KR20240004005A - Continuous producing method for secondary batteries slurry - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a device for mixing slurry for secondary battery electrodes. In particular, it includes a rear support part supporting the rear of the shaft, preventing the screw from contacting the inner surface of the barrel to prevent the generation of metal foreign substances, thereby preventing metal It is a continuous mixing device for slurry for secondary batteries that can produce high quality slurry while maintaining mass production of slurry by preventing foreign substances from being mixed into the slurry.

Description

Continuous electrode slurry production method {CONTINUOUS PRODUCING METHOD FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES SLURRY}

The present invention is a device for mixing slurry for secondary battery electrodes. In particular, it includes a rear support part supporting the rear of the shaft, preventing the screw from contacting the inner surface of the barrel to prevent the generation of metal foreign substances, thereby preventing metal It is a continuous mixing device for slurry for secondary batteries that can produce high quality slurry while maintaining mass production of slurry by preventing foreign substances from being mixed into the slurry.

In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be reused by charging even after being discharged. The production process of these secondary batteries includes an electrode process, an assembly process, and an activation process.

The electrode process includes an electrode slurry production process for making a positive or negative electrode plate, a coating process for coating the produced slurry, and a slitting process for cutting the electrode into a predetermined size after the coating process. At this time, in the electrode slurry production process, an electrode slurry is produced by mixing certain raw materials in a mixing device.

Meanwhile, the assembly process creates a finished product using the electrode manufactured in the electrode process, and the activation process provides electrical properties by charging and discharging the assembled battery.

A batch mixing device was used as a mixing device to produce the electrode slurry. This batch mixing device produces slurry of a certain volume by putting raw materials into a predetermined container and mixing them through a stirring device. However, recently, as secondary batteries have been widely used in automobiles, etc., a large amount of production has become necessary, but there is a problem in that mass production is difficult with the above-described batch mixing device.

To solve these problems, continuous production equipment was introduced. As shown in FIG. 1, this continuous mixing device (1) includes a mixing unit (M) for mixing and transferring raw materials, and a barrel unit (B) in which the mixing unit (M) is accommodated. The mixing unit (M) includes a driving unit (M3) that generates rotational force, a shaft (M1) rotated by the driving unit (M3), and a screw (M2) provided in a spiral shape on the outer surface of the shaft (M1). Includes. As the shaft M1 rotates, the screw M2 rotates to transfer and mix the raw materials. This mixing part (M) is provided inside the barrel part (B). The barrel portion (B) is provided with an input portion (B1) and an discharge portion (B2). Raw materials are introduced into the barrel part (B) through the input part (B1), and the produced electrode slurry is discharged through the discharge part (B2). This continuous production technology allows electrode slurry to be produced continuously, making mass production possible.

However, this conventional continuous production technology had the following problems.

First, although the conventional batch mixing system for producing slurry for secondary batteries is somewhat different depending on the battery company, 1) a binder solution mixing system that creates a binder solution by dissolving binder powder in a solvent; 2) a conductive material is added to the binder solution Conductive material solution mixing system that evenly disperses the powder 3) It is largely composed of a slurry mixing system that creates a slurry by adding the binder solution and the corresponding conductive material solution together with the active material into the main mixer, and the batch mixing system is continuously operated. In the conventionally designed continuous slurry mixing system for secondary batteries, the binder solution and the conductive material solution are configured in a batch manner as before, and only the slurry mixing system is made continuous using a screw mixer.

Second, viscosity is measured to measure the quality of the electrode slurry. In the case of conventional batch production technology, the viscosity was measured separately for each produced electrode slurry, but in the case of continuous production technology as described above, a technology capable of continuously measuring viscosity was not introduced, so the quality of the electrode slurry was measured in real time. There was a problem that made it difficult to do.

Third, in the case of the conventional continuous mixing device described above, the opposite part of the driving shaft was not fixed, so there was a phenomenon in which the screw mounted on the shaft and the inner surface of the barrel came into contact with each other. Due to this phenomenon, metallic foreign substances may be generated and mixed into the slurry. When these metal foreign substances are mixed into the slurry, there is a problem in that the quality of the secondary battery deteriorates rapidly.

Fourth, in order to produce electrode slurry, various resins used as raw materials for binders or powders used as active materials are used. In the case of these powders, the density varies depending on the area, so it is difficult to accurately measure the supply amount, so the exact ingredient ratio required by the customer is difficult. There was a problem that it was difficult to manufacture a high-quality electrode slurry with .

