Title: Apparatus and method for processing battery electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for processing battery electrodes includes: a microwave applicator cavity with slots on opposite ends to allow a continuous sheet to move through the cavity in a first direction; a processing chamber constructed of microwave-transparent material, disposed within the applicator cavity and surrounding the continuous sheet, the processing chamber having slots to allow the continuous sheet to pass through it; a microwave power supply to deliver power to the applicator cavity; a source of heated gas providing a controlled gas flow through the processing chamber in a direction opposite the first direction; and, at least one non-contacting temperature measuring device positioned to measure a surface temperature at a selected location on the continuous sheet as it passes through the processing chamber. The apparatus is particularly suited for removing polar solvents from porous electrode coatings. A related method is also disclosed.

Inventors:

Ahmad, Iftikhar; Cardin, Andrew; DeCamillis, Clayton R.; Hampton, Michael L.; Webb, Jr., James E.; Zhang, Pu; Hicks, William O.; Aurora, Peter H.

Issue Date:

2019-09-03

Research Org.:

Lambda Technologies, Inc., Morrisville, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1576404

Patent Number(s):

10403880

Application Number:

15/330,272

Assignee:

Ahmad, Iftikhar, Raleigh, NC (United States)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05C - APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F26 - DRYING F26B - DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B05 - SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL B05C - APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL

B05C9/12 - the auxiliary operation being performed after the application
B05C9/14 - the auxiliary operation involving heating {or cooling}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F26 - DRYING F26B - DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM

F26B13/00 - Machines and apparatus for drying fabrics, fibres, yarns, or other materials in long lengths, with progressive movement
F26B3/04 - the gas or vapour circulating over or surrounding the materials or objects to be dried
F26B3/343 - {in combination with convection}
F26B3/347 - Electromagnetic heating, e.g. induction heating or heating using microwave energy

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M10/052 - Li-accumulators
H01M4/0404 - {by coating on electrode collectors}
H01M4/0471 - {involving thermal treatment, e.g. firing, sintering, backing particulate active material, thermal decomposition, pyrolysis}
H01M4/1391 - of electrodes based on mixed oxides or hydroxides, or on mixtures of oxides or hydroxides, e.g. LiCoOx
H01M4/1393 - of electrodes based on carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/10 - Energy storage

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0006869

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016 Sep 01

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English