Method and battery processing device for processing used batteries, in particular rechargeable batteries

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for processing used batteries (10), in particular lithium batteries, comprising the following steps: comminuting the battery (10) to obtain a comminuted material (24); inactivating the comminuted material (24) to obtain an inactivated comminuted material (42); and filling the inactivated comminuted material (42) into a transport container (46). The invention proposes that the deactivation is achieved by drying the comminuted material (24) and condensing electrolyte components by cooling and / or increasing the pressure to form an electrolyte condensate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for processing used batteries, in particular used lithium batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, comprising the steps of (a) comminuting the batteries to obtain a comminuted product, (b) inactivating the comminuted product to obtain an inactivated comminuted product, and (c) filling the inactivated comminuted product into a transport container.

[0002] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a battery processing device for processing used batteries, in particular for processing used lithium batteries, which has (a) a comminution unit for comminuting the batteries to obtain comminuted material, (b) a deactivation device for inactivating the comminuted material, and (c) a filling device for filling the deactivated comminuted material into a transport container. Background Art

[0003] US 2005 / 0241943 A1 discloses a method for reprocessing used batteries, wherein the batteries are heated before the comminution step, thereby destroying the plastic components of the batteries. A disadvantage of this method is that the remaining components of the batteries may be contaminated by decomposition products of the plastic.

[0004] DE 10 2012 024 876 A1 discloses a system for transporting electrolytes that are hazardous to transport. The electrolyte is first pulverized in an inert gas and then sprinkled with an activation-reducing powder to prevent spontaneous combustion of the electrochemically active material. However, this has the disadvantage that the resulting material has a relatively high risk of hazard, the sprinkled powder itself carries an explosion risk, and a flammable and explosive atmosphere in the transport container cannot be eliminated.

[0005] DE 10 2011 110 083 A1 discloses a method for recovering active material from galvanic cells. The cells are first mechanically comminuted, then pre-dried and subsequently screened. Finally, the binder is decomposed in an oven. This device is well-suited for efficiently recycling large quantities of electrical components. However, for partial load operation, the system's design is relatively complex. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] The invention solves this problem by a method of the aforementioned type, wherein the deactivation is also achieved at least by drying the comminuted material. According to a second aspect, the invention solves this problem by a battery processing system, wherein the deactivation device comprises a drying device.

[0008] The advantage of the present invention is that drying can remove so much electrolyte from the comminuted material that electrochemical reactions can no longer occur, or can only proceed to a negligible degree. Furthermore, no flammable or explosive gas phase forms in the battery fragments, since carbonates, especially organic carbonates, of the electrolyte have been removed. Consequently, the comminuted material is largely inert and can be safely transported, particularly when packaged in a vacuum.

[0009] A further advantage is that no additional materials need to be added to deactivate the pulverized material. This reduces the costs of battery reprocessing, reduces the weight of the deactivated pulverized material, and increases the purity in subsequent disposal and recycling steps. A high product purity, free of foreign ions, is particularly advantageous in possible subsequent hydrometallurgical reprocessing steps.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous to obtain a comminuted material that is safe to transport. The organic carbonate content is therefore preferably so low that the formation of significant amounts of fluorophosphates is unlikely. Fluorophosphates are generally very potent neurotoxicants, and their formation must be reliably prevented. Furthermore, it is ensured that the low electrolyte content does not result in a self-reinforcing exotherm caused by electrochemical reactions.

[0011] In the context of this description, "drying" is understood in particular to mean the removal of at least one solvent for the conductive salts. The drying is carried out in particular such that dimethyl carbonate and / or ethyl methyl carbonate are removed.

[0012] A battery is understood in particular to be a lithium battery. A lithium battery is a storage battery in which lithium and / or lithium ions and / or lithium compounds participate in an electrochemical reaction.

[0013] A battery processing facility is also understood to be a battery processing facility for processing rechargeable batteries.

[0014] A transport container is also particularly understood to be a transport package. The transport package is preferably closed by vacuum welding. In particular, aluminum composite films are well suited as transport packages.

