Ultrasonic vibration device for lithium battery extraction and lithium battery extraction equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of lithium extraction from lithium batteries. The ultrasonic vibration device for lithium extraction from lithium batteries and the equipment for lithium extraction from lithium batteries disclosed herein include a shell, a drop net assembly and an ultrasonic vibration assembly. The shell is provided with an ultrasonic vibration cavity and a feed port, a water inlet and a discharge port connected to the ultrasonic vibration cavity, and the feed port is used for the passage of lithium-containing lithium battery powder. The drop net assembly is arranged in the ultrasonic vibration cavity, and a piezoelectric layer is formed on the surface. The piezoelectric layer forms a charge movement that promotes the precipitation of lithium ions under the friction between water and lithium battery powder and the cavitation of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic vibration assembly is connected to the drop net assembly, and is used to output ultrasonic waves to drive the drop net assembly to vibrate. The ultrasonic vibration device for lithium extraction from lithium batteries and the equipment for lithium extraction from lithium batteries disclosed herein are conducive to improving the lithium recovery rate and are environmentally friendly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of lithium extraction from lithium batteries, and in particular to an ultrasonic vibration device and lithium extraction equipment for lithium extraction from lithium batteries. Background Art

[0002] Lithium batteries, especially lithium iron phosphate batteries, are widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other fields. A large number of waste lithium batteries are generated after the widely used lithium batteries are discarded. Lithium is an important rare metal with limited reserves and uneven distribution worldwide. Therefore, the recovery of lithium in lithium battery positive electrodes is of vital importance to ensure the sustainable supply of lithium resources. However, traditional lithium recovery methods often use expensive chemical reagents such as acids and alkalis, and extract the lithium after chemical reactions through complex process flows. The above methods are prone to cause environmental pollution. However, if the lithium element in the lithium battery is extracted solely by relying on the solubility of lithium extracting solutions such as water, the lithium concentration in the extracted lithium solution is low and the lithium recovery rate is average. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic vibration device and a lithium battery lithium extraction equipment for lithium battery extraction, which is beneficial to improve the lithium recovery rate and is environmentally friendly.

[0004] The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from lithium batteries, comprising: a shell, provided with an ultrasonic vibration cavity and a feed port, a water inlet and a discharge port connected to the ultrasonic vibration cavity, the feed port being used for introducing lithium-containing lithium battery powder; a drop net assembly, arranged in the ultrasonic vibration cavity and having a piezoelectric layer formed on the surface, the piezoelectric layer forms charge movement that promotes the precipitation of lithium ions under the friction between water and lithium battery powder and the cavitation of ultrasonic waves; and an ultrasonic vibration assembly, connected to the drop net assembly and used for outputting ultrasonic waves to drive the drop net assembly to vibrate.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drop mesh assembly includes: a multi-level mesh layer, the piezoelectric layer is formed on each level of the mesh layer, the multi-level mesh layers are arranged at intervals along the drop direction from the feed port to the discharge port, and along the drop direction, the mesh area of ​​the multi-level mesh layers decreases successively.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the blanking net assembly includes a multi-level net layer, and the multi-level net layers include: a primary net layer, which is provided with circular mesh holes and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface; a secondary net layer, which is arranged downstream of the primary net layer along the blanking direction, and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface and is provided with non-circular holes with an area smaller than the circular mesh holes.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it also includes: a tertiary mesh layer, which is arranged downstream of the secondary mesh layer along the blanking direction and is provided with a third mesh hole whose area is smaller than the non-circular hole, and the third mesh hole has a different shape from the non-circular hole.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the three-level mesh layer is formed by weaving, and the outer periphery of the braided wire is coated with the piezoelectric layer.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing is provided with a return port located above the drop net assembly;

[0010] The ultrasonic vibration device also includes a circulation component, which includes multiple circulation pipes and a circulation drive. One end of the multiple circulation pipes is correspondingly connected to the upstream of the multiple levels of the mesh layer, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the circulation drive. The outlet of the circulation drive is connected to the return port, which is used to drive the multi-layer material intercepted by the multiple levels of the mesh layer to return to the return port.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a water storage chamber is further formed in the housing, and the water storage chamber is connected above the water inlet;

[0012] The ultrasonic vibration device further comprises: a water inlet pipe, which is arranged at the water inlet, one end of which is communicated with the water storage cavity, the other end of which is communicated with the ultrasonic vibration cavity, and is provided with a water inlet valve.

