Fluid flotation separation method and flotation system for battery dismantling

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and flotation system for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation. The method and flotation system for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation include: a cutting step and a flotation step, and continuously flotating the battery dismantling materials placed in a flotation device by providing a fluid with a specific flow rate; wherein the flotation device includes a tube body, a porous guide plate and a screen, and the porous guide plate is formed with a plurality of through holes; and the fluid enters the tube body from the lower opening of the tube body, and sequentially passes through the porous guide plate and the screen to separate the first electrode fragments, the second electrode fragments and the isolation membrane fragments. The method and flotation system for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation of the present invention can improve the separation efficiency of battery dismantling materials of discarded batteries, and facilitate recycling and reuse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a flotation system for separating dismantled battery materials by fluid flotation, and in particular to a method and a flotation system for separating dismantled battery materials by fluid flotation for recycling lithium batteries. Background Art

[0002] Humanity's dependence on electricity is increasing rapidly, and a wide variety of battery types have been developed to meet different needs: wet cells, dry cells, fuel cells, and radioactive batteries. Common disposable dry cells in daily life include carbon-zinc batteries, alkaline manganese batteries, and lithium batteries, while rechargeable dry cells include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries.

[0003] Environmental protection and sustainable development are already technological trends, and waste batteries contain a variety of recyclable materials. Taking automotive lithium batteries as an example, the aluminum foil used as the positive electrode current collector, the copper foil used as the negative electrode current collector, and other precious metals contained in them are all recyclable. Therefore, how to improve the recovery rate of different materials contained in waste batteries is a key issue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation, comprising: a cutting step of providing a waste battery and cutting the waste battery to obtain battery dismantling materials; wherein the waste battery comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, and the battery dismantling materials comprise first electrode fragments, second electrode fragments, and separator fragments, and the specific gravity of the first electrode fragments is greater than the specific gravity of the second electrode fragments, and the specific gravity of the second electrode fragments is greater than the specific gravity of the separator fragments; and a flotation step of providing a fluid with a flow rate of 1.06 kg / s to 1.60 kg / s to continuously float the battery dismantling materials placed in a flotation device to separate the first electrode fragments, the second electrode fragments, and the separator fragments; wherein the flotation device comprises a tube, a porous guide plate, and a screen, wherein the tube It has a relative lower opening and upper opening, the porous guide plate and the screen are accommodated in the tube body, the porous guide plate is arranged between the lower opening and the screen, and the fluid enters the tube body from the lower opening of the tube body and passes through the porous guide plate and the screen in sequence; the porous guide plate is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the contour cross-sectional area of ​​the porous guide plate is 0.09 to 0.14; the screen has a relative lower mesh opening and upper mesh opening, an axial channel passing through the lower mesh opening and the upper mesh opening, and an outer side wall extending from the lower mesh opening and retracting to the upper mesh opening; the upper mesh opening faces the upper opening of the tube body, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body; and the outer side wall and the tube body form an accommodating space to intercept the second electrode fragments.

[0005] The present invention regulates the water flow impulse and buoyancy provided by the fluid to the battery disassembled material, so that the flotation device can simultaneously separate materials with different specific gravities. That is, the first electrode fragments, the second electrode fragments, and the isolation membrane fragments are driven to float by the fluid, and finally the first electrode fragments are settled on the porous guide plate, the second electrode fragments are settled in the accommodating space formed by the outer side wall and the tube body, and the isolation membrane fragments float near the upper opening, thereby achieving the effect of separating the first electrode fragments, the second electrode fragments, and the isolation membrane fragments.

[0006] In addition, in addition to adjusting the flow rate of the fluid to separate materials of different specific gravities, the porous guide plate disposed between the lower opening and the screen helps to concentrate the fluid before passing through the porous guide plate, and further increases the flow rate of the fluid and adjusts the flow path after the fluid passes through the through holes of the porous guide plate, thereby effectively improving the flotation rate of the present invention and improving the recovery rate of the recyclable materials, such as the first electrode fragments and the second electrode fragments.

[0007] In one embodiment, the fluid comprises water.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first electrode comprises a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material coating applied to the positive electrode current collector; the second electrode comprises a negative electrode current collector; and / or the separator comprises a polymer material.

[0009] Preferably, the positive electrode current collector comprises aluminum; preferably, the negative electrode current collector comprises copper. Specifically, the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum foil, and / or the negative electrode current collector may be copper foil.

[0010] Preferably, the polymer material comprises a plastic material, and more preferably, the plastic material comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

[0011] In one embodiment, the positive electrode active material coating comprises any one of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ), lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (LiNiMnCoO 2 ), and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO 2 ), or a combination thereof.

[0012] According to the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the porous guide plate refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the holes without deducting the through holes.

[0013] Preferably, before the flotation step, the battery disassembly material is placed between the porous guide plate and the screen.

[0014] In one embodiment, each of the disassembled battery materials is in sheet form. Specifically, sheet-shaped disassembled battery materials, such as the sheet-shaped first electrode fragments, the sheet-shaped second electrode fragments, and the sheet-shaped separator fragments, are more easily carried upward by the fluid, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving flotation efficiency. Preferably, each of the disassembled battery materials has an area of ​​5 to 30 square centimeters. More preferably, the ratio of the longest side to the shortest side of the disassembled battery materials is 1 to 3, for example, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3.