Meanwhile, the above-described continuous mixing device itself is widely known and is described in detail in the prior art literature below, so description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

Japan Registered Patent No. 6038557 Japan Registered Patent No. 4505086

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a binder production step of producing a binder by mixing binder raw materials, and an electrode slurry of producing a slurry for electrodes by mixing the binder produced by the binder production step and the electrode slurry raw materials. It includes a production step and an in-line quality measurement step that measures the quality of the electrode slurry in real time during the mass production process, allowing the viscosity of the electrode slurry to be measured in real time during mass production, and includes a rear support portion that supports the rear of the shaft. , the screw is prevented from contacting the inner surface of the barrel to prevent the generation of metal foreign substances. This prevents metal foreign substances from being mixed into the slurry, making it possible to produce high quality slurry while maintaining mass production of slurry. Binder mixer or slurry The purpose is to provide a continuous electrode slurry production method that can produce high-quality electrode slurry with the exact ingredient ratio required by customers, including a powder supply unit that is connected to a mixer and supplies powder.

However, the object of the present invention is not limited to the object mentioned above, and other object not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a method of continuously producing electrode slurry for secondary batteries, which includes a binder production step (S100) of mixing binder raw materials to produce a binder, and the binder production step (S100). An electrode slurry production step (S200) of mixing the binder and electrode slurry raw materials to produce an electrode slurry (S200), and an in-line quality measurement step (S300) of measuring the quality of the electrode slurry in real time during the mass production process, and the binder The production step (S100) includes a binder mixer 110 and a buffer tank 180, and the binder raw materials are mixed in the binder mixer 110 to produce a binder, and then temporarily stored in the buffer tank 180, The electrode slurry production step (S200) includes a slurry mixer 210, a high-shear disperser 260, and a buffer tank 280, and mixes the raw materials of the binder and electrode slurry generated in the binder mixer 110 with a slurry mixer ( After mixing in 210) and dispersing in the high shear disperser 260 to produce an electrode slurry, it is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 280, and in the in-line quality measurement step (S300), the electrode slurry production step (S200) Provides a continuous electrode slurry production method that measures the quality of the slurry produced in real time during the mass production process.

In the above, the binder production step (S100) includes a high shear disperser 160 for dispersing the binder discharged from the binder mixer 110, and a static mixer for remixing the binder discharged from the high shear disperser 160. 170).

In the above, the binder mixer 110 or slurry mixer 210 includes a barrel (BB) into which the raw materials to be mixed are placed and mixed, a shaft (SH) provided inside the barrel (BB), and the shaft ( SH) includes a screw (SC) for mixing and transporting the raw materials, and a bearing (BR) that rotatably supports the screw (SC), and the bearing (BR) is disposed at the rear end in the transport direction of the raw materials. and includes a rear bearing (BR2) supporting the screw (SC), and the shaft (SH) is supported by the rear bearing (BR2) to prevent the screw (SC) from contacting the inner surface of the barrel (BB). The generation of metal foreign substances is suppressed.

In the above, the barrel BB includes a hollow barrel body BB1 in which the shaft SH and the screw SC are disposed, a supply portion BB2 formed on one side of the barrel body BB1, and It includes a discharge portion (BB3) formed on the upper or lower surface of the barrel body (BB1), wherein the screw (SC) includes a first screw (SC1) for mixing and transferring raw materials, and It includes a second screw (SC2) formed rearward in the transfer direction of the raw material, the helical direction of the first screw (SC1) is formed to transfer backward when rotating, and the helical direction of the second screw (SC2) is the first screw (SC2). It is formed in a direction opposite to the spiral direction of the screw (SC1), and the rear bearing (BR2) is provided behind the second screw (SC2) in the transport direction.

In the above, it further includes a coolant supply part (CW) provided on the lower side of the barrel (BB), and coolant is supplied from the coolant supply part (CW) to the barrel (BB) to adjust the temperature of the barrel (BB). .

In the above, the high shear disperser 160 of the binder production step (S100) or the high shear disperser 260 of the electrode slurry production step (S200) is installed on the rotating plate (HS3) and in the circumferential direction. It includes a plurality of dispersion bars (HS2), a case (HS1) in which the rotating plate (HS3) and the dispersion bars (HS2) are provided, and the dispersion bar (HS2) is a binder mixer 110 or a slurry mixer. It is arranged in the same horizontal direction as the shaft (SH) direction of (210), and the binder or electrode slurry flowing into the case (HS1) is dispersed by the rotation of the dispersion bar (HS2). Since it is arranged in the horizontal direction, no thrust is generated, and the binder or electrode slurry is dispersed through the inside of the case HS1 by the discharge pressure of the binder mixer 110 or the slurry mixer 210.