[0013] The present disclosure also provides a lithium battery lithium extraction device, comprising: the ultrasonic vibration device as described above; and a separation device, which is arranged at the rear stage of the ultrasonic vibration device and is used to separate lithium liquid and powder.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the lithium battery powder includes lithium electrode powder, copper-aluminum powder and lithium-free electrode powder; the separation device includes:

[0015] A first centrifuge having a first discharge outlet and connected to the rear stage of the ultrasonic vibration device;

[0016] The second centrifuge is connected to the rear stage of the first centrifuge, has a centrifugal force smaller than that of the first centrifuge, and has a discharge outlet for discharging lithium liquid and a second discharge outlet for discharging lithium-free electrode powder.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the present invention includes: a crushing device, which is arranged at the front stage of the ultrasonic vibration device, and is used to crush waste lithium batteries to form lithium battery crushed materials, wherein the lithium battery crushed materials also include copper and aluminum crushed materials, diaphragm crushed materials, lithium-free electrode crushed materials and volatile organic matter; an aggregate and separation device, which is arranged between the crushing device and the ultrasonic vibration device, and is used to separate the diaphragm crushed materials and the volatile organic matter; and a grinding device, which is connected between the aggregate and separation device and the ultrasonic vibration device, and is used to grind the crushed materials after separation before ultrasonic vibration to form powder.

[0018] Beneficial effects:

[0019] (1) The ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from lithium batteries and the lithium extraction equipment for lithium batteries disclosed in the present invention are beneficial to improving the lithium recovery rate and are environmentally friendly.

[0020] (2) In the ultrasonic vibration device and equipment for extracting lithium from lithium batteries disclosed herein, the piezoelectric layer on the upper surface of the primary mesh layer can promote the dissolution of lithium elements in lithium battery powder into water, and the circular mesh holes are conducive to the smooth downward flow of lithium battery powder.

[0021] (3) The ultrasonic vibration device and equipment for extracting lithium from lithium batteries disclosed in the present invention, the non-circular holes on the secondary mesh layer can further crush the powder, and allow the lithium battery powder and water to have sufficient friction contact with the piezoelectric layer for a long time, which can fully promote the dissolution of lithium elements in water.

[0022] (4) The ultrasonic vibration device and equipment for extracting lithium from lithium batteries disclosed in the present invention have a non-circular third mesh woven on the three-level mesh layer, which can enable the lithium battery powder and water to have a larger contact area and a longer vibration friction time with the piezoelectric layer, and can fully promote the dissolution of lithium elements in water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an ultrasonic vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the primary network layer of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the secondary network layer of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the three-level network layer of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a braided wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the layout of the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Reference numerals:

[0030] Ultrasonic vibration device 10;

[0031] Shell 11; ultrasonic vibration chamber 1101; feed port 1102; water inlet 1103; return port 1104; water storage chamber 1105; discharge port 1106; discharge port 1107;

[0032] Blanking net assembly 12; primary net layer 121; circular mesh 12101; secondary net layer 122; non-circular hole 12201; tertiary net layer 123; third mesh 12301; inner wire 1231; outer wrapping layer 1232;

[0033] Ultrasonic vibration component 13; first ultrasonic transducer 131; second ultrasonic transducer 132; third ultrasonic transducer 133;

[0034] Circulation component 14; first circulation pipeline 141; second circulation pipeline 142; third circulation pipeline 143; circulation driving member 144;

[0035] Water inlet pipe 15; water inlet valve 151; atomizing nozzle 152;

[0036] First centrifuge 81; first discharge outlet 8101; second centrifuge 82; discharge outlet 8201; second discharge outlet 8202; discharge conveying device 83; discharge input end 831; discharge output end 832; copper-aluminum container 84; lithium liquid container 85; lithium-free pole powder container 86; pole powder conveying device 87; pole powder input end 871; pole powder output end 872;

[0037] Crushing device 91; shredder 911; pulverizer 912; material collecting and dividing device 92; grinding device 93; lithium battery conveying device 94; crushed material conveying device 95. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following is an explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure by specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the information disclosed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in the present disclosure can also be modified or changed in various ways according to different viewpoints and application modules without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0039] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0040] In the representations of the present disclosure, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" and the like mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics represented in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics represented may be combined in any one or a group of embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine different embodiments or examples represented in the present disclosure and the features of different embodiments or examples, unless they are mutually contradictory.

[0041] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the representation of the present disclosure, "a group" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0042] In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, components not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when a device is said to be "connected" to another device, this includes not only the case of "direct connection" but also the case of "indirect connection" by placing other elements therebetween. In addition, when a device is said to "include" a certain component, unless otherwise stated, it does not exclude other components, but means that other components may be included.

