Continuous Lithium Electrodeposition With Membrane Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for adding additional lithium sources in batteries result in uneven dispersion and the formation of gases or bubbles, leading to reduced battery capacity and life cycle, which affect the quality and performance of electrochemical devices.
Innovation Solution
A continuous processing equipment with a first and second reaction part separated by a selectively permeable layer, allowing selective ion passage and gas discharge, enabling uniform deposition of lithium on the electrode without interference from gases or bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lithium particles are mixed directly in the electrode slurry or electrolyte, then additional lithium source is added to increase battery capacity, but uneven dispersion occurs and gases or bubbles accumulate causing quality problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing method with an electrochemical deposition method. Instead of mechanically mixing lithium particles into the slurry, the invention uses electrochemical reactions to deposit lithium uniformly onto the electrode surface through ion transport and reduction reactions, eliminating the dispersion uniformity problems associated with mechanical mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of lithium from solid particles to ionic form in the electrolyte. By dissolving lithium compounds in the electrolyte to create lithium ions, the system enables controlled electrochemical deposition rather than mechanical mixing, achieving uniform distribution through electrochemical parameters control
2Quantity of substance
If lithium particles are mixed directly in the electrode slurry or electrolyte, then additional lithium source is added to increase battery capacity, but gases or bubbles accumulate causing electrochemical decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful gas byproducts from the electrochemical reaction system through dedicated gas outlet channels. The gas discharge mechanism continuously removes accumulated gases and bubbles from the electrolyte, preventing them from causing quality problems or electrochemical decline in the battery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas discharge mechanism as an intermediary component between the electrochemical reaction and the battery system. This intermediary system captures and removes harmful gas byproducts before they can affect battery performance, protecting the overall system reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional mixing method is used to add lithium source, then simple process is achieved, but poor dispersion and gas accumulation reduce battery quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple but ineffective mechanical mixing process with an electrochemical deposition process. The new method uses electrochemical reactions to achieve uniform lithium deposition on electrodes, maintaining processability while dramatically improving deposition uniformity and eliminating gas accumulation issues
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 equipment ensures high-quality, uniform lithium deposition on the electrode, increasing battery capacity and extending its life cycle by continuously adjusting the metal deposition through controlled electrolyte concentration.
Implementation Method 1
The first reaction part is selectively permeable with certain ions from the second reaction part through the separated layer
Implementation Method 2
the second metallic ion passes through the separated layer from the first reaction cell to the second reaction cell and reducing as a metal deposit onto the working electrode
Implementation Method 3
a gas outlet is configured to be on the first reaction cell of the first reaction part; the third gas is discharged from the gas outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Present invention is related to equipment for continuously processing electrochemical device or component for increasing capacity comprising a first reaction part (11), a second reaction part (12) and a separated layer (13) configured to be placed between the first reaction part (11) and the second reaction part (12). The first reaction part (11) comprises a counter electrode (111), a first reaction solution (113) contained in a first reaction cell (112) having a gas outlet (114). The first reaction solution (113) will produce a first non-metallic ion (1131), a second metallic ion (1132) and a third gas after conducting an electrochemical reaction. The second reaction part (12) comprises a working electrode (121) and a second reaction solution (123) containing the second metallic ion (1132) permeated through the separated layer (13) from the first reaction part (11). The second metallic ion (1132) will then be deposited as metal particles onto the working electrode (121) which has been continuously fed into the second reaction part (12). The present invention provides equipment which can continuously produce electrode with extra or additional lithium source without the effect of the gas byproduct with more evenly distribution and high quality.