'CatContiCryst' - Continuous Manufacture of Li-ion battery Cathode Materials using Oscillating Baffled Reactor/ Crystalliser Technology

世界经济的脱碳正在推动锂离子电池需求的增长，尤其是电动汽车的需求。这种类型的电池技术的性能严重依赖于阴极，其中分层的NMC类型由于提供高能量密度而越来越受欢迎。NMC前驱体材料的生产通常采用传统的间歇生产工艺，这带来了生产效率和质量的不足，影响了电池的成本和性能。NiTech连续振荡折流板反应器/结晶器(COBR/C)为生产此类材料提供了一条创新的路线。COBR/C技术已在特种化学品和制药制造部门得到了证明的应用，在这些领域，连续加工方法已显示出显著的好处：大幅减少生产单位的规模，改进数量和工艺控制，并获得新的加工制度。该项目的目的是证明使用COBR/C技术制造NMC前驱体材料的技术可行性，为未来的商业规模提供所需的工艺数据，定义允许有利地操纵NMC性能的工艺参数(特别是在产生更长寿命的单晶阴极形态方面)，并允许定义连续加工相对于当前技术的益处。该项目的成功实施将导致可用于工业规模生产的创新、高效和灵活的制造方法，再加上所生产材料性能改善的潜力，制造能源需求的减少和实施的较低资本成本。该项目将现有的成熟技术--NMC单晶前体合成工艺和连续制造结合在一个协同项目中，可能对目标行业产生重大影响。该项目涉及NiTech Solutions Ltd作为COBR/C工艺技术提供商。化学和固态工艺以及电池生产和测试方面的技术诀窍由谢菲尔德大学领导。CPI将为COBR/C实验计划提供设施和资源。有关原材料规格、电池关键绩效指标、客户要求和消费者需求的信息将由Britishvolt提供。该项目的成功结果有可能对英国电池供应链产生重大影响，并加强英国在电池材料生产和电池材料技术方面的地位。

Decarbonisation of the world economy is driving an increasing demand for Li-ion batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. The performance of this type of battery technology is heavily dependent on the cathode, of which the layered NMC-type is increasingly popular for delivering high energy densities. Manufacture of NMC precursor materials is typically carried out using conventional batch processes, which bring deficiencies in both production efficiency and quality, impacting battery cost and performance.NiTech Continuous Oscillating Baffled Reactors/Crystallisers (COBR/C) offer an innovative route for the production such materials. COBR/C technology has proven application in the speciality chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors, where significant benefits from a continuous processing approach have been demonstrated: substantial reduction in the scale of production units, improved quantity and process control, and access to new processing regimes. In turn this allows manipulation of the chemical reaction and solid-state formation processes that can lead to improved final product performance.The aim of this project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of manufacturing NMC precursor materials using COBR/C technology, provide required process data for future scale-up to commercial scale, define the process parameters that allow advantageous manipulation of the NMC properties (specifically in the generation of longer-lifetime single-crystal cathode morphologies), and allow a definition of the benefits of continuous processing over current technologies.Successful execution of the project would lead to an innovative, efficient, and flexible manufacturing approach being available for industrial scale production, plus the potential of improved performance of the materials produced, a reduction in energy demand for manufacture and a lower capital cost to implement.The project brings together existing proven technologies -- NMC single crystal precursor synthesis processes and continuous manufacturing, in a synergistic project that could make a significant impact on the target sector.The project involves NiTech Solutions Ltd as COBR/C process technology provider. Know-how on the chemical & and solid-state processes and cell production and testing is led by the University of Sheffield. CPI will provide facilities and resources for the COBR/C experimental program. Input on raw materials specification, cell KPIs, customer requirements and consumer needs will be provided by Britishvolt. A successful outcome for the project has the potential to make a significant impact on the UK battery supply chain and strengthen the nations position in battery materials production and battery materials technology.