Electrode slurry storage tank

Abstract

The storage tank for storing electrode slurry according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tank main body for storing the electrode slurry therein; and an inlet provided through the upper portion of the tank main body such that the electrode slurry is supplied into the tank main body. The inlet has an end which is open toward the inner wall of the tank body such that the electrode slurry supplied from the inlet port reaches the inner wall of the tank body and then flows down along the inner wall of the tank body. The horizontal length of the open end of the inlet port may be larger than the vertical length thereof.

Description

Electrode slurry storage tank

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0178547, filed December 11, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrode slurry storage tank, and more particularly, to a storage tank that reduces the temperature difference between electrode slurry that is transported and introduced into the tank and slurry previously stored in the tank.

[0004] In modern society, the widespread use of portable devices like cell phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has led to active development of related technologies. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are increasingly being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) to address air pollution issues caused by conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, further fueling the growing need for secondary battery development.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are receiving the most attention due to their advantages of free charging and discharging, low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries comprise an electrode assembly comprising positive and negative plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, with a separator interposed between them, and an outer case, i.e., a battery case, that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0007] The manufacturing process of these lithium secondary batteries is largely divided into three stages: electrode process, assembly process, and formation process. In the electrode process, specifically, processes such as mixing process, coating, drying, roll pressing, taping, and slitting are performed. In the mixing process, which mixes raw materials such as electrode active material, conductive material, and binder to create a uniform electrode slurry, mixing heat is generated, which gradually increases the temperature of the electrode slurry. Afterwards, the electrode slurry is transported through several tanks and cooled with cooling water to the desired temperature. Next, the electrode slurry transported through these multiple tanks is provided to an electrode collector by a coater and coated.

[0008] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional electrode slurry storage tank. The conventional storage tank (1) includes a tank body (10), a stirrer (20) provided inside the tank body (10) for stirring electrode slurry, and a pipe (30) for supplying electrode slurry into the tank body (10). The pipe (30) typically has a circular cross-section, and similarly, a discharge port (40) located at the end of the pipe (30) is also manufactured to have a circular cross-section. Meanwhile, since there is a temperature difference between the electrode slurry supplied into the tank body (10) through the discharge port (40) and the electrode slurry previously stored in the tank body (10), a method for reducing this temperature difference is required.

[0009] The present invention aims to reduce the temperature difference between electrode slurry stored in a tank and electrode slurry supplied into the tank.

[0010] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0011] A storage tank for storing electrode slurry according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a tank body storing the electrode slurry therein, and an inlet provided on an upper portion of the tank body and through which the electrode slurry is supplied into the interior of the tank body, and an opened end of the inlet is directed toward an inner wall of the tank body, and the electrode slurry supplied from the inlet flows down along the inner wall of the tank body after reaching the inner wall of the tank body, and a length of the opened end of the inlet in a horizontal direction may be greater than a length in a vertical direction.

[0012] The aspect ratio of the opened end of the inlet port may be greater than the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe connected to the inlet port, and the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the opened end of the inlet port may be equal to or less than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe.

[0013] The perimeter of the open end of the above inlet may be equal to the perimeter of the vertical cross section of the above pipe.

[0014] The aspect ratio of the open end of the inlet may be greater than 1 and less than 5 times the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe connected to the inlet.

[0015] The aspect ratio of the open end of the inlet may be 1.5 to 3 times greater than the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe connected to the inlet.

[0016] The vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the open end of the above inlet may be 38.5% or more and less than 100% of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the above pipe.

[0017] The vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the open end of the above inlet may be 60% or more and 92.3% or less of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the above pipe.

[0018] The open end of the inlet may comprise an oval shape.

[0019] The open end of the above inlet may comprise a rectangular shape.

[0020] The vertical end of the above pipe may be circular.

[0021] The open end of the above inlet can be manufactured by pressurizing the end of the pipe using a press method.

[0022] The tank body further includes a temperature control unit surrounding the tank body, and the electrode slurry that reaches the inner wall of the tank body can exchange heat with the temperature control unit while flowing down the inner wall of the tank body.

