Scrapped battery physical decomposition and material automatic classification system and method

Abstract

A physical decomposition and material automatic classification system and method for scrapped batteries. The nitrogen filling crusher is connected to the rotary kiln furnace, the rotary kiln furnace is connected to the cooling device, the cooling device is connected to the vibrating screen, the vibrating screen is connected to the hammer milling and fine crushing device, the hammer milling and fine crushing device is connected to the cyclone grinder, the cyclone grinder is connected to the copper-aluminum separator. The metal materials separated by the copper-aluminum separator respectively enter two metal recovery bins for recovery. The black powder particle discharge port after the vibrating screen is sieved is connected to the buffer tank, and the buffer tank is connected to the black powder recovery bin; the connections between the devices are sealed connections. Through this system, the recovered lithium salt semi-finished product has high purity. The transportation and processing of semi-finished products and finished products during the whole process are carried out in a closed and slightly negative pressure environment, without dust leakage or powder leakage. There is a low-temperature cracking process, which can efficiently remove graphite, separator paper, organic solvents and electrolytes, and can obtain high-purity lithium salts, aluminum metals and copper metals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lithium battery decomposition and recycling, and particularly to a physical decomposition and material automatic classification system and method for scrapped batteries. Background Art

[0002] As the main carrier of new energy, ternary lithium batteries are composed of copper-aluminum foils, nickel, cobalt, lithium manganate salts (hereinafter referred to as lithium salts), graphite, electrolytes, separator papers, etc. During the charge and discharge process, the properties of copper-aluminum foils and separator papers do not change qualitatively, only the activity of lithium salts decreases. Therefore, after separating and extracting the lithium salt powder in the scrapped ternary lithium battery and purifying it, new batteries can be made again, thus achieving the purpose of recycling.

[0003] In fact, because the internal structure of the lithium battery is physical (lithium salt powder is adhered to the surface of the aluminum foil through an organic binder, and graphite is adhered to the surface of the copper foil and then wound with separator papers in layers). The traditional physical decomposition process is chopping, hammer milling and screening, which can achieve a separation purity of about 90%. However, the obtained materials will be mixed with impurities such as graphite powder, separator paper, organic solvents, and electrolytes, increasing the difficulty and cost of the next purification step. The finished product contains residues of electrolytes and organic solvents, causing considerable damage to the physical health of workers, the handling of semi-finished materials, and the environment.

[0004] Chinese Patent Document CN113405367A discloses a lithium battery recycling powder reduction device and a method for reducing ternary lithium battery recycling powder, which uses a rotary kiln to crack the battery, thereby cracking separator paper, organic solvents, electrolytes, etc., but it cannot separate various recycled substances. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: to solve the problems existing in the above background art, and provide a physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries. Through this system, the purity of the recycled lithium salt semi-finished product is high, and the transportation and processing of semi-finished products and finished products are carried out in a closed and slightly negative pressure environment during the whole process, without dust leakage or powder leakage. It is equipped with a low-temperature cracking process, which can efficiently remove graphite, separator paper, organic solvents, and electrolytes, and can obtain high-purity lithium salts, aluminum metals, and copper metals.

[0006] Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: to provide a method for physically decomposing batteries using a physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries, and through this method, high-purity lithium salts, aluminum metals, and copper metals are classified and recycled.

[0007] To achieve the above technical features, the object of the present invention is achieved as follows: A physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for waste batteries, comprising a nitrogen-filled crusher, a rotary kiln furnace, a cooling device, a vibrating screen, a hammer milling and fine crushing device, a cyclone grinder, a copper-aluminum separator, a buffer tank, and multiple recovery bins. The lower discharge port of the nitrogen-filled crusher is connected to the feed port of the rotary kiln furnace, the discharge port of the rotary kiln furnace is connected to the feed port of the cooling device, the discharge port of the cooling device is connected to the feed port of the vibrating screen, the discharge port of the vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the hammer milling and fine crushing device, the discharge port of the hammer milling and fine crushing device is connected to the feed port of the cyclone grinder, the discharge port of the cyclone grinder is connected to the feed port of the copper-aluminum separator. The metal materials separated by the copper-aluminum separator enter two metal recovery bins for recovery respectively. The black powder particle discharge port of the vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the buffer tank, and the discharge port of the buffer tank is connected to the black powder recovery bin; the connections between the devices are sealed connections.

[0008] An input hopper is installed at the upper feed port of the nitrogen-filled crusher. Automatic gates are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the input hopper. A nitrogen filling port is provided on one side of the nitrogen-filled crusher. Nitrogen enters the interior of the nitrogen-filled crusher through the nitrogen filling port. A burst discharge pipe is provided on the other side of the nitrogen-filled crusher. One end of the burst discharge pipe is communicated with the nitrogen-filled crusher, and the other end leads into a water tank to form a water seal.

[0009] The rotary kiln furnace is in an inclined state, making the feed port of the rotary kiln furnace higher than the discharge port; the furnace body of the rotary kiln furnace is communicated with a tail gas treatment system.

[0010] The cooling device includes a water tank and a screw conveyor installed in the water tank. The water tank is located in the middle of the screw conveyor. The feed port of the screw conveyor is connected to the discharge port of the rotary kiln furnace, and the discharge port of the screw conveyor is connected to the feed port of the vibrating screen.

