respectively at one end side. More specifically, the reaction device 11 has a first supply port 101A, a second supply port 101B, and a third supply port 101C as supply ports. The first supply port 101A, the second supply port 101B, and the third supply port 101C are respectively provided between one end side of the reaction furnace 100 and the first fluid control region 130. The powder components supplied from the first supply port 101A, the second supply port 101B, and the third supply port 101C are conveyed in the direction of the outlet 102 by the screw 120. At this time, the screw 120 may have a shape for mixing the received raw materials.

[0070] The reaction device 11 passes the received powder components A, B, and C through the first fluid control region 130 and further through the second fluid control region 140. Thereby, the reaction device 11 generates a reaction product and supplies the generated reaction product to the pulverizing and classifying machine 340. The pulverizing and classifying machine 340 receives the reaction product generated by the reaction device 11, pulverizes the received reaction product, and further classifies it. Then, the pulverizing and classifying machine 340 discharges the classified product.

[0071] The above describes Embodiment 5. In the above-described reaction system 3, the reaction device 11 may have an air flow stirring region 160. As described above, according to Embodiment 5, it is possible to provide a reaction system that efficiently manufactures a desired product that requires a complex reaction using a plurality of raw materials.

[0072] <Embodiment 6> Next, Embodiment 6 will be described. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a battery material manufacturing system 4 according to Embodiment 6. The battery material manufacturing system 4 shown in FIG. 9 is a system for manufacturing, for example, a positive electrode sheet or an electrolyte sheet of a solid secondary battery. The battery material manufacturing system 4 mainly includes a first process region P41, a second process region P42, a third process region P43, and a fourth process region P44. That is, the battery material manufacturing system 4 manufactures a battery material by going through the above-described first process, second process, third process, and fourth process.

[0073] The example shown below manufactures an electrolyte sheet using the battery material manufacturing system 4. In the first process region P41, the battery material manufacturing system 4 manufactures a solid electrolyte. The first process region P41 mainly includes a first reaction device 10A, a second reaction device 10B, and a pulverizing and classifying machine 340.

[0074] In the first process area P41, the first reactor 10A receives a raw material, conveys the raw material by a screw, imparts reaction A in the first fluid control area 130A, imparts reaction B in the second fluid control area 140A, and supplies the reaction product B to the second reactor 10B. The second reactor 10B receives the reaction product B, conveys the raw material by a screw, imparts reaction C in the first fluid control area 130B, imparts reaction D in the second fluid control area 140B, and supplies the solid electrolyte thus produced to the pulverizing classifier 340. The pulverizing classifier 340 pulverizes the received solid electrolyte and further classifies it. Then, the pulverizing classifier 340 supplies the classified solid electrolyte to the second process area P42.

[0075] In the second process area P42, the battery material manufacturing system 4 mixes the solid electrolyte and the binder resin. The second process area P42 has an extruder 350. The extruder 350 receives together the solid electrolyte produced in the first process area P41 and the binder resin supplied separately, kneads the received solid electrolyte and the binder resin to produce a kneaded product. The extruder 350 supplies the produced kneaded product to the third process area P43.

[0076] In the third process area P43, the battery material manufacturing system 4 receives the kneaded product from the second process area P42 and manufactures an electrolyte sheet from the received kneaded product. The third process area P43 mainly includes an extrusion molding machine 360, a coater 370, a dryer 380, and a rolling machine 390.

[0077] The extrusion molding machine 360 receives the kneaded product from the extruder 350, extrudes the received kneaded product to continuously manufacture a sheet-shaped molded product. At this time, in the third process area P43, a base material 361 such as a non-woven fabric may be combined with the sheet extruded by the extrusion molding machine 360 to be integrated. That is, the third process area P43 includes a sheet manufacturing device.

[0078] Next, the coater 370 applies a predetermined protective film or the like to the surface of the molded article. Further, the dryer 380 dries the molded article to which the predetermined protective film or the like has been applied and supplies it to the rolling machine 390. The rolling machine 390 rolls the dried molded article and supplies it to the fourth process area P44.

[0079] In the fourth process area P44, the battery material manufacturing system 4 has a process of laminating a predetermined sheet and winding it up. The main components of the fourth process area P44 include a laminator 400 and a winder 410. The laminator 400 laminates a positive electrode sheet 401 containing a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode sheet 402 containing a negative electrode active material on the sheet-shaped molded article supplied from the rolling machine 390, and supplies the laminated product to the winder 410. The winder 410 winds up the electrolyte sheet supplied from the laminator 400.

