Spiral-Flow Particle Synthesis for Stable Lithium-Ion Cathode Agglomerates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for manufacturing metal agglomerated particles in stirred reactors result in larger particle diameters over time, irregular shapes, and inefficient processing due to batch-type processing, leading to increased facility costs and potential blockages in tube reactors from adhered fine shower particles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that generates a spiral flow in the reaction processing vessel by introducing a returned liquid along the inner peripheral surface and injecting additional inorganic substances at the center, preventing adhesion to the vessel walls and enabling uniform reaction and high-speed processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If batch type processing is employed in a stirred reactor to obtain small diameter particles, then particle diameter stability is improved, but processing amount per time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle diameter stabilityVSAvoidprocessing amount per time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces returned liquid along the inner peripheral surface to create a spiral flow pattern before the main reaction occurs. This preliminary flow organization ensures uniform particle formation throughout the reaction process, maintaining small and stable particle diameters while enabling continuous processing that increases productivity beyond batch methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements continuous processing by circulating and returning liquid through the reaction system. The returned liquid is continuously introduced to maintain spiral flow, ensuring uninterrupted reaction and particle formation. This continuous action increases processing amount per time compared to batch processing while maintaining particle diameter stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If tube reactor is used for high speed passing, then processing amount per time increases, but fine shower adheres to wall surface and blocks flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing amount per timeVSAvoidflow uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different flow characteristics to different regions of the reactor. The returned liquid is introduced along the inner peripheral surface to create a spiral flow pattern that generates centrifugal force, pushing particles toward the center and preventing adhesion to the wall surface. This localized flow control maintains reliable flow while enabling high-speed processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spiral flow is established before the main reaction occurs by introducing returned liquid along the peripheral surface. This preliminary flow organization creates a protective effect that prevents fine shower adhesion to walls during the subsequent high-speed reaction process, maintaining flow uniformity while increasing processing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows for the production of reaction agglomerated particles with stable, small diameters and globular shapes, increasing processing capacity per unit time while maintaining small facilities and preventing material adhesion, ensuring long-term stable operation.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a returned liquid of the circulated liquid into the reaction processing vessel along an inner peripheral surface of the reaction processing vessel so as to set a liquid flow in the reaction processing vessel to a spiral flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

injecting an additional liquid containing an inorganic substance to be added at a central position remote from an inner surface of the reaction processing vessel in a reaction field in the reaction processing vessel so as to perform reaction processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 3

produce reaction agglomerated particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAgglomeration: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentEP2866284B1Production method for reaction-agglomerated particles, production method for positive electrode active material for lithium ion cell, production method for lithium ion cell, lithium ion cell, and apparatus for production of reaction-agglomerated particles
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 TSUKISHIMA KIKAI CO LTD
  • EP2866284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2866284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2866284B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Liquid flow in a reaction processing vessel 10 is set to a spiral flow, a liquid A and B as an additional liquid containing an inorganic substance to be added is injected at a center-side position with respect to an inner surface of the reaction processing vessel 10 in a reaction field of the reaction processing vessel 10 so as to perform reaction processing.