[0023] The temperature control unit surrounds the outer wall of the tank body or is integrated into the outer wall, and a coolant can flow inside the temperature control unit to exchange heat with the electrode slurry.

[0024] The tank body may further include a stirrer that is provided inside the tank body and has wings that rotate around a rotation axis to stir the electrode slurry.

[0025] The above storage tank is connected to a mixer for producing electrode slurry, and receives the electrode slurry from the mixer, and the electrode slurry can be produced by mixing electrode raw materials including an electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder.

[0026] According to the present invention, the structural features of the piping of the storage tank can reduce the temperature difference between the electrode slurry stored in the tank and the electrode slurry supplied into the tank, so that the process for reducing the temperature difference between the slurries can be improved more efficiently, and the quality of the electrodes produced can also be improved.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0028] Figure 1 illustrates an electrode slurry storage tank according to the prior art.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates an electrode slurry storage tank according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the inlet of the storage tank of Figure 2.

[0031] Fig. 4 is an example of an implementation of the inlet of Fig. 3.

[0032] Fig. 5 is another implementation example of the inlet of Fig. 3.

[0033] Figure 6 is a graph showing the results of a test of pressure change (pressure ratio) according to sequentially increasing the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0035] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0036] Furthermore, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated components. In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0037] Furthermore, when we say that a layer, membrane, region, plate, or other part is "on" or "over" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly on" the other part, but also cases where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when we say that a part is "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts in between. Furthermore, saying that a part is "on" or "over" a reference part means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "above" or "over" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0038] Additionally, throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0039] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say "in plan", we mean when the target portion is viewed from above, and when we say "in cross section", we mean when the target portion is viewed from the side in a cross-section cut vertically.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an electrode slurry storage tank according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The electrode slurry storage tank (100) of FIG. 2 includes a tank body (110) for storing electrode slurry therein, a stirrer (120) provided inside the tank body (110), a temperature control unit (130) surrounding the internal space of the tank body (110), an inlet (140) for supplying electrode slurry into the tank body (110), and an outlet (150) for providing electrode slurry from the tank body (110) to subsequent components.

[0043] In the present invention, electrode slurry is used to manufacture electrodes among the electrodes and separators that constitute the electrode assembly of a secondary battery. Electrode slurry refers to raw materials such as electrode active materials, conductive materials, and binders that are uniformly mixed in a solvent in a mixer, and the mixture is applied to an electrode current collector to manufacture an electrode. The term "electrode" refers to both a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the present invention can be applied to both a positive electrode slurry manufacturing process and a negative electrode slurry manufacturing process.

[0044] The storage tank (100) is connected to a previous component (e.g., a mixer or another storage tank directly or indirectly connected to the mixer) and receives electrode slurry from the previous component. The supplied electrode slurry is stored and then connected to a subsequent component (e.g., a coater or another storage tank directly or indirectly connected to the coater) and supplies the electrode slurry to the subsequent component.

[0045] The storage tank (100) stores electrode slurry in an empty space within the tank body (110). In addition, a stirrer (120) is provided within the tank body (110). The blades of the stirrer (120) rotate around the central axis of the stirrer (120), thereby causing the electrode slurry to flow within the tank and evenly mixing the electrode slurry stored within the tank body. Accordingly, the electrode slurry stored within the tank body (110) has a uniform temperature throughout and is also prevented from solidifying.

