International Batteries
BY Minebea Intec
Minebea Intec solves lithium battery puzzle by providing load cells and mounting kits to BYD for lithium carbonate project
Editor’s Note: The origin story for the batteries needed in off-highway heavy electric vehicles often gets a skeptical footnote when it comes to the sustainability discussion. In November 2024, German company Minebea Intec offered a solution to one piece of the electric battery puzzle. The following press release details how the company provided advanced weighing systems for Chinese company BYD and its lithium carbonate project in Nanning.
Demand for lithium batteries has surged due to their role as key energy carriers in electric vehicles and energy storage industries. To meet the growing demand, new energy company BYD, with headquarters in China, planned to build a 30,000-ton battery-grade lithium carbonate project in Nanning, Guangxi. Minebea Intec, Hamburg, Germany, was chosen to provide weighing systems for lithium carbonate thickeners.
Precise dosing and quality control are monitored with load cells PR 6212 and mounting kits PR 6012 from Minebea Intec.
Enhancing Lithium Carbonate Production
Within the lithium carbonate production process, thickening plays a critical role in concentration enhancement, serving as a key quality control point. The weighing process allows customers to dose additives precisely, control product quality and document material usage. Minebea Intec tailored the solution based on multiple aspects and BYD precision requirements.
Four load cells PR 6212 and mounting kits PR 6012 were installed under every vessel. The collected signals were then transmitted via a junction box to the weight indicator X2, subsequently uploaded to the DCS system for automated control of the charging and discharging process.
By installing load cells, an ordinary vessel transforms into a scale. Unlike static scales, the application accuracy of vessel weighing is influenced by multiple factors. The horizontal force caused by stirring is one of the major challenges. Specifically chosen for its integrated constrainer, mounting kit PR 6012 is designed to counteract horizontal force, implementing precision and stability.
Another challenge is the fluctuating temperature. The lithium carbonate thickener vessels are located outdoors; therefore, the expansion and contraction caused by seasonal changes had to be considered. Minebea Intec load cells PR 6212 are designed to work within temperature ranges of -30°C to 95°C.
Key Facts
BYD required a weighing system for its newly built lithium carbonate thickener. Minebea Intec’s solution, featuring corrosion-resistant, high heat resistance and lift-off protection, is designed to ensure the safety and reliability of the production process while improving accuracy and efficiency. Elements include:
- Load cell PR 6212/10t C1
- Mounting kit PR 6012/31S
- Weight indicator X2
- Junction box PR 6130/64S