Lithium Battery (Li-ion) powering the future
In the 21st century, humanity has become an engine, participant, and witness of the revolution in the energy sphere. We harness renewable energy sources (RES) such as sun, wind, and water movement. In recent years we have begun to understand the importance of preserving the environment in which we live. One particular area of focus, is the increasing use of electrified means of transport, this is set to become an important step forward in the goal of reducing inner city pollution.
In the whole technological chain of the power system, from production to the final consumer, the task of accumulating generated energy (including mobile energy such as gadgets and electric vehicles) and its use has become increasingly critical towards achieving the goal of reducing carbon footprints. The most common energy storage element in production today, is the lithium-ion battery (Li-ion).
Lithium battery production, takes place in controlled environment rooms now commonly referred to as “Dry Rooms”. The main criteria by which “Dry Rooms” are classified is in the low relative humidity (RH) or low dew point (tdp) requirements. Requirements are often expressed in dewpoints as the equivalent relative humidity is close to zero. Low dew point dehumidification systems are the crucial element required in lithium battery production. Dewpoint requirements within dry rooms currently range from minus 35.0˚Cdp to as low as minus 60.0°Cdp, this point is measured in the return air stream as represents the average across the room. At critical areas such as electrolyte fill the supply dewpoint required can be as low as minus 70.0°Cdp. Low dew point dehumidification is the crucial factor required to prevent the lithium from absorbing the humidity from the air.
Violations of parameters, particularly at critical stages of production, such as electrolyte, will lead to a decrease in the quality of the Li-ion battery. To maximise product quality, microclimates are often created at critical production points, where the moisture level in the air should be close to zero as possible.
The next generation of batteries currently in design, are showing an increasing demand for even lower dewpoints of minus 75.0°C and below, as such, energy consumption for maintaining the dry rooms, will continue to form a significant part of the cost of producing lithium-ion batteries.
To minimise this production cost, the dry rooms should be constructed in a manner to reduce infiltration, to as low as practicable. Crucially the room air drying systems, should be designed to be as energy efficient as possible, and should be able to react quickly to changing external conditions. With these goals in mind, DT Group are focusing on the utilisation of dual rotor desiccant dehumidifiers, to provide continuous supply of low dewpoint air into the manufacturing spaces. These innovative designs are set to become the new benchmark across the battery industry.
During production, Lithium batteries can be severely affected by exposure from uncontrolled temperature, this ultimately will lead to impacting on the final quality of the battery through:
Pure Lithium metal is extremely sensitive to even the smallest amounts of moisture in the air. The slightest of exposure to moisture leads to reduced performance and reduced product life of the Lithium-ion battery.
The DRY AIR and Desiccant Technology Group team are always ready to work with you, to solve any problem and provide an energy efficient, reliable solution, with the goal of achieving the required microclimate in your DRY ROOM project.
The DT-Group Battery Dry Room DD twin rotor series represents the most compact, ultra low dewpoint desiccant dehumidifiers on the market today. Capable of dewpoints down to minus 70.0°C with available models with airflows ranging from 10,000-50,000 m³/h.
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