[0015] In one embodiment, the porous guide plate is circular, and / or the tube is tubular. Preferably, the diameter of the porous guide plate is the same as the diameter of the tube, meaning that the porous guide plate is directly engaged with the inner surface of the tube, facilitating separation of the porous guide plate from the tube to remove the recyclable material.

[0016] In one embodiment, the flotation device further comprises a first connecting unit connecting the porous guide plate and the tube body. Preferably, the first connecting unit is detachably connected to the porous guide plate and the inner side surface of the tube body to facilitate separation of the porous guide plate and the tube body to remove the recyclable material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the porous flow guide plate has a first plane and a second plane that oppose each other. The through-holes each extend from the first plane to the second plane. The through-holes are located at the center of the second plane and / or are arranged in a ring around the center of the second plane to form a plurality of circles. The central axis of each through-hole forms a first angle with the second plane, and the first angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. Furthermore, the first plane faces the lower opening of the tube body, and the second plane faces the upper opening of the tube body.

[0018] Preferably, the through holes are arranged in a ring shape around the center of the second plane, and forming a plurality of circles means that the through holes in each circle are arranged in concentric circles with the center of the second plane as the center.

[0019] The central axis of the through hole forms the first angle with the second plane, and the first angle in the present invention refers to an angle less than or equal to 90 degrees. For example, when the central axis of the through hole is perpendicular to the second plane, the first angle is 90 degrees; or when the central axis of the through hole forms a 45-degree angle with the second plane, the first angle is 45 degrees.

[0020] In some embodiments, the through holes of the porous guide plate are arranged at equal intervals, or the through holes in the same circle of the porous guide plate are arranged at equal intervals.

[0021] The present invention can further improve the flotation rate of the present invention by adjusting the arrangement of the through holes and the angle of the first included angle of the through holes, thereby improving the recovery rate of the recyclable material.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first angle between the central axis of each through hole and the second plane is 90 degrees in whole or in part. Preferably, the first angle between the central axis of the through hole located at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate and the second plane is 90 degrees. The "center of the second plane of the porous guide plate" refers to a point on the second plane of the porous guide plate, and the distance between the point and any point on the edge of the second plane is equal. For example, if the second plane is circular, the point is the center of the circle; or, if the second plane is a symmetrical shape, such as a square or a rhombus, the point is the intersection of the diagonals.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first angle between the central axis of the through hole located only at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate and the second plane is 90 degrees.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first angle between the central axis of each circle of the through holes and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection direction of the through holes in each circle is the same, that is, the through holes in each circle are arranged in a ring shape and deflected in the same direction, for example: all deflected in the clockwise direction, or all deflected in the counterclockwise direction.

[0025] According to the present invention, the deflection direction of each circle of through-holes refers to the deflection direction of the area of ​​each circle of through-holes projected onto the first plane or the second plane. Furthermore, the area of ​​the through-holes projected onto the first plane or the second plane refers to the area projected onto the first plane or the second plane, assuming that the space enclosed by the through-holes is a solid.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first angle between the central axis of each circle of the through holes and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection directions of the through holes in different circles are different.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first angle between the central axis of each circle of the through holes and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection directions of the through holes in two adjacent circles are opposite, that is, the through holes in the same circle are arranged in a ring shape and deflected in the same direction, for example: all deflected in the clockwise direction, or all deflected in the counterclockwise direction, and the through holes in two adjacent circles are each arranged in a ring shape and deflected in opposite directions, for example: the deflection direction of the through holes in the first circle is clockwise, the deflection direction of the through holes in the second circle is counterclockwise, the deflection direction of the through holes in the third circle is clockwise, and the deflection direction of the through holes in the fourth circle is counterclockwise, and so on.

[0028] In one embodiment, the number of the annularly arranged through holes in different circles is different, and increases gradually from the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate to the periphery, so as to facilitate controlling the flow rate and water flow path of the fluid after passing through the porous guide plate and improving the flotation rate.

[0029] In one embodiment, the through hole is provided near or at the outer contour of the second plane and is a complete hole or a partial hole, which can prevent the battery disassembly material from staying near the outer contour of the second plane after flotation.

[0030] In one embodiment, the diameters of the through holes are all or partially the same. When the diameters of the through holes are all the same, it is beneficial to control the flow rate and uniformity of the water flow path of the fluid after passing through the porous guide plate, and improve the flotation rate.

[0031] Preferably, the first angle is 30 degrees to 60 degrees, for example, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees or 60 degrees.

[0032] In one embodiment, only the central axis of the through-hole located at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate has the first angle between it and the second plane of 90 degrees. The central axis of the through-holes in the remaining circles each has the first angle between it and the second plane of greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the through-holes in each circle have the same deflection direction. Consequently, the fluid passing through the porous guide plate can form a vortex-like flow, further improving the flotation efficiency of the method of the present invention and the recovery rate of various recyclable materials.