[0044] Although the terms first, second, etc. are used to represent various elements in this article in some examples, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first interface and the second interface, etc. are represented. Moreover, as used in this article, the singular forms "one", "one" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms, unless there is an opposite indication in the context. It should be further understood that the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate that there are the described features, steps, operations, elements, modules, projects, kinds, and / or groups, but do not exclude the existence, occurrence or addition of one or a group of other features, steps, operations, elements, modules, projects, kinds, and / or groups. The terms "or" and "and / or" used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination. Therefore, "A, B or C" or "A, B and / or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C". Only when the combination of elements, functions, steps or operations is inherently mutually exclusive in some way, will there be an exception to this definition.

[0045] The technical terms used herein are only used to refer to specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular form used herein also includes the plural form unless the sentence clearly indicates the contrary meaning. The meaning of "including" used in the specification is to specify specific characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, and does not exclude the existence or addition of other characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components.

[0046] Although not defined differently, all terms, including technical and scientific terms used herein, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are additionally interpreted as having meanings consistent with relevant technical literature and the message of the present disclosure, and shall not be overly interpreted as ideal or very formal meanings unless defined.

[0047] In the related technology, traditional lithium recovery methods often use expensive chemical reagents such as acids and alkalis, and extract the lithium after chemical reactions through complex process flows. The above methods are prone to cause environmental pollution. However, if the lithium element in lithium battery powder is extracted solely by relying on the solubility of lithium extraction liquid such as water, the lithium concentration in the extracted lithium liquid is low and the lithium recovery rate is average.

[0048] In view of this, the present disclosure provides an ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from lithium batteries, which is beneficial to improving the lithium recovery rate and is environmentally friendly.

[0049] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an ultrasonic vibration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1The ultrasonic vibration device 10 for extracting lithium from a lithium battery disclosed in the present invention includes a housing 11 , a drop net assembly 12 and an ultrasonic vibration assembly 13 .

[0050] The shell 11 is provided with an ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101 and a feed port 1102, a water inlet 1103 and a discharge port 1107 connected to the ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101. The feed port 1102 is used to introduce lithium-containing lithium battery powder. It can be understood that the lithium battery has a lithium-containing positive electrode, and the lithium battery includes one or more of a lithium iron phosphate battery, a nickel cobalt aluminum battery (ternary lithium battery), a lithium cobalt acid battery, and a lithium manganese acid battery. When lithium is extracted from the lithium battery powder, the lithium battery powder is introduced into the ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101 from the feed port 1102, and the solvent water is introduced into the ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101 from the water inlet 1103.

[0051] The drop net assembly 12 is arranged in the ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101, and a piezoelectric layer is formed on the surface. The piezoelectric layer forms a charge movement that promotes the precipitation of lithium ions under the friction of water and lithium battery powder and ultrasonic cavitation. The piezoelectric layer can be a piezoelectric coating made of piezoelectric material. When the piezoelectric material is subjected to pressure, a voltage and charge will be formed between the two end faces. The piezoelectric material includes one or more of bismuth ferrite, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), quartz, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), lithium niobate, lead zirconate, perovskite-type material, sodium polyacrylate, and polylactic acid (PLA). The piezoelectric layer can be formed by magnetron sputtering, precipitation, brushing, thermoplasticity, and viscose. In order to avoid the coating from falling off due to long-term use, the drop net assembly 12 can also be die-cast by one or more of the above-mentioned piezoelectric materials. At this time, the piezoelectric layer is the outer surface layer of the drop net assembly 12.

[0052] Therefore, when lithium-containing lithium battery powder and water pass through the drop mesh assembly 12 and ultrasonically vibrate on the drop mesh assembly 12 under an ultrasonic environment, the piezoelectric layer will vibrate and rub with the water and lithium battery powder due to the ultrasonic vibration. The piezoelectric potential and charge movement formed when the piezoelectric layer is rubbed promote the dissolution of lithium ions in water. At the same time, it is worth mentioning that when ultrasonic waves propagate in water and lithium battery powder, ultrasonic waves will produce cavitation, causing tiny bubbles (such as oxygen) in the water to vibrate and grow under the action of ultrasonic waves, and collapse sharply when a certain energy threshold is reached to form cavitation bubbles. The cavitation bubbles burst instantly, which will destroy the stable structure of the material and make the water and lithium battery powder more active. At the same time, the explosion of cavitation bubbles will form an impact force on the piezoelectric layer. Compared with other vibration modes, the piezoelectric layer under ultrasonic vibration can form a larger piezoelectric potential and more charge movement, which is beneficial to further promote the precipitation of lithium ions.

