JP2021150158A - Aqueous slurry for battery, manufacturing apparatus, and manufacturing method of the aqueous slurry for the battery - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus of an aqueous slurry for a battery, capable of suppressing an increase of viscosity at a time of holding the aqueous slurry.SOLUTION: In order to solve the problem, manufacturing apparatus of an aqueous slurry for a battery, comprises: a dispersion part generating a slurry by mixing fine particles and a solvent; and a disinfection part disinfecting the slurry. According to the manufacturing apparatus of the aqueous slurry, by disinfecting saprophyte in the slurry by the dispersion part, the growth of saprophyte in the slurry can be suppressed and an increase of viscosity at a time of storing the slurry can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to slurries. More specifically, the present invention relates to a slurry manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing a battery and a slurry manufacturing method.

Currently, lithium-ion batteries are characterized by high charge / discharge efficiency and low self-discharge rate compared to conventional batteries, and are not only used for personal computers, mobile phones, tablet terminals, etc., which are currently the main applications, but also for power storage. It is expected to be widely used in medium- and large-sized applications such as stationary storage batteries for such purposes and mobile objects such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

Since the battery performance of a lithium-ion battery is greatly affected by the properties of the slurry used for the electrode, the slurry manufacturing process is positioned as one of the important steps in the lithium-ion battery manufacturing process, and is generally lithium-ion. It is widely known that the slurry used for the electrode of a battery is produced by mixing and stirring an active material, a conductive auxiliary agent, a binder, an organic solvent and the like.

In the production of electrode slurry, it is known that when the slurry is thickened, it becomes difficult to apply the slurry to the current collector. In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a carbon black slurry for an electrode in which carbon black is dispersed using sulfonic acid-modified polyvinyl alcohol as a dispersant. This carbon black slurry for electrodes has the effect of being excellent in storage stability and being able to reduce the viscosity.

JP-A-2019-220401

Conventionally, an organic solvent is mainly used when producing a slurry. However, in recent years, regulations on the use of organic solvents (emission regulations) have become stricter in terms of environmental load, and the cost of processing to clear the emission regulations tends to increase. Therefore, it is required to reduce the use of organic solvents from the viewpoint of reducing the environmental load and the manufacturing cost. Therefore, as a slurry for electrode production, an aqueous slurry in which an aqueous solution containing a specific binder component and an electrochemically activating compound (including a positive electrode active material) are mixed has been developed.

In the production of battery electrodes, the coating process may not be carried out immediately after the slurry is prepared due to the production schedule and the like. At this time, the prepared slurry may be temporarily stored and then used in the coating process. Then, among the aqueous slurries (pastes using water as a solvent or a dispersion medium), when the aqueous slurry containing a high nickel material is stored, the viscosity of the slurry increases with the passage of time. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to apply the slurry, and the completed battery cannot exhibit a predetermined performance.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery, which can suppress an increase in viscosity during storage of the aqueous slurry.

As a result of diligent studies on the above problems, the present inventor has found that the increase in viscosity during storage of the water-based slurry is caused by the growth of various germs that have propagated in the piping due to the mixing of mold and the like in the air with the water content of the water-based slurry. Got Then, in the production of an aqueous slurry for a battery, the present invention was completed by finding that by sterilizing the slurry, the growth of various germs generated in the slurry can be suppressed and the increase in viscosity during storage of the aqueous slurry can be suppressed. rice field.
That is, the present invention is the following device and method for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery.

The water-based slurry manufacturing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems is an water-based slurry manufacturing apparatus for batteries, and sterilizes the dispersion portion that produces a slurry by mixing a powder and a solvent and the slurry. It is characterized by having a sterilizing unit.
According to this aqueous slurry production apparatus, by sterilizing the germs in the slurry by the sterilizing unit, it is possible to suppress the growth of germs in the slurry and suppress the increase in viscosity during storage of the slurry.

Further, as one embodiment of the disperser of the present invention, the sterilizing unit has a feature of sterilizing by plasma emission.
According to this feature, since the microorganisms in the liquid substance are sterilized by the oxidizing power of the oxygen radicals generated by the generation of plasma, it is possible to effectively sterilize the germs in the slurry.

Further, one embodiment of the dispersion device of the present invention is characterized in that, when the holding time of the slurry exceeds a predetermined time after the dispersion portion is stopped, the slurry composed of the powder and the solvent is remixed by the dispersion portion. Has.
According to this feature, when the viscosity of the slurry increases slightly beyond a predetermined time after the dispersion portion is stopped, the slurry of the powder and the solvent is remixed in the dispersion portion. , The viscosity of the slurry can be reduced.