[0033] Preferably, only the central axis of the through-hole located at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate has the first angle between the central axis and the second plane of 90 degrees, while the central axis of the through-holes in the remaining circles each has the first angle between the central axis and the second plane of greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection directions of the through-holes in two adjacent circles are opposite. Accordingly, the fluid passing through the porous guide plate can form a staggered water flow. According to the present invention, the deflection angle of the through-holes greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees and the arrangement of the through-holes in two adjacent circles with opposite deflection directions can each further improve the flotation rate of the method of the present invention and improve the recovery rate of each recyclable material.

[0034] In the present invention, “the upper web opening faces the upper opening of the tube body” means that the upper web opening is away from the lower opening of the tube body.

[0035] In one embodiment, the screen is located between the porous guide plate and the upper opening of the tube body.

[0036] In one embodiment, the screen is in direct contact with the tube. Preferably, the upper and lower openings of the screen are circular, and / or the tube is tubular. More preferably, the diameter of the lower opening of the screen is the same as the diameter of the tube, meaning that the lower opening of the screen is directly engaged with the inner side of the tube.

[0037] In one embodiment, the flotation device further comprises a second connecting unit connecting the screen and the tube. Preferably, the second connecting unit is detachably connected to the screen and the inner side of the tube to facilitate separation of the screen and the tube to remove the recyclable material.

[0038] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening of the screen is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower mesh opening. Preferably, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening to the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower mesh opening of the screen is 0.5 to 0.9, for example, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9.

[0039] Preferably, the outer sidewall of the screen is tapered from the lower screen opening to the upper screen opening. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the screen adjacent to the lower screen opening is larger than the cross-sectional area adjacent to the upper screen opening.

[0040] In one embodiment, the screen may be a mesh basket with a through center, but is not limited thereto. For example, the screen gradually retracts from the lower mesh opening toward the upper mesh opening, for example: the longitudinal section of the screen through the center is a trapezoidal shape that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom along the direction from the upper mesh opening to the lower mesh opening. In another embodiment, the screen is lantern-shaped, that is, the width of the screen at a position equidistant from the upper mesh opening and the lower mesh opening is greater than the width at the upper mesh opening and the width at the lower mesh opening, and the screens gradually retract from the equidistant positions toward the upper mesh opening and the lower mesh opening, for example: the longitudinal section of the screen through the center is lantern-shaped along the direction from the upper mesh opening to the lower mesh opening.

[0041] According to the present invention, because the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening of the screen is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body, a narrow and long accommodating space is formed between the screen and the inner tube wall of the tube body, and is used to separate the objects to be recycled, for example, the second electrode fragments, which pass through the lower mesh opening and the upper mesh opening of the screen in sequence by the buoyancy of the fluid, and finally settle in the narrow and long accommodating space between the screen and the inner tube wall of the tube body, and are intercepted by the screen and cannot pass through the screen and be separated from other objects to be recycled, for example, the first electrode fragments that settle on the porous guide plate or the isolation membrane floating near the upper opening.

[0042] In one embodiment, the longest side of the battery disassembly material is smaller than the diameter of the upper opening of the screen. Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the upper opening of the screen to the diameter of the tube is 1:1.1 to 1:2, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, the ratio of the diameter of the upper opening of the screen to the diameter of the tube is 1:1.1, 1:1.3, 1:1.5, 1:1.7, 1:1.9, or 1:2.

[0043] In one embodiment, the diameter of the mesh opening is 10 cm to 20 cm, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] In one embodiment, the distance between the porous guide plate and the lower opening is approximately 10 cm to 30 cm, for example, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm, or 30 cm. Preferably, the distance between the porous guide plate and the lower opening is approximately 17 cm to 21 cm. According to the present invention, the distance between the porous guide plate and the lower opening does not affect the flotation rate.

[0045] In one embodiment, the diameter of the tube is 14 cm to 17 cm, for example, 14 cm, 14.7 cm, 15.4 cm, 16.1 cm, 16.8 cm or 17 cm. Preferably, the diameter of the tube is 15.4 cm.

[0046] In one embodiment, the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen is about 7 cm to 20 cm, for example, 7 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm or 20 cm; preferably, the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen is about 10 cm to 16 cm.

[0047] In one embodiment, the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube is 0.5 to 1.5 times, so as to improve the flotation rate.

[0048] Preferably, the first angles between the central axes of the through holes of the porous guide plate and the second plane are all 90 degrees, and the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 1 to 1.5 times, so as to obtain the best flotation rate.

[0049] Preferably, the first angle between the central axis of the through hole located only at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate and the second plane is 90 degrees, the first angle between the central axis of the through holes in the remaining circles and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection directions of the through holes in two adjacent circles are opposite, and the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 0.8 to 1.3 times, so as to obtain the best flotation rate.

[0050] Preferably, the first angle between the central axis of the through hole located only at the center of the second plane of the porous guide plate and the second plane is 90 degrees, and the first angle between the central axis of the through holes in the remaining circles and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection direction of the through holes in each circle is the same, and the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 0.5 to 1 times, so as to obtain the best flotation rate.

[0051] In one embodiment, the length of the axial channel is 3 cm to 10 cm, for example, 3 cm, 5 cm, 7 cm, 9 cm or 10 cm. Preferably, the length of the axial channel is 5 cm to 7 cm.

