Device for separating active substances

Abstract

Provided is an active material separation device capable of reducing processing costs and suppressing damage while separating an active material. An active material separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention separates an active material from a battery member, wherein the active material separation device includes: a container; a base member disposed inside the container and supporting the battery member; and a nozzle disposed above the container and spraying a fluid against the battery member, and the base member is movable at least in a horizontal direction.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-059047, filed on March 31, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a device for separating active substances. Background Technology

[0003] From the perspective of climate-related disasters, there is a growing concern for electric vehicles in order to reduce CO2 emissions, leading to a surge in demand for batteries used in these vehicles. In this context, research on the recycling of battery materials is progressing steadily. For example, research is underway focusing on the efficient recovery of metals used in the active materials of electrodes and cost reductions in recycling processes.

[0004] For example, International Publication No. 2010 / 106618 discloses a method for processing a battery component, which includes a positive electrode active material recovery step. In this positive electrode active material recovery step, the positive electrode active material, which is an insoluble component, is recovered by contacting the battery component with treatment water containing water. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the separation of active material from the electrode, it is desirable to minimize damage to the active material.

[0006] Furthermore, in recycling, for batteries whose capacity has decreased due to material degradation, active materials are separated from the electrodes, and then these separated active materials are restored. In conventional recycling methods, the separation of active materials from the electrodes is sometimes performed by calcination at temperatures, for example, above 500°C. However, such methods consume a large amount of energy. Therefore, there is a need to improve the energy efficiency in recycling. Improving energy efficiency can reduce recycling costs.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an active substance separation device that can reduce processing costs and suppress damage while separating active substances.

[0008] The main points of this invention are as follows.

[0009] [1] An active material separation device according to one aspect of the present invention separates the active material from a battery component containing the active material, wherein the active material separation device comprises: a container; a base member disposed inside the container and supporting the battery component; and a nozzle disposed above the container and spraying liquid onto the battery component, wherein the base member is movable at least in the horizontal direction.

[0010] [2] Based on the active substance separation device described in [1] above, the active substance separation device may also include a waste liquid section disposed below the container and having an on / off valve.

[0011] [3] Based on the active substance separation device described in [1] or [2] above, the base component may also be movable in the vertical direction.

[0012] [4] Based on the active substance separation device described in [2] above, the waste liquid section may be arranged at a position lower than the base member, and a contact portion is provided on the inner surface of the container. The contact portion has a shape corresponding to the shape of the lower surface edge of the base member. The base member can move in the vertical direction. The lower surface edge of the base member contacts the contact portion, and the interior of the container is divided into a first space above the contact portion and a second space below the contact portion.

[0013] [5] Based on the active substance separation device described in [4] above, the active substance separation device may also have a second waste liquid section that is different from the waste liquid section that is the first waste liquid section.

[0014] [6] Based on the active substance separation device described in any one of [1] to [5] above, the active substance separation device may also have an annular inner cover inside the container.

[0015] [7] Based on the active substance separation device described in any one of [1] to [6] above, the active substance separation device may also include a trapping filter disposed inside the container.

[0016] According to the above-described solution of the present invention, it is possible to reduce processing costs and separate active substances while suppressing damage.

[0017] In addition, the active substance separation device described above [2] can suppress the dispersion of active substances and improve the recovery efficiency of active substances.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the active material separation device described above [3], the distance between the battery component and the nozzle can be adjusted, the collision energy of the jet colliding with the battery component can be adjusted, and the nozzle can be made into a simple structure. Therefore, the cost of the device can be reduced.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the active substance separation device described above [4], the interior of the container is divided into a first space and a second space. Therefore, even if the active substance is scattered during liquid discharge, it can prevent the active substance from being scattered into the first space and prevent the active substance from being discharged from the second waste liquid section. As a result, the reduction in the recovery rate of the active substance can be suppressed.

[0020] In addition, according to the active substance separation device described above [5], liquid can be discharged from the second waste liquid section together with the first waste liquid section, which can increase the liquid discharge speed.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the active substance separation device described above [6], the inner cover suppresses changes in the liquid level, thus preventing the separated active substances from scattering and adhering to the lid and inner surface of the container. Therefore, the recovery efficiency of the active substances can be improved.

