Device and method for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries

Abstract

The application discloses a device and method for recycling lithium cobaltate in waste batteries, and belongs to the lithium battery recycling technology. The device for recycling lithium cobaltate in waste batteries comprises a driving mechanism, a series tank system, a pressure charging mechanism and a device shell, wherein the driving mechanism and the pressure charging mechanism are both mounted on the device shell, the series tank system is mounted on the driving mechanism, and the output end of the pressure charging mechanism is matched with the series tank system and used for assisting the transfer of grinding materials between grinding tanks in the series tank system. The ball mill provided by the application is divided into different grinding areas through the series grinding tanks, the ball-to-material ratios of the grinding areas are different, the grinding materials in each grinding area are treated with the optimal grinding time, the high-efficiency leaching is achieved, and the transfer of the grinding materials between the grinding areas is efficient. Compared with the extraction mode of the traditional grinding machine, the grinding device and the grinding method provided by the application realize the high-efficiency extraction of lithium cobaltate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to lithium battery recycling technology, and in particular to an apparatus and method for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries. Background Technology

[0002] Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy both have many application drawbacks. Mechanical chemical leaching of lithium cobalt oxide cathode materials has high extraction efficiency, good extraction safety, and excellent environmental benefits.

[0003] Currently, in the process of mechanically grinding lithium cobalt oxide cathode materials, a fixed solid-liquid ratio and ball-to-material ratio can only be used in a single grinding. Under this mode, the leaching rate of lithium cobalt oxide will drop sharply after a certain period of time. Traditional grinding devices can only change basic parameters such as grinding speed and temperature during the grinding process, but changing the grinding speed alone is not very effective. This results in some lithium cobalt oxide in the cathode material being difficult to leach out, leading to low recycling and extraction efficiency of waste batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Objective of the invention: To provide an apparatus and method for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] Technical solution: A device for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries, comprising a drive mechanism, a series tank system, a pressurizing mechanism, and an equipment housing. The drive mechanism and the pressurizing mechanism are both mounted on the equipment housing. The series tank system is mounted on the drive mechanism. The output end of the pressurizing mechanism cooperates with the series tank system to facilitate the transfer of abrasive material between the grinding tanks within the series tank system.

[0006] Furthermore, the series tank system includes several grinding tanks, adjacent grinding tanks are connected in series through partition pipes, and a control valve group is provided at the connection between the partition pipe and the grinding tank.

[0007] Furthermore, the grinding jar includes a jar body and a jar lid, the jar lid being sealed to the jar body, the jar body having a spherical bottom structure, and the control valve assembly being installed on the jar body, the control valve assembly including a drain valve assembly installed at the bottom of the jar body and an inlet valve assembly installed on the side wall of the jar body.

[0008] Furthermore, the structure of the drain valve assembly is the same as that of the inlet valve assembly. The drain valve assembly includes an electrically controlled valve and an oscillator mounted on the electrically controlled valve. The electrically controlled valve includes a valve body, a valve core, and an electrically controlled actuator. The valve core is disposed in the valve body, the electrically controlled actuator is mounted on the valve body and is drivenly connected to the valve core, and the oscillator is mounted on the valve body.

[0009] Furthermore, the electronically controlled valve also includes a filter element and a baffle cone. The baffle cone is mounted on the valve body, and the gap between the baffle cone and the valve body is smaller than the diameter of the grinding ball. The filter element is embedded in the valve core.

[0010] Furthermore, a one-way air inlet valve is installed on the can lid, which cooperates with the pressurization mechanism to pressurize the inside of the grinding can.

[0011] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a first driving group and a second driving group with a perpendicular output direction. The second driving group is installed at the output end of the first driving group, and the series tank system is installed at the output end of the second driving group.

