Precipitation Vessel with Draft Tubes for Nickel Hydroxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for precipitating mixed transition metal hydroxides or carbonates face challenges in achieving homogeneous morphology and high throughput, particularly in scaling up due to difficulties in introducing mechanical energy uniformly across large volumes.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a vessel with draft tubes and a stirrer, where an aqueous solution of nickel salt and an alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide solution are simultaneously added to precipitate mixed hydroxides or carbonates with controlled stoichiometry and morphology, using a combination of nickel, manganese, and cobalt, and optionally other metals like aluminum, in a controlled pH and temperature environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical energy is introduced into large volumes of solutions or suspensions to achieve homogeneous precipitation, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but apparatus complexity and energy input difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is segmented into multiple compartments, each equipped with its own stirrer and draft tube. This segmentation allows independent control of mixing in each compartment, achieving homogeneous precipitation in large volumes without requiring a single complex high-power mixing system. Each compartment can be optimized for specific mixing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Draft tubes serve as intermediary elements that facilitate uniform distribution of mechanical energy from stirrers to the bulk solution. The draft tubes guide fluid flow patterns, ensuring that mechanical energy is transmitted efficiently and uniformly throughout each compartment, achieving homogeneous mixing without direct mechanical contact with the entire volume.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical energy is introduced into large volumes of solutions or suspensions to achieve homogeneous precipitation, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but energy input difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the large volume into smaller compartments reduces the total mechanical energy required for mixing. Each compartment requires less energy to achieve homogeneous precipitation, and the cumulative energy requirement is more manageable than mixing a single large volume uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Draft tubes act as energy transmission intermediaries that improve the efficiency of mechanical energy input. By guiding flow patterns and reducing energy losses, draft tubes ensure that the mechanical energy supplied to each compartment is used effectively for homogeneous mixing, reducing overall energy input difficulty.
3Productivity
If simultaneous addition of nickel salt solution and alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide solution is performed, then precipitation efficiency and throughput are improved, but control of stoichiometry and morphology becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The simultaneous addition of multiple solutions is performed in separate compartments rather than mixed in a single vessel. This segmentation allows independent control of addition rates and local stoichiometry in each compartment, maintaining precise stoichiometric control while achieving high throughput through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Solutions are pre-prepared with specific concentrations and compositions before addition. By controlling the initial conditions and composition of solutions to be simultaneously added, the patent ensures that stoichiometry is maintained even during high-speed simultaneous addition, enabling both high throughput and precise control.
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
This process enables the production of mixed hydroxides or carbonates with uniform particle size and high throughput, suitable as precursors for lithium ion battery cathode materials, enhancing energy density and cycling stability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one stirrer whose pressure zone is in or between element(s) (B)
Implementation Method 2
one or more elements selected from draft tubes and guide vanes
Implementation Method 3
process for precipitating a mixed carbonate or mixed (OXY)hydroxide comprising nickel from an aqueous solution comprising a nickel salt and at least one more transition metal selected from manganese and cobalt salts
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Process for precipitating a mixed carbonate or mixed (oxy)hydroxide comprising nickel from an aqueous solution comprising a nickel salt, wherein such process is carried out in a vessel comprising (A) a vessel body, (B) one or more elements selected from draft tubes and guide vanes, (C) at least one stirrer whose pressure zone is in or between element(s) (B),and wherein the process comprises the step of simultaneously adding said solution comprising a nickel salt in or between element(s) (B) and a solution of alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide in or between or outside element(s) (B).