[0080] The configuration of the battery material manufacturing system 4 and the battery material manufacturing method executed by the battery material manufacturing system 4 have been described above. The battery material manufacturing system 4 according to Embodiment 6 can consistently and efficiently manufacture reaction products such as solid electrolytes that require a plurality of reactions, and can continuously manufacture a sheet using the manufactured reaction products. Note that the battery material manufacturing system 4 according to the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9. For example, the battery material manufacturing system 4 may not have a laminator 400 in the fourth process area P44.

[0081] Also, the system shown in FIG. 9 can manufacture a predetermined material that is not a battery material. That is, the system shown in FIG. 9 can be referred to as a material manufacturing system. Further, the method executed by such a material manufacturing system can be referred to as a material manufacturing method.

[0082] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the battery material manufacturing system 4 can manufacture an electrolyte sheet in the third process region P43, laminate a positive electrode sheet in the fourth process region P44, and further laminate a negative electrode sheet. Thus, the battery material manufacturing system 4 can manufacture a battery. That is, in this case, the system shown in FIG. 9 can be referred to as a battery manufacturing system, and the method executed by the system shown in FIG. 9 can be referred to as a battery manufacturing method.

[0083] As described above, according to Embodiment 6, a system or method for efficiently manufacturing a desired battery material, battery, or predetermined material can be provided.

[0084] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Reaction system 2 Reaction system 3 Reaction system 4 Battery material manufacturing system 10 Reactor 11 Reactor 20 Reactor 100 Reaction furnace 101 Supply port 102 Discharge port 110 Temperature control region 120 Screw 121 Protrusion 122 Stirring part 130 First fluid control region 131 First fluid inlet 132 First fluid outlet 133 First fluid supply pipe 134 First valve 135 First fluid discharge pipe 136 First forced discharge mechanism 140 Second fluid control region 141 Second fluid inlet 142 Second fluid outlet 143 Second fluid supply pipe 144 Second valve 145 Second fluid discharge pipe 146 Second forced discharge mechanism 150 Driving device 160 Airflow stirring area 161 Blower fan 162 Airflow control valve 163 Air supply hole 200 Control device 201 Overall control unit 202 Temperature control unit 203 Screw rotation control unit 204 First fluid control unit 205 Second fluid control unit 206 IF control unit 207 Memory unit 210 Temperature control device 230 First fluid control device 240 Second fluid control device 250 Information input / output unit 310 Kneader 320 Granulator 330 Dryer 340 Pulverizer and classifier 350 Extruder 360 Extrusion molding machine 361 Base material 370 Coater 380 Dryer 390 Rolling mill 400 Laminator 401 Positive electrode sheet 402 Negative electrode sheet 410 Take-up machine

Claims

1. A cylindrical reactor having a supply port for receiving a raw material supplied to one end side and a discharge port for a reaction product at the other end side, including a heating device or a cooling device, and a temperature control region for controlling the temperature of the reactor at a predetermined position in an intermediate portion between the supply port and the discharge port, a screw that extends from the one end side to the other end side of the reactor and rotates to convey the raw material supplied from the supply port toward the discharge port, including a fluid inlet for passing a fluid through the reactor in a predetermined region in the intermediate portion and a fluid outlet for discharging the fluid, and a fluid control region set to be able to adjust the flow rate of the fluid, The screw has a surface forming an angle of 0 degrees with the feed direction for the purpose of retaining, stirring, mixing, kneading, or pulverizing the raw material, and has a stirring portion in which a plurality of plate-like convex portions are formed radially from the center of the axis of the screw, A reaction device.

2. The fluid control region has a fluid supply pipe including a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the fluid inlet, The reaction device according to claim 1.

3. The fluid control region includes a forced discharge mechanism for forcibly discharging the fluid from a fluid discharge pipe connected to the fluid outlet, The reaction device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The forced discharge mechanism has a pump including a motor for increasing the flow rate of the fluid discharged into the fluid discharge pipe by sucking the fluid discharged into the fluid discharge pipe, The reaction device according to claim 3.

5. Further comprising a screw drive device set to be able to change the rotation speed of the screw, The reaction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The screw has a structure in which the pitch of the convex portions for conveying the raw material changes in the feeding direction. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Inside the reactor, a plurality of the screws arranged in parallel are provided. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Further provided with an air flow stirring portion including an air blowing hole for generating an air flow inside the reactor at a position corresponding to the stirring portion of the intermediate portion. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The stirring portion and the air flow stirring portion are arranged between the fluid control region and the discharge port. The reactor according to claim 8.

