Cost-saving manufacturing process for batteries
During the production of batteries electrodes in the form of an accumulator grid are made, which are coated with a special paste and then represent the actual energy source.
In addition the use of quadribasic lead sulphate offers a multitude of advantages. A special process and the appropriate raw materials are certainly needed to secure the production of the plates.
Patented production process
In conjunction with Dr Nitsche’s Engineering Office ( http://www.iee-dr-nitsche.de) Münstermann has developed a process with which quadribasic lead sulphate (patented as TBLS+) can be used for the production of pasted accumulator grid when manufacturing batteries. The curing and drying process of the plates is patented as well as the basic material. The advantages of the whole process, to mention just a few, are that the batteries have a longer life, the differences in performance during its working life are small and the production time including loading and unloading has been considerably reduced to 4 hours.
Curing process and drying
The actual curing process is carried out in two steps. In the first step the plates are laid out in pallets in a curing and drying chamber. The plates are dampened for approximately an hour with atmospheric water vapour through openings in the intermediate floors. To act as a seal between the pallet and the opening there is an inflatable sheet. Several different chemical reactions take place during the dampening process which makes all the difference to the plates. In the second step the plates are dried in the chamber for approximately an hour at 60°C (degradation of free lead) and 100°C (residual moisture < 0.5%) respectively.
Automation and material handling
Apart from the actual process engineering Münstermann is capable of delivering innovating handling systems for a complete solution. The pasted plates are placed in stacks of 140 plates automatically by robot on pallets. Each of these pallets holds 32 stacks. Groups of 6 pallets are then placed in a stacking bay rack. The loaded pallets are then moved either manually or by fork lift truck into the drying chamber, or alternatively Münstermann can also offer automated solutions for loading. Further information on our patented and innovative process is available to you on request.
