Multi-Zone Electric Heater Drying for Uniform Battery Powder Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying apparatuses for powder raw materials in secondary cell manufacturing face challenges such as limited temperature range, cumbersome maintenance due to thermal medium oil, and prolonged drying times, which affect productivity and lead to temperature deviations within the chamber.
Innovation Solution
A drying apparatus utilizing an electric heater with independently controlled heating regions on the outer surface of the main body, allowing for even heating and reduced temperature deviation. Temperature sensors are used to monitor both the chamber and heater temperatures, enabling precise control of the heating output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal medium oil is used as heat source, then the drying apparatus can operate, but the maintenance work becomes cumbersome and expensive due to carbonization in heating jacket and periodic replacement requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thermal medium oil from the heating system and replaces it with an electric heater. The heating jacket that previously contained circulating oil is replaced with an electric heating element directly mounted in the drying chamber, eliminating the need for oil circulation, carbonization management, and periodic replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal fluid system (oil circulation through heating jacket) with an electrical heating system. The electric heater directly converts electrical energy to thermal energy without requiring fluid circulation, pumps, or heat exchangers, thereby eliminating maintenance issues related to oil carbonization and leakage.
2Temperature
If thermal medium oil is used as heat source, then the apparatus can heat the powder raw material, but the maximum heating temperature is limited to about 340° C. and the drying process time becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental heating parameter from oil-based thermal conduction (max 340°C) to electric heating (capable of much higher temperatures). The electric heater can rapidly achieve and maintain higher temperatures, reducing the drying time from several hours to a fraction of that time, thereby improving productivity.
3Reliability
If thermal medium oil circulates in the heating jacket, then the apparatus can provide heat, but the oil frequently leaks from the drying apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the thermal medium oil entirely from the heating system. The electric heater provides heating functionality without requiring any circulating fluid, thereby completely eliminating the problem of oil leakage from the drying apparatus.
4Device complexity
If a single heater is used in the drying apparatus, then the structure is simple, but temperature deviation occurs within the chamber preventing uniform heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating system into multiple independent heater zones within the drying chamber. Each heater can be independently controlled to maintain uniform temperature distribution across different regions of the chamber, eliminating temperature deviations and ensuring uniform heating of the powder raw material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different heating characteristics in different locations of the drying chamber. Multiple heaters are positioned at various locations to provide localized heating where needed, ensuring that each region of the chamber receives appropriate heat to achieve overall temperature uniformity.
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 solution enhances drying performance and efficiency by increasing the temperature range, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring uniform heating across the chamber, thereby improving the quality of the cathode and anode materials.
Implementation Method 1
a drying apparatus utilizing an electric heater with independently controlled heating regions on the outer surface of the main body
Implementation Method 2
the chamber inside the drying apparatus is heated through conduction and radiant heat
Implementation Method 3
Temperature sensors are used to monitor both the chamber and heater temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a drying apparatus for a powder raw material for manufacturing a secondary cell with an electric heater. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of independently controlled heaters are mounted on a main body of an apparatus in which a plurality of heating regions are defined, and the temperature deviation of the internal chamber can reduce by providing the amount of heat supplied to each heating region through the control of the plurality of heaters. The main body of the apparatus includes a cylindrical portion in which the powder raw material is accommodated and sidewalls on both sides of the cylindrical portion, and by installing heaters on the cylindrical portion and the sidewalls, respectively, the entire region defining the main body of the apparatus can be evenly heated.