Modeling of extrusion film casting process for battery separator membranes production using variable heat transfer coefficient

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to investigate the advantages of using a variable versus constant heat transfer coefficient and its effects on the development of the temperature and crystallinity during the extrusion film casting operation under fast cooling conditions suitable for the production of advanced battery separators. For this purpose, a viscoelastic extrusion film casting model accounting for thermal effects, with newly adopted generalized heat transfer coefficient approach accounting for convection and radiation, including temperature and flow-induced crystallization was used, and the model predictions were compared with relevant experimental data. The results obtained indicate that the use of a variable HTC approach combined with flow-induced crystallization should be preferred, otherwise the model predictions do not capture the experimental data for film temperature and crystallinity. It is believed that the proposed model can bring a more detailed insight into the optimization of such manufacturing applications.