[0052] The present invention further provides a flotation system, comprising: a flotation device, comprising a tube, a porous guide plate and a screen, wherein the tube has a lower opening and an upper opening relative to each other, the porous guide plate and the screen are accommodated in the tube, and the porous guide plate is arranged between the lower opening and the screen; the porous guide plate is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the cross-sectional area of ​​the outline of the porous guide plate is 0.09 to 0.14; the screen has a lower opening relative to each other ... A mesh port and an upper port, an axial channel passing through the lower mesh port and the upper port, and an outer side wall extending from the lower mesh port and retracting into the upper port; the upper port faces the upper opening of the tube body, the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper port is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body, and the outer side wall and the tube body form an accommodating space; and a fluid supply unit for providing a fluid so that the fluid enters the tube body from the lower opening of the tube body and passes through the porous guide plate and the screen in sequence.

[0053] In one embodiment, the flotation system of the present invention is used to separate battery disassembly materials. Preferably, the battery disassembly materials include first electrode fragments, second electrode fragments, and separator fragments. More preferably, the accommodating space is used to intercept the second electrode fragments.

[0054] In one embodiment, the fluid supply unit includes a fluid regulator for adjusting the fluid flow rate. For example, the fluid regulator can be a pump, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] In one embodiment, the fluid supply unit has a fluid supply outlet, and the fluid supply outlet is located between the porous guide plate and the lower opening of the tube body, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0056] In one embodiment, the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube is 0.5 to 1.5 times, that is, the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube is 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, so as to improve the flotation rate.

[0057] In one embodiment, the flotation system further includes a fluid circulation device for introducing the fluid flowing out of the upper opening of the tube into the fluid supply unit. For example, the fluid circulation device can be a recovery bucket, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] In summary, the present invention separates materials of different specific gravities simultaneously in the flotation device through the buoyancy of the fluid, that is, mainly by adjusting the fluid flow rate, the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the contour cross-sectional area of ​​the porous guide plate, the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body, the angle of the first angle of the through holes of the porous guide plate, the annular arrangement of the through holes, the deflection direction of the through holes of different circles, the number of through holes, and the position configuration of the porous guide plate between the lower opening and the screen, the structural design of the uniform diameter of the through holes, the provision of a screen with an interception function, and / or cutting the battery disassembled materials into specific sizes and shapes, so as to further improve the flotation rate of the present invention, thereby improving the recovery rate of the recyclable materials and facilitating resource recycling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation according to Example 1 of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 2A This is a photo of the first electrode fragments settling on the porous guide plate; Figure 2B A photograph showing second electrode fragments settling in the accommodation space formed by the outer wall of the screen and the tube body; and Figure 2C This is a photo of the isolation membrane floating on the opening of the tube.

[0061] Figure 3A A three-dimensional diagram of a porous guide plate used in Example 1 of the present invention; Figure 3B A top view thereof; and Figure 3C The following is a simulation diagram of the water flow path using it.

[0062] Figure 4A A perspective view of a porous guide plate used in Example 2 of the present invention; Figure 4B A top view thereof; and Figure 4C The following is a simulation diagram of the water flow path using it.

[0063] Figure 5A A three-dimensional diagram of a porous guide plate used in Example 3 of the present invention; Figure 5B A top view thereof; and Figure 5C The following is a simulation diagram of the water flow path using it.

[0064] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the flotation system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Several operating modes are provided below to illustrate the implementation methods of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the advantages and effects that can be achieved by the present invention through the contents of this specification, and make various modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention to implement or apply the contents of the present invention.

[0066] Example 1: Method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the method for fluid flotation separation of battery disassembly materials of this embodiment includes: a cutting step: providing a waste battery, and cutting the waste battery to obtain a battery disassembly material 2; wherein the waste battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a separator, and the battery disassembly material 2 includes first electrode fragments 20, second electrode fragments 21 and separator fragments 22, and the specific gravity of the first electrode fragments 20 is greater than the specific gravity of the second electrode fragments 21, and the specific gravity of the second electrode fragments 21 is greater than the specific gravity of the separator fragments 22. Specifically, commercial 18650 lithium batteries are cut to obtain the battery disassembled product 2 in sheet form, which includes the first electrode fragment 20 in sheet form, i.e., aluminum foil coated with a positive electrode active material coating: lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (LiNiMnCoO2), and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO2), the second electrode fragment 21 in sheet form, i.e., copper foil, and the separator fragment 22 in sheet form, i.e., polypropylene, polyethylene, or polypropylene-polyethylene composite film, and the sizes of the first electrode fragment 20, the second electrode fragment 21, and the separator fragment 22 are all 3 cm × 3 cm.

[0068] The specific gravity of the lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide coating is 20 mg / cm 2 , the specific gravity of aluminum foil is 4.211 mg / cm 2 , and the specific gravity of copper foil is 8.647 mg / cm 2 Because the first electrode fragment 20 comprises the lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide coatings, and the aluminum foil, the specific gravity of the first electrode fragment 20 is greater than that of the second electrode fragment 21. Furthermore, the aluminum foil of a commercial 18650 lithium battery is coated with two layers of lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide. Therefore, the weight of the first electrode fragment 20 (3 cm x 3 cm) is 3 × 3 × (4.211 + 2 × 20) = 398 mg, while the weight of the second electrode fragment is 3 × 3 × 8.647 = 77.8 mg. This means that the weight of the first electrode fragment is 511% of the weight of the second electrode fragment, approximately five times the weight.