[0011] The vibrating screen includes a first vibrating screen, a second vibrating screen, and a third vibrating screen. The hammer milling and fine crushing device includes a first hammer milling and fine crushing device and a second hammer milling and fine crushing device. The feed port of the first vibrating screen is connected to the discharge port of the cooling device. The discharge port of the first vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device. The discharge port of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device is connected to the feed port of the second vibrating screen. The discharge port of the second vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device. The discharge port of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device is connected to the feed port of the third vibrating screen. The discharge port of the third vibrating screen is connected to the cyclone grinder; the black powder particle discharge ports of each vibrating screen are connected to the feed port of the buffer tank, and the discharge port of the buffer tank is communicated with the black powder recovery bin through a black powder recovery pipeline.

[0012] A screw elevator is provided for transitional conveyance between the cooling device and the first vibrating screen, and a first belt elevator is provided between the first vibrating screen and the first hammer milling and fine crushing device. The lower feed inlet of the first belt elevator is connected to the discharge outlet of the first vibrating screen, and the discharge outlet is connected to the feed inlet of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device. The second vibrating screen is located below the first hammer milling and fine crushing device. The feed inlet of the second vibrating screen is connected to the discharge outlet below the first hammer milling and fine crushing device, and the discharge outlet is connected to the lower feed inlet of the second belt elevator. The discharge outlet of the second belt elevator is connected to the feed inlet of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device. The third vibrating screen is located below the second hammer milling and fine crushing device. The feed inlet of the third vibrating screen is connected to the discharge outlet below the second hammer milling and fine crushing device.

[0013] After sorting by the copper-aluminum separator, the copper powder and aluminum powder are respectively conveyed to the copper powder recovery bin and the aluminum powder recovery bin through the first conveyance and the second conveyance.

[0014] It further includes a first dust recovery system, which includes a first bag filter recovery system, a first cyclone discharging device and a second cyclone discharging device. The first cyclone discharging device is located above the copper-aluminum separator. The air inlet of the first cyclone discharging device is communicated with the discharge outlet of the cyclone grinder through a pipeline, and the air outlet is communicated with the first bag filter recovery system through a pipeline. The outlet at the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device is connected to the feed inlet at the upper end of the copper-aluminum separator. The air inlet of the second cyclone discharging device is communicated with the top of the copper-aluminum separator through a pipeline, and the air outlet is communicated with the first bag filter recovery system through a pipeline. A fourth vibrating screen is provided at the bottom of the second cyclone discharging device.

[0015] It further includes a second dust recovery system, which includes a second bag filter recovery system and a third cyclone discharging device. The air inlet of the third cyclone discharging device is respectively connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator and the second belt elevator through a suction pipeline for absorbing dust during operation. The air outlet of the third cyclone discharging device is communicated with the second bag filter recovery system through a return air pipeline. The third cyclone discharging device is located above the second belt elevator, and the discharge outlet at the lower end of the third cyclone discharging device is connected to the second belt elevator.

[0016] A method for physical decomposition of waste batteries and automatic classification of materials adopts the waste battery physical decomposition and material automatic classification system, and the steps are as follows:

[0017] S1. Put the waste battery into a nitrogen-filled crusher to crush the raw battery into crushed particles of 10 - 15 mm in size. Among them, when putting the battery into the nitrogen-filled crusher, first open the automatic gate above the feeding bin. After the battery enters the feeding bin, close the automatic gate above the feeding bin, and then open the automatic gate below the feeding bin. The battery enters the nitrogen-filled crusher, and the automatic gate below the feeding bin is closed.

[0018] S2. After being crushed by a nitrogen-filled crusher, the battery particles are sent into a rotary kiln furnace. Nitrogen is filled in the rotary kiln furnace, and the materials in the kiln are heated to 350 - 400 °C in sections. The battery particles are pyrolyzed at low temperature in the rotary kiln furnace for 20 - 40 minutes. At this time, the electrolyte volatilizes, the organic binder decomposes, the separator paper gasifies, and the graphite forms carbon monoxide. The mixed gas is treated by a tail gas treatment system;

[0019] S3. After passing through the rotary kiln furnace, the battery particles enter a cooling device to cool the particulate material to 80 - 120 °C;

[0020] S4. The cooled particulate material passes through a first vibrating screen. The lithium salt powder enters a buffer tank through the black powder particle discharge port. The larger particulate material enters a first hammer mill fine crusher from the discharge port of the first vibrating screen for further crushing;

[0021] S5. The first hammer mill fine crusher hammers the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a diameter of 5 - 8 mm. At this time, the lithium salt powder on the surface of the spherical particles falls off. The lithium salt powder is further screened by a second vibrating screen located below the first hammer mill fine crusher. The screened lithium salt powder enters the buffer tank through the black powder particle discharge port. The larger particulate material enters a second hammer mill fine crusher from the discharge port of the second vibrating screen for further crushing;

[0022] S6. The second hammer mill fine crusher continues to hammer and refine the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a diameter of 2 - 4 mm. Each hammer mill fine crushing is equivalent to unfolding the incoming spherical particles and then dispersing them into finer spherical particles, releasing the lithium salt powder wrapped inside. The lithium salt powder also enters the buffer tank through the third vibrating screen at the bottom. The aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles enter a cyclone mill;