[0022] In addition, the active substance separation device described above [7] can improve the recovery rate of active substances. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a simplified structure of an active substance separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 View II.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a variation of the active substance separation apparatus of the same embodiment. Figure 1 View II. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Reference Figure 1 , 2 This invention describes an active substance separation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a simplified structure of the active substance separation device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 View II. It should be noted that in this specification and accompanying drawings, components with substantially the same functional structure are omitted from repeated description by using the same reference numerals.

[0027] The active material separation device 1 of this embodiment is a device for separating active materials from the battery component 70. The active material separation device 1 includes a container 10, a nozzle 20 disposed above the container 10, a base component (table) 30 disposed inside the container 10, a trapping filter 40 disposed inside the container 10, a displacement meter 50, and an inner cover 60.

[0028] Container 10 has: a body 110 with an internal space of approximately the same diameter in the vertical direction; such as Figure 1 As shown, the container 10 comprises a first tapered section 120 connected to the body 110 and tapering downwards; a collection section 130 connected to the first tapered section 120; a second tapered section 140 connected to the collection section 130 and tapering downwards; and a cover 150 disposed above the body 110 and covering the interior of the container 10. In the first tapered section 120 and the second tapered section 140, the area of ​​the horizontal cross-section decreases as it moves downwards. The first tapered section 120 has a contact portion 121 on its inner surface with a shape corresponding to the shape of the lower surface edge 34 of the worktable 30. A collection filter 40 with a corresponding shape is disposed in the collection section 130.

[0029] Additionally, container 10, such as Figure 1 As shown, it has an exhaust port 160, a first waste liquid section 170 and a second waste liquid section 180.

[0030] The exhaust port 160 discharges gas generated by the contact between the battery component 70 and the jet 21 ejected from the nozzle 20 or the liquid 22 constituting the jet 21 to the outside of the container 10. The exhaust port 160 is provided on the body 110, which allows the above-mentioned gas to be easily discharged to the outside of the container 10.

[0031] The first waste liquid section 170 is a tubular component connected to the lower end of the second narrowed section 140 of the container 10. The liquid 22 inside the container 10 flows downward together with the active material separated from the battery component 70. The active material is captured by the trapping filter 40, and the liquid 22 passes through the trapping filter 40 through the first waste liquid section 170 and is discharged to the outside of the container 10.

[0032] A first on / off valve 171 is provided in the first waste liquid section 170. When the jet 21 is sprayed with the first on / off valve 171 closed, the liquid 22 is stored inside the container 10. When the liquid level S of the stored liquid 22 is higher than the surface of the battery component 70, the jet 21 is sprayed from the nozzle 20 onto the battery component 70, thereby reducing the impact energy received by the battery component 70 from the jet 21, and thus further suppressing damage to the active material.

[0033] The second waste liquid section 180 is a tubular component that is laterally connected to the interior of the container 10 from the side of the body 110. Liquid 22 stored inside the container 10 is discharged to the outside of the container 10 through the second waste liquid section 180. Therefore, liquid 22 is discharged from the second waste liquid section 180 together with the first waste liquid section 170, thereby increasing the discharge rate of liquid 22. Furthermore, the second waste liquid section 180 is connected to the inner side 111 of the body 110 and is positioned higher than the first narrowed section 120. Therefore, the liquid 22 discharged from the second waste liquid section 180 contains a small amount of active material. Thus, the recovery rate of active material in the container 10 is not reduced when discharging liquid 22. Additionally, a second on / off valve 181 is provided in the second waste liquid section 180. When the second on / off valve 181 is closed, a larger volume of liquid 22 can be stored inside the container 10.

[0034] A nozzle 20 for spraying the jet 21 is provided on the cover 150 of the container 10. The jet 21 is sprayed from the nozzle 20 toward the battery component 70.

[0035] The injector 21 is a liquid that reacts with the solid electrolyte material contained in the battery component 70. Examples of injectors 21 include protic polar solvents, specifically water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, etc. It should be noted that mixtures of these can also be used as injectors 21.

[0036] Liquid 22 is the liquid that constitutes the jet 21 or the liquid stored inside the container 10, the first waste liquid section 170, and the second waste liquid section 180 after the jet 21 collides with the battery component 70. In addition to the components of the jet 21, the liquid 22 after colliding with the battery component 70 also contains dissolved components of the battery component 70.