[0012] The first drive group includes a fixed motor mounted on the equipment housing and a drive frame mounted on the output end of the fixed motor. The second drive group includes a follower motor mounted on the drive frame and a mounting plate mounted on the output end of the follower motor. The series tank system is mounted on the mounting plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the pressurization mechanism includes a linear drive unit, a connecting plate, and an inflation port. The linear drive unit is mounted on the equipment housing, the connecting plate is mounted on the output end of the linear drive unit, the linear drive unit outputs vertically downwards, the inflation port is located on the connecting plate, the inflation port is connected to an external air pump through a pressurization air circuit, and cooperates with a one-way air inlet valve.

[0014] Furthermore, an leaching liquid pipeline is connected in parallel to the pressurizing gas line.

[0015] A recycling method for lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries includes the following steps:

[0016] Step 1: Add grinding balls of different sizes to each grinding jar according to the series sequence of the grinding jars in the series system;

[0017] Step 2: Add lithium cobalt oxide powder and leachate to the first grinding tank in the series tank system;

[0018] Step 3: Start the drive mechanism to enable the grinding tank to grind and react the materials;

[0019] Step 4: The drive mechanism and the pressurization mechanism work together to connect the one-way air inlet valve of the first grinding tank with the air inlet, and use the control valve group to transfer the grinding material in the first grinding tank to the second grinding tank.

[0020] Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 to transfer the grinding material along the series direction of the grinding jars until it is discharged from the last grinding jar;

[0021] Step 6: Extract cobalt from the ground material obtained in Step 5.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The ball mill provided by the present invention has different grinding zones through a series of grinding tanks. Each grinding zone is equipped with a different ball-to-material ratio, and the grinding material in each grinding zone is processed with the optimal grinding time to achieve the purpose of efficient leaching. Moreover, the transfer of grinding material between the grinding zones is efficient. Compared with the extraction method of traditional grinding mills, the grinding device and grinding method provided by the present invention achieve efficient extraction of lithium cobalt oxide. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism in this invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the series tank system in this invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the series tank system in this invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the grinding jar in this invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drain valve assembly in this invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the pressurization mechanism in this invention.

[0030] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Drive mechanism; 11. Fixed motor; 12. Drive frame; 13. Follower motor; 14. Rotating shaft; 15. Mounting plate one; 16. Mounting plate two; 2. Series tank system; 21. Grinding tank; 22. Partition pipe; 23. Tank body; 24. Tank cover; 25. Drain valve assembly; 251. Valve body; 252. Valve core; 253. Filter element; 254. Baffle cone; 255. Electrically controlled driver; 256. Vibrator; 26. Inlet valve assembly; 27. One-way air inlet valve; 3. Pressurization mechanism; 31. Linear drive unit; 32. Connecting plate; 33. Air inlet; 34. Pressurization air path; 4. Equipment casing. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0032] Example 1: This example provides an apparatus for partitioned grinding of lithium cobalt oxide.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the device for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries includes a drive mechanism 1, a series tank system 2, a pressurizing mechanism 3, and a housing 4. The drive mechanism 1 and the pressurizing mechanism 3 are both mounted on the housing 4. The series tank system 2 is mounted on the drive mechanism 1. The output end of the pressurizing mechanism 3 cooperates with the series tank system 2 to facilitate the transfer of abrasive material between the grinding tanks 21 within the series tank system 2. The series tank system 2 provides different grinding zones, each equipped with a solid-liquid ratio and ball-to-material ratio matched to the state of lithium cobalt oxide. Each grinding zone performs efficient leaching within the optimal leaching time period and timely material transfer between grinding zones to achieve efficient extraction of cobalt and lithium salts from the cathode material.

[0034] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the series tank system 2 includes several grinding tanks 21. Adjacent grinding tanks 21 are connected in series via partition pipes 22. A control valve assembly is provided at the connection between the partition pipes 22 and the grinding tanks 21. The partition pipes 22 are preferably copper pipes. Copper pipes have good plasticity when connecting two grinding tanks 21, and their own strength is not affected by the drive mechanism 1, so they remain stable when the series tank system 2 rotates.

