Optimizing battery materials production
Motivation
Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) is commercially the most widely used lithium battery solute lithium salt. The particle size distribution, bulk density, dissolution rate – parameters determined in the crystallization phase – affect the end product application scope, sales price, etc.
Implementation
A Pixact Crystallization Monitoring (PCM) system is installed to the LiPF6 production line as a DN50 flow-through section. The wet part is manufactured of Hastelloy to meet the requirements of the process suspension (HF acid at -40C).
Benefits
The PCM system provides quantitative and systematic data on crystallization, helping the operators to control the crystal size and agglomeration phenomenon by determining the stirring intensity, and adjusting the crystallization temperature at different concentrations.
Process parameters
| Crystalline products | LiPF6 |
| Size distribution | 20…1000µm |
| Solids concentration | Up to 20 w-% |
| Temperature | -40°C |
| Pressure | 4 Bar |