The production of batteries and rechargeable batteries is not very sustainable and very energy-intensive. Around 50 percent of the energy is used just to dry the electrodes in which the electrochemical reactions take place. In convective drying, a warm air stream heats the goods to be dried and removes the moisture. With conventional systems, it is usually only possible to find out which process parameters achieve the perfect drying result with time-consuming tests. KIT researchers have succeeded in developing a modular dryer for battery electrodes. The design of the dryer hoods creates space that can be variably equipped with nozzles, emitters or sensors. The air is supplied via flexible hoses so that the nozzles can be positioned freely. Inline measurement technology monitors critical points in the drying process, such as the onset of pore emptying or the disintegration of the capillary network. Scattered light or thermal sensors such as pyrometers are used for this purpose. Changes in parameters, such as increased humidity, are compensated for during the drying process. The heat transfer coefficient can be measured and adjusted at each nozzle. This enables standardized, data-based drying. If the materials change, the set-up can be modified retrospectively. The advantages can be transferred to all industrial convection dryers. Set-up times are reduced as drying processes can be monitored by measurement and adjusted during drying. The flexibility of the configuration enables rapid adaptation to new materials with different drying requirements. The modular drying technology could be used in all areas of industrial drying. KIT is looking for partners for industrial development and pilot plant construction.
You can get an overview of this technology at KIT stand. More details can be exchanged individually with the responsible scientific employees of KIT after the industry fair.
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