[0037] When the battery component 70 is exposed above the liquid surface S of the liquid 22, the jet 21 collides directly with the battery component 70. Conversely, when the upper surface of the battery component 70 is below the liquid surface S—in other words, when the battery component 70 is immersed in the liquid 22—the jet 21 collides with the battery component 70 while reducing its impact energy through the liquid 22. Therefore, the dispersion of active material can be suppressed. As a result, the recovery efficiency of active material can be improved.

[0038] The worktable 30 supports the battery component 70. The worktable 30 can move at least in the horizontal direction. For example, the worktable 30... Figure 1 , 2As shown, the table has a plurality of first axes 31 extending in one direction on a horizontal plane, and a plurality of second axes 32 perpendicular to the plurality of first axes 31 on the horizontal plane. The first axes 31 and the second axes 32 move in their respective axes, thereby moving the table 30 in that axis. Therefore, the table 30 is movable in the horizontal direction.

[0039] In addition, workbench 30, etc. Figure 1 As shown, the device has multiple third axes 33 extending in the vertical direction. These third axes 33 allow the worktable 30 to move in the vertical direction. By moving the battery component 70 in the vertical direction via the third axes 33, the distance between the battery component 70 and the nozzle 20 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the impact energy of the jet 21 onto the battery component 70. As a result, the nozzle 20 can have a simplified structure. Therefore, the device cost can be reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, each of the third axes 33 can operate independently. When only one of the third axes 33 is raised or lowered, the worktable 30 on that side of the third axis 33 will rise or fall accordingly. As a result, the worktable 30 is tilted relative to the horizontal direction. Even when the worktable 30 is not tilted, active material can easily remain on the surface of the worktable 30 after the separation process of the active material is completed. When active material remains on the surface of the worktable 30, it is difficult to stably position the battery component 70, which is the next processing target, on the worktable 30. Therefore, in order to remove the active material remaining on the worktable 30, a rinsing process using water or the like is performed. However, by tilting the worktable 30, it becomes easier to remove the active material remaining on the worktable 30.

[0041] The lower edge 34 of the worktable 30 is as follows Figure 1 As shown, it has a shape corresponding to the shape of the contact portion 121 in the first reduced diameter portion 120. The worktable 30 moves in the vertical direction via the third axis 33 and contacts the contact portion 121 of the first reduced diameter portion 120 via the lower surface edge 34 of the worktable 30, thereby dividing the interior of the container 10 into a first space above the contact portion 121 and a second space below the contact portion.

[0042] When liquid 22 stored inside container 10 is discharged from the first waste liquid section 170 and the second waste liquid section 180, active substances that have settled in the trapping filter 40 and the first diameter reduction section 120 may become airborne in the liquid 22. In this case, the airborne active substances may be discharged to the outside from the second waste liquid section 180 along with the liquid 22. However, when the liquid 22 is stored inside container 10 and the lower surface edge 34 of the workbench 30 is in contact with the contact portion 121 of the first diameter reduction section 120 near the trapping filter 40 of the first diameter reduction section 120, and active substances are settled in the trapping filter 40, thus dividing the interior of container 10 into a first space and a second space, even if active substances become airborne when liquid 22 is discharged, it is possible to prevent active substances from becoming airborne in the first space and to prevent active substances from being discharged from the second waste liquid section 180. As a result, the reduction in the recovery rate of active substances can be suppressed.

[0043] The displacement gauge 50 is a device for measuring the height of the liquid level S of the liquid 22 inside the container 10, and is installed on the cover 150. The displacement gauge 50 is, for example, a laser displacement gauge, and measures the height of the liquid level S by irradiating a laser downwards.

[0044] The inner cover 60 is an annular component made of a material with a lower density than the liquid 22, allowing it to float on the liquid surface S. Viewed from above, the shape of the inner cover 60 corresponds to the inner surface 111 of the body 110, and the outer diameter of the inner cover 60 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the body 110 on the horizontal plane. When the active material is separated while the inner cover 60 is floating on the liquid surface S, the inner cover 60 suppresses changes in the liquid surface S, thus preventing the separated active material from scattering with the liquid 22 and adhering to the cap 150 and the inner surface 111 of the container 10. This facilitates the recovery of active material adhering to the cap 150 and the inner surface 111, thereby improving the recovery efficiency of the active material. Furthermore, if the battery component 70 contains, for example, a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, and water is used in the injector 21, hydrogen sulfide is generated by reacting with the injector 21 through a separation process. However, since the inner cover 60 is disposed at the liquid surface S, the generated hydrogen sulfide easily dissolves into the liquid 22. As a result, the hydrogen sulfide dissolved in the liquid 22 is easier to handle than hydrogen sulfide in its gaseous state, and therefore hydrogen sulfide can be easily recovered.

