The gigafactories being built around the world to meet the huge demand for lithium-ion batteries in the automotive, electronics and semiconductor industries require a large number of pumps.
In battery production, chemical resistance and chemically compatible materials are required to avoid contamination of valuable raw materials. During the critical process of formulation, continuity and high repeatability are essential. Contamination-free pumps are also needed for smooth operation. The coating process plays another important role, as the pump has a direct impact on product quality by minimizing variations in coating thickness.
The Seepex BF pump is precisely tailored to these requirements; ensuring safety, cleanliness, high product quality and cost efficiency. The maintenance-friendly design reduces downtime and the total cost of ownership (TCO). The clamp connections for quick installation/removal and the removable rotating unit simplify replacement and maintenance work. With proper maintenance the robust pump has a long product life.
The Seepex BF pump can be installed quickly, has a flow rate of up to 30 m³/h and operates at a pressure of up to 12 bar. It is available in block or bare shaft design and can meet customer-specific drive requirements. A TA-Luft or ATEX certified version is also available.
"Operational safety and maximum cleanliness when using valuable dispersed raw materials were the driving forces behind the development of the BF range,” says Thomas Dufner, Battery Market Manager at Seepex. “It helps reduce total cost of ownership and improve energy efficiency in virtually all battery applications by eliminating contamination and being easy to maintain. Cleaning cycle failures and disposal of contaminated battery compounds are not only wasteful, but also very costly."
"Chemical resistance and chemically compatible materials are necessary to prevent contamination of expensive raw materials,” added Dufner. “With BF, we assure that the materials are chemically compatible. The stainless steel design and flexible titanium shaft ensure contamination-free product quality. Contamination by oil or grease is impossible. The pumps can be thoroughly cleaned with common solvents and deionized water."
Battery compounds, from lithium to electrolyte, can be added to the mixing process in precise, drop-by-drop doses. Continuity and high repeatability are critical during the formulation process. In the coating process, the pump has a direct impact on product quality by minimizing variations in coating thickness. The BF range achieves this continuity and high repeatability by using the Seepex progressive cavity pump principle with the advantage of extremely low pulsation. This ensures the highest dosing accuracy, resulting in better coating results and more accurate slurry recipes.
Seepex progressive cavity pumps, with their special design, have no spillage or leakage due to their high degree of sealability. In addition, a wide range of seals is available for different battery compounds.
Seepex, which is part of the Ingersoll Rand Group, produces its battery pumps in Shanghai, China and Bottrop, Germany in order to be able to offer large quantities with short delivery times.