The method for producing an aqueous slurry of the present invention for solving the above problems is a method for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery, which comprises a dispersion step of mixing powder and a solvent and a sterilization step of sterilizing the slurry. It is characterized by being prepared.
According to this water-based slurry production method, by sterilizing the germs in the slurry by the sterilization step, it is possible to suppress the growth of germs in the slurry and suppress the increase in viscosity during storage of the slurry.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery, which can suppress an increase in viscosity during storage of the aqueous slurry.

It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the slurry production apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic side view of the dispersion mixer in the slurry production apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the VV direction view of FIG. It is the schematic explanatory drawing of the sterilization part of this invention.

The apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery of the present invention is characterized by including a dispersion part for mixing a powder and a solvent and a sterilization part for sterilizing the slurry. According to this aqueous slurry production apparatus, by sterilizing the germs contained in the slurry in the sterilizing unit, the growth of the germs can be suppressed and the increase in the viscosity of the slurry can be suppressed.

The device for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery of the present invention is an apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry for use in producing electrodes of a secondary battery. In the fabrication of electrodes for secondary batteries, a slurry (a muddy suspension or paste suspended in a liquid using a solid as a solvent or dispersion medium) is applied to the surface of the current collector. do.

As the secondary battery, a lithium ion secondary battery having a high energy density, a high operating voltage, and being capable of miniaturization and weight reduction is preferable. A lithium ion secondary battery is a secondary battery (storage battery) that uses lithium ions as ions responsible for electrical conduction. For example, a lithium ion battery, a lithium secondary battery, a lithium all-solid battery, a lithium polymer battery, and a lithium gel. Batteries, etc. can be mentioned.

The aqueous slurry of the present invention is an aqueous slurry containing a lithium transition metal composite oxide used as a positive electrode active material of a lithium ion secondary battery, and in particular, the content of nickel in the lithium-containing transition metal composite oxide is high. Examples thereof include aqueous slurries containing high so-called high nickel materials.
Further, the aqueous slurry of the present invention includes an aqueous slurry containing graphite or a silicon compound used as a negative electrode active material of a lithium ion secondary battery.

In the present invention, the high nickel material for the positive electrode means a layered oxide-based material containing lithium in which Ni exceeds 0.5 when the transition metal element in the positive electrode active material is 1.
Examples of the high nickel material include LiNiO ₂ , Li (Ni _0.6 Co _0.4 ) O ₂ , Li (Ni _0.8 Co _0.2 ) O ₂ , and Li (Ni _0.8 Co _0.15 Al). _0.05 ) O ₂ , Li (Ni _0.6 Co _0.2 Mn _0.2 ) O ₂ , Li (Ni _0.8 Co _0.1 Mn _0.1 ) O ₂ , Li (Ni _0.9 Co) _0.05 Mn _0.05 ) O ₂ , and the like. It should be noted that other atoms may be substituted for a part of the atomic sites constituting the high nickel material. For example, a part of a lithium atom site is replaced by another alkali metal atom, a part of an oxygen atom site of a high nickel material is replaced by a fluorine atom, or a part of a transition metal atom site of a high nickel material. Examples thereof include those substituted by aluminum atoms.
That is, high-nickel materials in the present invention, a composition _{formula, Li a A b Ni c M} d Al e O f F g (0 <a ≦ 1,0 ≦ b <1,0.5 ≦ c ≦ 1,0 ≦ d ≦ 0.5, 0 ≦ e ≦ 0.5, 1 <f ≦ 2, 0 ≦ g <1, a + b = 1, c + d + e = 1, f + g = 2, A = Na, K, Rb, M = Co , Mn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, W).

Other lithium composite oxides include, for example, lithium cobaltate Li (Co) O ₂ , ternary material Li (Ni _0.33 Co _0.33 Mn _0.33 ) O ₂ , and lithium iron phosphate Li (). Fe) PO ₄ , Iron-Iron Manganese Li (Fe _0.5 Mn _0.5 ) PO ₄ , Manganese Manganese Li (Mn) PO ₄ , Cobalt Cobalt Li (Co) PO ₄ , Vanadium Phosphate Lithium Li ₃ (V ₂ ) (PO ₄ ) ₃ , Lithium iron silicate Li ₂ (FeSi) O ₄ , Lithium manganese silicate Li ₂ (MnSi) O ₄ , Lithium rich solid solution system Li ₂ (Mn) O ₃ -Li (Ni) _0.33 Mn _0.33 Co _0.33 ) O ₂ , spinel-type lithium manganate Li (Mn ₂ ) O ₄ , spinel-type nickel-lithium manganate Li (Ni _0.5 Mn _1.5 ) O ₄ , nickel _-Iron- Lithium manganate Li (Ni 0.33 Fe _0.33 Mn _0.33 ) O ₂ and other materials can be mentioned, and one type may be used alone or two or more types may be used in combination.