In the above, the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200) selectively includes a conductive material supply unit, or both the binder production step (S100) and the electrode slurry production step (S200) include a conductive material supply unit.

In the above, the in-line quality measurement step (S300) includes a branch line (FL) provided and branched on one side of the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200), and the branch line (FL) A first viscosity measuring unit 310 provided in, a temperature control unit 320 provided in the branch line (FL) and controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry supplied to the first viscosity measuring unit 310, The electrode slurry is supplied to the temperature control unit 320 and includes a transfer unit 330 and a flow rate measurement unit 340 provided in the branch line (FL), the flow rate measurement unit 340 and the transfer unit 330. By measuring the pressure gradient of the electrode slurry corresponding to the flow rate and temperature determined by the temperature control unit 320, the viscosity of the electrode slurry during mass production is calculated in real time.

In the above, it further includes a sample photographing step (S400) of photographing a sample of the electrode slurry produced by the electrode slurry production step (S200), and the sample photographing step (S400) includes the electrode slurry production step (S200). It includes a moving part 410 provided in the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through and communicating with each other, and a photographing part 420 provided on one side of the moving part 410, and the moving part 410 is A moving part body 413 in communication with the mass production discharge line, a main flowing part 411 formed on a part of the moving part main body 413 and through which the mass production slurry discharged through the mass production discharge line passes, and the moving part It is formed in another part of the main body 413 and includes a sample flow part 412 through which only a part of the mass production slurry passes, and the imaging part 420 is provided in the flow part main body 413 to capture the sample oil. The characteristics of the electrode slurry flowing through the eastern part 412 are captured by photographing the electrode slurry.

In the above, the in-line quality measurement step (S300) includes a moving part 410 provided in the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200) and communicating with each other, and one of the moving parts 410. It includes a second viscosity measuring unit 500 provided on the side,

The second viscosity measuring unit 500 is provided on one side of the flowing unit 410 and a pressure gradient measuring unit 510 that measures the pressure gradient between certain points of the flowing unit 410 to measure the flow rate. Including a flow rate measurement unit 520 and a temperature measurement unit 530 provided on one side of the flow unit 410 to measure the temperature, the viscosity of the electrode slurry during mass production is measured in real time based on the measured temperature and pressure gradient. Calculate

In the above, the binder or electrode slurry is dispersed and defoamed by exciting ultrasonic waves on one side of the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200).

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

Prior to this, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed in their usual, dictionary meaning, and the inventor may appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his or her invention in the best way. It should be interpreted with meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it is.

According to the present invention described above, the viscosity of the electrode slurry can be measured in real time during mass production, including an in-line quality measurement step in which the quality of the electrode slurry is measured in real time during the mass production process, the generation of metal foreign substances can be prevented, and the powder The supply amount can be accurately controlled, which has the effect of mass producing high-quality electrode slurry.

1 is a schematic diagram of a typical mixer;
Figure 2 is a process diagram for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a process diagram for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to another embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a schematic diagram of a mixer for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a schematic diagram of a high-shear disperser for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a process diagram for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the quality measurement unit of the continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a sample imaging unit for a continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the quality measurement unit of the continuous electrode slurry production method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, the thickness of lines or sizes of components shown in the drawing may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.

In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

In addition, the examples below do not limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative of the elements presented in the claims of the present invention, and are included in the technical idea throughout the specification of the present invention and constitute the scope of the claims. Embodiments that include elements that can be replaced as equivalents may be included in the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the continuous electrode slurry production method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a binder production step (S100), an electrode slurry production step (S200), and an in-line quality measurement step (S300).

In the binder production step 100, a binder is produced by mixing binder raw materials. The binder raw materials may include binder powder of a polymer compound component and a solvent. The solvent may be an organic solvent such as NMP (N-methyl pyrrolidone), DMF (dimethyl formamide), acetone, or water. These binder raw materials themselves are widely known and are described in detail in Korean Patent No. 10-2328256, Korean Patent No. 10-2255530, and Korean Patent No. 10-181473610, so their description will be omitted. The binder production step (S100) may be performed by the binder production unit 100. The binder production unit 100 includes a binder mixer 110 and a buffer tank 180. The binder raw materials are mixed in the binder mixer 110 to produce a binder, and the binder is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 180 and introduced into the electrode slurry production step (S200). By using this buffer tank 180, the amount of binder input can be kept constant.

Meanwhile, the binder raw material may be supplied by the binder powder supply unit 130, which supplies binder powder of the polymer compound component, and the solvent may be supplied by the solvent supply unit 120. That is, the solvent and binder raw materials are supplied to the binder mixer 110 by the solvent supply unit 120 and the binder powder supply unit 130 to produce a binder.

