A recycling and dismantling system and method for waste photovoltaic modules

By designing a recycling and dismantling system for waste photovoltaic modules, and utilizing a dismantling method that combines visual imaging and positioning modules, the environmental pollution and material waste caused by improper handling of waste photovoltaic modules have been solved, achieving efficient dismantling and classified recycling.

CN117548466BActive Publication Date: 2026-01-06DONGJIANG ENVIRONMENTAL CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202311781947.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-12-22
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Estimated Expiration
2043-12-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing technology, improper handling of waste photovoltaic modules leads to environmental pollution and waste of recyclable materials, and there is a lack of efficient recycling and dismantling methods.

Method used

A recycling and dismantling system for waste photovoltaic modules was designed, including a feeding module, a dismantling module, a transmission module, a high-pressure water cutting module, a low-temperature grinding module, a pyrolysis module, and a unloading module. The system obtains location information through a vision imaging module and a positioning module, and processes different components of the photovoltaic modules separately to achieve efficient dismantling and classified recycling.

Benefits of technology

It has improved the utilization rate of waste photovoltaic modules, reduced environmental pollution, and achieved the harmless treatment of hazardous substances and the high-purity recycling of recyclable materials.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of waste recycling, and more particularly to a recycling and disassembling system and method for waste photovoltaic modules, which are characterized in that the system comprises a feeding module, a disassembling module, a conveying module, a high-pressure water cutting module, a low-temperature grinding module, a pyrolysis module and a discharging module; the feeding module is used for moving the photovoltaic modules to the conveying module; the disassembling module is used for separating the junction box, the aluminum alloy frame and the photovoltaic laminated part of the photovoltaic module; the high-pressure water cutting module is used for cutting the photovoltaic laminated part and the aluminum alloy frame; the low-temperature grinding module is used for removing the organic silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the back plate of the photovoltaic laminated part; the pyrolysis module is used for decomposing and removing the photovoltaic laminated part with the back plate, the glue film of the junction box and the plastic; the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass of the junction box are reserved; and the discharging module is used for classifying the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of waste recycling, and more specifically, to a recycling and dismantling system and method for waste photovoltaic modules. Background Technology

[0002] As a sustainable emerging new energy industry, photovoltaic power generation has developed rapidly in recent years with the support and promotion of national policies. my country has been the world's largest photovoltaic application market for seven consecutive years.

[0003] However, the nominal lifespan of photovoltaic modules is generally 25-30 years. Improper operation or environmental factors during transportation and installation may cause premature damage to the modules. In addition, the continuous improvement of battery efficiency is also driving the upgrading of photovoltaic modules. The photovoltaic industry is about to face the first wave of large-scale module retirement. Furthermore, due to the replacement of photovoltaic technology, the reduction of photoelectric conversion efficiency, damage to photovoltaic equipment, and aging of photovoltaic modules, the retirement time of photovoltaic panels will be further accelerated.

[0004] Photovoltaic modules contain valuable materials such as glass, aluminum, copper, and silver, as well as harmful substances such as lead and fluorine. Depending on the specific module type, they may also contain rare materials such as indium and tellurium. If retired photovoltaic modules are discarded or buried without proper treatment, the harmful substances contained in the modules will pollute the environment, and recyclable materials will be wasted. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this invention is to provide a recycling and dismantling system and method for waste photovoltaic modules, which has the advantages of facilitating the subsequent recycling of photovoltaic modules and enabling the harmless treatment of waste modules.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a recycling and dismantling system for waste photovoltaic modules, comprising a feeding module, a dismantling module, a transmission module, a high-pressure water cutting module, a low-temperature grinding module, a pyrolysis module and a unloading module;

[0007] The feeding module, the disassembly module, the high-pressure water cutting module, the low-temperature grinding module, and the unloading module are sequentially arranged on the transmission module. The disassembly module and the low-temperature grinding module are respectively provided with an outlet connected to the pyrolysis module. The outlet of the pyrolysis module is connected to the inlet of the unloading module.