[0069] Flotation step: providing water at a flow rate of 1.33 kg / s as the fluid 3, and continuously flotating the battery dismantling material 2 placed in a flotation device 1 to separate the first electrode fragments 20, the second electrode fragments 21 and the separator fragments 22.

[0070] The results are as follows Figures 2A to 2CAs shown, after the fluid flotation separation method of the battery dismantling material of this embodiment, the aluminum foil coated with the lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide coating of the first electrode fragment, the copper foil of the second electrode fragment, and the polypropylene, polyethylene or polypropylene-polyethylene composite film of the isolation membrane fragment can be obtained respectively.

[0071] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the flotation device 1 includes a tube body 10, a porous guide plate 11 and a screen 12, wherein the tube body 10 has a lower opening 101 and an upper opening 102 relative to each other, the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 are accommodated in the tube body 10, the porous guide plate 11 is arranged between the lower opening 101 and the screen 12, and the distance between the porous guide plate 11 and the lower opening 101 is approximately 19 cm, and the distance between the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 is approximately 10 cm to 16 cm; and the fluid 3 enters the tube body 10 from the lower opening 101 of the tube body 10 and passes through the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 in sequence.

[0072] The porous guide plate 11 is formed with a plurality of through holes 111A, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes 111A to the cross-sectional area of ​​the outline of the porous guide plate 11 is 0.11604. In addition, the plurality of through holes 111A of the porous guide plate 11 can have various forms and are respectively Figure 3A (i.e. corresponding to Example 1), Figure 4A (i.e. corresponding to Example 2) and Figure 5A (i.e. corresponding to Example 3) for illustration, Figure 1 The configuration of the porous guide plate 11 shown in FIG is only a schematic diagram.

[0073] The screen 12 has a lower mesh opening 121 and an upper mesh opening 122 relative to each other, an axial channel 123 that passes through the lower mesh opening 121 and the upper mesh opening 122, and the length of the axial channel 123 is approximately 6 cm, and an outer side wall 124 that extends from the lower mesh opening 121 and retracts inwardly to the upper mesh opening 122, and the outer side wall 124 is inclined; the upper mesh opening 122 faces the upper opening 102 of the tube body 10, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening 122 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body 10 and also smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower mesh opening 121; the outer side wall 124 and the tube body 10 form an accommodating space 125 to intercept the second electrode fragments 21.

[0074] The tube body 10 is an acrylic tube with an inner diameter of 154 mm and an inner cross-sectional area of ​​18,626.50 mm². The diameter of each of the through-holes 111A is 8 mm, and the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through-holes 111A is 2,161.42 mm². Based on the formula fluid flow rate = fluid density (ρ) × fluid flow velocity (v) × cross-sectional area (A) through which the fluid passes, and the fact that the fluid flow rate before and after passing through the porous guide plate 11 is the same, i.e., ρv1A1 = ρv2A2, the flow velocity (i.e., v2) of the fluid 3 after passing through the porous guide plate 11 is 11.4615843 kg / s, which is 8.6 times the flow velocity (i.e., v1) of the fluid 3 before passing through the porous guide plate 11.

[0075] Figure 3A The porous flow guide plate 11 used in Example 1 was a circular styrofoam plate (purchased from Tairong Packaging Materials Co., Ltd.) with a thickness of approximately 1.5 cm. The porous flow guide plate 11 had a first plane 112 and a second plane 113 opposite each other. Each of the through-holes 111A extended from the first plane 112 to the second plane 113. The central axis 1110 of each through-hole 111A was perpendicular to the second plane 113. That is, the first angle θ1 between the central axis 1110 of each through-hole 111A and the second plane 113 was 90 degrees.

[0076] like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the through-holes 111A are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the second plane 113, forming multiple rings. Specifically, the rings are arranged concentrically from the inside out. The through-holes 111A, from the center of the second plane 113 toward the periphery, are: one through-hole 111A located at the center of the porous guide plate 11; a first ring of six through-holes 111A; a second ring of eight through-holes 111A; a third ring of 16 through-holes 111A; and a fourth ring of 24 through-holes 111B. The through-holes 111A are complete holes, while the through-holes 111B are partial holes. Furthermore, the through-holes 111B in the fourth ring are located at the outer contour of the second plane 113 and are partial holes, preventing the battery disassembled material from residing near the outer contour of the second plane 113 after flotation.

[0077] In addition, when using Figure 3A When the porous guide plate 11 is shown, the best flotation rate can be obtained when the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate 11 and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 1 to 1.5 times.

[0078] Finally, if Figure 3CAs shown, the water flow path of the method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation in Example 1 of the present invention is simulated by Solidwork software. It can be found that the paths of the water flow before and after passing through the porous guide plate of Example 1 are basically linear.

[0079] Example 2: Method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation

[0080] The method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation in Example 2 is similar to the method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation in Example 1, except that the first angle of the through-holes of the porous guide plate affects the flow path of water in the tube body after passing through the through-holes of the porous guide plate.