In the electrode slurry production step (S200), a slurry for an electrode is produced by mixing the binder produced in the binder production step (S100) and electrode slurry raw materials. The electrode slurry raw materials may include a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode active material, a conductive material, a dispersant, and a solvent. These electrode slurry raw materials themselves are widely known and are described in detail in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0044558 and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0001564, etc., so description thereof will be omitted. The electrode slurry production step (S200) may be performed by the electrode slurry production unit 200 and the buffer tank 280. The electrode slurry production unit 200 includes a slurry mixer 210 and a high shear disperser 260, where electrode slurry raw materials are mixed in the slurry mixer 210 to produce electrode slurry, and the produced slurry is subjected to high shear By further dispersing by the disperser 260, the active material and the conductive material are mixed more uniformly. Afterwards, it is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 280 to keep the discharge amount constant.

Meanwhile, the slurry raw material may be supplied by an active material supply part 230 that supplies an active material, a conductive material supply part 240 that supplies a conductive material, and a solvent supply part 220 that supplies a solvent. That is, the solvent, slurry raw materials, and the binder are supplied to the slurry mixer 210 by the solvent supply unit 220, the active material supply unit 230, and the conductive material supply unit 240 to produce electrode slurry, and the electrode slurry is It is dispersed by the single disperser 260 to produce a high-quality electrode slurry. Meanwhile, the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200) may optionally include a conductive material supply unit, which will be described separately.

The viscosity of the electrode slurry produced by the electrode slurry production step (S200) is measured in real time by the in-line quality measurement step (S300). In other words, the viscosity of the electrode slurry is one of the important characteristics and must be measured. However, in the case of the prior art, the electrode slurry was produced continuously, but there was a problem in that it was difficult to measure the viscosity in real time. The present invention solves this problem and measures the viscosity of the electrode slurry in real time through the in-line quality measurement step (S300). This will be explained in detail separately.

In the binder production step (S100), the binder powder of the polymer compound component is dissolved in the solvent, but in many cases, the binder powder is not completely dissolved in the solvent. In order to prevent this phenomenon, as shown in FIG. 3, a high-shear disperser 160 that disperses the binder discharged from the binder mixer 110 and a static mixer that remixes the binder discharged from the high-shear disperser 160 It may include a mixer 170. That is, the binder powder can be uniformly dispersed in the solvent by the high shear disperser 160 and mixed again in the static mixer 170 so that the binder powder is completely dissolved in the solvent.

As is widely known, the static mixer 170 refers to mixing by fluid flow without a separate driving unit. The static mixer itself is widely known and is described, for example, in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0113044 and Korean Patent No. 10-1010872, so redundant descriptions and illustrations thereof will be omitted.

In the case of the present invention, the mixture mixed in the binder mixer 110 is mixed a second time in the static mixer 170 so that the powder is completely dissolved in the solvent.

It is also preferable to provide an ultrasonic vibration device on one or both sides of the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200) as described above to excite the binder or electrode slurry. It is possible to obtain a more uniform dispersion state through ultrasonic excitation, and it is also possible to obtain a higher quality slurry by removing air bubbles.

As shown in FIG. 3, the binder production step (S100) includes a binder mixer 110, a high shear disperser 160, a static mixer 170, and a buffer tank 180. That is, the powder and solvent, which are the binder raw materials, are first mixed in the binder mixer 110 and then uniformly dispersed in the high shear disperser 160. Afterwards, secondary mixing is performed in the static mixer 170 to ensure that the powder is completely dissolved in the solvent. The binder mixed in the static mixer 170 is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 180, so that the discharge amount of the binder can be kept constant.

The electrode slurry production step (S200) includes a slurry mixer 210, a high shear disperser 260, and a buffer tank 280. The slurry mixer 210 mixes the binder produced in the binder production step (S100) with various active materials, conductive materials, and solvents. Afterwards, it is dispersed in a high shear disperser 260 so that the binder and slurry raw materials are completely mixed. Thereafter, the electrode slurry is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 280 so that the discharged flow rate can be kept constant.

The binder mixer 110 or the slurry mixer 210 may have the same configuration and includes a barrel BB and a screw SC as shown in FIG. 4. That is, a screw (SC) is provided inside the barrel (BB), and as the screw (SC) rotates, the raw materials introduced into the barrel (BB) are mixed. At this time, an input portion BB2 is formed in the barrel BB so that raw materials can be input into the barrel BB.

