Electrode mixer cleaning system

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an electrode mixer cleaning system comprising: a storage tank for storing a solvent; a flow meter for measuring the solvent; a pressure tank for storing the measured solvent; a mixer in which an electrode material and the solvent are mixed; a first pump for delivering the amount of the solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through a first pipe; a second pump for discharging the solvent at an elevated pressure from the pressure tank to the mixer through a second pipe; and a spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN) which is disposed in the mixer and injects the solvent into the mixer.

Description

Electrode mixer cleaning system

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0091780, filed July 11, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrode mixer cleaning system.

[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. This, in turn, heightens the need for further development of these batteries.

[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] These secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices like portable electronic devices, but also in medium- to large-scale devices like electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), and their use is rapidly increasing. Furthermore, the use of residential battery packs for power storage has been on the rise recently.

[0008] The manufacturing process for these lithium secondary batteries is broadly divided into three stages: the electrode process, the assembly process, and the formation process. The electrode process is further divided into the active material mixing process, the electrode coating process, the rolling process, the slitting process, and the winding process. Among these, the active material mixing process is for producing electrode slurry, and refers to the process of stirring and mixing electrode materials such as active materials and a solvent in a mixer.

[0009] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the layout of this mixing process (10).

[0010] Referring to Fig. 1, the solvent stored in the storage tank (11) is injected into the mixer (13) through the pipe (16) by the operation of the pump (14) after the metering is completed by the flow meter (12), and at this time, a general liquid injection nozzle that is not subjected to pressure is used as the nozzle (15).

[0011] At this time, the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter (12) is determined by considering the solid content of the electrode slurry obtained when manufacturing the electrode slurry.

[0012] In addition, when the injection of the solvent by the operation of the pump (14) as described above is completed, the remaining solvent in the pipe (16) is injected by air purging in which air is injected from the air injection part (17) connected to the pipe (16).

[0013] However, in such a mixing process, a problem occurs in which electrode materials such as active materials in the slurry accumulate inside the mixer and on the top of the stirrer, and accordingly, when the mixing process is continuously performed without a process of cleaning the inside of the mixer, not only is the cleaning process difficult due to the electrode materials accumulating for a long time, but there is also a solids spec out issue in which the solids content, which is a quality item of the slurry, changes, that is, a problem in which some of the electrode materials accumulate inside the mixer and on the stirrer, resulting in a problem in which the solids content in the slurry is insufficient, or the solids content increases as the accumulated materials fall.

[0014] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop technology for electrode mixer cleaning that can solve these problems.

[0015] The present invention aims to drastically reduce the load of electrode materials inside the mixer by allowing the inside of the mixer to be cleaned by injecting a solvent into the mixer at high pressure, thereby reducing the mixer cleaning time and extending the additional cleaning cycle, thereby enabling a reduction in the time and manpower consumed for cleaning.

[0016] 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.

[0017] An electrode mixer cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present invention

[0018] A storage tank for storing solvent;

[0019] A flow meter for measuring the above solvent;

[0020] A pressure tank for storing the above-mentioned measured solvent;

[0021] A mixer in which electrode materials and solvents are mixed;

[0022] A first pump that sends the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through the first pipe; and

[0023] A second pump for sending the solvent from the pressure tank to the mixer through a second pipe at an increased pressure; and

[0024] A spray high pressure nozzle (HPSN) disposed within the mixer and injecting the solvent into the mixer;

[0025] It is characterized by including.

[0026] In addition, a third pipe is further included, which is connected to the first pipe at one end and to the first air injection unit at the other end, and air can be injected through the third pipe.

[0027] Furthermore, it further includes a fourth pipe connected to the pressure tank at one end and connected to the second air injection port at the other end, and the fourth pipe can be connected to the second pipe in the middle.

[0028] A first valve may be formed in the first pipe, and a second valve may be formed in the second pipe.

[0029] The number of the above spray high pressure nozzles (HPSN) may be three to six.

[0030] The above electrode mixer cleaning device may further include a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the solvent in the second pipe and a level switch for measuring the current.

[0031] Accordingly, when the pressure of the solvent measured by the pressure gauge is 10 bar or less and the current measured by the level switch is 5 mA or less, the operation of the second pump may be stopped.

[0032] The above solvent may be distilled water (DI water).

[0033] Meanwhile, when the solvent is measured by the flow meter, the first valve is opened and stored in the pressure tank, and then when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened, the solvent may be injected into the mixer by the operation of the second pump.

