Apparatus for firing positive electrode material

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for firing a positive electrode material, the apparatus transporting saggars in which a positive electrode material is stored into a tunnel to continuously fire same. The apparatus for firing a positive electrode material, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises a plurality of carts in which a plurality of saggars storing a positive electrode material are seated, and a firing tunnel through which the plurality of carts pass such that the positive electrode material is fired, the carts each including: rotatable wheels; a cart body under which the wheels are mounted for rolling; an L-shaped block disposed in a lower portion of the cart body; and a wedge block disposed in the lower portion of the cart body to be caught by the L-shaped block of an adjacent cart.

Description

Anode material firing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an anode material firing apparatus, and more specifically, to an anode material firing apparatus that moves a refractory saggar containing an anode material into a tunnel to continuously fire it.

[0002] A cathode material firing device is a device that fires cathode materials for secondary batteries in a firing furnace at a temperature of 400 to 1100 degrees Celsius depending on the characteristics of the material. The cathode material firing device is classified into a Roller Hearth Kiln and a Pusher Kiln depending on the type of firing furnace.

[0003] The roller kiln is equipment that continuously calcines cathode materials through high-temperature gas reactions by loading and transporting them onto rollers, making it suitable for the production of cathode materials that require precise temperature control and airtightness. The pusher kiln is a calcination device that continuously produces cathode materials by using a pusher to move a stack of multiple refractory containers filled with cathode materials, enabling the processing of large quantities of cathode materials.

[0004] These pusher kilns are classified into plate-type, in which refractory boxes are transported by a plate, and bogie-type, in which they are transported by a wheeled bogie. The bogie-type pusher kiln has no problem with the overturning of stacked refractory boxes and has no limitations on the stacking of refractory boxes, resulting in high productivity. However, there was a problem where gaps formed between the bogies, leading to reduced airtightness of the kiln.

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an anode material firing apparatus with enhanced airtightness.

[0006] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, an anode material firing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of trolleys on which a plurality of refractory containers containing anode materials are seated, and a firing tunnel through which the plurality of trolleys pass to fire the anode materials, wherein the trolleys comprise a rotatable wheel; a trolley body mounted on the lower side so that the wheel can roll, an L-shaped block provided on the lower side of the trolley body, and a wedge block provided on the lower side of the trolley body to engage with the L-shaped block of an adjacent trolley.

[0008] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0009] According to the anode material firing apparatus of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are present.

[0010] First, there is an advantage in that the bogies are physically joined to prevent outside air from entering through the gaps between the bogies.

[0011] Second, there is also the advantage that a natural physical coupling between the bogies is possible when the trailing bogie comes into contact with the leading bogie.

[0012] Third, there is also the advantage that when the leading bogie moves to the bogie recovery line, it naturally separates from the following bogie.

[0013] Fourth, there is also the advantage of effectively preventing outside air from entering by creating an airtight seal between the bogie and the plastic tunnel through water sealing.

[0014] Fifth, it also has the advantage of being equipped with a heater on the top of the bogie, which prevents a drop in temperature even if outside air enters.

[0015] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of a trolley of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIGS. 4 to 9 are drawings showing the coupling and separation of two trolleys of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0021] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0022] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0023] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0024] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0025] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0026] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining an anode material firing apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a trolley of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] An anode material firing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a trolley (200) having wheels (240) on which a plurality of refractory boxes (300) containing anode materials are seated; a firing tunnel (150) through which the trolley (200) passes to fire the anode materials; a replacement chamber (10) positioned in front of the firing tunnel (150) to block heat and air from the outside; a cooling door (105) positioned between an isothermal zone (120) and a cooling zone (130) to block air; a water sealing (160) into which the lower part of the apron (260) of the trolley (200) is inserted; an upper heater (173) positioned between the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) and the uppermost part of the plurality of refractory boxes (300) to generate heat; and a vertical heater (171) positioned downward from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to generate heat.

[0030] The replacement chamber (10) changes the process atmosphere of the firing tunnel (150), maintains an appropriate temperature and gas composition inside the firing tunnel (150), blocks the inflow of outside air, and minimizes heat loss.