[0023] S7. The cyclone mill receives 2 - 4 mm metal particles and grinds them into fine particles that can pass through an 80-mesh sieve. Then the fine particles are sucked into a first cyclone discharging device and enter a copper-aluminum separator from the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device. Among them, the remaining lithium salt powder is drawn away and discharged onto a fourth vibrating screen through a cyclone discharger;

[0024] S8. The upper layer of the copper-aluminum separator is equipped with an 80-mesh sieve. The incoming large particles that cannot pass through the sieve will be returned to the cyclone mill through a screw until the particle size can pass through the upper sieve. The sorted copper powder and aluminum powder are respectively transported to a copper powder recovery bin and an aluminum powder recovery bin through a first screw conveyor and a second screw conveyor;

[0025] S9. Centralized collection of lithium salt powder: Each vibrating screen will sieve out fine lithium salt powder and send it into the buffer tank on its side. Each buffer tank is connected to the main pipeline of centralized dust collection. The black powder recovery bin is located at the tail of the whole line. The black powder recovery bin extracts the lithium salt powder in the buffer tank and finally unloads it into the centralized feeding box. Among them, the automatic gate valves at the bottom of each buffer tank are opened sequentially in a single cycle.

[0026] S10. Negative pressure dust suction is carried out during the production process. Among them, the first cloth bag recovery system provides induced air for the first cyclone discharging device and the second cyclone discharging device. The powder is unloaded through the discharging device. The fine lithium salt powder during transportation is sucked back by the fan and adheres to the cloth bags of the first cloth bag recovery system. There is a screw conveyor at the bottom of the first cloth bag recovery system. The high-pressure pulse valves of the cloth bags will be opened regularly to blow off the lithium salt powder adhered to the cloth bags and send it out through the screw conveyor at the bottom to the buffer tank, and then the black powder recovery bin centrally collects the lithium salt powder. The second dust recovery system is respectively connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator and the second belt elevator, providing a micro negative pressure for the equipment cavity to prevent the leakage of dust. Larger particles enter the second belt elevator through the third cyclone discharging device and then enter the second hammer mill for further crushing.

[0027] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] 1. The connections between the devices of the waste battery physical decomposition and material automatic classification system are sealed connections, making the whole system filled with nitrogen inside, ensuring the safety of the system. Through this system, the recovered lithium salt semi-finished products have high purity. The transportation and processing of semi-finished products and finished products during the whole process are carried out in a closed micro negative pressure environment, without dust and powder leakage. There is a low-temperature cracking process, which can efficiently remove graphite, separator paper, organic solvents and electrolytes, and can obtain high-purity lithium salt, aluminum metal and copper metal.

[0029] 2. A feeding bin is installed at the upper feeding port of the nitrogen-filled crusher. Automatic gates are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the feeding bin. Through the automatic gates, a closed space is formed in the single-shaft crusher, thus preventing the overflow of nitrogen. A burst relief pipe is arranged on the other side of the nitrogen-filled crusher. One end of the burst relief pipe is communicated with the nitrogen-filled crusher, and the other end leads into the water tank to form a water seal. When a small explosion occurs inside the crusher for the battery, the explosion airflow is discharged through the burst relief pipe for pressure relief.

[0030] 3. The rotary kiln is in an inclined state. During the rotation of the rotary kiln, the battery fragments move from the feeding port end to the outlet end of the rotary kiln. During the movement, the electrolyte volatilizes first, the organic binder decomposes, the separator paper gasifies, and the graphite forms carbon monoxide.

[0031] 4. Through three-stage screening and two-stage crushing, high-purity lithium salt, aluminum metal and copper metal can be obtained.

[0032] 5. After sorting by the copper-aluminum separator, the copper powder and aluminum powder are respectively conveyed to the copper powder recovery bin and the aluminum powder recovery bin through the first conveyor and the second conveyor, thereby obtaining copper metal particles and aluminum metal particles.

[0033] 6. The first cloth bag recovery system provides induced air for the first cyclone discharging device and the second cyclone discharging device.

[0034] 7. The second dust recovery system is respectively connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator, and the second belt elevator, providing a slightly negative pressure for the equipment cavity to prevent dust leakage. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035] Figure 1 It is a front view structural schematic diagram of the production line of the present invention

[0036] Figure 2 It is a top view structural schematic diagram of the production line of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the production line of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 This is Figure 3 The enlarged structural schematic diagram at position A in the figure.