[0034] Here, the solvent may be injected into the mixer at a pressure of 90 bar to 120 bar by the second pump.

[0035] In addition, after the solvent is injected into the mixer by the second pump, air purging can be performed by injecting air into the first air injection port to inject the solvent remaining in the pressure tank, the first pipe, and the second pipe into the mixer.

[0036] At this time, the air purging may be performed with the first valve open, and after the air purging is completed, the vent valve of the pressure tank may be opened and the first valve and the second valve may be closed.

[0037] Moreover, when the solvent is injected from the pressure tank to the mixer by the second pump, uninjected solvent is generated due to the difference in the flow rate of the second pump and the flow rate of the spray high-pressure nozzle, and the uninjected solvent can be introduced back into the pressure tank through the fourth pipe.

[0038] Here, the non-injected solvent may be mixed with the solvent present in the pressure tank and fed back into the mixer through the second pipe by the second pump.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of a part of a system for manufacturing an electrode slurry in which a conventional electrode material and a solvent are mixed.

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the layout of an electrode mixer cleaning system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Meanwhile, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawing are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Furthermore, throughout the specification, “one end” means one end of the length formed by the part, and “the other end” means the other end of the length formed by the part.

[0046]

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates an electrode mixer cleaning system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode mixer cleaning system according to the present invention is configured to include a storage tank (110) for storing a solvent; a flow meter (111) for measuring the solvent; a pressure tank (120) for storing the measured solvent; a mixer (130) for mixing electrode material and solvent; a first pump (113) for sending the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter (111) to the pressure tank (120) through a first pipe (112); and a second pump (122) for sending the solvent from the pressure tank (120) to the mixer (130) through a second pipe (121) in an increased pressure state; and a spray high-pressure nozzle (HPSN, 140) disposed within the mixer (130) and injecting the solvent into the mixer (130).

[0049] Here, the storage tank (110) stores the solvent and is connected to a first pipe (112), and a first valve (114), a first pump (113), and a flow meter (111) are formed in the first pipe (112).

[0050] The solvent used in the above electrode mixer cleaning system may be an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent, and specifically, it is affected by the electrode material mixed in the mixer. Specifically, when the electrode material is a positive electrode material, the solvent may be an organic solvent, and when the electrode material is a negative electrode material, the solvent may be an organic solvent or an aqueous solvent, specifically, distilled water (DI water).

[0051] The solvent is transferred from the storage tank (110) to the pressure tank (120) through the first pipe (112). At this time, the solvent is sent to the pressure tank (120) in a state in which the amount has been measured by the flow meter (111).

[0052] At this time, according to one embodiment of the present invention, cleaning of the mixer (130) may be performed simultaneously with the production of the electrode slurry, and in this case, the metering of the solvent may be determined by considering the solvent content of the electrode slurry, i.e., the solid content, viscosity, etc.

[0053] As another example, if the cleaning of the mixer (130) is not performed simultaneously with the production of the electrode slurry, the amount calculated only as necessary for the cleaning of the mixer (130) may be metered and transported.

[0054] However, in any case, the solvent may be the same as the solvent of the electrode slurry, thereby increasing the cleaning power of the mixer (130) and preventing the residual solvent from acting as an impurity in the subsequent production of the electrode slurry, thereby preventing deterioration of the quality of the electrode slurry.

[0055] The above transport is carried out by the first pump (113), and operates until the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter (111) is supplied to the pressure tank (120). This operation begins with the first valve (114) being opened and the second valve (123) formed in the second pipe (121) connecting the pressure tank (120) and the mixer (130) being closed.

[0056] After the metering of the solvent into the pressure tank (120) is completed, the first pump (113) stops operating and the first valve (114) closes.

[0057] The pressure tank (120) stores the measured solvent and is connected to a second pipe (121), and a second valve (123) and a second pump (122) are formed in the second pipe (121).

[0058] After the metering of the solvent into the pressure tank (120) is completed and the first valve (114) is closed, the second valve (123) is opened, and the second pump (122) operates to inject the metered solvent into the mixer (130).

[0059] At this time, the measured solvent is injected into the mixer (130) by a high pressure spray nozzle (HPSN, 140). The high pressure spray nozzle (HPSN, 140) can inject the solvent into the mixer (130) by high pressure, and the direction in which the solvent is injected by the high pressure spray nozzle (140) can be injected in various directions at once so that the inside of the mixer can be completely cleaned, which is advantageous for cleaning compared to a conventional liquid spray nozzle.