[0081] like Figure 4A As shown, the porous flow guide plate 11 is a circular styrofoam plate with a thickness of approximately 1.5 cm. The porous flow guide plate 11 has a first plane 112 and a second plane 113 opposite each other. The through-holes 111A each extend from the first plane 112 to the second plane 113. The through-hole 111A located at the center of the second plane 113 of the porous flow guide plate 11 is perpendicular to the second plane 113, i.e., the first angle θ2 between the central axis 1110 of the central through-hole 111A and the second plane 113 is 90 degrees. The first angles θ2 between the central axes 1110 of the through-holes 111A located in the first to fourth circles and the second plane 113 are all 45 degrees. The through-holes 111A in two adjacent circles are skewed in opposite directions, with the directions from the center of the second plane 113 to the periphery being counterclockwise, clockwise, counterclockwise, and clockwise, respectively. In other words, the areas of the through holes 111A in two adjacent circles projected onto the second plane 113 are tilted in opposite directions, and the directions from the center to the periphery of the second plane 113 are counterclockwise, clockwise, counterclockwise, and clockwise.

[0082] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the through-holes 111A are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the second plane 113, forming multiple rings, i.e., the rings are arranged concentrically. The through-holes 111A, from the center of the second plane 113 toward the periphery, are: one through-hole 111A located at the center of the porous guide plate 11; a first ring of six through-holes 111A; a second ring of eight through-holes 111A; a third ring of 16 through-holes 111A; and a fourth ring of 24 through-holes 111B. The through-holes 111A are complete holes, while the through-holes 111B are partial holes. Furthermore, the through-holes 111B in the fourth ring are located at the outer contour of the second plane 113 and are partial holes, which prevents the battery disassembled material from remaining near the outer contour of the second plane 113 after flotation.

[0083] In addition, when using Figure 4A When the porous guide plate 11 is shown, the best flotation rate can be obtained when the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate 11 and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 0.8 to 1.3 times.

[0084] like Figure 4C As shown, a simulation of the water flow path of the method for fluid flotation separation of battery disassembled materials according to Example 2 of the present invention using Solidwork software revealed that the porous guide plate employed in the present invention can increase the flow rate and adjust the water flow path, which differs from the water flow path shown in Example 1. Specifically, according to the aforementioned formula: fluid flow rate = fluid density (ρ) × fluid flow rate (v) × cross-sectional area (A) through which the fluid passes, and the fact that the fluid flow rate is the same before and after passing through the porous guide plate, i.e., ρv1A1 = ρv2A2, it can be seen that because the diameter and number of the through-holes in Examples 1 and 2 are identical, i.e., the cross-sectional area (A) through which the fluid passes is the same, and because the fluid flow rates in Examples 1 and 2 are also the same, the flow rate of the water after passing through the porous guide plate in Example 2 is also 11.4615843 kg / s, the same as in Example 1.

[0085] However, from Figure 4C It can be found that in the water flow path of the fluid flotation separation method for battery disassembly according to Example 2 of the present invention simulated by Solidwork software, after the water flows through the porous guide plate of Example 2, the water flow path is staggered, which is different from the linear water flow path of Example 1.

[0086] Example 3: Method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation

[0087] The method of fluid flotation separation of battery dismantling materials in Example 3 is similar to the method of fluid flotation separation of battery dismantling materials in Example 1, the difference being the first angle of the through-holes of the porous guide plate, which in turn affects the flow path of water in the tube body after passing through the through-holes of the porous guide plate.

[0088] like Figure 5A As shown, the porous flow guide plate 11 is a circular styrofoam plate (purchased from Tairong Packaging Materials Co., Ltd.) with a thickness of approximately 1.5 cm. The porous flow guide plate 11 has a first plane 112 and a second plane 113 opposite each other. Each of the through-holes 111A extends from the first plane 112 to the second plane 113. The through-hole 111A located at the center of the second plane 113 of the porous flow guide plate 11 is perpendicular to the second plane 113, i.e., the first angle θ3 between the central axis 1110 of the central through-hole 111A and the second plane 113 is 90 degrees. The first angles θ3 between the central axes 1110 of the through-holes 111A located in the first to fourth circles and the second plane 113 are all 45 degrees. The through-holes 111A in each circle are skewed in the same direction, clockwise.

[0089] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the through-holes 111A are arranged in a circular pattern around the center of the second plane 113, forming multiple rings, i.e., the rings are arranged concentrically. The through-holes 111A, from the center of the second plane 113 toward the periphery, are: one through-hole 111A located at the center of the porous guide plate 11; a first ring of six through-holes 111A; a second ring of eight through-holes 111A; a third ring of 16 through-holes 111A; and a fourth ring of 24 through-holes 111B. The through-holes 111A are complete holes, while the through-holes 111B are partial holes. Furthermore, the through-holes 111B in the fourth ring are located at the outer contour of the second plane 113 and are partial holes, which prevents the battery disassembled material from remaining near the outer contour of the second plane 113 after flotation.

[0090] In addition, when using Figure 5A When the porous guide plate 11 is shown, the best flotation rate can be obtained when the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate 11 and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 0.5 to 1 times.