[0039] In the figure: nitrogen-filled crusher 1, feeding bin 101, automatic gate 102, nitrogen filling port 103, explosion relief pipe 104, water tank 105, elevator 106, rotary kiln 2, cooling device 3, screw elevator 4, first vibrating screen 5, first belt elevator 6, first hammer mill fine crushing device 7, second vibrating screen 8, second belt elevator 9, second hammer mill fine crushing device 10, third vibrating screen 11, lifter 12, cyclone grinder 13, first cyclone discharging device 14, copper-aluminum separator 15, first screw conveyor 151, second screw conveyor 152, fourth vibrating screen 16, black powder recovery bin 17, centralized material collection box 18, copper powder recovery bin 191, aluminum powder recovery bin 192, second dust recovery system 20, second cloth bag recovery system 21, third cyclone discharging device 23, air suction pipe 22, return air pipe 24, first dust recovery system 30, first cloth bag recovery system 31, second cyclone discharging device 32, buffer tank 40, black powder recovery pipe 41, tail gas treatment system 50. Detailed Embodiments

[0040] The following further describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0041] Embodiment 1:

[0042] Refer to Figures 1-4, Scrap battery physical decomposition and material automatic classification system, including a nitrogen-filled crusher 1, a rotary kiln 2, a cooling device 3, multiple vibrating screens, multiple hammer milling and fine crushing devices, a cyclone grinder 13, a copper-aluminum separator 15, multiple buffer tanks 40 and multiple recycling bins. The lower discharge port of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1 is connected to the feed port of the rotary kiln 2, the discharge port of the rotary kiln 2 is connected to the feed port of the cooling device 3, the discharge port of the cooling device 3 is connected to the feed port of the vibrating screen, the discharge port of the vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the hammer milling and fine crushing device, the discharge port of the hammer milling and fine crushing device is connected to the feed port of the cyclone grinder 13, the discharge port of the cyclone grinder 13 is connected to the feed port of the copper-aluminum separator 15. After being separated by the copper-aluminum separator 15, the metal materials enter two metal recycling bins for recycling respectively. The discharge port of the black powder particles after screening by the vibrating screen is connected to the feed port of the buffer tank 40, and the discharge port of the buffer tank 40 is connected to the black powder recycling bin 17. The connections between the devices are sealed connections, making the entire system filled with nitrogen inside, ensuring the safety of the system. Through this system, the recovered lithium salt semi-finished product has high purity. The transportation and processing of semi-finished products and finished products are carried out in a closed and slightly negative pressure environment during the whole process, without ash or powder leakage. It is equipped with a low-temperature cracking process, which can efficiently remove graphite, separator paper, organic solvents and electrolytes, and can obtain high-purity lithium salt, aluminum metal and copper metal.

[0043] See Figure 4 , The nitrogen-filled crusher 1 adopts a single-shaft crusher. A feeding bin 101 is installed at the upper feeding port of the single-shaft crusher. Automatic gates 102 are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the feeding bin 101. A nitrogen filling port 103 is arranged on one side of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1. Nitrogen enters the inside of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1 through the nitrogen filling port 103. Through the automatic gates 102, a closed space is formed inside the single-shaft crusher, thus preventing nitrogen from overflowing. A burst relief pipe 104 is arranged on the other side of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1. One end of the burst relief pipe 104 is communicated with the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, and the other end leads into a water tank 105 to form a water seal. When a small explosion occurs inside the crusher for the battery, the explosion air flow is discharged and depressurized through the burst relief pipe 104. Further, a belt conveyor elevator 106 is arranged at the bottom of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, and the elevator 106 is a closed mechanism. The battery fragments crushed at the bottom of the nitrogen-filled crusher 1 are lifted to the feed port of the rotary kiln 2 through the elevator 106.

[0044] See Figure 1, the rotary kiln 2 is in an inclined state, with the feed inlet of the rotary kiln 2 higher than the discharge outlet; the furnace body of the rotary kiln 2 is connected to the tail gas treatment system 50. During the rotation of the rotary kiln 2, the battery fragments move from the feed inlet end to the outlet end of the rotary kiln 2. During the movement, the electrolyte volatilizes first, the organic binder decomposes, the separator paper gasifies, and the graphite forms carbon monoxide. These mixed gases enter the tail gas treatment system 50 through the pipeline at the top of the kiln body for treatment. Specifically, the tail gas treatment system 50 includes a burner, a heat exchanger, a bag filter, a centrifugal fan, and an absorption tower, which can treat the tail gas and discharge it into the atmosphere.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cooling device 3 includes a water tank and a screw conveyor installed in the water tank. The water tank is located in the middle of the screw conveyor. The feed inlet of the screw conveyor is connected to the discharge outlet of the rotary kiln 2, and the discharge outlet of the screw conveyor is connected to the feed inlet of the vibrating screen. The structure is simple and the cooling effect is good. Further, the water tank is provided with circulating water, and the temperature of the water in the pool is ensured through heat exchange by the heat exchanger, thereby ensuring the cooling effect.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 3 , the vibrating screen includes a first vibrating screen 5, a second vibrating screen 8, and a third vibrating screen 11. The hammer milling and fine crushing device includes a first hammer milling and fine crushing device 7 and a second hammer milling and fine crushing device 10. The feed inlet of the first vibrating screen 5 is connected to the discharge outlet of the cooling device 3, the discharge outlet of the first vibrating screen 5 is connected to the feed inlet of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device 7, the discharge outlet of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device 7 is connected to the feed inlet of the second vibrating screen 8, the discharge outlet of the second vibrating screen 8 is connected to the feed inlet of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device 10, the discharge outlet of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device 10 is connected to the feed inlet of the third vibrating screen 11, and the discharge outlet of the third vibrating screen 11 is connected to the cyclone mill 13; the black powder particle discharge outlets of each vibrating screen are connected to the feed inlet of the buffer tank 40, and the discharge outlet of the buffer tank 40 is communicated with the black powder recovery bin 17 through the black powder recovery pipeline 41. Through three-stage screening and two-stage crushing, high-purity lithium salts, aluminum metal, and copper metal can be obtained.