[0035] The grinding jar 21 includes a jar body 23 and a jar cover 24. The jar cover 24 is sealed to the jar body 23. The end of the jar body 23 has a hemispherical structure. A control valve assembly is installed on the jar body 23. The control valve assembly includes a drain valve assembly 25 installed at the bottom of the jar body 23 and an inlet valve assembly 26 installed on the side wall of the jar body 23. Specifically, the drain valve assembly 25 is located on the axis of the jar body 23, and the inlet valve assembly 26 is set at an acute angle to the drain valve assembly 25, preferably at a 45° angle. This is to facilitate the transfer of grinding media between adjacent grinding jars 21.

[0036] The drain valve assembly 25 has the same structure as the inlet valve assembly 26. The drain valve assembly 25 includes an electrically controlled valve and an oscillator 256 mounted on the electrically controlled valve. The electrically controlled valve includes a valve body 251, a valve core 252, and an electrically controlled actuator 255. The valve core 252 is disposed inside the valve body 251, and the electrically controlled actuator 255 is mounted on the valve body 251 and is drively connected to the valve core 252. The oscillator 256 is mounted on the valve body 251. The electrically controlled actuator 255 is a battery-powered electronic control device and is controlled by the central control terminal. The addition of the oscillator 256 is to vibrate the grinding balls to improve the discharge rate of the ground material.

[0037] The electrically controlled valve also includes a filter element 253 and a retaining cone 254. The retaining cone 254 is mounted on the valve body 251, and the gap between the retaining cone 254 and the valve body 251 is smaller than the diameter of the grinding balls. The filter element 253 is embedded in the valve core 252. The filter element 253 can intercept lithium cobalt oxide that has not been fully broken down due to short grinding time, while the retaining cone 254 is used to limit the movement position of the grinding balls.

[0038] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, a one-way air inlet valve 27 is installed on the can lid 24. The one-way air inlet valve 27 cooperates with the pressurization mechanism 3 to pressurize the inside of the grinding can 21. The one-way air inlet valve 27 is a pressure-type quick-connect valve. The one-way air inlet valve 27 allows the grinding can 21 to quickly establish a connection with the outside world without opening the can lid 24, and maintains the sealing of the grinding can 21 during the grinding process.

[0039] The pressurizing mechanism 3 includes a linear drive unit 31, a connecting plate 32, and an inflation port 33. The linear drive unit 31 is mounted on the equipment housing 4, and the connecting plate 32 is mounted on the output end of the linear drive unit 31. The linear drive unit 31 outputs vertically downwards. The inflation port 33 is located on the connecting plate 32 and is connected to an external air pump through a pressurizing air passage 34, and cooperates with a one-way air inlet valve 27. Through the output of the linear drive unit 31, the pressurizing mechanism 3 can connect the inflation port 33 to a certain grinding tank 21 in the series tank system 2. After the drain valve group 25 and the inlet valve group 26 connect two adjacent grinding tanks 21, the grinding material in the first grinding tank 21 is smoothly transferred to the next grinding tank 21 under the action of inflation. Preferably, the linear drive unit is a cylinder, but it can also be an electric cylinder, a linear motion module, or a crank-slider.

[0040] A leachate line is connected in parallel to the pressurized air line 34. The leachate line, in conjunction with the pressurized air line 34, can replenish the leachate into the grinding tank 21. In addition, the leachate line can also be connected to clean water for cleaning the series tank system 2.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive mechanism 1 includes a first drive group and a second drive group with perpendicular output directions. The second drive group is installed at the output end of the first drive group, and the series tank system 2 is installed at the output end of the second drive group. The first drive group includes a fixed motor 11 mounted on the equipment housing 4 and a drive frame 12 mounted on the output end of the fixed motor 11. The second drive group includes a follower motor 13 mounted on the drive frame 12 and a mounting plate mounted on the output end of the follower motor 13. The series tank system 2 is mounted on the mounting plate. Specifically, the mounting plate includes a first mounting plate 15 and a second mounting plate 16. Both the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 16 are mounted on a rotating shaft 14, which is hinged to the drive frame 12 and connected to the output end of the follower motor 13. The first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 16 are staggered, and the grinding tanks 21 mounted on the first mounting plate 15 and the second mounting plate 16 are arranged opposite each other, i.e., the drain valve group 25 is close to each other. The simultaneous output of the two drive groups can provide sufficient grinding power to the series tank system 2, improving the grinding efficiency of the grinding balls.