[0015] Advantageously, the drying is carried out after the battery has been comminuted. It is possible, and one embodiment of the invention is, to subject the battery in the uncomminuted state to a vacuum, thereby evaporating at least part of the electrolyte, wherein the gases generated either evaporate through a safety valve in the battery or the battery is destroyed due to the pressure difference between the external environment and the internal pressure, allowing the evaporated electrolyte to escape. However, since the electrolyte is mostly present between the tightly wound or stacked and compressed layers of electrodes and separators (or diaphragms) and in the pores of these layers, and is present in contact with the other components of the battery, this procedure can be time-consuming. Therefore, it is generally more advantageous, and one preferred embodiment of the invention is, to comminute the battery mechanically, for example by cutting, shearing, impacting, disassembling and / or squeezing. This provides a larger contact surface for the conversion of the substance into the gas phase.

[0016] The drying can be carried out, for example, by vacuum drying, contact drying, convection drying and / or irradiation drying. Advantageously, the drying is carried out while the pulverized material is stirred and / or tumbled.

[0017] The used batteries are preferably disassembled before shredding. This means that a larger battery system is disassembled into its smaller subassemblies, modules, or stacks, or even that the individual cells containing the electrochemically active materials are removed from the control electronics. The control electronics, for example, include semiconductor components and / or sensors and are used for battery charge control.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the drying is carried out in a vacuum. The vacuum is preferably selected to be sufficiently high so as to be below the vapor pressure of dimethyl carbonate at 80°C, in particular at 70°C. Advantageously, the drying is carried out at a pressure of up to 300 hPa, in particular up to 100 hPa. At such low pressures, most of the main components of the electrolyte, in particular dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate, evaporate at temperatures below 80°C. Low temperatures have the advantage of preventing the formation of hydrogen fluoride, which is potentially hazardous to battery handling equipment and the surrounding environment. Therefore, preventing the formation of hydrogen fluoride is advantageous.

[0019] Preferably, the drying is carried out at a temperature below the decomposition temperature. The decomposition temperature is to be understood as the minimum temperature at which, after the comminuted material has been kept at this temperature for one hour, at least 80% by mass of the binder has decomposed into gaseous components. The decomposition temperature can be measured by gradually increasing the temperature of the comminuted material and checking at what point the mass decreases, particularly due to gas generation due to the decomposition of the binder, and the specified criteria are met. If necessary, the test must be repeated several times, each with a new sample of the comminuted material, at each increased temperature.

[0020] Advantageously, the drying is carried out in an atmosphere having a water partial pressure of less than 50 Pa, in particular less than 10 Pa. A low water partial pressure leads to a low reactivity of the lithium compound to lithium hydroxide and thus to the generation of only a small amount of hydrogen. This prevents the formation of flammable hydrogen-oxygen mixtures and contributes to plant safety.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the oxygen partial pressure is at most 10 mbar, in particular at most 5 mbar. This significantly suppresses the reaction of oxygen with the oxidizable components of the cell. It is possible to achieve a low oxygen partial pressure during drying by using a low pressure. Alternatively or additionally, the drying can be carried out in an inert gas atmosphere.

[0022] The following method is preferred, wherein drying of the pulverized material is terminated when, after drying, no flammable or explosive mixture can be formed by the filled pulverized material, and / or when the pulverized material is dried such that no flammable or explosive mixture can be formed in the transport container or during further processing. The characteristic "drying of the pulverized material is terminated when, after drying, no flammable or explosive mixture can be formed by the filled pulverized material" is understood to mean, in particular, that in a 50-liter transport container, half of which (relative to its volume) is filled with pulverized material, no flammable mixture forms within one week at 50°C and 1013 hPa. Whether this criterion is met is determined in a preliminary test. If a flammable mixture forms, drying must be carried out for a longer period and / or at a lower pressure. The preliminary test is repeated until a drying time and / or drying pressure is determined that satisfies all three transport containers in a test set of three transport containers.

[0023] The comminuted material is preferably dried for a long time until the electrolyte content in the comminuted material is so low that an electrochemical reaction cannot proceed. In other words, the electrolyte content is less than a threshold value, wherein the threshold value is selected such that the cell voltage drops to a maximum of one-quarter when the threshold value is fallen below. The threshold value is determined, for example, by determining the cell voltage of the battery as a function of the electrolyte content. Shortly before reaching the threshold value, the cell voltage collapses, i.e., the cell voltage drops by at least 75%. If the threshold value is fallen below, the battery contains so little electrolyte that an electrochemical reaction can hardly proceed.