The screw (SC) is rotated by the shaft (SH), and the shaft (SH) is driven by the driving unit (M). This mixer itself is widely known and is described in detail in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6038557 and Japanese Patent No. 4505086, so redundant descriptions and illustrations of the general mixer itself will be omitted.

Meanwhile, in the case of the conventional mixer described above, the shaft (SH) is supported by the first bearing (BR1) provided on the drive unit (M) side. Accordingly, the rear side (right side in FIG. 3) is not separately supported, causing the shaft to sag downward. Due to the sagging of the shaft, the screw and the inner surface of the barrel rub against each other, resulting in the generation of metal foreign substances. There was a problem in that these metal foreign substances were mixed into the electrode slurry, deteriorating the quality of the final produced electrode slurry.

The present invention solves this problem, and as shown in FIG. 4, it includes a bearing (BR) that rotatably supports the screw (SC), and the bearing (BR) is disposed at the rear end in the transfer direction of the raw material to It includes a rear bearing (BR2) that supports the screw (SC). That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear bearing BR2 is disposed on the right side of the drawing to support the shaft SH. This rear bearing (BR2) prevents the shaft (SH) from sagging and prevents the screw (SC) from contacting the inner surface of the barrel (BB). The present invention can prevent the mixing of metal foreign substances, which has been pointed out as a problem in the prior art, and enables mass production of high-quality electrode slurry.

This barrel (BB) includes a hollow barrel body (BB1) in which the shaft (SH) and screw (SC) are disposed, a supply portion (BB2) formed on one side of the barrel body (BB1), and the barrel body It may include a discharge portion (BB3) formed in (BB1). As shown, the discharge portion BB3 may be formed on the upper or lower side of the barrel body BB1 to discharge the raw materials mixed in the barrel BB upward or downward.

The screw (SC) mixes and transports the raw materials as described above. In the case of the present invention, there is a first screw (SC1) that transports and mixes the raw materials, and a screw located at the rear of the first screw (SC1) in the transport direction of the raw materials. It includes a second screw (SC2) formed. At this time, the helical direction of the first screw (SC1) is formed to move backward when rotating, and the helical direction of the second screw (SC2) is formed in the opposite direction to the helical direction of the first screw (SC1). Additionally, the rear bearing (BR2) is provided at the rear of the second screw (SC2) in the transport direction. With this configuration, the raw material is transported backward in the transport direction (to the right in the drawing) by the first screw SC1. However, the raw material is transported in the opposite direction, that is, forward in the transport direction (left direction in the drawing) by the second screw SC2. Accordingly, the raw material transferred in the transfer direction through the first screw (SC1) is not transferred to the rear of the second screw (SC2). Accordingly, raw materials are not input into the second bearing (BR2) disposed behind the second screw (SC2), thereby protecting the second bearing (BR2).

As described above, the screw (SC) rotates inside the barrel (BB) to transfer and mix raw materials, and heat is generated in this process. It may include a cooling water supply unit (CW) provided on the lower side of the barrel (BB) to cool the generated heat. Coolant is supplied from the coolant supply unit (CW) to the barrel (BB), thereby controlling the temperature of the barrel (BB). Since the cooling water supply unit (CW) itself can use a widely known configuration, detailed description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

As described above, high shear dispersers 160 and 260 are included in the binder production step (S100) and the slurry production step (S200), respectively. Uniform mixing can be achieved by the high shear disperser, and these high shear dispersers can have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the high shear disperser may include a rotating plate (HS3) and a dispersing bar (HS2). This rotating plate (HS3) and distribution bar (HS2) are provided inside the case (HS1). The dispersing bar HS2 is installed on the rotating plate HS3 and is provided in a plurality in the circumferential direction. The dispersing bar HS2 is arranged in the same direction as the shaft SH of the binder mixer 110 or the slurry mixer 210. It is placed in a horizontal direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the distribution bar HS2 is arranged in the horizontal direction, and the distribution bar HS2 rotates by the rotation of the rotating plate HS3. Centrifugal force (CF) is generated toward the outside of the case (HS1) due to the rotation of the distribution bar (HS2). At this time, the binder or electrode slurry introduced through the inlet part HS1-1 of the case HS1 is pressed radially outward from the inside of the case HS1 by the centrifugal force CF and comes into contact with the dispersion bar HS2. It is mixed and further dispersed.

In particular, in the case of the present invention, since the dispersion bar (HS2) is arranged in the horizontal direction, it does not generate separate thrust and moves inside the case by the discharge pressure generated from the binder mixer 110 or the slurry mixer 210. . Therefore, even if the dispersion bar (HS2) rotates at high speed, no thrust is generated, so the moving speed inside the case does not increase, and this allows sufficient dispersion time to be secured, thereby maximizing the dispersion effect.