Hereinafter, the water-based slurry manufacturing apparatus and the water-based slurry manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The water-based slurry production apparatus described in the embodiment is merely exemplified for explaining the dispersion part and the sterilization part according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto. Further, the method for producing an aqueous slurry of the present invention shall be replaced with the following description of the structure and operation of the aqueous slurry producing apparatus.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the aqueous slurry production apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery slurry production apparatus 100 of the present invention according to the first embodiment is a liquid supply unit 1 for charging a liquid as a solvent into the apparatus for producing the slurry, and a conductor for producing the slurry. Powder supply unit 2 for charging powder such as binder and binder into the device, slurry storage unit 5 for storing the produced slurry, liquid as a solvent and powder such as active material are mixed and dispersed. The dispersion unit 3 that manufactures the slurry, the sterilization unit 4 that sterilizes the slurry, the flow path A that connects the slurry storage unit 5 and the inlet of the dispersion unit 3, and the outlet of the dispersion unit 3 and the slurry storage unit 5 are connected. The flow path B and the flow path C, which is a circulation path in the dispersion portion 3, are provided.
Further, since the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus 100 in this embodiment is merely an example, its configuration and the like can be appropriately changed as long as the functions can be exhibited.

(Liquid supply unit)
The purpose of the liquid supply unit 1 in the present embodiment is to charge a liquid, which is a solvent for producing a slurry, into the battery slurry production apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid supply unit 1 supplies liquid to the battery slurry production apparatus 100, and is provided in the slurry storage unit 5, for example, as in the first embodiment.
In FIG. 1, although it is provided in the slurry storage unit 5 described later, it may be provided in any part of the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus 100 as long as the charged liquid can be mixed with the powder. From the viewpoint of stably supplying the liquid to the dispersion unit 3, it is preferable to provide the liquid supply unit 1 in the slurry storage unit 5 and temporarily store the liquid in the slurry storage unit 5.

The liquid in the present embodiment is a solvent that is a raw material for producing a slurry by mixing with powder, and in the aqueous slurry of the present invention, the solvent is water. By using water as a solvent, the environmental load can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

(Powder supply unit)
The purpose of the powder supply unit 2 in the present embodiment is to charge powders such as an active material and a binder, which are raw materials for producing a slurry, into the battery slurry production apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the powder supply unit 2 includes a hopper 21 and a flow path A for connecting the hopper 21 and the dispersion mixer 31, and the powder charged into the hopper 21 is dispersed via the switch 22. It is supplied to the mixer 31.

The hopper 21 aims to temporarily store the charged powder and continuously supply the powder to the dispersion mixer 31 described later.
The hopper 21 may have any shape and structure as long as the powder can be continuously supplied to the dispersion mixer 31. Preferably, an inverted conical shape or the like whose diameter is reduced from the upper part to the lower part can be mentioned. In this case, a relatively large amount of powder can be stably and continuously supplied to the dispersion mixer 31. Further, the hopper 21 may have a stirring mechanism inside. The powder charged into the powder supply unit is agitated by the stirring mechanism, and it is possible to prevent the powder from sticking in the hopper 21. The stirring mechanism is not particularly limited, but it is conceivable to rotate the blade-shaped stirring blade by the power of a motor or the like.

The switch 22 is intended to control the supply of powder from the hopper 21 to the dispersion mixer 31.
The shape and structure of the switch 22 are not particularly limited, but preferably, a device provided with an opening / closing mechanism of a slide mechanism in the pipe to stop or supply the powder to the dispersion mixer 31. In this case, the powder supply can be controlled from the outside of the pipe with a simple mechanism.

The powder in this embodiment is a raw material for producing a slurry by mixing with a liquid. Active materials and binders are included as solids, and a conductive auxiliary agent is added as needed. The active material is the lithium transition metal composite oxide described above.