[0024] Preferably, the comminuted material is dried for such a long time that a quantity of 50 kg of comminuted material tightly contained in a 50-liter drum generates no or only such little heat that thermal processes, i.e., thermally initiated chain reactions, are eliminated within at least two months, and furthermore, any hydrogen generation is so little that, when a low pressure of 500 hPa is initially present, no overpressure is formed after two weeks.

[0025] Advantageously, the comminuted material is dried for such a long time that the electrolyte content of organic components volatilizing at 80° C. is at most 3% by weight, in particular at most 2% by weight, particularly preferably at most 1.5% by weight.

[0026] Preferably, the drying is carried out for such a long time that the accumulated content of organic carbonates from the electrolyte which volatilize at 80° C. in the atmosphere does not exceed 3 vol.-% with respect to the pulverized material.

[0027] In particular, the drying is carried out for such a long time that the dimethyl carbonate content does not exceed 4 vol.%, in particular 3 vol.% and / or the cyclohexylbenzene content does not exceed 1 vol.%, in particular 0.5 vol.%.

[0028] Preferably, the drying is carried out directly after comminution. This is understood to mean that a maximum of 5 minutes, in particular a maximum of 1 minute, elapses between the start of comminution of the battery and the start of drying of at least a portion of the resulting comminution. Rapid drying after comminution minimizes the amount of material that can react electrochemically and also minimizes the electrochemical reaction time of any exothermic reactions. This reduces risks to the equipment and the surrounding environment.

[0029] It is particularly advantageous to generate the vacuum with the aid of a jet pump. Jet pumps, particularly with an appropriately selected jet medium, are largely insensitive to the corrosive gases being pumped. Advantageously, the liquid jet medium has a pH value of at least 8, particularly at least 9, for example at least 12. In this case, undesirable components of the pumped gas can be decomposed or reacted into fewer harmful substances. Thus, for example, dimethyl carbonate and / or ethyl methyl carbonate can be reduced by saponification. Any hydrogen fluoride present in the jet medium can be converted into harmless salts in an acid-base reaction in an alkaline environment.

[0030] Preferably, the spray medium contains a substance that separates fluorine. For example, the spray medium may contain sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate. Salts formed during the reaction with fluorine compounds, particularly hydrogen fluoride, are preferably separated, particularly filtered or precipitated. In this manner, the release of hydrogen fluoride or other toxic fluorine-containing compounds into the surrounding environment is at least largely prevented.

[0031] Preferably, the drying is carried out at a temperature of at most 80° C. In this case, virtually no hydrogen fluoride is produced. This increases the service life of the battery processing equipment and reduces environmental damage.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the method includes a step of condensing the components of the electrolyte by cooling and / or increasing the pressure, thereby forming an electrolyte condensate. For example, the condensation is carried out at a location that is located between the dryer and the vacuum pump with respect to the gas flow. Therefore, in the described case, the gas from the dryer must first pass through the condenser before it can reach the vacuum pump. This results in the gaseous electrolyte present in the gas formed during drying being at least mostly separated in the condenser before the remaining gas reaches the pump. As a result, the electrolyte can be recycled. In addition, the gas flow through the vacuum pump is reduced, which extends the service life of the vacuum pump and reduces the energy consumption of the vacuum pump.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the method alternatively comprises a step of purifying the gas by adsorbing volatile organic components by means of an activated carbon filter before or after the compressor unit.

[0034] Preferably, the method according to the invention alternatively or additionally comprises a step of purifying the gases generated during drying before they reach the vacuum pump. This can also be done, for example, by passing the gases through an activated carbon filter and / or a filter containing substances reactive with hydrogen fluoride, such as calcium salts, such as calcium carbonate, or potassium salts, such as potassium carbonate.

[0035] The method according to the invention preferably includes a drying step at the following drying temperature and for the following drying duration, wherein the drying temperature and the drying duration are selected so as to at least substantially decompose the binder that binds the active material of the lithium battery to the carrier. Advantageously, this drying step, which can also be referred to as high-temperature drying, is carried out spatially separately from the aforementioned first drying step. This latter drying step can also be referred to as low-temperature drying.