[0046] The temperature control unit (130) may surround the outer wall of the tank body (110) or be integrally integrated with the outer wall, and controls the temperature of the electrode slurry stored in the inner space of the tank body (110). The temperature control unit (130) may surround the outer wall of the tank body (110) in whole or in part, and for example, a refrigerant (e.g., cooling water) may be introduced into the temperature control unit (130) and flow within the temperature control unit (130), and the refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the inside of the tank body (110) may be discharged back to the outside of the temperature control unit (130). The temperature control unit (130) may have a tank shape surrounding the outer wall of the tank body (110) or a spiral tube shape, and there are no special limitations thereon. Any temperature control unit used in the electrode manufacturing process may be appropriately employed and applied to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0047] Additionally, the tank body (110) may be equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) for additionally measuring the temperature of the electrode slurry. There are no specific limitations on the temperature sensor, and any temperature sensor used in the electrode manufacturing process may be appropriately employed and applied to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0048] The inlet (140) is located at the top of the storage tank (100) and is connected to the inlet (140) by a pipe (160). The shape and structure of the pipe (160) are not limited to those in FIG. 3 and may be variously modified and changed to suit the purpose of the present invention. The pipe (160) connected to the inlet (140) may additionally be equipped with an opening / closing unit such as a valve and / or a sensing unit. In addition, the discharge port (150) is located at the bottom of the storage tank (100) and is also connected to the discharge port (150) by a pipe (not shown). Similarly, the pipe connected to the discharge port (150) may additionally be equipped with an opening / closing unit such as a valve and / or a sensing unit.

[0049] Meanwhile, it is most desirable that the electrode slurry stored in the storage tank (100) be constantly maintained at a desired temperature suitable for the process. However, in the case where there is a difference between the temperature of the electrode slurry introduced through the inlet (140) and the temperature of the electrode slurry stored inside the tank body (110), temperature control is required from the time the electrode slurry is supplied into the storage tank (100) through the inlet (140). A method is adopted in which the temperature of the electrode slurry introduced through the inlet (140) flows down the inner wall of the storage tank (100) and is controlled by a temperature control unit (150) surrounding the storage tank (100). At this time, it is necessary for the electrode slurry introduced through the inlet (140) to properly reach the inner wall of the storage tank (100) (i.e., it is necessary to supply the electrode slurry at a pressure sufficient to allow the electrode slurry to reach the inner wall of the storage tank (100) from the inlet (140), and it is necessary for the electrode slurry to reach the inner wall of the storage tank (100) over as wide an area as possible and flow down. The electrode slurry storage tank (100) according to the present invention has a structure and shape of the inlet (140) to reduce such temperature deviation.

[0050] First, the open end of the inlet (140) faces the inner wall of the tank body (110). Accordingly, the electrode slurry flowing into the tank body (110) through the inlet (140) does not fall directly into the electrode slurry stored inside, but flows down along the inner wall of the tank body (110). At this time, since the tank body (110) is surrounded by a temperature control unit (150), the electrode slurry that reaches the inner wall of the tank body (110) flows down along the inner wall of the tank body (110) and its temperature is controlled by the temperature control unit (150).

[0051] At this time, the electrode slurry flows down in the vertical direction, which is the direction of gravity. Even if the electrode slurry is supplied in the same amount from the inlet (140), if the electrode slurry flows down along a wider area in the horizontal direction on the inner wall of the tank body (110), the electrode slurry can exchange heat with the temperature control unit (150) in a wider area. Therefore, in order for the electrode slurry supplied from the inlet (140) to flow down in a wider area on the inner wall of the tank body (110), it is preferable that the shape of the open end of the inlet (140) has a length in the horizontal direction greater than a length in the vertical direction. In the specification of the present invention, the horizontal direction means a direction parallel to the horizontal plane or the bottom surface of the process equipment space, and the vertical direction means a direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane or the bottom surface of the process equipment space (gravity direction).

[0052] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the inlet of the storage tank of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an example of the inlet of Figure 3. Figure 5 is another example of the inlet of Figure 3.

[0053] First, FIG. 3 illustrates an inlet (140) and a pipe (160) connected to the inlet (140) as an example. In addition, for ease of understanding, the open end of the inlet (140) facing the inner wall of the storage tank (100) of FIG. 2 is illustrated at a different angle.