10. The air flow stirring portion has a labyrinth structure in which the air blowing holes include bent portions. The reactor according to claim 9.

11. The reactor has, at the one end side, a plurality of supply ports for respectively receiving a plurality of different raw materials. The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A reaction system in which a first reactor and a second reactor, which are the reactors according to any one of claims 1 to 11, are connected in series. Reaction system.

13. At least one of a kneader for kneading powders having a plurality of different components to produce a kneaded product, a granulator for granulating the kneaded product to produce a granulated product, and a dryer for drying the granulated product to produce the raw material, and The reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which receives any one of the kneaded product, the granulated product, or the raw material to produce a reaction product. Reaction system.

14. A kneaded product manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a kneaded product by kneading a solid electrolyte produced by the reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a binder resin and continuously extruding the mixture. A sheet manufacturing apparatus that forms the kneaded product into a sheet shape, and A battery material manufacturing system.

15. As the reactor, a first reactor and a second reactor that receives the first reaction product produced by the first reactor and produces the solid electrolyte that is the second reaction product, and The kneaded product manufacturing apparatus receives the second reaction product and manufactures the kneaded product. The battery material manufacturing system according to claim 14.

16. The battery material manufacturing system according to claim 14 or 15, and A laminator that laminates a positive electrode sheet containing a positive electrode active material on one surface of an electrolyte sheet formed by the sheet manufacturing apparatus included in the battery material manufacturing system and a negative electrode sheet containing a negative electrode active material on the other surface. A battery manufacturing system.

17. A kneaded product manufacturing apparatus that kneads the reaction product produced by the reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a binder resin and continuously extrudes the mixture to produce a kneaded product, and A sheet manufacturing apparatus that forms the kneaded product into a sheet shape, and A material manufacturing system.

18. As the reactor, a first reactor and a second reactor that receives the first reaction product produced by the first reactor and produces a second reaction product, and The kneaded product manufacturing apparatus receives the second reaction product and manufactures the kneaded product. The material manufacturing system according to claim 17.

19. Receive a predetermined raw material from the supply port into a cylindrical reactor having a supply port for receiving the raw material supplied to one end side and a discharge port for the reaction product at the other end side, Convey the raw material toward the discharge port by a screw extending from the one end side to the other end side of the reactor, Control the temperature at a predetermined position in the intermediate portion between the supply port and the discharge port in the reactor, Pass the fluid through the reactor after adjusting the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid control region provided in the intermediate portion, Send out the reaction product that has passed through the fluid control region from the discharge port, A method for producing a reaction product, The screw having a stirring portion having a surface forming an angle of 0 degrees with the feeding direction and having a plurality of plate-shaped convex portions radially formed from the center of the axis of the screw retains, stirs, mixes, kneads or pulverizes the reaction product that has passed through the fluid control region, A method for producing a reaction product.

20. Receive a predetermined raw material from the supply port into a cylindrical reactor having a supply port for receiving the raw material supplied to one end side and a discharge port for the reaction product at the other end side, Convey the raw material toward the discharge port by a screw extending from the one end side to the other end side of the reactor, Control the temperature at a predetermined position in the intermediate portion between the supply port and the discharge port in the reactor, Pass the fluid through the reactor after adjusting the flow rate of the fluid in the fluid control region provided in the intermediate portion, The screw having a stirring portion having a surface forming an angle of 0 degrees with the feeding direction and having a plurality of plate-shaped convex portions radially formed from the center of the axis of the screw retains, stirs, mixes, kneads or pulverizes the reaction product that has passed through the fluid control region, Send out the solid electrolyte produced as the reaction product from the discharge port, Produce a kneaded product by kneading the discharged solid electrolyte and a binder resin and continuously extruding them, Manufacturing a battery material by forming the kneaded product into a sheet shape. Method for manufacturing a battery material.

21. After executing the method for manufacturing a battery material according to claim 20, laminating a positive electrode sheet containing a positive electrode active material on one surface of the electrolyte sheet manufactured by the method for manufacturing a battery material, laminating a negative electrode sheet containing a negative electrode active material on the other surface of the electrolyte sheet to manufacture a battery. Method for manufacturing a battery.

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