[0045] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the inner cover 60 is longer than the maximum horizontal length of the battery component 70. Because the inner diameter of the inner cover 60 is longer than the maximum horizontal length of the battery component 70, the battery component 70 can be easily loaded and unloaded from the worktable 30.

[0046] The battery component 70 is the object of processing by the active material separation apparatus of this embodiment. The battery component 70, for example, contains a positive electrode active material having Li and a solid electrolyte material. The battery component 70 may also contain at least one of a conductive material and a negative electrode active material.

[0047] The positive electrode active material is not specifically limited, and may contain Li, for example. The positive electrode active material is generally insoluble in the injector 21 and the liquid 22. Examples of positive electrode active materials include layered positive electrode active materials, spinel-type positive electrode active materials, and olivine-type positive electrode active materials. For example, LiC can be used as a layered positive electrode active material. o O2, LiNiO2, LiCo 1 / 3 Ni 1 / 3Mn 1 / 3 O2, LiVO2, LiCrO2, etc. Examples of spinel-type positive electrode active materials include LiMn2O4 and LiC. o MnO4, Li2NiMn3O8, LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O4, etc. Examples of olivine-type positive electrode active materials include LiCoPO4, LiMnPO4, and LiFePO4.

[0048] The solid electrolyte material contains components dissolved in the injector 21 and the liquid 22. The solid electrolyte material may contain, for example, Li and S. Preferably, the solid electrolyte material does not contain components insoluble in the injector 21 and the liquid 22. If the solid electrolyte material consists only of components dissolved in the injector 21 and the liquid 22, separation of the insoluble components from the positive electrode active material is unnecessary, and the recovery of the positive electrode active material becomes easier. Examples of solid electrolyte materials containing Li and S include materials having Li, S, and a third component. Examples of the third component include at least one selected from the group consisting of P, Ge, B, Si, I, Al, Ga, and As. The sulfide solid electrolyte material may be a compound containing Li₂S and sulfides other than Li₂S.

[0049] Examples of anode active materials include metallic active materials and carbon active materials. Examples of metallic active materials include In, Al, Si, and Sn. Examples of carbon active materials include mesophase carbon microspheres, highly oriented graphite, hard carbon, and soft carbon.

[0050] Examples of conductive materials include acetylene black and carbon fiber.

[0051] Alternatively, the battery component 70 may also have a current collector foil 71. The current collector foil 71 may be, for example, an aluminum foil disposed on the positive electrode of the battery component 70 or a copper foil disposed on the negative electrode of the battery component 70.

[0052] This concludes the description of the active material separation apparatus 1 of this embodiment. Next, an example of a separation method for separating active materials from the battery component 70 using the active material separation apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0053] First, with the first on / off valve 171 and the second on / off valve 181 closed, the battery component 70 is placed on the upper surface of the worktable 30. At this time, the worktable 30 is separated from the first reduced diameter portion 120 of the container 10. Specifically, the contact portion 121 in the first reduced diameter portion 120 is separated from the lower surface edge portion 34 of the worktable 30.

[0054] Next, the jet 21 is sprayed from the nozzle 20 toward the battery component 70. The solid electrolyte material of the battery component 70 dissolves in the jet 21, and the active material is separated from the battery component 70 by the collision of the jet 21 with the battery component 70. The worktable 30 moves horizontally via the first axis 31 and the second axis 32, changing the collision position of the jet 21 in the battery component 70. During the spraying of the jet 21, liquid 22 is stored inside the container 10, and the liquid level S rises. On the other hand, the active material separated from the battery component 70 precipitates in the trap filter 40. During this period, the position of the liquid level S is measured by the displacement meter 50.

[0055] After the active material is separated from the battery component 70 on the worktable 30, the jet 21 stops spraying from the nozzle 20 and is allowed to settle. During this settling period, the active material precipitates.

[0056] After the above-mentioned settling, the worktable 30 is lowered so that the contact portion 121 in the first diameter reduction portion 120 comes into contact with the lower surface edge portion 34 in the worktable 30. As a result, the interior of the container 10 is divided into a first space below the contact portion 121 and a second space above the contact portion 121.