[0053] For example, lithium iron phosphate battery powder with a flow rate of 0.025kg / min~3kg / min and water with a flow rate of 0.25-1L / min are respectively introduced into the feed port 1102 and the water inlet 1103, and reacted for 2min~20min under an ultrasonic power of 500W~2000W. The lithium content and iron content in the filtrate (i.e., the leachate) are determined by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP-OES). After the leaching rate is converted, the lithium leaching rate can reach 79.90%~99.45%. The specific leaching rates of the corresponding elements are shown in Table 1 below.

[0054]

[0055] In summary, under an ultrasonic vibration environment, the piezoelectric layer disclosed in the present invention can greatly promote the dissolution of lithium ions in water, so that the lithium ions can dissolve in water efficiently and more ions can dissolve in water, which is beneficial to improving the lithium recovery rate, and is less likely to cause pollution and is environmentally friendly.

[0056] Optionally, see Figure 1 The drop net assembly 12 includes a plurality of net layers. The piezoelectric layer is formed on each net layer, and the plurality of net layers are arranged at intervals along the drop direction from the feed inlet 1102 to the discharge outlet 1107, and the mesh areas of the plurality of net layers decrease in sequence along the drop direction.

[0057] It can be understood that the multi-level mesh layer refers to two or more levels of mesh layers, which is beneficial to increasing the contact area between the lithium battery powder and water and the piezoelectric layer, and because the mesh area of ​​the multi-level mesh layer decreases successively, the residence time of the lithium battery powder increases successively when the lithium battery powder passes through the multi-level mesh layer, that is, the closer the mesh layer is to the discharge port 1107, the longer the residence time of the lithium battery powder, and the longer the friction contact time between the lithium battery powder and water and the mesh layer. Therefore, the contact area between the lithium battery powder and water and the piezoelectric layer is large, and the contact time is long, which is beneficial to fully promote the dissolution of lithium elements in water.

[0058] Optionally, the multi-level network layer includes a primary network layer 121 and a secondary network layer 122 . Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the primary network layer 121 of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the secondary network layer 122 of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The primary mesh layer 121 is provided with circular mesh holes 12101, and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface of the primary mesh layer 121. The secondary mesh layer 122 is arranged downstream of the primary mesh layer 121 along the blanking direction, and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface of the secondary mesh layer 122, and is provided with non-circular holes 12201 with an area smaller than the circular mesh holes 12101.

[0059] Optionally, the falling direction is up and down, which facilitates the falling of materials under the action of vibration and gravity.

[0060] Optionally, the non-circular hole 12201 is in the shape of an elongated hole having a short side and a long side whose length is greater than the short side. For example, the non-circular hole 12201 is a rectangular hole, etc. Therefore, when the lithium battery powder passes through the non-circular hole 12201, the rectangular hole will cause the residence time of the lithium battery powder to increase relatively, which is beneficial for the piezoelectric layer of the secondary mesh layer 122 to fully rub against the lithium battery powder and water, and can promote the lithium battery powder to continue to flow downward after being further crushed.

[0061] Therefore, under the action of vibration and gravity, the lithium battery powder can first pass through the primary mesh layer 121 and then pass through the secondary mesh layer 122. Since the area of ​​the non-circular hole 12201 is smaller than the circular mesh 12101 and it is non-circular, it is more difficult for the lithium battery powder to pass through the non-circular hole 12201 than the circular mesh 12101. The lithium battery powder also stays longer in the secondary mesh layer 122. The piezoelectric layer on the upper surface of the secondary mesh layer 122 is in contact with the lithium battery powder and water for a longer time, which is beneficial for the piezoelectric layer to fully rub against the lithium battery powder and water, thereby fully promoting the dissolution of lithium elements in water.