The binder is, for example, aqueous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyimide (PI), polyacrylic, polyacrylic acid salt, acrylic acid ester, styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), urethane, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene. -Ethethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer (SEBS), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), cellulose sulfate, methyl cellulose ether, methyl ethyl cellulose ether, ethyl cellulose ether, low nitrogen hydroxyethyl cellulose dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride (polyquaternium-4), chloride-[ 2-Hydroxy-3- (trimethylammonio) propyl] hydroxyethyl cellulose (polyquaternium-10), chloride- [2-hydroxy-3- (lauryldimethylammonio) propyl] hydroxyethyl cellulose (polyquaternium-24), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ), Polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), starch and the like may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The conductive auxiliary agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metal, carbon material, conductive polymer, and conductive glass. Of these, carbon material is preferable, and specifically, acetylene black (AB) and ketjen black are used. (KB), vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF), carbon nanotube (CNT), graphite, hard carbon, soft carbon, furnace black, graphene, glassy carbon, carbon nanohorn, etc., and one or more of these. Can be used.
In the positive electrode active material layer, for example, when the total amount of the positive electrode active material, the binder, and the conductive material is 100% by mass, the electrode active material is 60 to 99% by mass, the binder is 0.1 to 25% by mass, and the conductivity is conductive. The substance is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass. More preferably, the electrode active material is 80 to 95% by mass, the binder is 0.5 to 15% by mass, and the conductive material is 0.5 to 5% by mass.
With the composition of the active material layer of the positive electrode described above, a sufficient binding force and an effect of improving conductivity can be obtained.

(Distributed part)
The dispersion unit 3 in the present embodiment manufactures a slurry by mixing the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit 1 and the powder supplied from the powder supply unit 2. As the dispersion unit 3, any device may be used as long as the powder and the liquid can be mixed. For example, in the dispersion unit 3 of the first embodiment, bubbles can be generated in the slurry by cavitation.

The dispersion unit 3 of the first embodiment includes a dispersion mixer 31 for mixing powder and liquid, a drive unit 33 for driving the dispersion mixer 31, and a recirculator 32 for separating undispersed slurry in the slurry. To prepare.

As a specific example, the dispersion mixer 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the dispersion mixer 31 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 31-4, a front wall portion 31-2 and a rear wall portion 31-3 installed at both ends of the outer peripheral wall portion 31-4. A rotor 31-5 provided concentrically and rotatably inside the casing 31-1 and a front wall portion 31-concentrically provided inside the casing 31-1. It is configured to include a cylindrical stator 31-7 fixedly arranged in 2.

The drive unit 33 is intended to supply power to the rotor 31-5 to rotate the rotor 31-5.
The drive unit 33 may be any type as long as it can supply power to the rotor 31-5, and is not particularly limited. Specifically, a motor driven by electricity or air, an engine operated by combustion of fuel, or the like can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the outer side of the rotor 31-5, a plurality of rotor blades 31-6 project to the front side (left side in FIG. 2) which is the front wall portion 31-2 side, and have a circumference. They are arranged at equal intervals in the direction. An annular blade chamber 31-8 around which the rotor blades 31-6 orbit is formed is formed between the stator 31-7 and the outer peripheral wall portion 31-4.

Further, the cylindrical stator 31-7 is provided with a plurality of through holes 31-7a serving as a throttle flow path arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.

As the rotor 31-5 rotates, the inside of the rotor 31-5 becomes a negative pressure state due to centrifugal force. Due to this negative pressure state, the powder supplied from the powder supply unit 2 and the liquid that has passed through the flow path A are sucked into the inside of the dispersion mixer 31.

The powder and liquid are supplied to the dispersion mixer 31 from the first supply port 31-11 formed on the downstream side of the outlet of the hopper 21 of the flow path A. As shown in FIG. 2, the first supply port 31-11 is connected to the front wall portion 31-2, and is formed on the front wall portion 31-2 at the tip of the first supply port 31-11. An annular groove 31-10 is arranged. Further, the rotor 31-5 is formed with a scraping blade 31-13 that fits with the annular groove 31-10 (FIG. 3). Then, when the rotor 31-5 rotates, the scraping blades 31-13 pass through the annular groove 31-10 to disperse the powder and liquid supplied from the first supply port 31-11 in the dispersion mixer 31. It can be made to flow inside. The scraping blades 31-13 also have an action of mixing powder and liquid.