[0054] As described above, the length (A1) of the inlet (140) in the horizontal direction is greater than the length (B1) in the vertical direction. In addition, the length (A1) of the inlet (140) in the horizontal direction is greater than the diameter of the pipe (160) or the length (A2) in the horizontal direction, and the length (B1) of the inlet (140) in the vertical direction is less than the diameter of the pipe (160) or the length (B2) in the vertical direction. That is, the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) is greater than the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross section of the pipe (160). In this specification, the aspect ratio means the width:length ratio in the vertical cross section.

[0055] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the inlet (140) may be manufactured in an oval shape in which the length in the horizontal direction (A1) is longer than the length in the vertical direction (B1).

[0056] Or, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, when the cross-section of the pipe (160) is circular, the inlet (140) may be manufactured by pressing the open end of the pipe (160) with the circular cross-section. Or, in some cases, the inlet (140) may be manufactured using a mold in the shape illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, the pipe (160) and the inlet (140) may be formed as an integral body. Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the above, and the inlet (140) may have a generally rectangular cross-section, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. In this case, the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) may be circular as illustrated in FIG. 5, but may also be rectangular if necessary. The present invention is not limited to the one illustrated in FIG. 5, and various modifications and changes are possible. In addition, the pipe (160) and the inlet (160) may be manufactured separately and then assembled and connected to each other, or the pipe (160) and the inlet (160) may be manufactured as a single unit, and may be manufactured in various shapes and structures. In addition, the same may be applied even if the cross-section of the pipe (160) is not circular but rectangular or has other shapes.

[0057]

[0058] Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 3, the flow rate of the electrode slurry at the inlet (140) should be equal to or greater than the flow rate of the electrode slurry passing through the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160). The open end of the inlet (140) is spaced apart from the inner wall of the tank body (110) by a predetermined distance because, when the electrode slurry flows into the tank body (110) from the inlet (140), it must reach the inner wall of the tank body (110). That is, the electrode slurry reaching the inner wall of the tank body (110) can exchange heat with the temperature control unit (150). In other words, it is necessary to prevent a case where the flow rate of the electrode slurry at the inlet (140) is lower than the flow rate of the electrode slurry passing through the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160), thereby preventing the electrode slurry from not reaching the inner wall of the tank body (110).

[0059] To this end, as described above, under the premise that the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) is greater than the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross-section of the pipe (160), the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) may be equal to or smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160). More specifically, refer to the following description.

[0060] First, except for exceptional cases such as when the supply of electrode slurry is interrupted due to the electrode slurry reaching the upper limit of the storage capacity inside the storage tank (100) or a stop in a previous or subsequent process of the storage tank (100), it is generally preferable that a constant amount of electrode slurry is supplied into the tank body (110) during a predetermined time interval.

[0061] That is, assuming that the flow rate of the electrode slurry at the inlet (140) and the flow rate of the electrode slurry passing through the vertical cross section of the pipe (160) are substantially the same, and referring to the following relationship (Mathematical Expression 1) regarding the flow rate and flow velocity of the fluid, it is as follows.

[0062] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0063] Flow rate (Q) = vertical cross-sectional area (A) × velocity (v)

[0064] In the case where the flow rate of the electrode slurry at the inlet (140) and the flow rate of the electrode slurry passing through the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) are substantially the same, the flow rate of the electrode slurry at the inlet (140) must be equal to or greater than the flow rate of the electrode slurry passing through the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160), so that the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) must be equal to or less than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160).

[0065] According to the present invention, the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) is greater than the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross-section of the pipe (160). In addition, the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) is equal to or smaller than the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160). For example, the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) may be greater than 1 and less than 5 times the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross-section of the pipe (160). Alternatively, for example, the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) may be greater than 1.5 and less than 3 times the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross-section of the pipe (160). In addition, for example, the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) may be greater than 50% and less than 100% of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160). Alternatively, for example, the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) may be greater than or equal to 60% and less than or equal to 90% of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160).

[0066] In addition, according to the present invention, as an example of implementing a case where the aspect ratio (A1:B1) of the inlet (140) is larger than the aspect ratio (A2:B2) of the cross-section of the pipe (160), while the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) is equal to or smaller than the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160), the perimeter of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) is equal to the perimeter of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160). In other words, when the perimeter of the vertical cross-sectional area is constant, the vertical cross-sectional area decreases as the aspect ratio increases.