[0031] A replacement room entrance door (11) is provided at the entrance of the replacement room (10), and a firing tunnel entrance door (103) is provided between the replacement room (10) and the firing tunnel (150). The replacement room entrance door (11) and the firing tunnel entrance door (103) are opened and closed alternately to allow the entry of the trolley (200) and to maintain the airtightness of the firing tunnel (150). It is preferable that the replacement room entrance door (11) and the firing tunnel entrance door (103) be of a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close.

[0032] The firing tunnel (150) is formed in a tunnel shape with the top surface and both sides closed to allow the trolley (200) to pass through. The firing tunnel (150) is divided into a heating zone (110) for increasing the temperature to dehydrate and oxidize the anode material, an isothermal zone (120) for maintaining the temperature to crystallize the anode material, and a cooling zone (130) for lowering the temperature.

[0033] In the heating zone (110), an upper heater (173) and a vertical heater (171) are provided inside the firing tunnel (150). The heating zone (110) is a zone where the upper heater (173), the vertical heater (171), and the bogie heater (270), which will be described later, generate heat to raise the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the heating zone (110), the bogie (200), the refractory box (300), and the anode material contained in the refractory box (300) are heated.

[0034] In the heating zone (110), it is preferable that an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) be provided on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150). Additionally, since a large amount of reaction gas (H2O or CO2) is generated in the heating zone (110), it is preferable that an exhaust port (not shown) for exhausting the reaction gas be provided on the upper side of the firing tunnel (150) in the heating zone (110).

[0035] In the isothermal zone (120), an upper heater (173) and a vertical heater (171) are provided inside the firing tunnel (150). The isothermal zone (120) is a zone where the upper heater (173), the vertical heater (171), and the trolley heater (270) generate heat to maintain the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the isothermal zone (120), the trolley (200), the refractory box (300), and the anode material contained in the refractory box (300) are continuously heated.

[0036] In the isothermal zone (120), it is preferable to have an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) provided on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150). Since not much reaction gas (H2O or CO2) is generated in the isothermal zone (120), an exhaust port is not provided. Therefore, oxygen introduced through the air supply port moves to the heating zone (110), and in the case of an arched ceiling generally used in a firing furnace, most of the oxygen moves to the ceiling. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable for the firing tunnel (150) of the present invention to have a flat ceiling in the isothermal zone (120) so that oxygen passes around the refractory box (300).

[0037] In the cooling zone (130), a fan or fin tube, etc., is provided inside the firing tunnel (150) to lower the temperature inside the firing tunnel (150). In the cooling zone (130), it is preferable to provide an air supply port (not shown) for supplying oxygen (O2) on the lower side of the firing tunnel (150).

[0038] A large amount of oxygen must be supplied to the cooling zone (130) for cooling, but it is desirable to prevent the cold oxygen in the cooling zone (130) from moving to the isothermal zone (120). Accordingly, a cooling door (105) that blocks air is provided between the isothermal zone (120) and the cooling zone (130).

[0039] A firing tunnel exit door (107) is provided at the end of the cooling zone (130). The firing tunnel exit door (107) is opened and closed to maintain airtightness, allowing the bogie (200) to advance. It is preferable that the firing tunnel exit door (107) be a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close.

[0040] It is preferable that the cooling door (105) be a sliding type that moves up and down to open and close. In order to prevent oxygen from the cooling zone (130) from moving to the isothermal zone (120), it is preferable that the cooling door (105) descend to the bottom of the bogie (200) when closed, as shown in FIG. 1. When closed, the cooling door (105) may descend to the bottom of the bogie body (210) or the bottom of the apron (260) to be described later.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the upper heater (173) is placed in the heating zone (110) and the isothermal zone (120) of the firing tunnel (150). The upper heater (173) is in the shape of a rod formed long in the horizontal direction and is placed between the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) and the top of a plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked on the trolley (200). Since the temperature of the upper part of the firing tunnel (150) may be low due to temperature variation when a plurality of refractory casings (300) are stacked, the upper heater (173) raises or maintains the temperature of the upper part of the firing tunnel (150).

[0042] The upper heaters (173) are provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple upper heaters (173) may be spaced apart along the direction of movement of the carriage (200). It is preferable that one upper heater (173) be placed per refractory box (300).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, a vertical heater (171) is placed in the heating zone (110) and isothermal zone (120) of the firing tunnel (150). The vertical heater (171) is in the shape of a rod formed long in the vertical direction and is placed between the inner side wall of the firing tunnel (150) and the side of a plurality of refractory casings (300). The vertical heater (171) can be placed between a plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked in a row and another plurality of refractory casings (300) stacked in a row.