[0036] Preferably, the high-temperature drying process, which decomposes the compound, is carried out so that the decomposition gases produced do not mix with the gases produced during the low-temperature drying process. It is possible that the high-temperature drying process and the low-temperature drying process are carried out at different pressures. For example, the high-temperature drying process can be carried out at normal pressure.

[0037] Active materials are understood to be substances that react electrochemically during battery operation. A carrier for the active material is understood to be, in particular, a carrier film, onto which the active material is applied in the form of particles. For example, the carrier film is a film composed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A binder is a substance that bonds the active material to the carrier and may, for example, contain polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0038] Advantageously, liquid nitrogen is added during the comminution of the batteries, which cools the batteries, the comminution machine, and the comminution material, and also removes oxygen and hydrogen from the atmosphere.

[0039] Advantageously, the comminution is carried out at a water vapor partial pressure of at most 20 Pa and / or an oxygen partial pressure of at most 40 hPa, in particular at most 15 hPa.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the method includes the following steps: removing the comminuted material from the transport container; removing the hard fraction and / or separating the active material from the carrier, in particular by a second comminution stage or by an air-jet screen, thereby forming an active material component and a carrier component; and packaging the active material component and the carrier component separately into corresponding transport containers. Advantageously, the transport container is designed to be airtight. Removing the active material component and the carrier component generally allows for transport without a permit. A further advantage is that the components removed in this manner pose only a minimal risk.

[0041] The removal of the comminuted material from the transport container is preferably carried out in a vacuum and / or under protective gas.

[0042] It is possible, but not necessary, to fill the comminuted material into the transport container under vacuum. Advantageously, the transport container is a vacuum container, in particular an evacuated vacuum container, so that after closing, a negative pressure or vacuum exists in the transport container. Alternatively, the transport container can be filled with an inert gas.

[0043] In a preferred battery processing system, the removal unit and the drying device are arranged in a common standard container. This has the advantage that the battery processing system can be transported particularly easily.

[0044] The drying device is configured to dry the comminuted material for a period of time until the electrolyte content is so low that the electrochemical reaction cannot proceed. If the drying device is operated in batch mode, which describes one possible embodiment, the drying is performed, for example, within a predetermined time period. Alternatively or additionally, the content of organic matter, such as organic carbonates, in the atmosphere in the drying device is continuously measured, and the drying is terminated only when the concentration falls below a predetermined concentration threshold.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the battery processing system, in particular the vacuum device, includes a condenser, which is configured to condense organic components of the atmosphere in the dryer, in particular organic carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, and / or ethylene carbonate. The condenser is preferably arranged upstream of a vacuum pump in the direction of flow, with the aid of which the dryer is evacuated. Advantageously, the condenser is cooled to a temperature of at most 90°C, preferably at most 80°C, and in particular at most 70°C. To keep cooling costs low, the condenser is cooled to a temperature of at least -10°C, in particular at least 10°C, whenever it is cooled.

[0046] Advantageously, the drying device has a stirring tool, such as an armature stirrer or a stick stirrer, the stirring rod of which can be arranged transversely to the stirring shaft. Alternatively or additionally, the stirring tool is an external stirring tool that moves the dryer as a whole.

[0047] The battery processing facility preferably includes a vacuum device connected to the drying device to generate a vacuum in the drying device. It is particularly advantageous if the vacuum device is also housed in the standard container. The standard container is preferably a container according to ISO Standard 668, preferably a 40-foot container or a 20-foot container.

[0048] The vacuum device comprises, for example, a jet pump in which a jet medium is used to generate a negative pressure.

[0049] The battery processing apparatus preferably includes: a hard metal removal device and / or a light component removal device; a separation device, in particular a classification device, for separating the active material from the carrier, in particular by a second comminution stage and / or by an air-jet screen, thereby forming an active material component and a carrier component; and a second filling device for separately filling the active material component and the carrier component. Advantageously, the filling device is configured for filling under negative pressure and / or in an inert gas atmosphere.

[0050] A hard metal removal device is understood to be, in particular, a device for removing fragments of peripheral components of the working system, battery cell housings, and electrical contacts. For example, the hard metal removal device comprises a magnetic separation device and / or a filter, in particular a cross-flow filter and / or a sawtooth filter. A separation device is understood to be, in particular, a device for removing separator membranes or diaphragms.