[0057] Then, the first on / off valve 171 and the second on / off valve 181 are opened to discharge the liquid 22 stored in the container 10 to the outside of the container 10. At this time, the first waste liquid section 170 discharges the liquid 22 stored in the first space, and the second waste liquid section 180 discharges the liquid 22 stored in the second space. As a result, the active material capture filter 40 captures the active material.

[0058] As needed, the worktable 30 is moved upward to release the contact between the contact portion 121 and the lower surface edge portion 34 of the worktable 30, and only one of the third axes 33 is moved to tilt the worktable 30. After the worktable 30 is tilted, the jet 21 is sprayed from the nozzle 20 toward the worktable 30. As a result, the active material remaining on the worktable 30 is removed, and the removed active material is captured by the capture filter 40.

[0059] After the separation of active material from a battery component 70 is completed, the worktable 30 is moved back to its initial position, and the battery component 70 to be processed is placed on the worktable 30. The above operation is repeated. This describes an example of a separation method for separating active material from a battery component 70 using the active material separation apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

[0060] As described above, the active material separation apparatus 1 includes a container 10, a base member (workbench) 30 disposed inside the container 10 and supporting a battery component 70, and a nozzle 20 disposed above the container 10 and spraying a jet 21 onto the battery component 70. The base member 30 is movable at least in the horizontal direction. The solid electrolyte material of the battery component 70 dissolves through the jet 21, and the active material is separated from the battery component 70 by the collision of the jet 21 with the battery component 70. If the separation of active material is performed by mechanical processing such as grinding, the damage to the active material is greater; however, according to this embodiment, damage to the active material can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, high-temperature calcination is not required, thus resulting in high energy efficiency in the separation process. Moreover, since the workbench 30 is movable in the horizontal direction, a fixed nozzle 20 can be used, reducing apparatus costs. Therefore, according to this embodiment, processing costs can be reduced and damage can be suppressed while separating the active material.

[0061] Furthermore, the first waste liquid section 170 has a first on / off valve 171, thus enabling the storage of liquid 22 in the container 10 and immersion of the battery component 70 in the liquid 22. With the battery component 70 immersed in the liquid 22, the active material separates, thereby suppressing the dispersion of the active material. As a result, the recovery efficiency of the active material can be improved.

[0062] Furthermore, the worktable 30 is movable in the vertical direction, thus allowing adjustment of the distance between the battery component 70 and the nozzle 20, and thus adjusting the collision energy of the jet 21 colliding with the battery component 70. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the jet velocity via the nozzle 20. As a result, the nozzle 20 can be simplified, reducing device costs.

[0063] Furthermore, the workbench 30 is movable in the vertical direction, and the first waste liquid section 170 is positioned below the workbench 30. A contact portion 121 is provided on the inner surface of the container 10. This contact portion 121 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the lower surface edge 34 of the workbench 30. Through contact between the lower surface edge 34 of the workbench 30 and the contact portion 121, the interior of the container 10 is divided into a first space above the contact portion 121 and a second space below the contact portion. Because the interior of the container 10 is divided into the first and second spaces, even if the active material is dispersed in the liquid 22 during discharge, it can be prevented from being dispersed into the first space and from being discharged from the second waste liquid section 180. As a result, the reduction in the recovery rate of the active material can be suppressed.

[0064] In addition, it has a second waste liquid section 180 that is different from the first waste liquid section 170, so the liquid 22 in the container 10 can be discharged from the second waste liquid section 180 together with the first waste liquid section 170, thereby increasing the discharge speed of the liquid 22.

[0065] Furthermore, the annular inner cover 60 disposed inside the container 10 suppresses changes in the liquid level S, thus preventing the separated active substances from scattering and adhering to the cover 150 and inner surface 111 of the container 10. Therefore, the recovery efficiency of the active substances can be improved.

[0066] Furthermore, the trapping filter 40 is disposed inside the container 10, and the distance from the location where the battery component 70 is disposed to the trapping filter 40 is short, thus reducing the loss of active material during recovery. Therefore, the recovery rate of active material can be improved.

