Compressed Air Requirements for High-Nickel Material Production

Why do high-nickel material production processes impose stringent requirements on compressed air?

The preparation of high-nickel ternary precursors and cathode materials involves multiple steps, including high-temperature sintering, spray drying, powder conveying, and coating‑based surface modification. Compressed air, serving as both a fundamental power source and a process medium in the plant, directly impacts product purity, reaction efficiency, and equipment lifespan. High‑nickel systems exhibit higher specific surface areas and enhanced chemical reactivity, making them highly sensitive to moisture, oils, and particulates; even trace impurities can give rise to crystalline defects, capacity fade, or safety hazards.

Detailed Explanation of Core Parameter Metrics

In the manufacturing process, compressed air must meet the following critical control points:

• Dew point temperature:Typically, the pressure dew point is required to be below minus 40°C; in certain drying and packaging processes, it must be reduced to below minus 60°C to completely prevent water molecules from participating in side reactions.
• Oil content:It must meet the oil-free grade standard, with total hydrocarbon content maintained at an extremely low level, to prevent hydrocarbon contamination of the electrode paste or interference with subsequent heat treatment.
• Particulate filtration efficiency:It is recommended to install a three-stage filtration system in the main pipeline, with the particle size of residual particles at the terminal end kept below 0.3 microns to prevent mechanical wear and micropore blockage.
• Pressure Stability:The pressure fluctuation should be kept within ±0.1 MPa to ensure the continuous and stable operation of the pneumatic valves, metering pumps, and pneumatic conveying system.

Key Points for System Configuration and Operations & Maintenance

To meet the aforementioned performance criteria, the workshop’s compressed air distribution network must be designed with independent zoning. At the front end, oil-free screw or centrifugal compressors are recommended, paired with a tandem process of refrigeration drying and adsorption drying. The air receiver tanks and piping layout should be configured to prevent water accumulation in low‑lying areas, and all connections must be made from stainless steel or other corrosion‑resistant materials. During routine operation and maintenance, dew point transmitters and differential pressure gauges should be calibrated at scheduled intervals, filter elements and desiccants replaced promptly, and records of pressure drop trends maintained.

Energy Efficiency and Stability Optimization Direction

As production capacity expands, the share of gas consumption costs is steadily increasing. By utilizing waste‑heat recovery systems to harness the exhaust heat from air compressors for regenerating desiccant towers or providing workshop heating, overall energy consumption can be significantly reduced. In addition, the adoption of variable‑frequency drives and an intelligent integrated control platform enables dynamic adjustment of unit load rates in response to peak gas demand, thereby minimizing no‑load losses. Regular leak detection and insulation repairs on the pipeline network further enhance gas supply reliability, providing a solid foundation for the consistency of high‑nickel materials.