[0051] The light fraction removal device preferably comprises a sawtooth screen and / or an air separator, wherein the air is advantageously guided in a circulation loop. This reduces the exposure of health-damaging dust to the surrounding environment.

[0052] Preferably, the second filling device and the separating device are arranged in a common standard container, for example in the aforementioned first standard container or second standard container. Advantageously, the container is enclosed in a dust-tight manner.

[0053] Preferably, the battery treatment system comprises a lock, such as a perforated wheel lock, between the comminution unit and the deactivation device, in particular the drying device, by which oxygen is prevented from entering the deactivation device, in particular the drying device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 A flow chart showing a method according to the present invention is shown,

[0056] Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a battery processing apparatus according to the present invention, and

[0057] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of a further, optional component of the battery processing device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figure 1 A flow chart of the method according to the invention is shown. First, batteries 10.1, 10.2, ..., in particular a battery system consisting of a plurality of battery modules or battery stacks, which in turn consist of a plurality of individual cells, are discharged in a discharge unit 12. If necessary, the battery 10 is then disassembled at a disassembly station 14, since the battery system cannot otherwise be transported to a shredding unit due to its geometry or weight. For this purpose, the battery system is opened and disassembled to such an extent that the modules / stacks can be removed individually. If necessary, the individual cells can also be separated from the electronic control unit. The resulting subunits (modules / stacks) and / or individual cells 16.1, 16.2, ... are conveyed to a shredding unit 18, which may comprise, for example, a rotary shear having a rotor and a stator or multiple rotors, or a cutting mill having a rotor and multiple rotors.

[0059] The comminution unit 18 comminutes the battery 10 in a protective gas 20, which is drawn from a protective gas bottle, for example. Alternatively or additionally, liquid nitrogen can be ejected from a liquid nitrogen source 19. The protective gas can be, for example, nitrogen, an inert gas, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, or another, preferably non-toxic, gas.

[0060] During the comminution, a comminuted material 24 is formed which is fed to a deactivation device in the form of a drying device 26. Arranged between the comminution unit 18 and the drying device 26 is a lock 28 which is so airtight that the pressure device 26 is separated from the comminution unit 18 in an approximately airtight manner.

[0061] The drying device 26 is connected to a vacuum device 29 which has a vacuum pump 30 and generates a vacuum. The pressure p 26 , p 26 ≈100 hPa, preferably 50 hPa. It should be noted that within the scope of this description, a vacuum pump is generally understood to mean a device that generates a vacuum. It is possible and preferred, but not necessary, for the vacuum pump to simultaneously function as a compressor, thereby delivering gas at a pressure greater than the ambient pressure.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In the case described, the vacuum pump is a compressor that draws in and compresses the gas present in the drying device 26. Alternatively or additionally, the vacuum device 29 can have a jet pump, wherein a jet medium in liquid form is guided at high speed through a Venturi nozzle. The jet medium is alkaline and has a pH value of at least pH 13 and is, for example, a 10% potassium hydroxide solution.

[0063] The vacuum device 29 comprises a gas purification device 32, which is arranged between the drying device 26 and the vacuum pump 30 and in this case comprises a condenser 34 and / or an activated carbon filter 36. The condenser is operated at a temperature of -10°C so that dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate can be condensed and discharged into a condensate container 38. In addition, any water present is condensed. The control valve 40 is designed to be operated when the pressure p 26 becomes too large and is opened, and when the pressure p 26 It is shut down when it becomes too small, that is, below a predetermined threshold.

[0064] Preferably, the dried material is moved during drying. This can be done, for example, by stirring with a stirring tool 41, such as an armature stirrer or a stick stirrer having a stick arranged perpendicular to the stirring axis. Alternatively, it can be done by a moving drying container.

[0065] The comminuted material is dried to form an inactivated comminuted material 42, which is then conveyed to a filling device 44. There, the inactivated comminuted material 42 is filled into a transport container 46 under vacuum and / or protective gas. The transport container 46 is preferably airtight. It is possible, but not necessary, to fill the transport container 46 with inert gas before transport, thereby placing it under normal pressure. Alternatively, it is also possible to seal the transport container under vacuum and transport it. A vacuum-weldable film, such as an aluminum composite film, may be used instead of the transport container.

