Battery Pyrolysis Gas Analysis Under Inert Atmosphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods are inadequate for analyzing gas generation characteristics based on the thermal behavior of batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries, due to safety concerns such as ignition and explosion, and lack of precision in collecting and analyzing internally generated gases.
Innovation Solution
An automated sample pyrolysis device that includes a reactor, furnace, carrier gas control, and a main controller to automate the collection and analysis of gases generated by heating a sample, ensuring safety and precision through controlled gas flow and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional EGA-MS or TPD-MS methods are used to analyze gas generated by pyrolysis, then gas analysis capability is achieved, but the method is only applicable to small amounts of solid and liquid samples and cannot analyze battery itself
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the analysis process into distinct functional modules: a reactor for thermal treatment, a carrier gas supply system for gas transport, and an analyzer for detection. This segmentation allows the system to handle different sample types (solid, liquid, and battery cells) by adjusting operational parameters while maintaining precise gas analysis capability through dedicated analysis channels.
2Measurement precision
If battery itself is heated to analyze internally generated gas, then comprehensive gas generation characteristics can be obtained, but safety risks of ignition and explosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor is filled with inert carrier gas (such as nitrogen or argon) to create an oxygen-free environment during heating. This prevents combustion and explosion of the battery while allowing thermal decomposition and gas generation to proceed. The inert atmosphere enables safe heating to high temperatures necessary for complete pyrolysis analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
Carrier gas serves as an intermediary medium that transports the gases generated from battery pyrolysis from the reactor to the analyzer. The carrier gas also acts as a heat transfer medium and safety buffer, enabling temperature control and preventing direct contact between oxygen and flammable decomposition products.
3Productivity
If manual operation is used for sample pyrolysis and gas collection, then device complexity is reduced, but automation and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic sample injection, carrier gas flow control, and data acquisition functionalities that operate autonomously based on pre-set parameters. The controller automatically adjusts carrier gas flow rates, timing of valve operations, and temperature profiles, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining systematic control over the complex pyrolysis and analysis process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables precise, real-time analysis of gases generated from batteries, including electrolytic decomposition products, while safeguarding against ignition or explosion, and collecting all gases produced during thermal behavior.
Implementation Method 1
a furnace capable of surrounding the reactor and capable of heating the sample
Implementation Method 2
gas generated by heating of a sample, particularly of a battery
Implementation Method 3
a carrier gas open/close means switchable between an open state and a closed state for controlling entry of the carrier gas into the reactor
Data Source
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating gas from a sample (battery) by pyrolysis of the sample in order to collect or analyze gas generated inside the sample due to the thermal behaviors of the sample. More specifically, provided is an apparatus wherein not only gas generated due to the thermal behaviors of a sample (battery) can be generated by heating the sample (battery itself), but also a series of processes provided to collect or analyze the generated gas can be automatically controlled.