[0047] A screw elevator 4 is provided between the cooling device 3 and the first vibrating screen 5 for transitional conveying to facilitate the transitional conveying of battery fragments. A first belt elevator 6 is provided between the first vibrating screen 5 and the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7. The lower feed inlet of the first belt elevator 6 is connected to the discharge outlet of the first vibrating screen 5, and the discharge outlet is connected to the feed inlet of the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7 to facilitate the lifting of materials into the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7. The second vibrating screen 8 is located below the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7. The feed inlet of the second vibrating screen 8 is connected to the discharge outlet below the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7, and the discharge outlet is connected to the lower feed inlet of the second belt elevator 9. The discharge outlet of the second belt elevator 9 is connected to the feed inlet of the second hammer mill fine crushing device 10. The third vibrating screen 11 is located below the second hammer mill fine crushing device 10. The feed inlet of the third vibrating screen 11 is connected to the discharge outlet below the second hammer mill fine crushing device 10. Through the above structure, a production line is formed, and the entire production line can operate fully automatically, reducing manual participation.

[0048] See Figure 1 , the copper powder and aluminum powder separated by the copper-aluminum separator 15 are respectively conveyed to the copper powder recovery bin 191 and the aluminum powder recovery bin 192 through the first conveyor 151 and the second conveyor 152, so as to obtain copper metal particles and aluminum metal particles.

[0049] See Figure 3, the system further includes a first dust recovery system 30. The first dust recovery system 30 includes a first bag filter recovery system 31, a first cyclone discharging device 14, and a second cyclone discharging device 32. The first cyclone discharging device 14 is located above the copper-aluminum separator 15. The air inlet of the first cyclone discharging device 14 is connected to the discharge port of the cyclone grinder 13 through a pipeline, and the air outlet is connected to the first bag filter recovery system 31 through a pipeline. The outlet at the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device 14 is connected to the feed inlet at the upper end of the copper-aluminum separator 15. The air inlet of the second cyclone discharging device 32 is connected to the top of the copper-aluminum separator 15 through a pipeline, and the air outlet is connected to the first bag filter recovery system 31 through a pipeline. A fourth vibrating screen 16 is provided at the bottom of the second cyclone discharging device 32. The first dust recovery system 30 provides induced air for the first cyclone discharging device 14 and the second cyclone discharging device 32. The lithium salt powder during transportation is drawn back by the fan and adheres to the bags of the first bag filter recovery system 31. There is a screw conveyor at the bottom of the first bag filter recovery system 31. The high-pressure pulse valve of the bag will be opened regularly to blow off the lithium salt powder adhering to the bag and send it out through the screw conveyor at the bottom to the buffer tank 40, and then the lithium salt powder is centrally collected by the black powder recovery bin 17. The heavier metal particles fall from the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device 14 into the copper-aluminum separator 15 for separation. The dust of the copper-aluminum separator 15 is collected by the second cyclone discharging device 32. This dust is lithium salt powder. The larger particle lithium salt powder falls from below the second cyclone discharging device 32 into the fourth vibrating screen 16 for screening. The powder passing through the vibrating screen enters the buffer tank 40 beside it. The coarser powder is collected and put into the cyclone grinder 13 again. In actual production, less powder is recovered here.

[0050] See Figure 3 , the system further includes a second dust recovery system 20. The second dust recovery system 20 includes a second bag filter recovery system 21 and a third cyclone discharging device 23. The air inlet of the third cyclone discharging device 23 is connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator 6, and the second belt elevator 9 respectively through a suction pipeline 22 for absorbing the dust during operation. The air outlet of the third cyclone discharging device 23 is connected to the second bag filter recovery system 21 through a return air pipeline 24. The third cyclone discharging device 23 is located above the second belt elevator 9. The discharge port at the lower end of the third cyclone discharging device 23 is connected to the second belt elevator 9. The second dust recovery system 20 is connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator 6, and the second belt elevator 9 respectively to provide a micro-negative pressure for the equipment cavity to prevent dust leakage. Larger particles enter the second belt elevator 9 through the third cyclone discharging device 23 and then enter the second hammer mill fine crushing device 10 for further crushing.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, a lifter 12 is provided between the third vibrating screen 11 and the cyclone grinder 13 to convey materials for transition. The structure of the black powder recovery bin 17 includes a cyclone discharge tank at the upper part and a bin body connected to the lower part of the cyclone discharge tank. The cyclone discharge tank is communicated with the first bag filter recovery system 31. The powder recovered through the black powder recovery pipeline 41 falls into the lower bin body through the cyclone discharge tank. To prevent a large amount of lithium salt powder from entering the first bag filter recovery system 31, an anti-blow filter bag is also provided in the cyclone discharge tank.