The rotating plate HS3 may be rotated by the driving unit M, and the distribution bar HS2 may be rotated by the rotation of the rotating plate HS3.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present invention, the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200) may optionally include a conductive material supply unit. The conductive material is used to increase the conductivity of the active material, and carbon nanotubes, etc. may be used. This conductive material supply unit can be applied to the slurry production step (S200). That is, in the slurry production step (S200), the solvent, active material, and conductive material can be supplied to the slurry mixer 210 from each of the supply parts, including the solvent supply part 220, the active material supply part 230, and the conductive material supply part 240. there is.

This conductive material supply unit can be applied to the binder production step (S100). This is applied to the binder production step (S100) because the conductive material has characteristics that make it difficult to stir. At this time, the binder production step (S100) may include a solvent supply unit 120, a binder powder supply unit 130, and a conductive material supply unit 140. A binder can be produced by supplying the solvent, binder powder, and conductive material to the binder mixer 110 from each of the supply units.

According to the present invention, the conductive material can be supplied to the binder mixer 110 and stirred in the high shear disperser 160 and the static mixer 170. Thereafter, in the slurry production step (S200), the conductive material may be additionally stirred secondarily in the slurry mixer 210 and the high shear disperser 260 to ensure that the conductive material is completely stirred.

This conductive material supply unit can be selectively applied to the binder production step (S100) or the slurry production step (S200), and can be applied to both the binder production step (S100) and the slurry production step (S200).

As described above, in the binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200), powder is supplied as a binder raw material or electrode slurry raw material, and for this purpose, a binder powder supply unit 130 or an active material supply unit 230 is included.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention includes a binder production step (S100) for producing a binder, and an electrode slurry production method for producing a slurry for an electrode by mixing the binder produced by the binder production step (S100) with electrode slurry raw materials. Includes step S200. According to the present invention, high quality slurry can be continuously produced. At this time, the quality of the continuously produced electrode slurry can be measured in real time by the in-line quality measurement step (S300) of the present invention. In other words, the viscosity, which is the most important quality of the electrode slurry, is measured in real time.

The in-line quality measurement step (S300) for this includes a first viscosity measurement unit 310, a temperature control unit 320, a transfer unit 330, and a flow rate measurement unit 340, as shown in FIG. The first viscosity measuring unit 310 is provided in a branch line (FL) branching from one side of the mass production discharge line (BL) of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step. This first viscosity measuring unit 310 measures the viscosity by measuring the pressure gradient and flow rate of the branch line (FL). In other words, the pressure gradient between specific points 311 and 312 of the branch line FL is measured, and then the viscosity is calculated based on the measured pressure gradient and flow rate. The first viscosity measuring unit 310 can measure the viscosity of the slurry being mass-produced in real time. Meanwhile, as described above, the technique itself for calculating viscosity by pressure gradient and flow rate is widely known, especially in Korean Patent No. 10-2013036, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-317367, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1994-074887, etc. Since it is described in detail, redundant descriptions and illustrations thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, in order to measure accurate viscosity, the temperature of the measurement object must be controlled. In other words, since viscosity fluctuates sensitively depending on temperature, the temperature of the slurry must be adjusted to measure the viscosity of the slurry. For this purpose, it includes a temperature control unit 320 provided in the branch line FL and controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry supplied to the first viscosity measuring unit 310. The temperature control unit 320 can use a well-known heater or heat exchanger, and since this configuration is widely known, detailed description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

The flow rate measuring unit 340 is a device for measuring the flow rate of slurry, and since it is a widely known configuration (for example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0067399), redundant description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

Additionally, electrode slurry is supplied to the temperature control unit 320 by the transfer unit 330. The transfer unit 330 can use a well-known pump provided in the branch pipe (FL).

By measuring the pressure gradient of the electrode slurry corresponding to the flow rate and temperature determined by the transfer unit 330, temperature control unit 320, and flow rate measurement unit 340 described above, the viscosity of the electrode slurry during mass production is calculated in real time.

In order to measure the quality of the electrode slurry, various characteristics (for example, particle size of active materials, etc.) in addition to viscosity must be measured, and imaging may be necessary for this purpose. However, as described above, since the present invention continuously mass-produces electrode slurry, the imaging must also be performed in real time during the mass production process. To this end, a sample photographing step (S400) of photographing a sample of the electrode slurry produced by the electrode slurry production step (S200) is further included.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sample photographing step (S400) includes a moving part 410 provided in the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200) and communicating with each other, and the moving part ( 410) It may include a photographing unit 420 provided on one side.