[0067]

[0068] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the test results of pressure changes (pressure ratio) as the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet is sequentially increased according to an embodiment of the present invention. For reference, a case in which the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet is 1 is shown together as a comparative example according to the prior art to compare the present invention with the prior art.

[0069] The X-axis represents the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section (open cross-section) of the inlet (140), and the Y-axis represents the pressure ratio (P / P0). In other words, the pressure ratio (P / P0) of the Y-axis means the pressure value (P) measured in the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) when the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) increases beyond 1, divided by the pressure value (P0) measured in the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) when the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) is 1. From the pressure ratio (P / P0), it can be known how much the pressure value increases when the slurry flows into the storage tank (100) when the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) increases compared to when the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) is 1.

[0070] As the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) on the X-axis increases, the pressure value measured in the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) on the Y-axis also tends to increase. However, if the pressure ratio (P / P0) exceeds a predetermined value, the performance of the pressure pump that moves the slurry in the pipe (160) may be degraded, so the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) cannot increase indefinitely. For example, in this test, if the pressure ratio (P / P0) exceeds 2, the pressure pump may need to be replaced, so the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) may be set to be more than 1 and less than or equal to 3 times the aspect ratio of the pipe (160). That is, when the aspect ratio of the pipe (160) is 1, the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) may be more than 1 and less than or equal to 3. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described, and the ratio of the aspect ratio of the inlet (140) to the aspect ratio of the pipe (160) can be variously adjusted depending on the specifications of the pressure pump or the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0071] The graphs of Fig. 6 are summarized and shown in Tables 1 to 6 below. Here, when the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) is circular, D means the diameter, and when the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) is elliptical, a means the radius of the major axis and b means the radius of the minor axis. For reference, in Tables 1 to 6, the units of a, b, and circumference are each m, and the unit of the cross-sectional area is m 2 , and the unit of pressure is Pa. Referring to Fig. 3, D is equal to the values ​​of A2 and B2, respectively, a is the value obtained by dividing A1 by 2, and b is the value obtained by dividing B1 by 2.

[0072] Tables 1 to 3 below show the results of measuring the pressure ratio (P / P0) while increasing the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) and setting the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) to 1, while adjusting the flow rates of slurry in the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) and the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) to 25 lpm, 20 lpm, and 15 lpm, respectively, and keeping the circumference of the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) and the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) constant.

[0073] 25 lpm aspect ratioab circumference cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio 1.00.01850.01850.1162390.0010756537.7551.000001.50.0217690.0145130.1162390.0009937136.071.091522.00.0234010.01 170.1162390.000868543.9911.306872.50.0242920.0097170.1162390.00074210932.561.672223.00.024820.0082730.1162390.00064513361.432.04373

[0074] 20 lpm aspect ratioab circumference cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio 1.00.01850.01850.1162390.0010755518.8851.000001.50.0217690.0145130.1162390.0009936029.8141.092582.00.0234010.0 1170.1162390.000867199.821.304582.50.0242920.0097170.1162390.0007428923.7751.616953.00.024820.0082730.1162390.00064511208.112.03086

[0075] 15 lpm aspect ratioab perimeter length cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio 1.00.01850.01850.1162390.0010754450.2861.000001.50.0217690.0145130.1162390.0009934888.5691.098482.00.0234010.0 1170.1162390.000865822.1281.308262.50.0242920.0097170.1162390.0007427190.2081.615673.00.024820.0082730.1162390.0006459020.432.02693

[0076] Tables 4 to 6 below show the results of measuring the pressure ratio (P / P0) while increasing the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) and setting the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) to 1, while adjusting the flow rates of slurry in the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) and the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) to 25 lpm, 20 lpm, and 15 lpm, respectively, and keeping the circumference of the vertical cross-section of the pipe (160) and the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) constant.