[0044] The vertical heater (171) is positioned from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to below the middle of the lowest refractory box (300) among the plurality of refractory boxes (300) or below the top of the trolley (200). The vertical heater (171) is positioned below the lowest of the plurality of stacked refractory boxes (300). It is preferable that the vertical heater (171) be positioned from the ceiling of the firing tunnel (150) to the trolley heater (270) of the trolley (200) to be described later.

[0045] The vertical heaters (171) are provided in multiple numbers, and the multiple vertical heaters (171) may be spaced apart along the direction of movement of the carriage (200). It is preferable that one vertical heater (171) be placed per refractory box (300).

[0046] A plurality of refractory plates (300) are stacked and placed on a trolley (200). A plurality of rows of refractory plates (300) can be placed on a single trolley (200). A plurality of trolleys (200) are provided, and the plurality of trolleys (200) are arranged lengthwise along the direction of movement of the trolley (200) so that the plurality of trolleys (200) can move continuously in the firing tunnel (150). They can move continuously in the firing tunnel (150). Two adjacent trolleys (200) among the plurality of trolleys (200) are physically joined.

[0047] The bogie (200) includes a rotatable wheel (240), a bogie body (210) mounted so that the wheel (240) can roll on the lower side, a bogie supporter (220) positioned on the upper side of the bogie body (210) to support a plurality of refractory plates (300), a bogie heater (270) positioned in the middle of the bogie supporter (220) to generate heat, a plate-shaped apron (260) formed extending downward from the side of the bogie body (210), an L-shaped block (280) provided on the lower side of the bogie body (210), and a wedge block (290) provided on the lower side of the bogie body (210) to which the L-shaped block (280) of an adjacent bogie (200) is caught.

[0048] The wheel (240) is positioned on the lower side of the bogie body (210) so that the bogie (200) can roll. The wheel (240) can roll along a rail (not shown) provided on the floor of the firing tunnel (150).

[0049] The bogie body (210) is formed with a wide and flat upper surface, while the sides are formed in a stepped shape. An L-shaped block (280), a wedge block (290), and a wheel (240) are provided on the bottom of the bogie body (210), an apron (260) is provided on both sides of the bogie body (210), and a bogie supporter (220) is provided on the upper side. The bogie body (210) prevents heat inside the firing tunnel (150) from escaping downwards, thereby preventing the apron (260), water sealing (160), wheels (240), and connections of the bogie heater (270) from being damaged by high heat.

[0050] The inner side wall of the firing tunnel (150) is formed to correspond to the side shape of the bogie body (210) to maintain airtightness inside the firing tunnel (150).

[0051] A bogie supporter (220) is positioned between a plurality of refractory boxes (300) and a bogie body (210) to support the plurality of refractory boxes (300). A plurality of bogie supports (220) are provided, and the plurality of bogie supports (220) are spaced apart from each other so that heat, air, or gas can move smoothly. In this embodiment, a row of a plurality of refractory boxes (300) is supported by four spaced-apart bogie supports (220), so that the contact area between the lowest refractory box (300) and the bogie supporter (220) is minimized. Accordingly, the action of heat, the supply of oxygen, and the exhaust of gas are made smooth. The upper part of a bogie heater (270) is positioned between the plurality of bogie supports (220).

[0052] The bogie heater (270) has a staple shape (inverted U-shape) formed with legs extending downward from both ends of a horizontally long rod. The bogie heater (270) generates heat from the horizontal rod. The lower end of the legs of the bogie heater (270) is positioned below the lower end of the bogie body (210). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is longer than the horizontal length of the plurality of refractory casings (300) seated on the bogie (200). That is, it is preferable for the horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) to protrude beyond both sides of the plurality of refractory casings (300). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is positioned between the bogie supporters (220). The horizontal rod of the bogie heater (270) is positioned below the upper end of the bogie supporter (220) and above the lower end of the bogie supporter (220).

[0053] The apron (260) is formed in a plate shape large enough to cover most of the lower side of the bogie body (210) and the side of the wheel (240). The lower part of the apron (260) is inserted into the water sealing (160) and impregnated with water to maintain airtightness between the bogie (200) and the firing tunnel (150). The lower part of the apron (260) is positioned below the L-shaped block (280) and wedge block (290) to be described later.