[0008] The loading module moves the photovoltaic module onto the transmission module; the disassembly module separates the junction box, aluminum alloy frame, and photovoltaic laminate of the photovoltaic module; the high-pressure water jet cutting module cuts the photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame; the low-temperature grinding module removes the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the backplate of the photovoltaic laminate; the pyrolysis module decomposes the photovoltaic laminate, the adhesive film and plastic of the junction box after removing the backplate, retaining the copper, silicon wafer and glass of the junction box; and the unloading module sorts the aluminum alloy frame, the copper, the silicon wafer and the glass.

[0009] In one embodiment, a visual imaging module and a positioning module are also included, the visual imaging module and the positioning module working together to track the location information of the photovoltaic module.

[0010] In one embodiment, the feeding module is equipped with a gripper and a moving unit. The moving unit drives the gripper to grab and move the photovoltaic module onto the transmission module based on the data collected by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0011] In one embodiment, the disassembly module is equipped with a mechanical gripper that separates the junction box, the aluminum alloy frame, and the photovoltaic laminate based on data collected by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

[0012] In one embodiment, the high-pressure water jet in the high-pressure water cutting module cuts the aluminum alloy frame based on data collected by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0013] In one embodiment, the low-temperature polishing module includes a low-temperature cooling unit and a polishing unit. The polishing unit is used to remove the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the backplate of the photovoltaic laminate. The low-temperature cooling unit is used to cool down the polishing unit when it is working.

[0014] In one embodiment, the grinding unit includes a coarse grinding mechanism, a grinding mechanism, and a fine grinding mechanism. The coarse grinding mechanism is used to remove impurities from the back plate, the grinding mechanism is used to perform preliminary grinding on the back plate, and the fine grinding mechanism is used to pulverize the back plate.

[0015] The coarse grinding mechanism works in conjunction with the grinding mechanism to remove the silicone film from the aluminum alloy frame.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pyrolysis module includes a preheating unit, a pyrolysis unit, and an exhaust gas recirculation unit. The waste heat unit is connected to the pyrolysis unit, the pyrolysis unit is connected to the exhaust gas recirculation unit, and the pyrolysis recirculation unit is connected to the preheating unit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the feeding module includes a cooling unit and a sorting unit. The inlet of the cooling unit is connected to the outlet of the low-temperature grinding module and the pyrolysis module, and is used to reduce the temperature of the copper material, the silicon wafer, the glass and the aluminum alloy frame.

[0018] The sorting unit is located at the outlet of the cooling unit and sorts and stores the copper material, silicon wafer, glass and aluminum alloy frame based on data obtained by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0019] A method for recycling and dismantling waste photovoltaic modules includes the following steps:

[0020] S1. Obtain the position and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and move the photovoltaic module to be disassembled onto the conveying module through the gripper;

[0021] S2. The conveying module moves the photovoltaic module to the disassembly module. The disassembly module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the vision imaging module and the positioning module. The disassembly module disassembles the photovoltaic module to obtain the photovoltaic laminate, aluminum alloy frame and junction box.

[0022] S3. The conveying module moves the photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame to the high-pressure water cutting module. The high-pressure water cutting module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and cuts the photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame to obtain the size and shape required by the low-temperature grinding module.

[0023] S4. The conveying module moves the cut photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame into the low-temperature grinding module. The low-temperature grinding module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic laminate and the aluminum alloy frame through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and removes the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the back plate of the photovoltaic laminate.

[0024] S5. The conveying module moves the junction box and the low-temperature ground photovoltaic laminate to the pyrolysis module, and the pyrolysis module decomposes the adhesive film and plastic of the photovoltaic laminate and the junction box to obtain copper material, silicon wafer and glass.

[0025] S6. The conveying module moves the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer, and the glass to the unloading module. The sorting module, based on the position information of the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer, and the glass obtained by the vision imaging module and the positioning module, recycles the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer, and the glass respectively.