At this time, the moving part 410 is formed in a moving part main body 413 in communication with the mass production discharge line and a part of the moving part main body 413, and the main body through which the mass production slurry discharged through the mass production discharge line passes. It includes a flow part 411 and a sample flow part 412 formed in another part of the flow part main body 413 and through which only a portion of the mass production slurry passes. In other words, only a portion of the mass production slurry passes through the sample flow section 412 and the remainder passes through the main flow section 411. Therefore, while the slurry being mass-produced passes as is through the main flow part 411, only part of it is sent to the sample flow part 412 to capture an image.

The photographing unit 420 is provided on the moving part main body 413 to photograph the electrode slurry flowing through the sample flowing part 412 to determine the characteristics of the electrode slurry. In other words, the slurry being mass-produced is captured in real time to identify certain characteristics. At this time, the photographing unit 420 may use a widely known camera and may be controlled through a predetermined control unit (not shown, for example, a computer).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 9, the in-line quality measurement step (S300) includes a moving part 410 provided in the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200) and communicating with each other, and Viscosity can be measured by including a second viscosity measuring unit 500 provided on one side of the flow unit 410. This second viscosity measuring unit 500 is provided on one side of the flowing unit 410 and a pressure gradient measuring unit 510 that measures the pressure gradient between certain points of the flowing unit 410 to measure the flow rate. It includes a flow rate measurement unit 520 and a temperature measurement unit 530 provided on one side of the flow unit 410 to measure temperature. The viscosity of the electrode slurry during mass production is calculated in real time based on the measured temperature, pressure gradient, and flow rate.

The viscosity measurement method shown in FIG. 9 (hereinafter referred to as “second method”) is different from the viscosity measurement method shown in FIG. 7 (“first method”). That is, the first method is different in that it measures the viscosity by bypassing a portion of the slurry, whereas the second method measures the viscosity using the slurry itself in the mass production line. In addition, while the first method measures the viscosity after adjusting it to a specific temperature by a temperature controller, the second method measures the viscosity for the current temperature and then calculates the viscosity for the specific temperature by referring to a predetermined table. is calculated. In other words, the slurry changes depending on the temperature, and the viscosity for each temperature is already organized in a table. Therefore, if the current temperature and viscosity are measured as in the second method without the need to adjust to a specific temperature as in the first method, the viscosity for the specific temperature can be calculated using a predetermined table as described above. Therefore, the second method can calculate the viscosity more conveniently than the first method.

Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific examples, this is for detailed explanation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be understood by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention. It is clear that modifications and improvements are possible.

All simple modifications or changes of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific scope of protection of the present invention will be made clear by the appended claims.

100: Binder production department 110: Binder mixer
120: Solvent supply unit 130: Binder powder supply unit
140: Conductive material supply unit 160: High shear disperser
170: static mixer 180: buffer tank
200: Electrode slurry production unit 210: Slurry mixer
220: Solvent supply unit 230: Active material supply unit
240: Conductive material supply unit 260: High shear disperser
280: buffer tank 300: in-line quality measurement unit
310: first viscosity measurement unit 320: temperature control unit
330: transfer unit 340: flow measurement unit
400: sample recording unit 410: moving unit
420: Filming Department

Claims (9)