[0067] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The above is merely illustrative, and inventions having a structure that is substantially the same as the technical concept described in the technical solution of the present invention and achieving the same effect are all included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0068] For example, in the above embodiment, the inner surface 111 on the horizontal cross-section of the torso 110 is circular, but the shape of the inner surface 111 on the horizontal cross-section may not be circular. For example, it could also be, as... Figure 3 As shown, the inner surface 111A of the horizontal cross-section of the body 110A is square. In this case, the horizontal cross-section of the first diameter-reduced portion is also square. Furthermore, the horizontal cross-section of the worktable 30A is also quadrilateral. Moreover, the lower end of the worktable 30A contacts the contact portion of the first diameter-reduced portion, dividing the interior of the container 10A into a first space and a second space.

[0069] Alternatively, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the exhaust port 160 is provided on the torso 110, but it may also be provided on the cover 150.

[0070] Alternatively, a trapping filter (not shown) may be provided in the second waste liquid section 180. By providing a trapping filter in the second waste liquid section 180, even if the active material flows out into the second waste liquid section 180, the active material will be trapped by the trapping filter, thus preventing a reduction in the recovery rate of the active material.

[0071] In addition, there may be multiple second waste liquid sections, not just one.

[0072] Furthermore, the nozzle is not limited to one; multiple nozzles can be provided. Multiple nozzles allow for the spraying of multiple jets, increasing the separation rate of the active material. When multiple nozzles are provided, their configuration can be determined based on the size and shape of the battery components.

[0073] Alternatively, the battery component can be supported on the upper surface of a support member (not shown) smaller than the worktable, which is disposed on the worktable. The support member facilitates the placement of the battery component onto the worktable.

[0074] Furthermore, the displacement gauge is not limited to one; multiple displacement gauges can be provided. When multiple displacement gauges are provided, it is preferable to arrange them at equal intervals along the inner surface of the container. By arranging multiple displacement gauges along the inner surface of the container, the influence of the jet ejected from the nozzle on the liquid level can be reduced. Additionally, by arranging multiple displacement gauges at equal intervals, the position of the liquid level can be measured with higher accuracy.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shape of the inner cover 60 corresponds to the shape of the inner side surface 111, and the diameter of the inner cover 60 on the horizontal plane is approximately the same as that of the torso 110. However, the shape of the inner cover may not correspond to the shape of the inner side surface, for example, as... Figure 3 As shown, the inner surface 111A of the torso 110A is quadrilateral when viewed from above, but the inner cover 60A is circular. Thus, the shape of the inner cover can also differ from that of the inner surface of the torso.

[0076] Furthermore, when an inner cover 60 is provided, the displacement meter 50 is preferably positioned above the inner cover 60. With the displacement meter 50 positioned above the inner cover 60, it irradiates a laser beam onto the upper surface of the inner cover 60, thereby enabling more stable measurement of the liquid level S.

[0077] The battery component is not limited to components containing the aforementioned materials; the present invention can be applied to battery components containing various components dissolved in the jet.

[0078] Furthermore, at least the first on / off valve 171, the second waste liquid section 180, the third shaft 33, the trapping filter 40, and the inner cover section 60 can be of arbitrary structure and may not be required to be included in the active substance separation device of the present invention. In the absence of the trapping filter 40, a trapping filter can be installed on the outside of the container 10, and the active substance can be recovered through this trapping filter.

[0079] The above-described structure can be appropriately omitted or combined within the scope of achieving the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, the separation method for separating the active material from the battery component 70 described above is merely one example; the order of each step can be appropriately changed or omitted within the scope of feasibility.

Claims

1. An active material separation device that separates an active material from a battery member containing the active material, wherein the active material separation device comprises: a container; a base member that is provided inside the container, is movable in a vertical direction, and supports the battery member; a nozzle that is provided above the container and sprays a liquid to the battery member; and a first waste liquid portion that is provided below the container and has an on-off valve, the first waste liquid portion is provided at a position lower than the base member, a contact portion that has a shape corresponding to a shape of a lower surface edge portion of the base member is provided on an inner surface of the container, the base member is moved in the vertical direction so that the lower surface edge portion contacts the contact portion, thereby an inside of the container is divided into a first space above the contact portion and a second space below the contact portion, and a second waste liquid portion that is different from the first waste liquid portion is provided in the first space.

2. The active material separation device according to claim 1, wherein the base member is movable in a horizontal direction.

3. The active material separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active material separation device comprises an annular inner lid portion inside the container.

4. The active material separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the active material separation device comprises a trapping filter provided inside the container. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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