[0060] Additionally, the spray high pressure nozzle (140) can be used when fine spraying is possible and the input pressure is high.

[0061] Therefore, the entire inside of the mixer (130) can be cleaned by this high-pressure spray nozzle (140).

[0062] Moreover, these spray high-pressure nozzles (140) may be included in the mixer, specifically, 3 to 6, and specifically, 4 may be formed. In addition, the spray high-pressure nozzles (140) may be formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the mixer for ease of cleaning and overall cleaning of the mixer (130).

[0063] If less than 3 are formed outside the above range, the inside of the mixer cannot be thoroughly cleaned, and if more than 6 are formed, it is inefficient.

[0064] Meanwhile, the solvent for cleaning the inner surface of the mixer (130) can be injected at a pressure of 90 bar to 120 bar by the second pump (122), and more specifically, the solvent can be injected at a pressure of 100 bar to 110 bar, and more specifically, the solvent can be injected at a pressure of 100 bar to 105 bar.

[0065] At this time, if the process is performed at a lower pressure beyond the above range, the intended effect of the original cannot be obtained, and if the process is performed at a higher pressure, there are problems such as difficulty in operation and increased equipment costs.

[0066] Therefore, according to the present invention, the second pump (122) may further include a pressure gauge (124) for measuring the pressure of the solvent, and a level switch (125) for measuring the current.

[0067] The pressure gauge (124) and the level switch (125) serve to stop the operation of the second pump (122) when the solvent is not fed into the mixer (130). If the second pump (122) is operated even when the solvent is not fed, there is a possibility of equipment failure, so the operation of the second pump (122) can be controlled using the pressure gauge (124) and the level switch (125).

[0068] Specifically, when both the pressure gauge (124) and the level switch (125) are below a certain condition, the operation of the second pump (122) is stopped, in preparation for the case where one of the two fails.

[0069] Specifically, when the pressure of the solvent measured by the pressure gauge (124) is 10 bar or less and the current measured by the level switch (125) is 5 mA or less, the operation of the second pump (122) may be stopped.

[0070] By introducing a high-pressure solvent in this way, cleaning inside the mixer (130) can be easily accomplished, thereby increasing the cleaning cycle by a separate worker, thereby increasing process efficiency and reducing the workload of the worker. In addition, since it can be applied to each batch, there is also an effect of drastically reducing the change in the solid content in the electrode slurry, thereby improving the quality of the electrode slurry.

[0071] Meanwhile, in the process of introducing solvent into the mixer (130) by the second pump (122) in the pressure tank (130), uninjected solvent may be generated due to the difference in flow rate of the second pump (122) and the flow rate of the spray high-pressure nozzle (140).

[0072] Therefore, according to the present invention, a fourth pipe (162) may be further included, which is connected to the pressure tank (120) at one end and to the second air injection unit (161) at the other end, and since the fourth pipe (162) is connected to the second pipe (121), the uninjected solvent is transferred to the pressure tank (120) through the return line via the fourth pipe (162).

[0073] In this way, the uninjected solvent sent back to the pressure tank (120) can be mixed with the solvent present in the pressure tank (120) and then injected into the mixer (130) through the second pipe (121) by the second pump (122), so that all of the measured solvent can be injected into the mixer (130) without loss of solvent.

[0074] When the non-injected solvent is completely fed into the mixer through the return line, the operation of the second pump (122) is stopped, and air is injected through the second air injection unit (161) connected to the fourth pipe (162), so that even the small amount of solvent remaining in the fourth pipe (162) is transferred to the pressure tank (120).

[0075] Thereafter, as described above, the solvent is introduced in a measured amount to clean the mixer or to clean only the mixer (130) while being used in the production of electrode slurry, and it is important to introduce the entire amount of the solvent without loss. Therefore, air purging may be performed after the introduction of the solvent by the second pump (122).

[0076] By the above air purging, the remaining solvent remaining in the pressure tank (120) of the solvent and the first pipe (112) and the second pipe (121) can be additionally introduced into the mixer (130).

[0077] Accordingly, when air purging is performed, the first valve (114) is opened, and air is injected from the first air injection port (151) and connected to the first pipe (112) at one end and injected into the first pipe (112) through the third pipe (152) connected to the first air injection port (151) at the other end, so that the solvent remaining in the pressure tank (120), the first pipe (112), and the second pipe (121) can be injected into the mixer (130).