[0066] The protective gas 20 is supplied from the vacuum pump 30 to the comminution unit 18 via a purge line 48. If the vacuum pump 30 also operates as a compressor, as in the case of a preferred embodiment, the protective gas can be sucked into a compressed gas cylinder 50. Alternatively or additionally, the protective gas 20 can be discharged to the surroundings, if necessary after additional purification.

[0067] Figure 2 The cross-section of a battery processing device 52 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The battery processing device has a standard container 54 in which a shredding unit 18, a drying device 26, and a filling device 44 are arranged. An airtight first conveying device 56 is arranged behind the shredding unit 18. The first conveying device 56 comprises, for example, a screw conveyor or a tube chain conveyor. The first conveying device 56 conveys the shredded material 24 to the drying device 26, which is connected to the shredding unit 18. Figure 2 The second conveying device 58 is connected to a vacuum generating device (not visible in the figure). The second conveying device 58 is arranged after the drying device 26 in the logistics direction. The second conveying device is also preferably constructed to be airtight and may include a screw conveyor or a tube chain conveyor. The second conveying device conveys the inactivated comminuted material 42 to the filling device 44.

[0068] Figure 3 An optional unit of the battery processing plant 52 according to the invention, present in this embodiment, is shown, comprising a disintegration grinder 60 and a sieve 62. The disintegration grinder 60 includes a transport container emptying device 64, by means of which the deactivated disintegrated material 42 can be removed from the transport container 46. The disintegration grinder 60 produces disintegrated material 66, which is conveyed to the sieve 62. The sieve can be, for example, a sawtooth sieve.

[0069] Preferably, the battery processing device 52 includes a pulverizer, which is preferably located upstream of the sorting device 74 in the logistics and comprises fast-moving pulverizing tools, wherein the rotor peripheral speed is greater than 1 m / s, preferably greater than 10 m / s. The pulverizer comminutes the pulverized material and applies a mechanical load to the pulverized material, so that the electrochemically active layer is at least partially detached from the support. The presence of the pulverizer is a generally preferred feature of the battery processing device according to the present invention.

[0070] In the screen, a light fraction consisting of membrane and fine coating material and a heavy fraction consisting of carrier film (aluminum and copper) and larger, easily adhered coating material are formed. These two fractions are fed separately to sieves for further separation into coating and membrane or coating and metal film. The resulting fractions are then processed separately.

[0071] Decomposed material 66 is conveyed to screen 62 by means of a third conveyor 68. A fourth conveyor 70 conveys the screened material 72, particularly the light fraction (which has left screen 62), to a sorting device 74. Sorting device 74 preferably includes an air-jet screen, which also serves as a separation device for separating the active material from the carrier. This separation results in an active material fraction 76, which is then filled into a transport container 78.

[0072] Furthermore, a carrier component 80 is formed, which in the present embodiment is conveyed via a fifth conveying device 82 to a filling unit 84, which fills a container 86 with the carrier component 80. The filling unit 84, together with a second filling unit 88, is part of a second filling device.

[0073] Reference Signs List

[0074] 10 Batteries

[0075] 12 discharge units

[0076] 14 Disassembly Station

[0077] 16 single cells

[0078] 18 crushing units

[0079] 19 Liquid nitrogen source

[0080] 20 Shielding gas

[0081] 22 shielding gas cylinders

[0082] 24 crushed material

[0083] 26 Drying device

[0084] 28 gates

[0085] 29 Vacuum device

[0086] 30 Vacuum pump

[0087] 31 Gas

[0088] 32 Gas purification device

[0089] 34 Condenser

[0090] 36 Activated carbon filter

[0091] 38 Condensate container

[0092] 40 Control valve

[0093] 41 Stirring tools

[0094] 42 Inactivated Crushed Material

[0095] 44 Filling device

[0096] 46 transport containers

[0097] 48 Flushing pipeline

[0098] 50 pressurized gas cylinders

[0099] 52 Battery processing equipment

[0100] 54 standard containers

[0101] 56 first conveying device

[0102] 58 Second conveying device

[0103] 60 Decomposition Crusher

[0104] 62 filters

[0105] 64 Transport container emptying device

[0106] 66 Decomposition Materials

[0107] 68 Third conveying device

[0108] 70 Fourth conveying device

[0109] 72 Screened Materials

[0110] 74 Classification Device

[0111] 76 Active material components

[0112] 78 transport container

[0113] 80 carrier components

[0114] 82 Fifth conveying device

[0115] 84 filling units

[0116] 86 Container

[0117] 88 Second filling unit

[0118] P pressure.