[0052] Embodiment 2:

[0053] A method for physical decomposition of waste batteries and automatic classification of materials, which adopts the waste battery physical decomposition and material automatic classification system, and the steps are as follows:

[0054] S1. Put the waste battery into the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, and crush the raw material battery into crushed particles of 10 - 15 mm in size; among them, when putting the battery into the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, first open the automatic gate 102 located above the feeding bin 101, the battery enters the feeding bin 101, after closing the automatic gate 102 above the feeding bin 101, then open the automatic gate 102 below the feeding bin 101, the battery enters the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, and the automatic gate 102 below the feeding bin 101 is closed. At this stage, the complete peeling of the outer package of the battery can be realized, and the copper-aluminum foil and diaphragm paper are scattered and shredded.

[0055] S2. After being crushed by the nitrogen-filled crusher 1, the battery particles are sent into the rotary kiln 2. Nitrogen is filled in the rotary kiln 2, and the materials in the kiln are heated to 350 - 400 °C in sections. The battery particles are pyrolyzed at low temperature in the rotary kiln 2, and the pyrolysis time is 20 - 40 minutes. At this time, the electrolyte volatilizes, the organic binder decomposes, the diaphragm paper gasifies, and graphite forms carbon monoxide. The mixed gas is treated by the tail gas treatment system 50. The semi-finished product produced is copper-aluminum foil and lithium-based salt with very high purity. At this time, the semi-finished product is colorless and odorless, and has no pungent smell and toxicity.

[0056] S3. After passing through the rotary kiln 2, the battery particles enter the cooling device 3, and the particulate material is cooled to 80 - 120 °C. Preferably, the particulate material is cooled to about 100 °C.

[0057] S4. The cooled particulate material is screened by the first vibrating screen 5, and the lithium salt powder enters the buffer tank 40 through the black powder particle discharge port. The larger particulate material enters the first hammer mill fine crushing device 7 from the discharge port of the first vibrating screen 5 for further crushing. The dry lithium salt powder (black powder) is preliminarily screened out.

[0058] S5. The first hammer grinding and fine crushing device 7 hammers the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a size of 5-8 mm. At this time, the lithium salt powder on the surface of the spherical particles falls off, revealing the metallic color. The lithium salt powder is further screened by the second vibrating screen 8 located below the first hammer grinding and fine crushing device 7. The screened lithium salt powder enters the buffer tank 40 through the black powder particle discharge port, and the larger particle materials enter the second hammer grinding and fine crushing device 10 from the discharge port of the second vibrating screen 8 for further crushing.

[0059] S6. The second hammer grinding and fine crushing device 10 continues to hammer and refine the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a size of 2-4 mm. Each hammer grinding and fine crushing is equivalent to unfolding the incoming spherical particles and then dispersing them into finer spherical particles, releasing the lithium salt powder wrapped inside. The lithium salt powder also enters the buffer tank 40 through the third vibrating screen 11 at the bottom, and the aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles enter the cyclone mill 13.

[0060] S7. The cyclone mill 13 receives 2-4 mm metal particles and grinds them into fine particles that can pass through an 80-mesh sieve. Then, the fine particles are sucked into the first cyclone discharging device 14 and enter the copper-aluminum separator 15 from the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device 14. Among them, the remaining lithium salt powder is sucked away and discharged onto the fourth vibrating screen 16 through the cyclone discharger.

[0061] S8. The upper layer of the copper-aluminum separator 15 is provided with an 80-mesh sieve. The large particles of the incoming material that cannot pass through the sieve will be returned to the cyclone mill 13 through the screw until the particle size can pass through the upper sieve. The sorted copper powder and aluminum powder are respectively transported to the copper powder recovery bin 191 and the aluminum powder recovery bin 192 through the first screw conveyor 151 and the second screw conveyor 152.

[0062] S9. Centralized collection of lithium salt powder: Each vibrating screen will screen out fine lithium salt powder and send it into the buffer tank 40 on its side. Each buffer tank 40 is connected to the main centralized dust collection pipeline. The black powder recovery bin 17 is located at the end of the whole line. The black powder recovery bin 17 pumps out the lithium salt powder in the buffer tank 40 and finally discharges it into the centralized material collection box 18. Among them, the automatic gate valves at the bottom of each buffer tank 40 are opened sequentially in a single cycle. There is a weighing mechanism at the bottom of the centralized material collection box. After reaching the set weight, it will automatically move out of the centralized material collection box. The empty and full centralized material collection boxes are sent in or taken out by the AGV.

[0063] S10. Conduct negative pressure dust suction during the production process; among them, the first cloth bag recovery system 31 provides induced air for the first cyclone discharging device 14 and the second cyclone discharging device 32. The powder is mainly discharged through the discharging device, and the fine lithium salt powder during transportation is sucked back by the fan and adheres to the cloth bags of the first cloth bag recovery system 31. There is a screw conveyor at the bottom of the first cloth bag recovery system 31. The high-pressure pulse valve of the cloth bag will be opened regularly to blow off the lithium salt powder adhered to the cloth bag and send it out through the screw conveyor at the bottom to the buffer tank 40, and then the lithium salt powder is centrally collected by the black powder recovery bin 17. The second dust recovery system 20 is respectively connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator 6 and the second belt elevator 9 to provide a slight negative pressure for the equipment cavity to prevent the leakage of dust. Larger particles enter the second belt elevator 9 through the third cyclone discharging device 23 and then enter the second hammer mill fine crushing device 10 for further crushing.

