Lithium Halide-Sulfur Composite Powder for Bump-Free Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of lithium halide for sulfide solid electrolytes is hindered by bumping during high-temperature drying, leading to apparatus contamination and reduced productivity, while elemental sulfur poses risks of dust explosions and requires cautious handling.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the heating of a lithium halide aqueous solution in the presence of elemental sulfur prevents bumping and dust explosions by creating a composite powder with homogeneous dispersion, allowing high-temperature drying without apparatus contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperature is applied to dry lithium halide aqueous solution, then moisture removal efficiency is improved, but bumping occurs causing apparatus contamination and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
Elemental sulfur is introduced as an intermediary substance into the lithium halide aqueous solution. The sulfur particles act as nucleation sites for bubble formation, providing numerous small pathways for vapor escape instead of causing violent bumping. This mediator enables smooth boiling and prevents apparatus contamination while maintaining high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the drying system by adding sulfur, which alters the bubble formation dynamics and heat transfer characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to operate at high temperatures without bumping, resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and apparatus safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heating rate is lowered to prevent bumping, then apparatus contamination is reduced, but drying time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Elemental sulfur serves as a mediator that enables high-temperature operation without bumping. By providing controlled nucleation sites, it allows the system to maintain high heating rates while preventing apparatus contamination, thus eliminating the need to reduce heating rate
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of sulfur fundamentally changes the boiling behavior parameters, allowing the system to operate at high temperatures with smooth vapor release. This parameter change simultaneously achieves both high drying speed and apparatus protection
3Productivity
If elemental sulfur is handled as powder, then it is effective for preventing bumping, but dust explosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges elemental sulfur with lithium halide in a liquid medium (aqueous solution), combining the bumping-prevention function of sulfur with the safety of liquid handling. The sulfur is dispersed in the liquid phase, eliminating dust formation while maintaining its nucleation function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the liquid phase (hydraulic principle) to contain and disperse sulfur particles, replacing dry powder handling with wet processing. This eliminates dust generation and explosion risks while preserving sulfur's effectiveness in preventing bumping during subsequent drying
4Reliability
If lithium halide is dried to be free of moisture, then lithium ion conductivity is improved, but excessive temperature and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
Elemental sulfur acts as an intermediary that enables rapid high-temperature drying without bumping. The controlled bubble nucleation allows efficient heat transfer and moisture evaporation, achieving complete drying in shorter time with lower energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The addition of sulfur changes the evaporation dynamics parameters, enabling faster moisture removal rates at high temperatures without apparatus contamination. This parameter change simultaneously improves drying speed and final product quality
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 method ensures continuous apparatus operation, prevents dust explosions, and maintains productivity by stabilizing the drying process, resulting in a composite powder suitable for sulfide solid electrolytes.
Implementation Method 1
heating a lithium halide aqueous solution in the presence of elemental sulfur prevents bumping
Implementation Method 2
heating a lithium halide aqueous solution at a temperature equal to or higher than a boiling point... and removing a solvent
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite powder that is to be used in a source material for a sulfide solid electrolyte, said method including heating an aqueous solution of a lithium halide to a temperature that is greater than or equal to the boiling point in the presence of elemental sulfur, and removing the solvent, and said composite powder including the lithium halide and the elemental sulfur.