Fabricación de baterías de litio en Munster University

La fabricación de baterías de litio se lleva a cabo en pequeños laboratorios y salas secas de producción. Estas baterías, con alto niveles de energía, deben producirse en entornos con una humedad inferior al 1% ya que el litio reacciona con el vapor de agua formando así hidróxido de litio, hidrógeno y calor. El vapor de agua actua de catalizador por lo que el metal de litio expuesto a niveles de humedad superiores al 1% proporciona uan peor calidad de la batería, un peor rendimiento y una vida útil más corta. La Universidad alemana de Munster contactó con Munters para instalar un sistema, altamente eficiente, de tratamiento del aire con el fin de proporcionar un punto de rocío muy bajo. Munters ha instalado muchos equipos y sistemas en la industria de las baterías de litio y, tanto desde el punto de vista tecnológico como económico, domina el reto de suministrar aire seco a un punto de rocío muy bajo y con grandes volúmenes de aire. Los sistemas desecantes de tratamiento de aire con eficiencia energética están diseñados, especialmente, para controlar los niveles de humedad en el procesamiento de litio a un punto de rocío de -50ºC. El diseño de nuestro sistema se basa en el nivel inicial de humedad del aire, la carga de humedad que aportan los trabajadores, un sistema fiable de control de la humedad y la solidez de la contrucción de la sala. Munters ha desarrollado sistemas para aumentar la eficiencia energética de nuestros equipos de tratamiento del aire reafirmando, así, el liderazgo en esta tecnología.

Research of great importance

The center is expected to become one of Europe’s top research institutes for electrochemical energy storage devices. Lithium-based batteries have a special potential because they are flexible and variable when used for energy storage. Today they are already the dominant energy storage system for small mobile devices and their superior energy and power density show great potential for use in large systems like cars. Up until now lithium-ion battery performance has not been sufficient for use in large systems. The focus at MEET is the development and characterization of materials for lithium batteries as well as new production processes for lithium-ion batteries with better performance, improved safety and lifetime. Extreme production climate demands Industrial Lithium battery manufacturing takes place in settings of all sizes, from small laboratory environments to full mass production dry rooms. These high energy batteries must be produced in less than 1% humidity environments because lithium reacts with water vapor to form lithium hydroxide, hydrogen and heat. Exposure to moisture levels greater than 1% results in poorer battery quality, performance and shelf life. The University already knew of Munters when the MEET center was established, since one of our high efficiency desiccant air treatment systems had been in use for some time in a smaller battery research dry room, supplying dry air at very low dewpoint.

Turn-key supply shortened installation time

This Munters MDU system is specially designed to control moisture levels at -43°C dew point with 12 persons working in the room. The MDU system supplies an air flow of 30,000 m3/h, creating an air-exchange rate at 95 1/h. (Exhaust air 1,200 m3/h). The supply air is distributed into the dry room via a ceiling of perforated sheets to achieve laminar flow conditions. The return air intakes are integrated in the wall panels 0,5 m above the floor. The desiccant wheel is individually designed with a unique low dew point purge sector for heat recovery and a special cooling sector ensuring an efficient dehumidification performance at a very low energy consumption. This closed loop reduces the moisture load as no outside air will be required for cooling down the rotor material. Hereby the energy consumption is reduced considerably and the life time of rotor and sealings is prolonged. A special team at Munters is designing low dew point solutions for lithium battery manufacturers, providing individual solutions for the demanding processes. Thanks to many years of experience and the continuous development of rotor materials, purge sectors and energy efficient components, Munters is able to supply systems meeting the strongest demands from battery manufacturers all over the world.