Then, the powder and the liquid supplied to the inside of the dispersion mixer 31 pass through the through holes 31-7a of the stator 31-7 by centrifugal force and flow into the blade chamber 31-8. The powder and liquid are further mixed by passing through the through holes 31-7a. Next, the slurry that has flowed into the blade chamber 31-8 is discharged from the discharge unit 31-12 and supplied to the recirculator 32.

Further, the rotary blades 31-6 arranged on the rotor 31-5 are fixed so as to be inclined from the outer peripheral wall portion 31-4 toward the front in the rotation direction of the rotor 31-5 to the stator 31-7. Therefore, when the rotor 31-5 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, the rotary blade 31-6 rotates with the tip end facing forward, and the rotor 31-6 is momentarily depressurized backward in the rotational direction. It becomes a state and local boiling (so-called cavitation) occurs. The action of this cavitation further promotes the mixing of powder and liquid.

The recirculator 32 separates the slurry discharged from the dispersion mixer 31 into an undispersed mixed slurry in which the powder is sufficiently dispersed and a dispersed and mixed slurry in which the powder is sufficiently dispersed and mixed. It is a device. The specific structure of the recirculator 32 is a container having a double cylindrical structure installed in the vertical direction (not shown). The slurry discharged from the dispersion mixer 31 passes through the inside of the inner cylinder downward or upward, and the powder contained in the undispersed mixed slurry has a large specific gravity and therefore falls between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. Then, the powder dropped in the recirculator 32 is resupplied from the second supply port 31-9 into the rotor 31-5 of the dispersion mixer 31 through the flow path C, and passes through the inside of the rotor 31-5. And promotes the dispersion of the undispersed mixed slurry. Further, the sufficiently dispersed and mixed slurry is supplied to the slurry storage unit 5 through the flow path B.

(Slurry storage section)
The slurry storage unit 5 is for storing a slurry in which powder and liquid are dispersed and mixed. The size, shape, and the like are not particularly limited, but as shown in FIG. 1, those provided with a stirrer operated by a motor are preferable. Separation of powder and liquid can be suppressed by stirring the inside of the slurry storage unit 5.

The slurry supplied to the slurry storage unit 5 is re-supplied to the dispersion unit 3 through the flow path A. In this way, the slurry circulates in the dispersion unit 3 and the slurry storage unit 5, so that the powder is uniformly dispersed in the liquid. The circulation time (treatment time) can be appropriately set by observing the state of the viscosity of the slurry, the flow velocity distribution, and the like.

(Sterilization department)
The device for producing an aqueous slurry of the present invention is characterized by including a sterilizing unit 4. The sterilization unit 4 may be any means as long as it is a means for sterilizing various germs in the slurry. Examples thereof include sterilization means using radiation such as plasma emission and ultraviolet light, and chemical sterilization means in which ozone and chemicals having a bactericidal action are added. From the viewpoint of not affecting the quality of the slurry, sterilization means using radiation such as plasma emission and ultraviolet light is preferable.

In the water-based slurry manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment, a sterilizing unit 4 made of plasma light emitting sterilizing means is provided between the dispersion mixer 31 and the recirculator 32.
Hereinafter, the sterilization unit 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The sterilization unit 4 is composed of an electrode 41 made of a metal such as copper, silver, or tungsten, and a power supply 42 for applying a pulse voltage between the electrodes 41. Then, by applying a pulse voltage between the electrodes 41, submerged plasma is generated by high-voltage dielectric breakdown discharge. By generating plasma, active oxygen such as hydroxyl radical can be generated in the slurry, and the oxidizing power of the active oxygen can sterilize the microorganisms in the slurry. Further, a bactericidal effect can be expected by the electric field between the electrodes 41 (the electric field generated when a high voltage is applied between the electrodes before plasma generation) and the ultraviolet rays emitted from the plasma during plasma generation.

Since the aqueous slurry production apparatus of the first embodiment includes the sterilizing unit 4 immediately after being discharged from the dispersion mixer 31, the slurry processed by the sterilizing unit 4 is generated by the cavitation generated in the dispersion mixer 31. Contains air bubbles. Therefore, when a pulse voltage is applied between the electrodes 41, bubbles are ionized (plasma-ized), so that plasma can be effectively generated.

The discharge mode generated by the pulse voltage is preferably a glow discharge in which the electrodes 41 are installed facing each other in a direction orthogonal to the flow path through which the slurry containing bubbles passes. Thereby, the plasma treatment in the liquid at a low temperature can be performed.