[0091] like Figure 5CAs shown, a Solidwork software simulation of the water flow path of the method for fluid flotation separation of disassembled battery materials according to Example 3 of the present invention is shown. Specifically, because the diameter and number of the through-holes in Examples 1 and 3 are identical, i.e., the cross-sectional area (A) through which the fluid passes is identical, and the fluid flow rates in Examples 1 and 3 are also identical, the flow rate of water after passing through the porous guide plate in Example 3 is also 11.4615843 kg / s, the same as in Example 1.

[0092] However, from Figure 5C It can be seen that the water flow path in the method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation in Example 3 takes on a swirling shape after passing through the porous guide plate, unlike the linear water flow path in Example 1. Furthermore, the water flow path density in Example 3 is significantly higher near the porous guide plate than away from the porous guide plate, unlike the relatively uniformly distributed water flow path density in Examples 1 and 2.

[0093] Test Result 1: Flotation Rate Results of Examples 1 to 3

[0094] Except for the different porous guide plates used in Examples 1 to 3, the other test conditions were the same. The experiment was repeated twice in each example to obtain two groups of results. The flotation rates obtained in each group are shown in Table 1.

[0095] The "feed weight" in Table 1 represents the initial weight of each recyclable material, as indicated on commercial 18650 lithium batteries. The "flotation weight" represents the recovered weight of each recyclable material after separation. Specifically, the flotation weight of the first electrode fragments is the weight of the first electrode fragments collected and settled on the porous guide plate and then dried. The flotation weight of the second electrode fragments is the weight of the second electrode fragments collected and settled on the screen and then dried. Flotation rate (%) = (flotation weight / feed weight) × 100%.

[0096] Table 1: Flotation efficiency results of Examples 1 to 3

[0097]

[0098] As shown in Table 1, the flotation rates of the first electrode fragments in Examples 1 to 3 all reached over 89%, and the flotation rates of the second electrode fragments in Examples 1 to 3 all reached over 70%. This demonstrates that the present invention can effectively separate and recover the first and second electrode fragments. Furthermore, the flotation rates of the first electrode fragments obtained by the fluid flotation separation method for battery dismantling in Example 2 reached 100% and 95.5%, respectively, with an average of 97.75%, significantly superior to the average of 92.2% in Example 1 and 93.8% in Example 3. The flotation rates of the second electrode fragments in Example 2 were 85.9% and 84.5%, respectively, with an average of 85.2%, significantly superior to the average of 77.25% in Example 1 and 74.7% in Example 3. Therefore, the fluid flotation separation method for battery dismantling in Example 2 has the best flotation rate.

[0099] Test Result 2: Flotation efficiency results of battery dismantling materials of different sizes

[0100] Examples 4 and 5 were tested under the same test conditions as Example 2, except that the size of the disassembled battery samples used was different from that of Example 2. As mentioned above, the size of the disassembled battery samples in Example 2 was 3 cm × 3 cm; the size of the disassembled battery samples in Example 4 was 4 cm × 4 cm; and the size of the disassembled battery samples in Example 5 was 5 cm × 5 cm.

[0101] Secondly, the weight of the first electrode fragments in each of Examples 2, 4, and 5 was approximately 5 times the weight of the second electrode fragments. Finally, Examples 4 and 5 were both repeated twice to obtain two sets of results. The flotation rates obtained in each set are shown in Table 2.

[0102] Table 2: Flotation efficiency results of Examples 4 and 5

[0103]

[0104] As shown in Table 2, the flotation rates of the first electrode fragments in Examples 4 and 5 both reached 100.0%, and the flotation rates of the second electrode fragments in Examples 4 and 5 both reached over 87.6%, effectively separating and recovering the first and second electrode fragments. Furthermore, the average flotation rates of the second electrode fragments obtained by the fluid flotation separation of battery dismantling materials in Examples 4 and 5 were 89.2% and 90.3%, respectively, exceeding the average flotation rate of 85.2% in Example 2. The flotation rate in Example 5 was the highest, indicating that increasing the size of the battery dismantling material would help improve the flotation rate. Finally, since the weight of the first electrode fragments in Examples 2, 4, and 5 is five times that of the second electrode fragments, and the buoyancy per unit area in Examples 2, 4, and 5 should be the same, it is analyzed that increasing the weight of the battery dismantling material would help improve the flotation rate.

[0105] Example 7: Flotation System

[0106] like Figure 6 As shown, the flotation system S of the present invention comprises: a flotation device 1, comprising a tube body 10, a porous guide plate 11 and a screen 12, wherein the tube body 10 has a lower opening 101 and an upper opening 102 relative to each other, the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 are accommodated in the tube body 10, the porous guide plate 11 is arranged between the lower opening 101 and the screen 12, and the porous guide plate 11 is formed with a plurality of through holes 111A, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes 111A to the cross-sectional area of ​​the outline of the porous guide plate 11 is 0.09 to 0.14; the screen 12 has a lower mesh opening 121 and an upper mesh opening 122 relative to each other, and a mesh penetrating the lower mesh opening 121 and the mesh penetrating ... The upper port 122 includes an axial channel 123, and an outer side wall 124 extending from the lower port 121 and retracting to the upper port 122, and the outer side wall 124 is inclined; the upper port 122 faces the upper opening 102 of the tube body 10, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper port 122 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body 10; and the outer side wall 124 and the tube body 10 form an accommodating space 125 to intercept the second electrode fragments (not shown); and a fluid supply unit 4 for providing a fluid 3 so that the fluid 3 enters the tube body 10 from the lower opening 101 of the tube body 10 and passes through the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 in sequence.