[0026] The above-mentioned recycling and dismantling system and method for waste photovoltaic modules has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] By acquiring relevant data from photovoltaic modules using a visual imaging and positioning module, and then processing different components of the photovoltaic modules separately, high-purity recyclables can be obtained, thereby improving the utilization rate of waste photovoltaic modules and reducing environmental pollution. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the workflow of this system;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of this method. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0031] A recycling and dismantling system for waste photovoltaic modules, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a feeding module, a disassembly module, a transmission module, a high-pressure water cutting module, a low-temperature grinding module, a pyrolysis module, and a unloading module;

[0032] The feeding module, disassembly module, high-pressure water cutting module, low-temperature grinding module and unloading module are sequentially set on the transmission module. The disassembly module and the low-temperature grinding module are respectively provided with the discharge port connected to the pyrolysis module. The discharge port of the pyrolysis module is connected to the inlet of the unloading module.

[0033] The module consists of several components: a loading module to move photovoltaic modules onto the transmission module; a disassembly module to separate the junction box, aluminum alloy frame, and photovoltaic laminate of the photovoltaic modules; a high-pressure water jet cutting module to cut the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame; a low-temperature grinding module to remove the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the backsheet of the photovoltaic laminate; a pyrolysis module to decompose the photovoltaic laminate and junction box after removing the backsheet, retaining the copper, silicon wafer, and glass of the junction box; and a unloading module to sort the aluminum alloy frame, copper, silicon wafer, and glass.

[0034] Furthermore, it also includes a visual imaging module and a positioning module. The visual imaging module and the positioning module work together to track the location information of the photovoltaic modules. By working together, the visual imaging module and the positioning module can facilitate the acquisition of the location information of the photovoltaic modules in each process of the system, improve the accuracy of dismantling, and facilitate the classification of waste.

[0035] Specifically, the feeding module is equipped with a gripper and a moving unit. The moving unit drives the gripper to grab and move the photovoltaic module to the transmission module based on the data collected by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0036] Specifically, the disassembly module is equipped with a mechanical gripper that separates the junction box, aluminum alloy frame, and photovoltaic laminate based on data collected by the vision imaging module and positioning module.

[0037] Specifically, the high-pressure water jet in the high-pressure water cutting module cuts the aluminum alloy frame based on data collected by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0038] Specifically, the low-temperature grinding module includes a low-temperature cooling unit and a grinding unit. The grinding unit is used to remove the silicone film and the backplate of the photovoltaic laminate from the aluminum alloy frame, and the low-temperature cooling unit is used to cool down the grinding unit when it is working.

[0039] Preferably, the grinding unit includes a coarse grinding mechanism, a grinding mechanism, and a fine grinding mechanism. The coarse grinding mechanism is used to remove impurities from the back plate, the grinding mechanism is used to perform preliminary grinding on the back plate, and the fine grinding mechanism is used to crush the back plate. The coarse grinding mechanism and the grinding mechanism work together to remove the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame.

[0040] Specifically, the pyrolysis module includes a preheating unit, a pyrolysis unit, and an exhaust gas recirculation unit. The waste heat unit is connected to the pyrolysis unit, the pyrolysis unit is connected to the exhaust gas recirculation unit, and the pyrolysis recirculation unit is connected to the preheating unit.

[0041] Specifically, the feeding module includes a cooling unit and a sorting unit. The inlet of the cooling unit is connected to the outlet of the low-temperature grinding module and the pyrolysis module to reduce the temperature of the copper material, silicon wafer, glass and aluminum alloy frame.

[0042] The sorting unit is located at the outlet of the cooling unit. Based on data obtained from the vision imaging module and the positioning module, it sorts and stores copper materials, silicon wafers, glass and aluminum alloy frames.

[0043] A method for recycling and dismantling waste photovoltaic modules includes the following steps:

[0044] S1. Obtain the position and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and move the photovoltaic module to be disassembled onto the conveying module through the gripper;

[0045] S2. The conveying module moves the photovoltaic module to the disassembly module. The disassembly module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the vision imaging module and the positioning module. The disassembly module disassembles the photovoltaic module to obtain the photovoltaic laminate, aluminum alloy frame and junction box.

[0046] S3. The conveying module moves the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame to the high-pressure water cutting module. The high-pressure water cutting module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and cuts the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame to obtain the size and shape required by the low-temperature grinding module.

[0047] S4. The conveying module moves the cut photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame into the low-temperature grinding module. The low-temperature grinding module obtains the position and surface information of the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame through the vision imaging module and the positioning module, and removes the silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the back plate of the photovoltaic laminate.