[0077]

[0078] 25 lpm aspect ratioab circumference cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio1.00.020.020.1256640.0012575145.8071.000001.50.0235340.0156890.1256640.001165608.1571.089852.00.0252980.012649 0.1256640.0010056719.8971.305902.50.0262610.0105050.1256640.0008678317.5651.616383.00.0268330.0089440.1256640.00075410432.492.02738

[0079] 20 lpm aspect ratioab circumference cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio1.00.020.020.1256640.0012574315.4281.000001.50.0235340.0156890.1256640.001164704.0231.090052.00.0252980.012649 0.1256640.0010055643.7281.307802.50.0262610.0105050.1256640.0008677005.8561.623443.00.0268330.0089440.1256640.0007548779.2712.03439

[0080] 15 lpm aspect ratioab perimeter length cross-sectional area pressure pressure ratio 1.00.020.020.1256640.0012573480.8291.000001.50.0235340.0156890.1256640.001163793.0451.089702.00.0252980.012649 0.1256640.0010054563.9611.311172.50.0262610.0105050.1256640.0008675639.2951.620103.00.0268330.0089440.1256640.0007547041.6362.02298

[0081] Hereinafter, the temperature deviation between the examples according to the present invention and the comparative examples according to the prior art will be described.

[0082] First, in both the examples and comparative examples, the inlet (140) (i.e., the open end of the inlet (140)) faces the inner wall of the tank body (110). In addition, the temperature of the slurry flowing into the inlet (140) is 23 degrees Celsius, and the experiment was performed assuming that the temperature of the inner wall of the tank body (110) by the temperature control unit (150) is 40 degrees Celsius.

[0083] In the embodiment, the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) was set to 3.0, and a simulation was conducted under the conditions that D of the pipe was 0.037 (m) and the flow rate was 6.5 (lpm). When the circumference of the pipe (160) and the circumference of the inlet (140) are the same, the a and b values ​​of the inlet (140) are 0.02482 (m) and 0.008273 (m), respectively, and the pressure is 4782 (Pa). In the embodiment, the average temperature of the slurry at the end point of the slurry that has moved along the inner wall of the storage tank (100) (i.e., the point immediately before the slurry that has flowed down the inner wall of the tank body (110) merges with the pre-stored slurry) is 27.0 degrees Celsius. For reference, the average temperature refers to the surface average temperature, which means the average value of the temperature of the slurry at each point across the cross-section of the end of the slurry.

[0084] On the other hand, in the comparative example, the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the inlet (140) was set to 1.0, and the simulation was conducted under the same conditions as the embodiment, where D of the pipe was 0.037 (m) and the flow rate was 6.5 (lpm). When the circumference of the pipe (160) and the circumference of the inlet (140) are the same, the a and b values ​​of the inlet (140) are 0.0185 (m) and 0.0185 (m), respectively, and the pressure is 1412 (Pa). In the comparative example, the average temperature of the slurry at the end point of the slurry that moved along the inner wall of the tank body (110) is 23.7 degrees Celsius. For the definition of the average temperature, refer to the above.

[0085] In this case, the temperature difference between the temperature set in the temperature control unit (150) in the embodiment and the average temperature of the slurry at the end point of the slurry is 13.0 degrees Celsius. In the comparative example, the temperature difference between the temperature set in the temperature control unit (150) and the average temperature of the slurry at the end point of the slurry is 16.3 degrees Celsius. That is, it can be seen that the temperature difference of the electrode slurry inside the storage tank (100) in the embodiment can be reduced compared to the comparative example, and the temperature difference was reduced by about 20.2%. This means that according to the embodiment of the present invention, the difference between the slurry temperature at the inlet (140) in the storage tank (100) and the slurry temperature at the end point of the slurry can be reduced compared to the prior art. That is, it means that the temperature difference between the slurry temperature at the inlet (140) and the slurry temperature immediately before being combined with the stored slurry can be reduced, thereby enabling more smooth temperature management of the slurry.

