EL-CELL ECC-PAT-Core, ECC Series User Manual
© 2016 EL-CELL GmbH
User Manual
Rel ease 2.02
Electrochemical Test Cell
ECC-PAT-Core
November 2016
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User Manual ECC-PAT-Core – Release 2. 02
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EL-CELL GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to products
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL -CELL GmbH does
not assume any liability arising from the use or application of this p roduct.
EL-CELL GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: +49 40 79012-737
fax: +49 40 79012-736
e-mail: in fo @e l- ce ll.com
web: www.el-cell.com
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User Manual ECC-PAT-Core – Release 2. 02
Content
1 Product Description ............................................................................................ 4
2 Features ........................................................................................................... 6
3 Safety Precautions ............................................................................................. 6
4 Unpacking ......................................................................................................... 6
5 Cell Assembly .................................................................................................... 8
6 Different Test Cases .......................................................................................... 10
7 PAT-Core Components ....................................................................................... 11
9 Disassembly and Cleaning .................................................................................. 14
10 Consumables ................................................................................................... 14
11 Spare Parts ..................................................................................................... 15
12 Technical Support ............................................................................................ 16
13 Warranty ........................................................................................................ 17
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User Manual ECC-PAT-Core – Release 2. 02
12
12,2
12,4
12,6
12,8
13
13,2
13,4
13,6
13,8
14
0 200 400 600 800 1000
SPRING FORCE APPLIED ON CELL STACK / N
THICKNESS OF UPPER ELECTRODE / MICRONS
1 Product Description
The ECC-PAT-Core is the latest test cell of the ECC series, which allows the application
of the novel PAT-Core. The PAT-Core is comprised of three components:
1. Insulation sleeve: The polypropylene insulation sleeve with a ring -shaped
reference electrode and a separator, both pre-installed at the factory, sealed and
ready for use in the glovebox. Several other versions are available for special
purposes. The insulation sleeve is also available in the disassembled state, so that
the customer can use his own separator or reference .
2. Lower plunger: The lower plunger serves as the positive current collector.
Different gap sizes are available to match electrodes and separators with different
thicknesses. When using the proper gap size, the lower electrode ca n have a
maximum thickness of 800 µm.
3. Upper plunger: The upper plunger serves as the negative current collector. The
maximum thickness of the upper electrode is 800 µm. Note that the spring force
applied on the cell stack will depend slightly on the thickness of the upper
electrode.
4.
Spring force in relation to the thickness of the upper electrode:
Compression sp ring
FED9015
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User Manual ECC-PAT-Core – Release 2. 02
The insulation sleeve is a single -use component, which has to be disposed after use. In
contrast, the plungers are available as both single -use components (made of battery
grade copper and aluminium) and as reusable components (made of stainless steel
316 L/ 1.4404).
Ins ulation sle eve
Upp er plunger
Low er plunger
PAT -Core
ECC-PAT-Core
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User Manual ECC-PAT-Core – Release 2. 02
2 Features
The ECC-PAT-Core is a test cell to accurately characterize aprotic lithium-ion battery
materials over long periods of times. The standard PAT-Core is composed if a lithium
metal ring and a a separator (either glass fiber or a nonwoven polyester pasted with
Al2O3). Both the reference and the separator are pre-installed in a single-use insulation
sleeve. This concept has got several advantages:
Ability for conducting long-term mea surements with a reliable reference electrode
over more than one thousand hours of battery operation .
Ability for measuring half cell impedance spectra throughout the battery’s life
time.
Less mistakes that may result from corrosion or cross-contamination.
Increase of testing productivity by single -use concept.
No need for cleaning or drying cell components.
Fast assembly and dismantling lowers lead times of experiments.
Easy and reliable electrolyte filling upon assembly (defined electrolyte volume
dow n to 0.05 cm³).
Reliable leakage-proof sealing with PE-Seal and double cutting ring.
Reproducible a nd homogeneous mechanical pressure on electrodes .
High precision 18 mm diameter sa ndwich geometry with a concentricity better
than 0.1 mm (electrode and separator dimensions are compatible with other test
cells of the ECC series).
The ECC-PAT-Core is designed for use in the temperature range from -20 to +70°C.
3 Safety Precautions
Use proper safety precautions when using hazardous electrode materials and
electrolytes. Wear protective glasses and gloves to protect you against electrolyte
that may accidentally spill out during disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose all
materials properly. Metallic lithium and some insertion compounds may decompose
hea vily in contact with water and other solvents, and can cause fire.
4 Unpacking
Check the contents of the packages against the list given below to verify that you
have received all of the required components. Contact EL-CELL, if anything is missing
or damaged. NOTE: Damaged shipments must remain within the original packaging for
freight company inspection .
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