Lithium battery technology is changing dramatically. New materials and chemistries are tested every day to try to reduce costs and meet the growing demand.  It is critical that advanced engineering, battery innovation, and high performance battery production take place in specially designed ultra-low humidity dry rooms.  Research with high energy battery chemistries involving lithium-ion, lithium iron phosphate, graphene, and solid state must be contained in stable environments with less than 1 percent humidity due to chemical sensitivity to moisture.    

A reaction with lithium and water is exothermic (generates heat) and forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.  The heat from the reaction can ultimately lead to burning and potential explosion.  In addition to the important safety considerations, minimizing moisture content with ultra-low dew point air supply is necessary to achieve high levels of product yield, quality control, energy efficiency, cycle life and storage capacity.  Since flammable solvents are often also used in these dry rooms, an exhaust system is important for the removal of solvent vapors. 

Each dry room application is unique.  With the advent of consumer electronics, electric vehicles, solar power, and grid storage applications, there is a significant variety of battery production processes.  In addition to the chemistry variations, many other factors are considered when determining the dehumidification capacity needed for a dry room.  The dehumidification system must be custom designed with enough drying capacity to be able to maintain the dry room at the specified condition.  Most battery manufacturers require that a room’s humidity/average moisture level be maintained as low as -40°C dew point (0.5% Relative Humidity at 72°F) and sometimes even lower.

Dehumidification Design Factors

• Dry room size

• Type of chemistry and process

• Moisture infiltration

• Personnel activity in the dry room

• Airlocks for material and personnel movement

Munters desiccant dehumidification systems for battery manufacturers are specifically designed to meet the specific needs and requirements for precise and low dew point control, while at the same time consuming less energy.  Munters is the market leader in the battery industry, having provided energy-efficient dehumidification systems and turnkey low humidity lithium battery dry rooms for over 40 years. 

Munters Patented Green PowerPurge™ 

The simple yet genius principle of our desiccant wheel was invented more than 60 years ago by Carl Munters.  Two air systems pass simultaneously through the slowly rotating rotor, impregnated with a highly effective desiccant.  One airstream is dehumidified to provide the necessary dry air, the other dries the rotor, exhausting the accumulated moisture externally.

Munters Low Dew Point Units are designed with innovative energy recovery to minimize operating costs for the customer.

Battery Applications 

• Consumer Electronics (Mobile Phones, Tablet PCs, Digital Cameras, Laptops)
• Hybrid Vehicles / Electric Vehicles (EV)
• Electric Grid Storage (ESS)
• UPS for Data Centers
• Forklifts
• Telecom
• Medical Devices
• Power Tools
• Electric Bikes, Wheel Chairs
• Battery Characterization Laboratory (R&D)

Benefits: 

• Easily achieves – 70°F (-57°C) supply dew point

• Consistently maintain conditions even with seasonal ambient conditions

• Energy optimization for cooling and reactivation heat

• Annual energy savings are 25-45% versus conventional systems

• Qualifies for LEED building certification