[0086]

[0087] In summary, the electrode slurry storage tank (100) of the present invention has an aspect ratio of an inlet (140) through which electrode slurry flows into the storage tank (100) greater than the aspect ratio of a cross-section of a pipe connected to the inlet (140). In addition, the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet (140) is equal to or smaller than the size of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe (160). Accordingly, the electrode slurry transported through the pipe (160) is supplied into the storage tank (100) at a higher pressure and reaches the inner wall of the tank body (110). That is, even with the same flow rate, when the electrode slurry flows into the storage space inside the tank body (110) from the inlet (140), the pressure (flow rate) increases, so that the electrode slurry can sufficiently reach the inner wall of the tank body (110).

[0088] In addition, the electrode slurry that reaches the inner wall of the tank body (110) contacts the inner wall of the tank body (110) for a longer time in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. The electrode slurry that flows down the inner wall of the tank body (110) by gravity can contact the inner wall of the tank body (110) over a wider area and exchange heat with the temperature control unit (160). Accordingly, since the electrode slurry flows down the inner wall of the tank body (110) and is sufficiently temperature-controlled by the temperature control unit (160), the temperature difference between the electrode slurry flowing in from the inlet (140) and the electrode slurry pre-stored inside the storage tank (100) can be more effectively reduced. Accordingly, the quality of the electrodes produced can also be improved.

[0089] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 100: Electrode slurry storage tank

[0092] 110: Tank body

[0093] 120: Stirrer

[0094] 130: Temperature control unit

[0095] 140: Inlet

[0096] 150: outlet

[0097] 160: Piping

Claims

1. In a storage tank storing electrode slurry, A tank body storing the electrode slurry inside; and It comprises an inlet provided on the upper part of the tank body and through which the electrode slurry is supplied into the interior of the tank body, The open end of the inlet is directed toward the inner wall of the tank body, and the electrode slurry supplied from the inlet reaches the inner wall of the tank body and flows down along the inner wall of the tank body. A storage tank, wherein the horizontal length of the open end of the inlet port is greater than the vertical length.

2. In paragraph 1, The aspect ratio of the open end of the above inlet is greater than the aspect ratio of the vertical cross section of the pipe connected to the above inlet, A storage tank, wherein the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the open end of the inlet is equal to or smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe.

3. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the perimeter of the open end of the inlet is the same as the perimeter of the vertical cross section of the pipe.

4. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the aspect ratio of the open end of the inlet is greater than 1 and less than 5 times the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe connected to the inlet.

5. In paragraph 4, A storage tank, wherein the aspect ratio of the open end of the inlet is 1.5 to 3 times greater than the aspect ratio of the vertical cross-section of the pipe connected to the inlet.

6. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the open end of the inlet is 38.5% or more and less than 100% of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe.

7. In paragraph 6, A storage tank, wherein the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the open end of the inlet is 60% or more and 92.3% or less of the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe.

8. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the open end of the inlet comprises an oval shape.

9. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the open end of the inlet port comprises a rectangular shape.

10. In paragraph 1, A storage tank, wherein the vertical end of the above pipe is circular.

11. In paragraph 1, A storage tank in which the open end of the above inlet is manufactured by pressurizing the end of the above pipe using a press method.

12. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a temperature control unit surrounding the tank body, A storage tank in which the electrode slurry that has reached the inner wall of the tank body flows down the inner wall of the tank body and exchanges heat with the temperature control unit.

13. In paragraph 12, The above temperature control unit surrounds the outer wall of the tank body or is integrated into the outer wall, A storage tank in which refrigerant flows inside the temperature control unit and exchanges heat with the electrode slurry.

14. In paragraph 1, A storage tank further comprising a stirrer provided inside the tank body and having blades rotating around a rotation axis to stir the electrode slurry.

15. In paragraph 1, The above storage tank is connected to a mixer for producing electrode slurry, and receives the electrode slurry from the mixer. A storage tank in which the electrode slurry is manufactured by mixing electrode raw materials including an electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder.

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