[0048] S5. The conveying module moves the junction box and the low-temperature ground photovoltaic laminate to the pyrolysis module. The pyrolysis module decomposes the adhesive film and plastic of the photovoltaic laminate and the junction box to obtain copper, silicon wafers and glass.

[0049] S6. The conveying module moves the aluminum alloy frame, copper material, silicon wafer and glass to the unloading module. The sorting module, based on the position information of the aluminum alloy frame, copper material, silicon wafer and glass obtained by the vision imaging module and the positioning module, recycles the aluminum alloy frame, copper material, silicon wafer and glass respectively.

[0050] Example

[0051] The visual imaging module and positioning module transmit the position and surface information data of the photovoltaic module to the transfer unit in the loading module. The transfer unit controls the gripper to move and decides whether to flip the photovoltaic module according to the glass surface orientation. The gripper places the photovoltaic module into the transfer module with the mirror surface facing down. The transfer module moves the photovoltaic module into the disassembly module. Based on the position information of the photovoltaic panel and junction box on the photovoltaic module obtained by the visual imaging module and positioning module, the mechanical gripper in the disassembly module separates the junction box, aluminum alloy frame and photovoltaic laminate in sequence.

[0052] The transmission module moves the aluminum alloy frame and photovoltaic laminate into the high-pressure water cutting module and the junction box into the pyrolysis module. The high-pressure water jet cuts the photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame into shapes and sizes that meet the specifications of the low-temperature grinding module based on the data information fed back by the vision imaging module and the positioning module.

[0053] The transmission module moves the cut photovoltaic laminate and aluminum alloy frame into the cryogenic grinding module. The cryogenic cooling unit lowers the surface temperature of the grinding items by blowing cryogenic gas, while removing the adhering substances on the grinding wheel and increasing the cutting force of the grinding wheel. The coarse grinding structure first grinds out the impurities on the back plate and roughens the surface of the back plate to facilitate the next process. The grinding mechanism performs the initial grinding of the back plate, removing approximately 90% of the back plate thickness. The fine grinding mechanism completely crushes the back plate. The coarse grinding mechanism and the grinding mechanism together remove the silicone from the aluminum alloy frame.

[0054] The conveying mechanism moves the photovoltaic laminate with the backsheet removed to the pyrolysis module and the aluminum alloy frame with the silicone removed to the cooling unit;

[0055] The photovoltaic laminate and junction box after removing the backsheet first enter the preheating unit for preheating. After reaching a temperature between 150-200°C, they enter the pyrolysis unit. The pyrolysis unit decomposes and volatilizes the organic film and plastic in the laminate and junction box, leaving only copper, silicon wafers and glass. At the same time, the residual heat generated by the pyrolysis unit is transferred to the preheating unit by the exhaust gas recirculation unit, reducing the consumption of the pyrolysis module.

[0056] The conveying unit transports copper, silicon wafers, and glass to the cooling unit, which reduces the temperature of the aluminum alloy frame, copper, silicon wafers, and glass to room temperature by purging gas. The sorting unit then sorts and recycles the aluminum alloy frame, copper, silicon wafers, and glass by means of sieving, gravity separation, and electrostatic separation.