Since the aqueous slurry of the present invention is a conductive and viscous slurry, it is preferable to cover the periphery of the plasma electrode with an insulating material and expose only the tip portion in the slurry. Alternatively, it is preferable to arrange the electrode by arranging only the tip of the electrode in the slurry.

Further, even when irradiating with radioactivity such as ultraviolet light, the slurry has bubbles, which promotes the transmission of radiation, which has an effect of enhancing the bactericidal effect. Therefore, when the sterilization means by plasma irradiation or ultraviolet irradiation is used, it is preferable to provide the sterilization unit 4 between the dispersion mixer 31 and the recirculator 32.

It should be noted that the slurry processed by the sterilization unit 4 may be subjected to bubbles by a compressor or the like to enhance the effect of the sterilization means by plasma irradiation or ultraviolet irradiation.

[Second embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment will be described.
In the aqueous slurry production apparatus of the second embodiment, after the dispersion unit 3 is stopped, when the slurry holding time exceeds a predetermined time, the slurry composed of the powder and the solvent is remixed by the dispersion unit 3. It is a feature. When the slurry is held for a predetermined time in the aqueous slurry production apparatus, a slight increase in viscosity is observed. Therefore, in the aqueous slurry production apparatus of the present invention, the slurry held in the apparatus (for example, slurry storage unit 5, dispersion unit 3, flow path A, flow path B, flow path C, etc.) is reprocessed by reprocessing. It can be regenerated to the viscosity before holding.
Specifically, in the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus 100, the slurry whose viscosity has been increased by holding it for a predetermined time is dispersed and mixed again by the dispersion portion to bring the increased viscosity of the slurry to the viscosity before holding. Can be regenerated.

Further, when the slurry composed of the powder and the solvent is remixed by the dispersion unit 3, the treatment by the dispersion unit 3 and the treatment by the sterilization unit 4 can be performed. In addition to the action of lowering the viscosity by the dispersion part 3, the viscosity of the slurry can be lowered quickly by suppressing the increase in viscosity due to the growth of microorganisms in the sterilization part 4. Further, since the number of viable microorganisms in the slurry regenerated by using the sterilizing unit 4 is reduced, the growth of microorganisms is suppressed when the slurry is held in the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus 100 again. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the re-increase in the viscosity of the slurry.

Here, the predetermined time is assumed to be about 24 hours to 168 hours as an example, but is not limited to this.

The slurry regenerated to the viscosity before holding is discharged from the slurry outlet 6 and can be used in the coating process.

In addition, the above-described embodiment shows an example of the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus and the battery slurry manufacturing method of the present invention. The battery slurry manufacturing apparatus and battery slurry manufacturing method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the battery slurry manufacturing apparatus and battery according to the above-described embodiment are not changed in the gist of the invention. The slurry production method may be modified.

For example, the sterilization unit 4 may be attached to the flow path B instead of immediately after the discharge unit 31-12. As a result, the slurry that has passed through the recirculator 32 and is completely dispersed and mixed can be subjected to submerged plasma treatment by plasma emission, so that the slurry can be effectively sterilized.

The battery slurry producing apparatus and the battery slurry producing method of the present invention of the present invention can be suitably used for producing a slurry mainly applied to a battery electrode.

1 Liquid supply unit, 2 Powder supply unit, 3 Dispersion unit, 4 Sterilization unit, 5 Slurry storage unit, 6 Slurry outlet, 21 Hopper, 22 Switcher, 31 Dispersion mixer, 31-1 Casing, 31-2 front Wall, 31-3 Rear wall, 31-4 Outer wall, 31-5 rotor, 31-6 rotor, 31-7 stator, 31-8 wing chamber, 31-9 second supply port, 31- 10 annular groove, 31-11 first supply port, 31-12 discharge part, 31-13 scraping blade, 32 recirculator, 33 drive part, 41 electrode, 42 power supply

Claims (4)

A device for producing water-based slurries for batteries.
A dispersion part that mixes powder and solvent to generate a slurry,
An apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry, which comprises a sterilizing unit for sterilizing the slurry. The apparatus for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization unit is sterilized by plasma light emission. The invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slurry composed of the powder and the solvent is remixed by the dispersion portion when the holding time of the slurry exceeds a predetermined time after the dispersion portion is stopped. A device for producing aqueous slurries for batteries. A method for producing an aqueous slurry for batteries.
Dispersion process that mixes powder and solvent,
A method for producing an aqueous slurry for a battery, which comprises a sterilization step for sterilizing the slurry.

Images