Optimizing porous medium electrode suspension drying: A numerical simulation

Abstract

The drying process of porous medium electrodes is crucial for optimizing the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Among various drying methods, convection drying has been proven to be an effective double-sided and contactless technique for these electrodes, enhancing manufacturing quality and efficiency. This study investigates the impact of different drying parameters on the drying process of porous medium electrodes by establishing a coupling model for convective drying. The particle swarm algorithm optimized the drying parameters to minimizing drying time and energy consumption. As a result of this optimization, the optimal drying temperature and Reynolds number were found to be 104.77 °C and 3082.55, respectively. Furthermore, implementing a multi-stage drying process effectively prevents internal binder migration within the porous medium and ensures even distribution of components, thereby enhancing electrode performance. This study examines the effects of different multi-stage drying schemes on the drying time and energy consumption of porous medium electrodes based on the optimal drying parameters. The optimal multi-stage drying scheme, characterized by temperature profiles of 104.77 (0–15 s) − 90 (15–44 s) − 104.77 (>44 s) °C, was proposed to achieve both reduced drying time and low energy consumption. With this scheme, the drying process of porous medium electrodes achieved a suitable drying time of 137.50 s and a low energy consumption of 285 110.09 kJ/m3. The proposed model explores the drying process and provides valuable theoretical guidance for establishing appropriate drying parameters in the actual production of lithium-ion battery electrodes.