Interpretation Of Solid-state Lithium Battery Drying Challenges And Active Exploration In The Field Of Equipment Manufacturing
Abstract: According to the analysis of Yang Yi, director of the Research Institute of Shenzhen Times High-Tech Co., Ltd., the development of vacuum drying equipment presents three major trends. First, the equipment production capacity and speed have been greatly improved, and the unit production line production capacity has increased by more than an order of magnitude; second, the drying process has an obvious advancement trend; third, the load of the production line scheduling system has increased rapidly, and new scheduling machinery is urgently needed to be developed.
ABEC 2024 | The 11th China (Guangzhou) International Battery New Energy Industry Summit Forum
Battery "Davos" - Battery Network News on November 15th (Xiao He and Liang Xiaojing live graphic broadcast in Nansha, Guangzhou)> From November 13th to 16th, the global battery new energy industry event - ABEC 2024 | The 11th China (Guangzhou) Battery New Energy Industry International Summit Forum was held in Nansha, Guangzhou. This forum is hosted by the Zhongguancun New Battery Technology Innovation Alliance and the Battery "Davos" (ABEC) Organizing Committee, and is co-organized by representatives of the People's Association of Battery Network, Hairong Network, I Love Electric Vehicle Network, Energy Finance Network, and Battery Hundreds Network, More than 500 guests from all walks of life in the global battery new energy industry chain "policy, industry, academia, and research" attended the event. Focusing on the annual theme of "Procyclical Breakthroughs and Towards Innovation - The Power of China's Battery New Energy Industry in the Great Era", brainstorming was held during exchanges and sharing. Bright thinking CNC parts realize value dialogue and precise docking.
Yang Yi, Dean of the Research Institute of Shenzhen Times High-tech Co., Ltd.
On the morning of the 15th, Yang Yi, Dean of the Research Institute of Shenzhen Times High-tech Co., Ltd., delivered a keynote speech at the forum titled "A Brief Analysis of the Development of the Lithium Battery Vacuum Drying System Industry through Equipment Upgrading and Intelligent Manufacturing" and shared his understanding of vacuum Thoughts on drying. Regarding the development trends of equipment, challenges faced by solid-state lithium battery drying, etc., Battery Network has selected some wonderful views for readers:
In Yang Yi's view, the development of vacuum drying equipment presents three major trends. First, the equipment production capacity and speed have been greatly improved, and the unit production line production capacity has been increased by more than an order of magnitude. Second, the trend of drying technology is obvious. Traditionally, it is roasted cells. , but now drying equipment is gradually turning to pole pieces, pole rolls, positive and negative electrode materials, and even solid electrolyte materials in the future; third, the load of the production line scheduling system is growing rapidly, and new scheduling machinery is urgently needed to be developed.
Analysis from the perspective of equipment size,> Major mainstream battery companies continue to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and the density of battery production capacity per unit factory space continues to increase; high-speed, large-capacity drying lines have become mainstream, and to match this, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of drying line cavities continue to increase It is large and puts forward higher requirements for the vacuum degree and temperature control of the drying furnace.
Analysis from the perspective of equipment structure,> Single-furnace battery production lines also show a development trend of high speed and high productivity. In the context that the battery baking process has reached its limit, the single furnace structure is multi-layered and the cavity is enlarged to increase the single line production capacity. The number of batch baking batteries has been increased, which is suitable for large-capacity batteries of 280AH and above. The unit space of a single oven has increased from about 1m3 in the past to more than 10m3 now. At the same time, it also brought optimization of the local structure of the oven, such as oven sealing doors and innovations in heating methods; and promoted supporting cavity processing. Welding technology, vacuum technology, temperature control technology and other technologies are constantly improving.
Analysis from the perspective of equipment technology,> The drying process gradually transitions from battery cell drying to pole piece and pole roll drying to battery material drying, and the drying temperature and drying efficiency are improved.
Analysis from the perspective of equipment scheduling,> From a cost perspective, developing high-precision, high-load transplanting equipment and stacking transplanting equipment is a better choice. In terms of benefit ratio, the transfer logistics equipment with the best benefit ratio is selected based on the trade-off between oven structure, cost and accuracy.
At the forum, Yang Yi also said that solid-state batteries are considered an ideal solution to solve lithium battery safety issues and increase energy density, and have attracted industry attention as the next generation battery technology route. Especially since 2022, significant progress has been made in the research and development and industrialization of solid-state batteries, and the technological progress and cost reductions of domestic companies in the field of semi-solid-state batteries have greatly exceeded expectations.
"In terms of baking, if solid-state batteries develop rapidly, high-temperature baking technology will be a very important development direction, because high-temperature baking requires a higher temperature than the original liquid development, which proposes greater adjustments to drying performance." . Yang Yi analyzed that at the same time, the temperature-sensitive control technology of some materials is likely to produce cracks and pores during the drying process, thus affecting battery performance. There is also dry environment control technology. The production of solid-state batteries in the future may require environmental requirements of minus 60°C to minus 70°C, which obviously poses new challenges to the environment of the entire drying process.
In this regard, Times Hi-Tech is currently doing some work and is considering using laser drying to dry the pole pieces. In the future, solid-state batteries will inevitably need to carry out a drying process in advance and perform a good drying treatment on the pole pieces.
Yang Yi pointed out that compared with liquid lithium batteries, solid electrolyte separators can withstand higher temperatures (generally around 400°C). Traditional heating technology cannot meet the baking requirements of solid-state batteries, and the drying process of solid-state batteries takes longer. Drying time.
In addition, solid electrolytes are generally fragile and prone to thermal expansion and contraction, resulting in micro-cracks and pores, which in turn affects battery performance. When drying at high temperatures, the battery requires certain pressure control.
At the same time, solid electrolytes require a locally dry operating microenvironment. In addition, sulfide electrolyte has strict requirements on the production environment and needs to be isolated from water and oxygen, so a more stringent production environment is required.
Based on this, Times High-tech has launched exploration in the field of solid-state battery equipment manufacturing. Among them, the CNC parts, Times High-Tech (THT) fully automatic unwinding, baking and slitting production line has technical features such as automatic slitting, automatic rewinding and unwinding, electromagnetic induction heating, and environmental control. Times High-tech (THT) battery core heat setting (hot pressing) baking line has technical features such as ultra-large cavity high vacuum control, hot pressing and heat setting, fully automatic loading and unloading, and environmental control.
Yang Yi introduced that Times Hi-Tech was established in 2001 and is an advanced vacuum drying equipment provider. The business covers three major areas: lithium battery vacuum drying equipment, whole plant logistics and warehousing equipment, and high-end automated cleaning equipment. The company has four bases in Shenzhen, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, Shanghai and Tianjin, with a R&D and production area of approximately 180,000 square meters. In addition, a 200,000 square meter production base in Changzhou, Jiangsu is under construction. In terms of customers, the company has in-depth cooperation with many well-known battery companies such as Panasonic, LG, CATL, BYD, Guoxuan Hi-Tech, and Yiwei Lithium Energy.
In terms of production capacity, Times High-tech includes tunnel-type and stand-alone combined vacuum drying equipment, intelligent logistics line equipment, loading and unloading platform assemblies, etc. The company's annual production capacity has now reached more than 3,000 sets, with an existing production site of 180,000 square meters, and advanced Intelligent finishing center and final assembly center.
(The above opinions are compiled based on the forum shorthand and have not been reviewed by the speakers themselves.)
