Electrolyte filling process parameter study for a hard case prismatic lithium-ion battery : Understand the influence of vacuum pressure curve on the filling cycle to device a method to optimise the cycle time.

Abstract: Lithium ion Batteries (LIB) as electrochemical energy storage systems are key alternatives to fossil fuels and enable the storage of energy from alternate renewable resources due to low weight, High energy density and long lifetime. Batteries have become a dominant consumer electronics in the past two decades[1]. The goal of higher energy density promotes the trend towards larger size and format and thicker electrode. With increase in cell sizes particular production process becomes challenging. Electrolyte filling is amongst one such process and is also important process during battery manufacturing. Filling process is crucial to attain reliable operation and high capacity and also influences the electrochemical performance , lifecycle and safety of the cells[2]. Understanding the process would help in reducing cycle time and manufacturing cost. However, it is hard to have a visualisation of the process. The thesis is aimed at understanding the process parameters that influence the filling cycle time of a prismatic hard case battery by performing non destructive experimental method.  The result from the experiments performed provided an understanding and road map to improve the process in the future. The outcome did not have provide an improvement in the current setup but has provided an understanding on a better process flow that results in reduced process time.