[0107] In addition, the ratio of the distance D between the porous guide plate 11 and the screen 12 to the diameter R of the tube body 10 is 0.5 to 1.5 times.

[0108] Furthermore, the fluid supply unit 4 has a fluid supply outlet 40, and the fluid supply outlet 40 is communicated with the tube 10 and is located between the lower opening 101 of the tube 10 and the porous guide plate 11. Specifically, the fluid supply unit 4 includes a pump.

[0109] Finally, the flotation system S further includes a fluid circulation device 5 , ie, a recovery tank, for guiding the fluid 3 flowing out of the upper opening 102 of the tube 10 into the fluid supply unit 4 .

[0110] In summary, the present invention further improves the flotation rate of the present invention by adjusting the fluid flow rate, the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the contour cross-sectional area of ​​the porous guide plate, the ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body, the angle of the first angle of the through holes of the porous guide plate, the annular arrangement of the through holes, the deflection direction of the through holes in different circles, the number of through holes, and the position configuration of the porous guide plate between the lower opening and the screen, the structural design of the uniform diameter of the through holes, the provision of a screen with an interception function, and / or cutting the battery disassembled materials into specific sizes and shapes, so as to improve the recovery rate of the recyclable materials and contribute to the recycling of resources.

Claims

1. A method for separating battery dismantling materials by fluid flotation, characterized in that: The method comprises: A cutting step: providing a waste battery and cutting the waste battery to obtain a battery disassembled product; wherein the waste battery comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator; the battery disassembled product comprises first electrode fragments, second electrode fragments, and separator fragments; the first electrode fragments have a greater specific gravity than the second electrode fragments, and the second electrode fragments have a greater specific gravity than the separator fragments; and Flotation step: providing a fluid with a flow rate of 1.06 kg / s to 1.60 kg / s to continuously float the battery dismantling material placed in a flotation device to separate the first electrode fragments, the second electrode fragments, and the separator fragments; The flotation device comprises a tube, a porous guide plate and a screen, wherein the tube has a lower opening and an upper opening opposite to each other, the porous guide plate and the screen are accommodated in the tube, the porous guide plate is arranged between the lower opening and the screen, and the fluid enters the tube from the lower opening of the tube and passes through the porous guide plate and the screen in sequence; The porous guide plate is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the cross-sectional area of ​​the outline of the porous guide plate is 0.09 to 0.14; The screen has a lower mesh opening and an upper mesh opening relative to each other, an axial channel running through the lower mesh opening and the upper mesh opening, and an outer side wall extending from the lower mesh opening and retracting into the upper mesh opening; the upper mesh opening faces the upper opening of the tube body, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube body; and the outer side wall and the tube body form an accommodating space to intercept the second electrode fragments.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first electrode comprises a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material coating layer coated on the positive electrode current collector, the second electrode comprises a negative electrode current collector, and the isolation film comprises a polymer material.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The porous guide plate is in the shape of a circular plate, the tube body is in the shape of a circular tube, and the diameter of the porous guide plate is equal to the diameter of the tube body.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The porous guide plate has a first plane and a second plane relative to each other, and the through holes each extend from the first plane to the second plane. The through holes are located at the center of the second plane and / or are arranged in a ring around the center of the second plane to form a plurality of circles, and the central axis of each through hole has a first angle with the second plane, and the first angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first angles between the central axes of the through holes and the second plane are all 90 degrees.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first angle between the central axis of each circle of the through holes and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection direction of the through holes in each circle is the same.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first angle between the central axis of each circle of the through holes and the second plane is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and the deflection directions of the through holes in two adjacent circles are opposite.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein A ratio of a cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening of the screen to a cross-sectional area of ​​the lower mesh opening of the screen is 0.5 to 0.

9.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ratio of the distance between the porous guide plate and the screen to the diameter of the tube body is 0.5 to 1.5 times.

10. A flotation system, characterized in that: The flotation system comprises: A flotation device comprises a tube, a porous guide plate, and a screen, wherein the tube has a lower opening and an upper opening relative to each other, the porous guide plate and the screen are accommodated in the tube, and the porous guide plate is disposed between the lower opening and the screen; the porous guide plate is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the ratio of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the through holes to the cross-sectional area of ​​the porous guide plate is 0.09 to 0.14; the screen has a lower mesh opening and an upper mesh opening relative to each other, an axial channel passing through the lower mesh opening and the upper mesh opening, and an outer sidewall extending from the lower mesh opening and retracting to the upper mesh opening; the upper mesh opening faces the upper opening of the tube, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper mesh opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube; and the outer sidewall and the tube form a containing space; and A fluid supply unit is used to provide a fluid, so that the fluid flows into the tube body from the lower opening of the tube body and passes through the porous guide plate and the screen in sequence.

11. The flotation system according to claim 10, wherein: The fluid supply unit includes a fluid regulator.

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