[0054] The L-shaped block (280) is positioned at the rear of the bogie body (210) relative to the direction of movement of the bogie (200) in the plastic tunnel (150). The L-shaped block (280) is formed in an L-shape by being composed of a front-rear direction bar portion formed long in the direction of movement of the bogie (200) and a left-right direction bar portion formed long in the left-right direction perpendicular to it. The left-right direction bar portion of the L-shaped block (280) is engaged with the wedge of the wedge block (290).

[0055] The wedge block (290) is positioned in front of the bogie body (210) relative to the direction of movement of the bogie (200) in the plastic tunnel (150). The wedge block (290) is positioned to move up and down, but with force applied downwards. The wedge block (290) has a wedge shape with an inclined surface. The wedge block (290) is positioned so that the inclined surface faces downwards, and when the trailing bogie (200) is pushed by the pusher and comes into contact with the leading bogie (200), the L-shaped block (280) is caught on the wedge block (290). When the leading bogie (200) exits the plastic tunnel (150) and moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement into the plastic tunnel (150), the L-shaped block (280) is separated from the wedge block (290).

[0056] The water seal (160) is formed to extend in the direction in which the bogie (200) moves. The water seal (160) is provided in a pair, and the pair of water seals (160) are spaced apart horizontally on the floor of the firing tunnel (150). The pair of water seals (160) are positioned corresponding to both edges of the bogie (200). The water seal (160) contains water, and the apron of the bogie (200) is impregnated with water to maintain airtightness inside the firing tunnel (150).

[0057] The lower part of the firing tunnel (150) is sealed by the water seal (160), apron (260), L-shaped block (280), and wedge block (290), so that outside air does not enter. In addition, the lower part of the refractory box (300) is prevented from dropping in temperature by the bogie heater (270).

[0058] FIGS. 4 to 9 are drawings showing the coupling and separation of two trolleys of an anode material firing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when the trailing bogie (200b) is pushed by a pusher and approaches the leading bogie (200a), the inclined surface of the wedge block (290) of the trailing bogie (200b) comes into contact with the horizontal bar portion of the L-shaped block (280).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, as the trailing bogie (200b) continuously approaches the leading bogie (200a), the wedge block (290) rises upward and the inclined surface of the wedge block (290) moves along the horizontal bar portion of the L-shaped block (280).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the horizontal bar portion of the L-shaped block (280) of the preceding bogie (200a) is caught on the wedge block (290) of the succeeding bogie (200b), so that the preceding bogie (200a) and the succeeding bogie (200b) are physically joined.

[0062] When the leading bogie (200a) exits the plastic tunnel (150), it moves in a direction perpendicular to the existing one, and at this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the L-shaped block (280) moves left and right and separates from the wedge block (290). Accordingly, the leading bogie (200a) and the trailing bogie (200b) are physically separated.

[0063] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the patent claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plurality of trolleys on which a plurality of refractory boxes containing anode materials are seated; and It includes a firing tunnel through which the above-mentioned plurality of trolleys pass and the above-mentioned anode material is fired, and The above-mentioned bogie is, Rotatable wheel; A bogie body mounted on the lower part so that the above-mentioned wheel can roll; An L-shaped block provided on the lower side of the above bogie body; and An anode material firing device comprising a wedge block provided on the lower side of the bogie body and engaging the L-shaped block of the adjacent bogie.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above L-shaped block is positioned at the rear of the bogie body based on the direction of movement of the bogie, and The above wedge block is an anode material firing device positioned at the front of the bogie body based on the direction of movement of the bogie.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above wedge block is an anode material firing device arranged so that its inclined surface faces downward.

4. In Paragraph 1, An anode-specific device in which the trolley including the above L-shaped block moves out of the above-mentioned firing tunnel and moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement into the above-mentioned firing tunnel, thereby separating the L-shaped block and the wedge block.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above bogie further includes an apron formed extending downward from the side, and The lower part of the above apron further includes a water seal inserted therein and impregnated with water, and The above apron is a specific device for an anode, the lower end of which is positioned below the above L-shaped block and the above wedge block.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned bogie is, A bogie supporter positioned on the upper side of the bogie body to support the plurality of refractory casings; and An anode material firing apparatus further comprising a bogie heater that generates heat and is positioned in the middle of the above bogie support.

Images