A method for continuously producing electrode slurry for secondary batteries,
A binder production step (S100) in which a binder is produced by mixing the binder raw materials, and an electrode slurry production step (S200) in which a slurry for an electrode is produced by mixing the binder produced by the binder production step (S100) and the electrode slurry raw materials. , including an in-line quality measurement step (S300) of measuring the quality of the electrode slurry in real time during the mass production process,
The binder production step (S100) includes a binder mixer 110 and a buffer tank 180, and the binder raw materials are mixed in the binder mixer 110 to produce a binder, and then temporarily stored in the buffer tank 180. become,
The electrode slurry production step (S200) includes a slurry mixer 210, a high-shear disperser 260, and a buffer tank 280, and mixes the raw materials of the binder and electrode slurry generated in the binder mixer 110 with a slurry mixer ( After mixing in 210 and dispersing in high shear disperser 260 to produce slurry for electrodes, it is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 280,
A continuous electrode slurry production method in which the quality of the slurry produced in the electrode slurry production step (S200) is measured in real time during the mass production process in the in-line quality measurement step (S300). According to paragraph 1,
The binder production step (S100) includes a high-shear disperser 160 that disperses the binder discharged from the binder mixer 110, and a static mixer 170 that remixes the binder discharged from the high-shear disperser 160. A continuous electrode slurry production method comprising: According to paragraph 1,
The binder mixer 110 or slurry mixer 210 includes a barrel (BB) into which the raw materials to be mixed are placed and mixed, a shaft (SH) provided inside the barrel (BB), and a shaft (SH) It includes a screw (SC) that mixes and transports the raw materials, and a bearing (BR) that rotatably supports the screw (SC),
The bearing (BR) includes a rear bearing (BR2) disposed at the rear end in the transport direction of the raw material and supporting the screw (SC),
The shaft (SH) is supported by the rear bearing (BR2) to prevent the screw (SC) from contacting the inner surface of the barrel (BB), thereby suppressing the generation of metal foreign substances. According to paragraph 3,
The barrel BB includes a hollow barrel body BB1 in which the shaft SH and the screw SC are disposed, a supply part BB2 formed on one side of the barrel body BB1, and the barrel body It includes a discharge portion (BB3) formed on the upper or lower surface of (BB1),
The screw (SC) includes a first screw (SC1) for mixing and transferring raw materials, and a second screw (SC2) formed behind the first screw (SC1) in the transfer direction of the raw materials,
The helical direction of the first screw (SC1) is formed to move backward when rotating, and the helical direction of the second screw (SC2) is formed in the opposite direction to the helical direction of the first screw (SC1),
The rear bearing (BR2) is a continuous electrode slurry production method in which the rear bearing (BR2) is provided at the rear of the second screw (SC2) in the transport direction. According to paragraph 3,
It further includes a coolant supply unit (CW) provided on the lower side of the barrel (BB),
A continuous electrode slurry production method in which coolant is supplied from the coolant supply unit (CW) to the barrel (BB) to control the temperature of the barrel (BB). According to claim 1 or 2,
The high shear disperser 160 of the binder production step (S100) or the high shear disperser 260 of the electrode slurry production step (S200) is installed on the rotating plate (HS3) and the rotating plate (HS3) and is provided in a plurality in the circumferential direction. It includes a distribution bar (HS2), a case (HS1) in which the rotating plate (HS3) and the distribution bar (HS2) are provided,
The dispersion bar (HS2) is arranged in the same horizontal direction as the shaft (SH) direction of the binder mixer 110 or the slurry mixer 210,
The binder or electrode slurry flowing into the case (HS1) is dispersed by the rotation of the dispersion bar (HS2), but the dispersion bar (HS2) is arranged in a horizontal direction so that no thrust is generated, and the binder or electrode slurry is mixed with the binder mixer. (110) Or a continuous electrode slurry production method in which the slurry is dispersed through the inside of the case (HS1) by the discharge pressure of the slurry mixer (210). According to paragraph 1,
The binder production step (S100) or the electrode slurry production step (S200) optionally includes a conductive material supply unit or
A continuous electrode slurry production method including a conductive material supply unit in both the binder production step (S100) and the electrode slurry production step (S200). According to paragraph 1,
The in-line quality measurement step (S300) includes a branch line (FL) provided and branched on one side of the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200), and a branch line (FL) provided in the branch line (FL). A first viscosity measuring unit 310, a temperature control unit 320 provided in the branch line (FL) and controlling the temperature of the electrode slurry supplied to the first viscosity measuring unit 310, and the temperature control unit 320. Including a transfer unit 330 and a flow rate measurement unit 340 that supply electrode slurry to the unit 320 and are provided in the branch line (FL),
By measuring the pressure gradient of the electrode slurry corresponding to the flow rate and temperature determined by the transfer unit 330, flow rate measurement unit 340, and temperature control unit 320,
A continuous electrode slurry production method that calculates the electrode slurry viscosity during mass production in real time. According to paragraph 1,
Further comprising a sample photographing step (S400) of photographing a sample of the electrode slurry produced by the electrode slurry production step (S200),
The sample photographing step (S400) includes a moving part 410 provided in the mass production discharge line of the electrode slurry produced through the electrode slurry production step (S200) and communicating with each other, and provided on one side of the moving part 410. Includes a photographing unit 420,
The moving part 410 is formed in a moving part main body 413 in communication with the mass production discharge line, and a part of the moving part main body 413, and a main flowing part through which the mass production slurry discharged through the mass production discharge line passes. (411) and a sample flow part 412 formed in another part of the flow part body 413 and through which only a portion of the mass production slurry passes,
A continuous electrode slurry production method in which the photographing unit 420 is provided in the moving unit body 413 and photographs the electrode slurry flowing through the sample flowing unit 412 to determine the characteristics of the electrode slurry.

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