Carbon Dioxide Composite Getter for Sealed Battery Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable lithium batteries and other sealed systems face issues due to carbon dioxide, which can lead to overpressure and device rupture, and existing CO2 getter systems face challenges with compatibility and efficiency, particularly with the concurrent release of water vapor affecting their capacity and size.

Innovation Solution

A carbon dioxide composite getter system using a CO2-permeable envelope containing lithium hydroxide and lithium oxide in specific molar ratios, where the LiOH/Li2O ratio is between 0.05 and 1.5, allowing for efficient CO2 sorption and capacity while minimizing moisture vapor transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If alkali metal hydroxide is used for CO2 removal, then CO2 sorption capacity is improved, but water vapor is concurrently released requiring additional moisture absorber volume

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 sorption capacityVSAvoidgetter system volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines CO2 sorption function and moisture absorption function into a single composite getter system. The envelope contains both alkali metal hydroxide (for CO2 sorption) and alkali earth metal oxide or zeolite (for moisture absorption), merging two separate getter components into one integrated system that eliminates the need for separate moisture absorber volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite getter material system consisting of multiple active materials (alkali metal hydroxide combined with alkali earth metal oxide or zeolite) within a single envelope. This composite approach allows simultaneous CO2 and moisture removal functions to be achieved in one component, optimizing space utilization while maintaining high CO2 sorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If CO2 getter capacity is increased to handle battery gas evolution, then the device volume required for moisture absorption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 removal capacityVSAvoidgetter system volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges CO2 sorption and moisture absorption functions into a single composite getter envelope, eliminating the need for separate moisture absorber components. This integration allows high CO2 removal capacity to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall system volume, as both functions share the same enclosed space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite getter envelope serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a CO2 sorber (through alkali metal hydroxide) and a moisture absorber (through alkali earth metal oxide or zeolite). This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both gas evolution products from lithium batteries within a single optimized volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If lithium hydroxide reacts with CO2, then CO2 is captured, but water is produced requiring additional moisture management

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCO2 capture efficiencyVSAvoidwater vapor production
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful water vapor produced by the CO2 sorption reaction into a managed component by incorporating moisture-absorbing materials (alkali earth metal oxide or zeolite) within the same envelope. The water produced by LiOH reacting with CO2 is immediately absorbed by the desiccant material, transforming a harmful byproduct into a controlled intermediate that is subsequently removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The alkali earth metal oxide or zeolite acts as an intermediary substance that receives and absorbs the water vapor produced by the CO2 sorption reaction. This intermediary material mediates between the CO2 capture process and the final dry state, allowing continuous CO2 removal without water vapor accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively captures CO2, controlling pressure in sealed devices by utilizing lithium hydroxide's reaction with CO2 and lithium oxide's conversion to hydroxide, providing a higher capacity and optimized sorption characteristics compared to conventional systems, while maintaining a compact and efficient design.

Implementation Method 1

lithium hydroxide's reaction with CO2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

lithium oxide's conversion to hydroxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

CO2-permeable envelope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP2800620B1Carbon dioxide composite getter
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 SAES GETTERS SPA
  • EP2800620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2800620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Improved carbon dioxide composite getter (20) comprising a CO2-permeable envelope (14) containing powders of two active materials (11, 11', 11", 12, 12', 12")and sealed systems employing such improved carbon dioxide composite getter.