[0042] Example 2: Based on the apparatus provided in Example 1, this example proposes a method for recovering lithium cobalt oxide. The recovery method includes the following steps:

[0043] Step 1: Add grinding balls of different sizes to each grinding jar 21 according to the series sequence of the grinding jars 21 in the series jar system 2;

[0044] Step 2: Add lithium cobalt oxide powder and leachate to the first grinding tank 21 of the series tank system 2;

[0045] Step 3: Start the drive mechanism 1 to make the grinding tank 21 grind and react the material;

[0046] Step 4: The drive mechanism 1 and the pressurization mechanism 3 cooperate to connect the one-way air inlet valve 27 of the first grinding tank 21 with the air inlet 33, and use the control valve group to transfer the grinding material in the first grinding tank 21 to the second grinding tank 21.

[0047] Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 to transfer the grinding material along the series direction of the grinding jars 21 until it is discharged from the last grinding jar 21;

[0048] Step 6: Extract cobalt from the ground material obtained in Step 5.

[0049] Specifically, in the stage of grinding and leaching lithium cobalt oxide from the cathode material of waste batteries, the ratio of lithium cobalt oxide to grinding balls in the first grinding tank 21 is 35:1. Subsequently, the diameter of the grinding balls in the grinding tank 21 gradually decreases and the mass gradually increases. The solid-liquid ratio of the leaching solution in the first grinding tank 21 is 1:75. Hydrogen peroxide is preferred as the leaching solution. The output speed of the follower motor 13 is 400 r / min.

[0050] The drive mechanism 1 drives the series tank system 2 to move; after the follower motor 13 outputs for about 20 minutes, it stops outputting, and the fixed motor 11 keeps the grinding tank 11 vertically positioned. The stop position of the follower motor 13 aligns the one-way air inlet valve 27 of the first grinding tank 21 with the air filling port 33; then the drain valve group 25 of the first grinding tank 21 and the inlet valve group 26 of the next grinding tank 21 are opened; under the output of the linear drive unit 3, the pressurizing mechanism 3 connects the air filling port 33 with the one-way air inlet valve 27; then the external air pumping equipment pressurizes the air filling grinding tank 21 through the pressurizing air passage 34, so that the grinding material is quickly transferred into the second grinding tank 21. Then, the pressurizing mechanism 3 separates from the series tank system 2. The experimenter manually opens the first grinding tank 21, fills it with lithium cobalt oxide, and seals it. After the drive mechanism 1 outputs power for about 20 minutes, the above operation is repeated. The grinding material in the second grinding tank 21 is transferred to the third grinding tank 21, and the grinding material in the first grinding tank 21 is transferred to the second grinding tank 21. Lithium cobalt oxide is then added to the first grinding tank 21. This cycle continues until the grinding material is discharged from the last grinding tank 21. When the series tank system 2 is exhausted, a high-pressure gas flow mixed with clean water can be output from the pressurizing gas path 34 to clean the series tank system 2. Finally, lithium ion extraction is performed on the grinding material discharged from the last grinding tank 21.

