Slurry Production Apparatus Moisture Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slurry production apparatuses face issues with powder deterioration due to moisture absorption, leading to reduced slurry quality, as they lack effective containment of moist air, especially when using powders like sulfide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries.
Innovation Solution
A slurry production apparatus with a powder dry box and first dry booth configuration that maintains a low dew point temperature and positive pressure, isolating the powder supply and mixing processes from moist air, and utilizing a dehumidifying unit to control dew point temperatures and air flow rates within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the powder supply device is exposed to the atmosphere for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the powder absorbs moisture from the air causing deterioration of slurry quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by introducing dry air into the powder dry box to create a low-dew-point environment. The dehumidifying unit removes moisture from the air, and the dry air is supplied to the powder dry box where the powder is stored and transferred. This inert (dry) atmosphere prevents the powder from absorbing moisture while maintaining operational accessibility, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and slurry quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple dry booths with different dew point temperatures are used to optimize drying, then the slurry quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drying environment into two distinct zones: the first dry booth with a first dew point temperature and the powder dry box with a second (lower) dew point temperature. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function - the first dry booth for general drying and the powder dry box for moisture-sensitive powder storage. By dividing the system into functional segments, the patent achieves high slurry quality without requiring the entire system to operate at the most stringent dew point conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by setting different dew point temperatures in different locations based on their specific requirements. The powder dry box, where the powder is stored and transferred, has a lower dew point temperature to prevent moisture absorption. The first dry booth, where the mixing occurs, has a higher (less stringent) dew point temperature. This localized optimization of drying conditions achieves high slurry quality while minimizing the overall device complexity and operational costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the powder dry box is sealed to prevent moisture contact, then the slurry quality is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dry air as an intermediary substance between the external atmosphere and the powder in the sealed powder dry box. The dehumidifying unit produces dry air that is supplied to the powder dry box, creating a protective dry atmosphere. This intermediary (dry air) allows the box to remain sealed for moisture protection while still enabling powder transfer operations. The openable front wall provides direct access when needed, and the pressurized dry air prevents moisture ingress during normal operations.
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 configuration effectively prevents powder moisture absorption, maintaining slurry quality and reducing the generation of toxic hydrogen sulfide, thereby enhancing battery performance and reducing the need for additional filtration or dehumidification systems.
Implementation Method 1
a dehumidifying unit to control dew point temperatures and air flow rates within the system
Implementation Method 2
an atmospheric pressure of the powder dry box may be higher than an atmospheric pressure of the first dry booth
Data Source
AI summary
A slurry production apparatus includes: a mixing device (including a dispersion mixing section) that mixes a liquid and a powder to produce a slurry; a powder supply device that supplies the powder to the mixing device; a powder dry box that accommodates an opening portion of the powder supply device; and a first dry booth that accommodates the mixing device and the powder dry box.