[0078] At this time, air purging can be performed at a pressure of 1 bar to 10 bar, specifically 2 bar to 8 bar, and more specifically 2 bar to 5 bar for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, specifically 1 minute to 2 minutes.

[0079] From this, the measured solvent can be injected into the entire mixer (130).

[0080] When this air purging is completed, the vent valve (126) of the pressure tank (120) opens, the first valve (114) and the second valve (123) are both closed, and the cleaning of the mixer (130) is completed.

[0081] In this way, since the electrode mixer system according to the present invention can use all of the measured solvent, the mixer (130) cleaning can be performed simultaneously with the production of the electrode slurry, in which the control of the solvent content is important.

[0082] That is, when the content of the solvent used in the electrode slurry is measured and injected into the mixer (130), the electrode material that may accumulate on the top of the mixer (130) and in the stirrer (not shown) can be removed at the same time by injecting it through the spray high-pressure nozzle (140) at the pressure in the above range.

[0083] Therefore, the electrode mixer cleaning system according to the present invention can be specifically performed simultaneously with the production of electrode slurry, thereby drastically reducing mixer equipment downtime loss, shortening cleaning time, and improving process efficiency. In addition, since batch cleaning is possible, the quality of electrode slurry can also be improved.

[0084]

[0085] Although the preferred examples 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.

[0086] According to the present invention, by injecting a solvent into the mixer at high pressure through a high pressure spray nozzle (HPSN) to clean the mixer, there is an effect of reducing the time and manpower consumed for cleaning.

[0087] In addition, when the amount of solvent contained in the electrode slurry is measured and applied, the production of the electrode slurry and the mixing cleaning can be performed simultaneously, so that cleaning can be performed for each batch, enabling continuous cleaning without equipment downtime loss and increasing the cleaning cycle by the operator.

Claims

1. A storage tank for storing solvent; A flow meter for measuring the above solvent; A pressure tank for storing the above-mentioned measured solvent; A mixer in which electrode materials and solvents are mixed; A first pump that sends the amount of solvent measured by the flow meter to the pressure tank through the first pipe; and A second pump for sending the solvent from the pressure tank to the mixer through a second pipe at an increased pressure; and A spray high pressure nozzle (HPSN) disposed within the mixer and injecting the solvent into the mixer; An electrode mixer cleaning system including:

2. In paragraph 1, An electrode mixer cleaning system further comprising a third pipe connected to the first pipe at one end and connected to the first air injection port at the other end, and injecting air into the pressure tank through the third pipe.

3. In paragraph 1, An electrode mixer cleaning system further comprising a fourth pipe connected to the pressure tank at one end and connected to the second air inlet at the other end, wherein the fourth pipe is connected to the second pipe in the middle.

4. In paragraph 1, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which a first valve is formed in the first pipe and a second valve is formed in the second pipe.

5. In paragraph 1, The above spray high pressure nozzle (HPSN) is a three to six electrode mixer cleaning system.

6. In paragraph 1, An electrode mixer cleaning system wherein the electrode mixer cleaning device further includes a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the solvent in the second pipe and a level switch for measuring the current.

7. In paragraph 6, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which the operation of the second pump is stopped when the pressure of the solvent measured by the pressure gauge is 10 bar or less and the current measured by the level switch is 5 mA or less.

8. In paragraph 1, The above solvent is distilled water (DI water) for the electrode mixer cleaning system.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which, when the solvent is measured by a flow meter, the first valve is opened and stored in the pressure tank, and then, when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened, the solvent is injected into the mixer by the operation of the second pump.

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which, after the solvent is injected into the mixer by the second pump, air is injected into the first air injection port to inject the solvent remaining in the pressure tank and the second pipe into the mixer, thereby performing air purging.

11. In paragraph 10, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which the air purging is performed while the first valve is open, and after the air purging is completed, the vent valve of the pressure tank is opened and the first valve and the second valve are closed.

12. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which, when the solvent is injected from the pressure tank to the mixer by the second pump, uninjected solvent is generated by the difference between the flow rate of the second pump and the flow rate of the spray high-pressure nozzle, and the uninjected solvent is introduced back into the pressure tank through the fourth pipe.

13. In paragraph 12, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which the above-mentioned non-injected solvent is mixed with the solvent present in the pressure tank and is fed back into the mixer through the second pipe by the second pump.

14. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, An electrode mixer cleaning system in which the solvent is injected into the mixer at a pressure of 90 to 120 bar by the second pump.

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