[0051] The preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the inventive concept, various equivalent transformations can be made to the technical solutions of the invention, and all such equivalent transformations fall within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for recycling lithium cobalt oxide from waste batteries, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of serial tank systems, including driving mechanism (1), serial tank systems (2), pressurizing mechanism (3) and equipment shell (4), the driving mechanism (1) and pressurizing mechanism (3) are both installed on equipment shell (4), the serial tank systems (2) are installed on driving mechanism (1), the output of pressurizing mechanism (3) is matched with serial tank systems (2), for helping serial tank systems (2) in the transfer of abrasive between grinding tank (21); The serial tank systems (2) include several grinding tanks (21), adjacent grinding tanks (21) are connected in series by partition pipe (22), and control valve group is arranged at the connection of partition pipe (22) and grinding tank (21). The grinding tank (21) includes tank body (23) and tank cover (24), the tank cover (24) is sealingly connected to the tank body (23), the tank body (23) is in a spherical bottom structure, and the control valve group is installed on the tank body (23), the control valve group includes a liquid discharge valve group (25) installed at the bottom end of the tank body (23) and a liquid inlet valve group (26) installed on the side wall of the tank body (23). The liquid discharge valve group (25) has the same structure as the liquid inlet valve group (26), the liquid discharge valve group (25) includes an electric control valve and a vibrator (256) installed on the electric control valve, the electric control valve includes a valve body (251), a valve core (252) and an electric control driver (255), the valve core (252) is arranged in the valve body (251), the electric control driver (255) is installed on the valve body (251) and is in transmission connection with the valve core (252), and the vibrator (256) is installed on the valve body (251). The electric control valve further includes a filter element (253) and a blocking cone (254), the blocking cone (254) is installed on the valve body (251), the gap between the blocking cone (254) and the valve body (251) is smaller than the diameter of the grinding ball, and the filter element (253) is embedded in the valve core (252). Different specifications of grinding balls are added in each grinding tank.

2. The device for recovering lithium cobaltate from waste batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tank cover (24) is provided with a one-way air inlet valve (27), the one-way air inlet valve (27) is matched with the pressurizing mechanism (3) to pressurize the interior of the grinding tank (21).

3. The device for recovering lithium cobaltate from waste batteries according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving mechanism (1) includes a driving group I and a driving group II with perpendicular output directions, the driving group II is installed on the output end of the driving group I, and the serial tank systems (2) are installed on the output end of the driving group II. The driving group I includes a fixed motor (11) installed on the equipment shell (4) and a driving frame (12) installed on the output end of the fixed motor (11), the driving group II includes a follow-up motor (13) installed on the driving frame (12) and a mounting disc installed on the output end of the follow-up motor (13), and the serial tank systems (2) are arranged on the mounting disc.

4. The device for recovering lithium cobaltate from waste batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pressurizing mechanism (3) comprises a linear drive unit (31), a connecting plate (32) and an inflation interface (33), the linear drive unit (31) is installed on the equipment shell (4), the connecting plate (32) is installed on the output end of the linear drive unit (31), the linear drive unit (31) outputs vertically downward, the inflation interface (33) is arranged on the connecting plate (32), the inflation interface (33) is connected with external pump air equipment through a pressurized air path (34), and is matched with a one-way air inlet valve (27).

5. The device for recovering lithium cobaltate from waste batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that, Parallel with the pressurized air path (34), a leaching solution pipeline is connected.

6. The recovery method of claim 5, wherein the recovery method is characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: adding grinding balls of different specifications in each grinding tank (21) according to the series connection order of the grinding tanks (21) in the series tank system (2); Step 2: adding lithium cobalt powder and leaching solution in the first grinding tank (21) of the series tank system (2); Step 3: starting the driving mechanism (1) to make the grinding tank (21) grind and react materials; Step 4: cooperating the driving mechanism (1) with the pressurizing mechanism (3) to make the one-way air inlet valve (27) of the first grinding tank (21) butt joint with the inflation interface (33), and transferring the grinding materials in the first grinding tank (21) to the second grinding tank (21) by using the control valve group; Step 5: repeating steps 2-4 to transfer the grinding materials along the series connection direction of the grinding tanks (21) until the grinding materials are discharged from the last grinding tank (21); Step 6: extracting cobalt from the grinding materials obtained in step 5.

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