Industry
VPSA/PSA Oxygen & Gas Solutions for Lithium Battery Manufacturing
From NCM cathode sintering to electrode sheet production and battery recycling — PKU Pioneer delivers consistent, low-cost VPSA oxygen for every critical step in the new energy lithium battery value chain.
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93%+Oxygen Purity
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0.30 kWh/Nm³Energy Consumption
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100,000+ Nm³/hCapacity Range
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30+Systems Delivered
The Industry at a Glance
The global lithium-ion battery market size was estimated at USD 68.66 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 306.24 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 21.1%. Market growth is driven by increasing adoption of electric vehicles, rising deployment of renewable energy and energy storage systems, as well as growing demand for efficient, high-energy-density battery technologies. As cathode material production scales rapidly — especially for high-nickel ternary (NCM/NCA) chemistries — reliable, high-purity VPSA oxygen supply has become a critical infrastructure requirement for battery manufacturers worldwide.
Where Our Products Are Used
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1
NCM Cathode Material Sintering
VPSA oxygen is used in the calcination section of high-nickel ternary positive electrode materials, stably supplying ＞93% purity oxygen. VPSA oxygen systems can provide oxygen for the sintering process of high-nickel ternary positive electrode material, which can strongly improve the product quality and efficiency.
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2
Lithium Battery Electrode Sheet Production
VPSA and PSA oxygen production technology can be applied to the manufacturing of lithium batteries by providing oxygen gas as a protective gas for lithium electrode sheet production, which is more effective in reducing lithium loss rate compared with N₂.
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3
Laterite Nickel Ore Smelting for Battery-Grade Nickel
PKU Pioneer’s oxygen-rich combustion technology is used for smelting high-grade nickel matte from laterite nickel ore in the oxygen-rich side-blowing furnace, which has the advantages of lower costs, more flexible control of ferronickel grades, higher heat utilization rate and lower fuel requirements.
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4
Battery Recycling (Reclaimed Lead & Metals)
VPSA oxygen supports oxygen-rich side-blowing furnaces in waste lead-acid battery recycling facilities, enabling closed-loop green recycling of battery materials.
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5
DMC Production for EV Battery Electrolyte
PSA technology separates high-purity carbon monoxide (≥98.8%) from syngas for DMC (dimethyl carbonate) production, a key solvent in lithium-ion battery electrolytes.
Pain Points & Solutions
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The Challenge
High-nickel cathode sintering requires continuous, stable oxygen at >93% purity — any fluctuation compromises crystal structure and battery performance.
Our SolutionPKU Pioneer stably supplies oxygen (over 93%) for the calcination section, and its features of rapid start-up/shutdown and self-adaptive load regulation help to reduce dissipation and effectively lower production cost.
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The Challenge
Liquid oxygen procurement creates supply chain risks, volatile pricing, and logistical burdens for large-scale cathode material plants.
Our SolutionVPSA oxygen generation consumes ≤ 0.30 kWh/Nm³, breakingtransport dependence and enabling reliable, cost-effective oxygen supply.
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The Challenge
Battery electrode production using N₂ as protective gas results in excessive lithium loss, yield reduction and material costs increase.
Our SolutionVPSA oxygen as a protective gas for lithium electrode sheet production is more effective in reducing lithium loss rate compared with N₂.
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The Challenge
Scaling battery recycling requires high-volume oxygen for oxygen-rich smelting, but conventional gas supply can’t keep pace with rapid capacity expansion.
Our SolutionPKU Pioneer has built approximately 30 sets of VPSA oxygen systems for reclaimed lead, copper and other fields of solid waste and hazardous waste resource utilization, with a typical capacity from 3,000–8,000 Nm³/h.
Why Choose Us
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As a global leading manufacturer of industrial oxygen equipment, PKU Pioneer has become a distinguished partner of the lithium industry.
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In 2021, China’s leading manufacturer of new energy batteries adopted PKU Pioneer’s VPSA oxygen equipment — the first case of applying VPSA oxygen generation technology to China’s lithium-ion battery industry.
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Energy consumption of ~0.30 kWh/Nm³ — among the lowest around the world.
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Independently-developed and produced lithium-based VPSA-O₂ adsorbent PU-8 is featured by high selectivity and high working capacity of nitrogen, which is among the best around the world.
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PSA-CO separation technology successfully exported to the U.S. market for DMC production serving EV battery supply chain.
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Full-cycle service covering R&D, design, manufacturing, engineering, O&M, and equipment leasing.
Success Snapshot
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Leading New Energy Battery Manufacturer
China’s leading manufacturer of new energy batteries adopted PKU Pioneer’s VPSA oxygen production equipment to supply oxygen protective gas — the first case of applying VPSA oxygen generation technology to China’s lithium-ion battery industry. The system provides stable 93%+ purity oxygen for cathode material production and electrode manufacturing.
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Major Battery Group’s Lead-Acid Recycling Facility
PKU Pioneer built a set of VPSA oxygen equipment with a capacity of 6,500 Nm³/h for the project, which was put into operation in 2019. Oxygen produced was stably transferred to the oxygen-rich side-blown smelting furnace, significantly reducing the oxygen usage cost. The client later ordered a second 6,666 Nm³/h unit for its expanded recycling base.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
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“PKU Pioneer’s VPSA system gave us the first-ever VPSA oxygen solution for our electrode sheet production line. The reliable output and low energy cost exceeded our expectations.”
Mr. C
VP of Engineering
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“We’ve now ordered our second VPSA unit from PKU Pioneer. The Phase I system ran flawlessly for years, and the oxygen cost savings on our recycling line have been substantial.”
Mr. Y
Project Director
FAQ
Engineered Solutions Built for Performance
Typical Cases
12,500 Nm³/h VPSA Oxygen Plant for Changjiang Steel
PKU Pioneer successfully commissioned a 12,500 Nm³/h VPSA oxygen plant for Changjiang Steel, helping reduce liquid oxygen dependence and significantly lower blast furnace oxygen enrichment costs. The project was completed in just 73 days and delivers daily savings exceeding $14,285, further strengthening energy efficiency and cost competitiveness for large-scale steel production.
12,500 Nm³/h VPSA Oxygen Plant for Copper Smelting
PKU Pioneer successfully commissioned a 12,500 Nm³/h VPSA oxygen plant for Wuxin Copper, helping eliminate oxygen supply bottlenecks and improve oxygen-enriched smelting efficiency. The project significantly reduced oxygen production costs, enhanced automation capabilities, and supported the customer’s capacity expansion and green metallurgy upgrade.
Blast Furnace Oxygen Enrichment PSA Project
PKU Pioneer successfully commissioned a second-phase 14,000 Nm³/h PSA oxygen plant for Chifeng Yuanlian Iron & Steel, expanding total oxygen generation capacity to 28,000 Nm³/h. The project significantly reduced oxygen production costs, improved operational flexibility, and supported the steel mill’s energy-saving and low-carbon transformation goals.
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