KURIMOTO Co-LAB English|Kneading, Grinding, Drying

Lithium-ion battery

锂离子二次电池 / Lithium-Ionen-Batterie / 리튬 이온 배터리

Description of Final products

A rechargeable battery that utilizes the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes

Applications

Batteries for electric vehicles, electric bicycles, laptop computer, mobile phones, renewable energy, etc.

Manufacturing process (for Active materials)

※This process is just one example, and the manufacturing methods vary by company.

※The following processes vary depending on the type of active materials. For example, in some cases, drying and calcination are performed after wet milling.

Raw materials to be processed
Mixing
Lithium-based materials and solvents are mixed.
Dehydration
Most of the moisture is removed before drying.
Drying
The material is dried.
Pulverizing
The material is pulverized to the specified particle size.
Calcining
Calcination is performed to produce the active materials.
Products (Active materials)

Manufacturing process (for Electrode materials)

※This process is just one example, and the manufacturing methods vary by company.

※The following manufacturing process can be applied to both cathode and anode materials.

Raw materials to be processed
Kneading
The active material, conductive additive, binder, and solvent are fed in precise amounts and kneaded.

To achieve high-density electrodes, it is necessary to ensure high dispersion of the conductive additive and to disintegrate secondary agglomerated particles using high shear force. In addition, to keep the kneaded material temperature below the solvent’s boiling point, the heat generated during kneading must be removed.

The twin-screw continuous kneader “KRC Kneader” can disintegrate secondary agglomerates while suppressing kneading heat, by the following mechanical characteristics and kneading conditions.

Removal of kneading heat by cooling through the jacketed barrel

High shearing force generated by paddles with small clearances

Design of a kneading zone with high powder concentration and a dilution zone

We are currently doing joint-development on a “Continuous Production System for Secondary Battery Electrode Slurry” with Kubota Corporation.

By combining the constant-rate feeding capability of a gravimetric feeder with the twin-screw kneader’s ability to achieve uniform mixing in a short time, we aim to contribute to the stable supply of secondary batteries—supporting the advancement of electrification and the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

Deaerating
Air entrained during the kneading process is removed to prevent coating defects in the coating process.
Coating &
drying
The kneaded material is coated onto the current collector, dried, and then rolled, and subsequently formed into the specified electrode shape.
To the battery assembly line