Claims

1. A physical decomposition method for waste batteries and an automatic material classification method, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: S1. Put the scrapped battery into the nitrogen-filled crusher (1) to crush the raw battery into crushed particles with a size of 10-15 mm. When putting the battery into the nitrogen-filled crusher (1), first open the automatic gate (102) above the feeding bin (101), and the battery enters the feeding bin (101). After closing the automatic gate (102) above the feeding bin (101), then open the automatic gate (102) below the feeding bin (101), and the battery enters the nitrogen-filled crusher (1), and the automatic gate (102) below the feeding bin (101) is closed; S2. The battery particles after being crushed by the nitrogen-filled crusher (1) are sent into the rotary kiln (2). Nitrogen is filled in the rotary kiln (2), and the materials in the kiln are heated to 350-400 °C in sections. The battery particles are pyrolyzed at low temperature in the rotary kiln (2), and the pyrolysis time is 20-40 minutes. At this time, the electrolyte volatilizes, the organic binder decomposes, the separator paper gasifies, and the graphite forms carbon monoxide. The mixed gas is treated by the tail gas treatment system (50); S3. The battery particles enter the cooling device (3) after passing through the rotary kiln (2) to cool the particulate material to 80-120 °C; S4. The cooled particulate material is screened by the first vibrating screen (5). The lithium salt powder enters the buffer tank (40) through the black powder particle discharge port. The larger particulate material enters the first hammer mill fine crushing device (7) from the discharge port of the first vibrating screen (5) for further crushing; S5. The first hammer mill fine crushing device (7) hammers the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a size of 5-8 mm. At this time, the lithium salt powder on the surface of the spherical particles falls off. The lithium salt powder is further screened by the second vibrating screen (8) located below the first hammer mill fine crushing device (7). The screened lithium salt powder enters the buffer tank (40) through the black powder particle discharge port. The larger particulate material enters the second hammer mill fine crushing device (10) from the discharge port of the second vibrating screen (8) for further crushing; S6. The second hammer mill fine crushing device (10) continues to hammer and refine the incoming material into aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles with a size of 2-4 mm. Each hammer mill fine crushing is equivalent to unfolding the incoming spherical particles and then dispersing them into finer spherical particles, releasing the lithium salt powder wrapped inside. The lithium salt powder also enters the buffer tank (40) through the third vibrating screen (11) at the bottom. The aluminum foil and copper foil spherical particles enter the cyclone mill (13); S7. The cyclone mill (13) receives 2-4 mm metal particles and grinds them into fine particles that can pass through an 80-mesh sieve. Then the fine particles are sucked into the first cyclone discharging device (14) and enter the copper-aluminum separator (15) from the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device (14). Among them, the remaining lithium salt powder is taken away and discharged onto the fourth vibrating screen (16) through the cyclone discharger; S8. The upper layer of the copper-aluminum separator (15) is provided with a 80-mesh sieve. The large particles of the incoming materials that cannot pass through the sieve will be returned to the cyclone grinder (13) through the screw until the particle size can pass through the upper sieve. The sorted copper powder and aluminum powder are respectively conveyed to the copper powder recovery bin (191) and the aluminum powder recovery bin (192) through the first screw conveyor (151) and the second screw conveyor (152); S9. Centralized collection of lithium salt powder: Each vibrating sieve will screen out fine lithium salt powder and send it into the buffer tank (40) on its side. Each buffer tank (40) is connected to the main centralized dust collection pipeline. The black powder recovery bin (17) is located at the end of the whole line. The black powder recovery bin (17) extracts the lithium salt powder in the buffer tank (40) and finally unloads it into the centralized material collection box body (18); among them, the automatic gate valves at the bottom of each buffer tank (40) are opened in sequence in a single cycle; S10. Negative pressure dust suction is carried out during the production process; among them, the first bag recovery system (31) provides induced air for the first cyclone discharging device (14) and the second cyclone discharging device (32). The powder is unloaded through the discharging device. The fine lithium salt powder during the conveying process is sucked back by the fan and adheres to the cloth bags of the first bag recovery system (31). There is a screw conveyor at the bottom of the first bag recovery system (31). The high-pressure pulse valves of the cloth bags will be opened regularly to blow off the lithium salt powder adhered to the cloth bags and send it out through the screw conveyor at the bottom to the buffer tank (40), and then the black powder recovery bin (17) centrally collects the lithium salt powder; the second dust recovery system (20) is respectively connected to each vibrating sieve, the first belt elevator (6) and the second belt elevator (9) to provide a micro negative pressure for the equipment cavity to prevent the leakage of dust. The larger particles enter the second belt elevator (9) through the third cyclone discharging device (23) and then enter the second hammer mill fine crushing device (10) for further crushing.