Claims

1. A method for processing used batteries (10), comprising the following steps: (a) crushing the battery (10) to obtain a crushed product (24), (b) inactivating the pulverized material (24) to obtain an inactivated pulverized material (42), and (c) filling the inactivated pulverized material (42) into a transport container (46), in, (d) the deactivation is achieved by drying the comminuted material (24), the drying being carried out at a temperature of not more than 80° C. and a pressure of not more than 300 hPa, (e) condensing the components of the electrolyte contained in the gas generated during drying by cooling and / or increasing the pressure to form an electrolyte condensate, (f) the inactivation is performed in batch mode, and (g) No additional materials are added for the deactivation of the pulverized product (24).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The pulverized material (24) is dried for such a long time that the electrolyte content is so low that the electrochemical reaction cannot proceed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The condensation takes place in a condenser which is arranged upstream of a vacuum pump of a vacuum device, with the aid of which the dryer is evacuated.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The drying is carried out in such a way that the formation of hydrogen fluoride is prevented.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The following steps: (h) taking out the crushed material (24) from the transport container (46), (i) removing the hard portion and / or separating the active material from the support to form an active material component (76) and a support component (80), and (j) Separately packaging the active material component (76) and the carrier component (80) into a delivery container (78).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The drying of the comminuted material is only terminated when, after drying, no flammable or explosive gas mixture can be formed by the filled comminuted material any more and / or when the comminuted material is dried such that no flammable or explosive gas mixture can be generated in the transport container or during further processing.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The battery is a lithium battery.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The active material is separated from the support by means of an air-jet screen or by means of a second comminution stage.

9. A battery processing device for processing used batteries, comprising: (a) a pulverizing unit (18) for pulverizing the battery (10) to obtain a pulverized product (24), (b) a deactivation device (26) for deactivating the pulverized material (24), and (c) a filling device (44) for filling the inactivated pulverized material (42) into a transport container (46), It is characterized in that (d) the deactivation device comprises a drying device (26), the drying being carried out at a temperature of not more than 80° C. and a pressure of not more than 300 hPa, (e) the battery processing equipment has a vacuum device and a condenser, the vacuum device is connected to the drying device (26) to generate a vacuum in the drying device (26), and the condenser is configured to condense components of the electrolyte contained in the gas generated during drying, (f) the deactivation device is configured to operate in batch mode, and (g) The deactivation device is configured so that no additional material is added for the deactivation of the pulverized material (24).

10. The battery processing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that The condenser is arranged in front of a vacuum pump of a vacuum device in the direction of material flow, and the dryer is evacuated by means of the vacuum pump.

11. The battery processing equipment according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The condenser is cooled to a temperature of maximum 90°C.

12. The battery processing equipment according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: A gas purification device (32) is provided, which is arranged between the drying device (26) and the vacuum pump (30).

13. The battery processing equipment according to claim 12, characterized in that - the vacuum device (29) comprises a jet pump with a jet medium, - the spray medium is guided in a circulation loop, and The spraying medium contains a substance that reacts with hydrogen fluoride.

14. The battery processing equipment according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: Set up - a hard metal removal device and / or a light component removal device, - a separation device for separating the active material from the carrier, thereby forming an active material component (76) and a carrier component, and - a second filling device (44) for separately filling the active material component (76) and the carrier component (80).

15. The battery processing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that The battery processing device is configured to process used lithium batteries.

16. The battery processing equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that The separation device is a sorting device (74).

17. The battery processing equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that The active material is separated from the carrier by means of an air-jet screen and / or by means of a second comminution stage.

18. The battery processing equipment according to claim 14, characterized in that The carrier components are aluminum film and copper film.

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