Optimize Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing Processes with Vacuum Filtration

Driven by the increasing consumer demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and the global transition to renewable energy sources, the lithium-ion battery market is growing at an explosive rate.  Additionally, supportive government policies for zero emission transportation and renewable energy storage are pushing further growth and investment.  At Solberg, we understand the critical role that lithium-ion batteries play in shaping a greener future.

Vacuum is an integral utility used in the primary stages of battery manufacturing: electrode manufacturing, cell assembly, and cell finishing.  The most common sub-processes include raw material conveying, slurry mixing, electrode drying, electrolyte filling, and degassing, and each creates by-products that contaminate the vacuum pumps. 

• Raw Material Conveying:  Particle carryover to the pump when pneumatically conveying raw materials (Lithium, Graphite, Cobalt, etc..).
• Slurry Mixing:  Particle carryover while mixing a slurry of anode or cathode materials under vacuum.
• Electrode Material Drying: N-Methyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent carryover to the pump will occur in liquid and vapor form.
• Electrolyte Filling:  Lithium salt electrolyte carryover to the pump occurs when evacuating impurities while filling/dosing.
• Degassing:  Gasses created during the cell formation process are evacuated with vacuum, and must be captured to maintain the vacuum pump's efficiency and functionality.