EP-4741961-A1 - PROCESS MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT METHOD

Abstract

According to some embodiments disclosed in this document, a process management apparatus may include a sensor configured to generate a plurality of concentration values by measuring the concentration of gaseous solvent from each of a plurality of drying zones configured to dry electrode slurry to form the gaseous solvent, and a controller configured to determine the progress status of a drying process for the electrode slurry based on the plurality of concentration values and adjust a drying parameter for the plurality of drying zones based on the progress status.

Inventors

• KO, MYUNG JUN
• YANG, HEE KWANG

Assignees

• LG Energy Solution, Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240702

Claims (16)

1. A process management apparatus comprising: a sensor configured to generate a plurality of concentration values by measuring the concentration of gaseous solvent from each of a plurality of drying zones configured to dry electrode slurry to form the gaseous solvent; and a controller configured to determine a progress status of a drying process for the electrode slurry based on the plurality of concentration values and adjust a drying parameter related to the plurality of drying zones based on the progress status.
2. The process management apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of drying zones each comprise a temperature control device configured to maintain a drying temperature of the electrode slurry and a ventilation device configured to operate at a rotation speed to create airflow through the electrode slurry, the drying temperature and the rotation speed being included in the drying parameter.
3. The process management apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller performs at least one first correction to adjust the rotation speed based on the plurality of concentration values and performs at least one second correction to adjust the rotation speed based on variation amounts in the concentration values due to the at least one first correction.
4. The process management apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller adjusts the drying parameter by performing at least one correction cycle in which a plurality of first corrections and one second correction constitute one correction cycle.
5. The process management apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller determines whether the adjustment of the drying parameter is completed by comparing the concentration value of the gaseous solvent in a target drying zone among the plurality of drying zone with a reference concentration value.
6. The process management apparatus of claim 4, wherein the electrode slurry is dried through preheating drying zones, constant rate drying zones, and falling rate drying zones constituting the plurality of drying zones, and the target drying zone is the last drying zone among the constant rate drying zones.
7. The process management apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one first correction comprises correction to the rotation speed of the preheating drying zones and correction to the rotation speed of the constant rate drying zones, and the at least one second correction comprises correction to the drying temperature of the constant rate drying zones.
8. The process management apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one first correction is performed with first correction parameters comprising variation amount in the rotation speed, duration of the rotation speed, and delay time between corrections of the rotation speed, and the controller adjusts the first correction parameter based on the difference between the progress status of the drying process and a standard state.
9. A process management method comprising: generating a plurality of concentration values by measuring the concentration of gaseous solvent from each of a plurality of drying zones configured to dry electrode slurry to form the gaseous solvent; determining the progress status of a drying process for the electrode slurry based on the plurality of concentration values; and adjusting a drying parameter related to the plurality of drying zones based on the progress status.
10. The process management method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of drying zones each comprise a temperature control device configured to maintain a drying temperature of the electrode slurry and a ventilation device configured to operate at a rotation speed to create airflow through the electrode slurry, the drying temperature and the rotation speed being included in the drying parameter.
11. The process management method of claim 10, wherein the step of adjusting of the drying parameter comprises: performing at least one first correction to adjust the rotation speed based on the plurality of concentration values; and performing at least one second correction to adjust the rotation speed based on variation amounts in the concentration values due to the at least one first correction.
12. The process management method of claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting of the drying parameter comprises adjusting the drying parameter by performing at least one correction cycle in which a plurality of first corrections and one second correction constitute one correction cycle.
13. The process management method of claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting of the drying parameter comprises determining whether the adjustment of the drying parameter is completed by comparing the concentration value of the gaseous solvent in a target drying zone among the plurality of drying zone with a reference concentration value.
14. The process management method of claim 12, wherein the electrode slurry is dried through preheating drying zones, constant rate drying zones, and falling rate drying zones constituting the plurality of drying zones, and the target drying zone is the last drying zone among the constant rate drying zones.
15. The process management method of claim 14, wherein the at least one first correction comprises correction to the rotation speed of the preheating drying zones and correction to the rotation speed of the constant rate drying zones, and the at least one second correction comprises correction to the drying temperature of the constant rate drying zones.
16. The process management method of claim 11, wherein the at least one first correction is performed with first correction parameters comprising variation amount in the rotation speed, duration of the rotation speed, and delay time between corrections of the rotation speed, and the step of adjusting of the drying parameter comprises adjusting the first correction parameter based on the difference between the progress status of the drying process and a standard state.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0114049 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 29, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a process management apparatus and method. [BACKGROUND ART] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries have been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries refer to rechargeable batteries, encompassing traditional Ni/Cd batteries, Ni/MH batteries, and modern lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy density compared to traditional Ni/Cd and Ni/MH batteries, and their smaller, lighter design makes them highly useful as power sources for portable devices. Recently, their use has expanded to power electric vehicles, gaining attention as a next-generation energy storage medium. The manufacturing process of secondary batteries may include a cathode manufacturing process, and a key quality factor of the secondary battery cathode can include adhesion. The secondary battery cathode can be formed by applying a slurry containing active material, conductive agent, and binder onto an electrode sheet and then drying it, with the adhesion of the cathode determined by the quality of the slurry drying process. For example, excessive or insufficient drying of the electrode slurry can compromise cathode adhesion. [DISCLOSURE] [TECHNICAL PROBLEM] It is an object of the embodiments disclosed in this document to provide a process management apparatus and method capable of automatically adjusting parameters of the drying process for electrode slurries to prevent deterioration of cathode adhesion. The technical objects of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the aforesaid, and other objects not described herein with be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below. [TECHNICAL SOLUTION] According to some embodiments disclosed in this document, a process management apparatus may include a sensor configured to generate a plurality of concentration values by measuring the concentration of gaseous solvent from each of a plurality of drying zones configured to dry electrode slurry to form the gaseous solvent, and a controller configured to determine the progress status of a drying process for the electrode slurry based on the plurality of concentration values and adjust a drying parameter related to the plurality of drying zones based on the progress status. According to some embodiments, the plurality of drying zones each include a temperature control device configured to maintain a drying temperature of the electrode slurry and a ventilation device configured to operate at a rotation speed to create airflow through the electrode slurry, the drying temperature and the rotation speed being included in the drying parameter. According to some embodiments, the controller performs at least one first correction to adjust the rotation speed based on the plurality of concentration values and performs at least one second correction to adjust the rotation speed based on variation amounts in the concentration values due to the at least one first correction. According to some embodiments, the controller adjusts the drying parameter by performing at least one correction cycle in which a plurality of first corrections and one second correction constitute one correction cycle. According to some embodiments, the controller determines whether the adjustment of the drying parameter is completed by comparing the concentration value of the gaseous solvent in a target drying zone among the plurality of drying zone with a reference concentration value. According to some embodiments, the electrode slurry is dried through preheating drying zones, constant rate drying zones, and falling rate drying zones constituting the plurality of drying zones, and the target drying zone is the last drying zone among the constant rate drying zones. According to some embodiments, the at least one first correction includes correction to the rotation speed of the preheating drying zones and correction to the rotation speed of the constant rate drying zones, and the at least one second correction includes correction to the drying temperature of the constant rate drying zones. According to some embodiments, the at least one first correction is performed with first correction parameters including variation amount in the rotation speed, duration of the rotation speed, and delay time between corrections of the rotation speed, and the controller adjusts the first correction parameter based on the difference between the progress status of the drying process and a standard state. According to some embodiments disclosed in this document, a process management method includes generating a plurality of concentra