[0057] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A recycling system for disassembling waste photovoltaic modules, characterized by: The application relates to a photovoltaic module recycling device, which comprises a feeding module, a disassembling module, a conveying module, a high-pressure water cutting module, a low-temperature grinding module, a pyrolysis module and a discharging module; the device also comprises a visual imaging module and a positioning module, wherein the visual imaging module and the positioning module are matched and used for tracking position information of the photovoltaic module. The feeding module, the disassembling module, the high-pressure water cutting module, the low-temperature grinding module and the discharging module are sequentially arranged on the conveying module, the disassembling module and the low-temperature grinding module are respectively provided with a discharging port communicated with the pyrolysis module, and the discharging port of the pyrolysis module is communicated with the feeding port of the discharging module. The feeding module is used for moving the photovoltaic module to the conveying module, the disassembling module is used for separating a junction box, an aluminum alloy frame and a photovoltaic laminated piece of the photovoltaic module, the high-pressure water cutting module is used for cutting the photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame, the low-temperature grinding module is used for removing an organic silicone rubber film on the aluminum alloy frame and a backboard of the photovoltaic laminated piece, the pyrolysis module is used for decomposing and removing the photovoltaic laminated piece of the backboard, a rubber film of the junction box and plastic, and retaining copper material, a silicon wafer and glass of the junction box, and the discharging module is used for classifying the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass. The low-temperature grinding module comprises a low-temperature cooling unit and a grinding unit, the grinding unit is used for removing the organic silicone rubber film on the aluminum alloy frame and the backboard of the photovoltaic laminated piece, and the low-temperature cooling unit is used for cooling when the grinding unit works. The grinding unit comprises a coarse grinding mechanism, a grinding mechanism and a fine grinding mechanism, the coarse grinding mechanism is used for removing sundries on the backboard, the grinding mechanism is used for preliminarily grinding the backboard, and the fine grinding mechanism is used for crushing the backboard; the coarse grinding mechanism and the grinding mechanism are matched to remove the organic silicone rubber film on the aluminum alloy frame. The discharging module comprises a cooling unit and a sorting unit, the feeding port of the cooling unit is communicated with the discharging ports of the low-temperature grinding module and the pyrolysis module, and is used for reducing the temperature of the copper material, the silicon wafer, the glass and the aluminum alloy frame. The sorting unit is arranged at the discharging port of the cooling unit, and the copper material, the silicon wafer, the glass and the aluminum alloy frame are classified and stored based on data obtained by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

2. The recycling system of claim 1, wherein: The feeding module is provided with a grabbing hand and a running unit, the running unit drives the grabbing hand to grab and move the photovoltaic module to the conveying module according to data collected by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

3. The recycling system of waste photovoltaic module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The disassembling module is provided with a mechanical grabber, the mechanical grabber separates the junction box, the aluminum alloy frame and the photovoltaic laminated piece according to data collected by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

4. The recycling system of claim 1, wherein: A high-pressure water cutter in the high-pressure water cutting module cuts the aluminum alloy frame according to data collected by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

5. The system for recycling and disassembling waste photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pyrolysis module comprises a preheating unit, a pyrolysis unit and a tail gas circulation unit, the preheating unit is in communication with the pyrolysis unit, the pyrolysis unit is in communication with the tail gas circulation unit, and the pyrolysis unit is in communication with the preheating unit.

6. A recycling method of a waste photovoltaic module based on the recycling system of any one of the waste photovoltaic modules according to claims 1-5, characterized in that, It comprises the following steps: S1, obtaining the position information and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the visual imaging module and the positioning module, and moving the photovoltaic module to be disassembled to the conveying module by the grabbing hand; S2, the conveying module moves the photovoltaic module to the disassembly module, the disassembly module obtains the position information and surface information of the photovoltaic module through the visual imaging module and the positioning module, the disassembly module disassembles the photovoltaic module to obtain the photovoltaic laminated piece, the aluminum alloy frame and the junction box; S3, the conveying module moves the photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame to the high-pressure water cutting module, the high-pressure water cutting module obtains the position information and surface information of the photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame through the visual imaging module and the positioning module, and cuts the photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame to obtain the size and shape required by the low-temperature grinding module; S4, the conveying module moves the cut photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame into the low-temperature grinding module, the low-temperature grinding module obtains the position information and surface information of the photovoltaic laminated piece and the aluminum alloy frame through the visual imaging module and the positioning module to remove the organic silicone film on the aluminum alloy frame and the backboard of the photovoltaic laminated piece; S5, the conveying module moves the junction box and the low-temperature ground photovoltaic laminated piece to the pyrolysis module, the pyrolysis module decomposes the glue film and plastic of the photovoltaic laminated piece and the junction box to obtain copper material, silicon wafer and glass; S6, the conveying module moves the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass to the discharging module, and the sorting unit recycles the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass respectively based on the position information of the aluminum alloy frame, the copper material, the silicon wafer and the glass obtained by the visual imaging module and the positioning module.

Citation Information

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