Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. (brand headpowder) recently completed a high-efficiency nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying project for a leading lithium battery material manufacturer located in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province. This project focuses on the safe and reliable transportation of cathode and anode materials under a controlled nitrogen atmosphere, addressing critical requirements for explosion prevention, material purity, and energy conservation. The system integrates advanced lithium battery material nitrogen conveying technology, nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying, and explosion-proof powder conveying engineering to ensure optimal performance in the production of lithium-ion battery electrode materials.
The client, a well-established lithium-ion battery material producer in Changzhou, required a customized conveying solution for their cathode (e.g., NCM, LFP) and anode (e.g., graphite, silicon) powder materials. These materials are highly sensitive to moisture, oxygen, and contamination, and many are combustible or explosive when dispersed in air. The existing conveying methods suffered from material degradation, oxygen ingress, and high nitrogen consumption. The client specifically demanded a system capable of maintaining an inert nitrogen atmosphere throughout the entire conveying process, minimizing nitrogen waste through recycling, and meeting stringent explosion-proof standards. Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. was selected based on its proven expertise in lithium battery material nitrogen conveying and customized pneumatic conveying solutions.
The heart of this project is the nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying system, which recycles the conveying gas (nitrogen) instead of venting it to the atmosphere. Unlike traditional open-loop pneumatic conveying that consumes large volumes of nitrogen, the closed-loop design recovers, filters, cools, and re-pressurizes the nitrogen before returning it to the conveying line. This significantly reduces operating costs and ensures a consistent inert environment. The system incorporates a dedicated nitrogen purification unit to remove fine dust particles and moisture, maintaining the gas quality at less than 10 ppm oxygen and a dew point below -40°C. This technology is particularly critical for lithium battery material nitrogen conveying, where even trace oxygen or moisture can degrade the electrochemical performance of the final battery.
Given the combustible nature of many lithium battery materials (e.g., graphite, silicon, and certain cathode precursors), the entire conveying line is designed as an explosion-proof powder conveying engineering system. All components, including the rotary feeder, conveying pipeline, diverter valves, and storage hoppers, are constructed with anti-static materials and equipped with explosion venting panels, flame arrestors, and pressure monitoring devices. The system also features a nitrogen inerting control unit that automatically adjusts the nitrogen flow rate to maintain the oxygen concentration below the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) of the conveyed material. This ensures safe operation even during startup, shutdown, or abnormal conditions. The project complies with international standards such as ATEX, IECEx, and Chinese GB 50058 for explosive atmospheres.
The client’s production line required conveying both cathode and anode materials from a central feeding station to multiple blending and coating machines. The system is designed as a dilute-phase pneumatic conveying network with a total conveying distance of approximately 120 meters and a vertical lift of 15 meters. For lithium battery material nitrogen conveying, the conveying velocity is carefully controlled between 8 m/s and 15 m/s to avoid particle attrition while ensuring reliable suspension. The system handles a capacity of 3 tons per hour for cathode materials and 2 tons per hour for anode materials. Each material type has its own dedicated conveying line to prevent cross-contamination. The nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying system includes a bag filter, a heat exchanger, a nitrogen compressor, and a buffer tank. The bag filter captures fine particles down to 1 micron, and the captured dust is automatically returned to the conveying line or collected in a sealed container. The heat exchanger maintains the nitrogen temperature within a range suitable for material stability, preventing thermal degradation of temperature-sensitive materials such as NCM precursors.
Compared to conventional open-loop nitrogen conveying, the closed-loop system offers several key benefits. First, nitrogen consumption is reduced by over 90%, leading to substantial cost savings for the client. Second, the system maintains a stable, low-humidity environment that protects the hygroscopic lithium battery materials. Third, the explosion-proof design eliminates the risk of dust explosions, which is a major safety concern in the lithium battery industry. Fourth, the system is fully automated with PLC control and remote monitoring, allowing the client to integrate it into their existing MES (Manufacturing Execution System). The project also includes a real-time data logging feature that records conveying parameters such as pressure, flow rate, oxygen concentration, and nitrogen consumption, enabling traceability and optimization of production processes.
The project was executed in three phases: design and engineering, equipment fabrication, and on-site installation and commissioning. The entire process took 8 months from contract signing to final acceptance. During the commissioning phase, the system demonstrated stable operation with a conveying efficiency of 99.5% and no material degradation. The client reported a 40% reduction in nitrogen consumption compared to their previous system, and the oxygen level in the conveying lines remained consistently below 5 ppm. The explosion-proof features were tested with simulated fault conditions, and all safety systems responded correctly. The project has been in continuous operation for over six months, with zero safety incidents and minimal maintenance requirements. The client’s production team praised the user-friendly interface and the low noise level of the equipment.
Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. (headpowder) is a professional engineering company based in Shandong, China, specializing in pneumatic conveying systems for the lithium battery, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. With over 15 years of experience, the company has delivered more than 200 projects worldwide. The team’s expertise covers lithium battery material nitrogen conveying, nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying, and explosion-proof powder conveying engineering. Headpowder offers turnkey solutions including system design, equipment manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and after-sales service. The company’s engineers are adept at customizing systems to meet specific material properties, site constraints, and safety standards. For any inquiries related to your own lithium battery material handling needs, please contact Mr. Zhang, the project manager, via WeChat: 15662777102. Mr. Zhang and his team are ready to provide a free consultation and preliminary system design tailored to your requirements.
If you are interested in learning more about this nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying project or need a similar solution for your lithium battery material production, please feel free to reach out. The contact person is Mr. Zhang (Manager) at Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd., located in Shandong, China. You can contact him directly via WeChat: 15662777102. The headpowder team looks forward to assisting you with efficient, safe, and reliable powder conveying systems that meet the highest standards of the lithium battery industry. Do not hesitate to discuss your project requirements with Mr. Zhang – he will provide professional advice based on the successful case of the Changzhou lithium battery enterprise.
The successful implementation of the nitrogen circulation pneumatic conveying system for cathode and anode materials at the Changzhou lithium battery factory demonstrates the technical maturity and reliability of headpowder’s solutions. By combining lithium battery material nitrogen conveying technology with explosion-proof powder conveying engineering, the project achieved significant improvements in safety, efficiency, and cost reduction. This case serves as a reference for other battery material manufacturers seeking to upgrade their material handling processes. Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd. remains committed to innovation and quality, delivering customized pneumatic conveying systems that drive the sustainable development of the global lithium battery industry. For further information, remember to contact Mr. Zhang via WeChat: 15662777102.
Shandong Headpowder Engineering Co., Ltd.
156-6277-7102（Zhang manager） 
0531-83386006 
Jinan City, Shandong, China Province 
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