2. A physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for waste batteries for implementing the physical decomposition and material automatic classification method of waste batteries described in claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a nitrogen-filled crusher (1), a rotary kiln furnace (2), a cooling device (3), a vibrating sieve, a hammer mill fine crushing device, a cyclone grinder (13), a copper-aluminum separator (15), a buffer tank (40) and multiple recovery bins. The lower discharge port of the nitrogen-filled crusher (1) is connected to the feed port of the rotary kiln furnace (2). The discharge port of the rotary kiln furnace (2) is connected to the feed port of the cooling device (3). The discharge port of the cooling device (3) is connected to the feed port of the vibrating sieve. The discharge port of the vibrating sieve is connected to the feed port of the hammer mill fine crushing device. The discharge port of the hammer mill fine crushing device is connected to the feed port of the cyclone grinder (13). The discharge port of the cyclone grinder (13) is connected to the feed port of the copper-aluminum separator (15). The metal materials sorted by the copper-aluminum separator (15) enter two metal recovery bins for recovery respectively. The black powder particle discharge port of the vibrating sieve is connected to the feed port of the buffer tank (40). The discharge port of the buffer tank (40) is connected to the black powder recovery bin (17); the connections between the devices are sealed connections.

3. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, wherein: A feeding hopper (101) is installed at the upper feeding port of the nitrogen-filled crusher (1). Automatic gates (102) are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides of the feeding hopper (101). A nitrogen filling port (103) is arranged on one side of the nitrogen-filled crusher (1). Nitrogen enters the interior of the nitrogen-filled crusher (1) through the nitrogen filling port (103). A pressure relief pipe (104) is arranged on the other side of the nitrogen-filled crusher (1). One end of the pressure relief pipe (104) is communicated with the nitrogen-filled crusher (1), and the other end leads into a water tank (105) to form a water seal.

4. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotary kiln furnace (2) is in an inclined state, such that the feeding port of the rotary kiln furnace (2) is higher than the discharging port; the furnace body of the rotary kiln furnace (2) is communicated with an exhaust gas treatment system (50).

5. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cooling device (3) includes a water tank and a screw conveyor installed in the water tank. The water tank is located in the middle of the screw conveyor. The feeding port of the screw conveyor is connected to the discharging port of the rotary kiln furnace (2), and the discharging port of the screw conveyor is connected to the feeding port of a vibrating screen.

6. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, wherein: The vibrating screen includes a first vibrating screen (5), a second vibrating screen (8), and a third vibrating screen (11). The hammer milling and fine crushing device includes a first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7) and a second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10). The feeding port of the first vibrating screen (5) is connected to the discharging port of the cooling device (3). The discharging port of the first vibrating screen (5) is connected to the feeding port of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7). The discharging port of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7) is connected to the feeding port of the second vibrating screen (8). The discharging port of the second vibrating screen (8) is connected to the feeding port of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10). The discharging port of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10) is connected to the feeding port of the third vibrating screen (11). The discharging port of the third vibrating screen (11) is connected to a cyclone mill (13); the black powder particle discharging ports of each vibrating screen are connected to the feeding port of a buffer tank (40). The discharging port of the buffer tank (40) is communicated with a black powder recovery bin (17) through a black powder recovery pipeline (41).

7. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 6, characterized in that: A screw elevator (4) is arranged for transitional transportation between the cooling device (3) and the first vibrating screen (5). A first belt elevator (6) is arranged between the first vibrating screen (5) and the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7). The lower feeding port of the first belt elevator (6) is connected to the discharging port of the first vibrating screen (5), and the discharging port is connected to the feeding port of the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7). The second vibrating screen (8) is located below the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7). The feeding port of the second vibrating screen (8) is connected to the discharging port below the first hammer milling and fine crushing device (7), and the discharging port is connected to the lower feeding port of a second belt elevator (9). The discharging port of the second belt elevator (9) is connected to the feeding port of the second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10). The third vibrating screen (11) is located below the second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10). The feeding port of the third vibrating screen (11) is connected to the discharging port below the second hammer milling and fine crushing device (10).

8. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, wherein: The copper powder and aluminum powder separated by the copper-aluminum separator (15) are respectively transported to a copper powder recovery bin (191) and an aluminum powder recovery bin (192) through a first screw conveyor (151) and a second screw conveyor (152).

9. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, wherein: It further includes a first dust recovery system (30). The first dust recovery system (30) includes a first bag filter recovery system (31), a first cyclone discharging device (14) and a second cyclone discharging device (32). The first cyclone discharging device (14) is located above the copper-aluminum separator (15). The air inlet of the first cyclone discharging device (14) is connected to the discharge port of the cyclone grinder (13) through a pipeline, and the air outlet is connected to the first bag filter recovery system (31) through a pipeline. The outlet at the bottom of the first cyclone discharging device (14) is connected to the feed inlet at the upper end of the copper-aluminum separator (15). The air inlet of the second cyclone discharging device (32) is connected to the top of the copper-aluminum separator (15) through a pipeline, and the air outlet is connected to the first bag filter recovery system (31) through a pipeline. A fourth vibrating screen (16) is provided at the bottom of the second cyclone discharging device (32).

10. The physical decomposition and material automatic classification system for scrapped batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that: It further includes a second dust recovery system (20). The second dust recovery system (20) includes a second bag filter recovery system (21) and a third cyclone discharging device (23). The air inlet of the third cyclone discharging device (23) is connected to each vibrating screen, the first belt elevator (6) and the second belt elevator (9) respectively through a suction pipeline (22) for sucking the dust during operation. The air outlet of the third cyclone discharging device (23) is connected to the second bag filter recovery system (21) through a return air pipeline (24). The third cyclone discharging device (23) is located above the second belt elevator (9), and the discharge port at the lower end of the third cyclone discharging device (23) is connected to the second belt elevator (9).

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