[0062] Optionally, the multi-level network layer further includes a third-level network layer 123 . Figure 4 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third-level network layer 123 of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 and Figure 4 Along the blanking direction, the tertiary mesh layer 123 is spaced downstream of the secondary mesh layer 122 and is provided with the third mesh hole 12301 whose area is smaller than the non-circular hole 12201, and the shape of the third mesh hole 12301 is different from that of the non-circular hole 12201. Therefore, compared with the non-circular hole 12201, since the area of ​​the third mesh 12301 is small and the shape of the third mesh 12301 is different from that of the non-circular hole 12201, the material leaked out from the non-circular hole 12201 in a predetermined posture is difficult to directly leak out from the third mesh 12301 in the same posture. Therefore, it is more difficult for the lithium battery powder to pass through the tertiary mesh layer 123, so that the lithium battery powder stays in the tertiary mesh layer 123 for a longer time, and the piezoelectric layer on the upper surface of the secondary mesh layer 122 is in contact with the lithium battery powder and water for a longer time, which is beneficial for the piezoelectric layer of the tertiary mesh layer 123 to fully rub against the lithium battery powder and water, thereby fully promoting the dissolution of lithium elements in water.

[0063] Optionally, see Figure 4The third mesh hole 12301 is a non-circular hole, such as a diamond hole or a rectangular hole. The non-circular hole is conducive to further increasing the difficulty of lithium battery powder passing through the third mesh layer 123, and is conducive to sufficient friction contact between the lithium battery powder and water and the piezoelectric material on the third mesh layer 123.

[0064] Optionally, the tertiary mesh layer 123 is formed by weaving, and the outer side of the braided wire is coated with a piezoelectric layer. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a braided wire according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The inner wire 1231 of the braided wire can be a metal wire, which is easy to braid, has high strength and good toughness, and is difficult to break when receiving and vibrating and rubbing water and lithium battery powder. The outer wrapping layer 1232 of the braided wire is the piezoelectric layer, which is made of piezoelectric material. Therefore, the outer surface of the three-level mesh layer 123 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole are covered with a piezoelectric layer, which is conducive to increasing the contact area between the lithium battery powder and water and the piezoelectric material, so that the water and lithium battery powder are fully rubbed with the piezoelectric material, thereby fully promoting the dissolution of lithium elements in water.

[0065] Optionally, see Figure 1 The ultrasonic vibration component 13 includes a first ultrasonic transducer 131, a second ultrasonic transducer 132 and a third ultrasonic transducer 133. The first ultrasonic transducer 131 is correspondingly arranged below the primary mesh layer 121, and is used to output ultrasonic waves to drive the primary mesh layer 121 to vibrate along the blanking direction, such as the up and down direction. The second ultrasonic transducer 132 is correspondingly arranged below the secondary mesh layer 122, and is used to output ultrasonic waves to drive the secondary mesh layer 122 to vibrate along the blanking direction, such as the up and down direction. The third ultrasonic transducer 133 is correspondingly arranged below the tertiary mesh layer 123, and is used to output ultrasonic waves to drive the tertiary mesh layer 123 to vibrate along the blanking direction, such as the up and down direction. In the actual vibration process, the first ultrasonic transducer 131, the second ultrasonic transducer 132 and the third ultrasonic transducer 133 can output ultrasonic waves of the same frequency and the same intensity, or can output ultrasonic waves of different frequencies and different intensities, and can be adaptively adjusted.

[0066] Optionally, see Figure 1, the housing 11 is provided with a return port 1104 located above the drop net assembly 12. The ultrasonic vibration device 10 for extracting lithium from lithium batteries also includes a circulation assembly 14. The circulation assembly 14 includes a plurality of circulation pipes and a circulation drive 144 (driving pump). One end of the plurality of circulation pipes is correspondingly connected to the upstream of the multi-level mesh layer, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the circulation drive 144, and the outlet of the circulation drive 144 is connected to the return port 1104, which is used to drive the multi-layer materials intercepted by the multi-level mesh layer to return to the return port 1104. Thus, the circulation assembly 14 can recirculate the larger-sized materials intercepted above the drop net assembly 12 to the top of the drop net assembly 12, and mix and contact with water again, so that the drop net assembly 12 repeatedly vibrates and drops the lithium-containing lithium battery powder, so that the lithium-containing lithium battery powder can fully frictionally contact with the multi-layer piezoelectric layer on the multi-level mesh layer, so that the lithium element is fully dissolved in water.

[0067] In addition, it can be understood that the lithium-containing lithium battery powder may only include lithium electrode powder. Therefore, when the lithium electrode powder passes through the dropping net assembly, the lithium electrode powder is fully dropped after repeated vibration dropping and the lithium element is fully dissolved in water during the screening and dropping process.

[0068] The lithium-containing lithium battery powder may also include lithium electrode powder and copper and aluminum powders larger in size than the lithium electrode powder. Thus, when the lithium battery powder passes through the dropping net assembly, the lithium electrode powder is fully dropped after repeated vibration dropping and the lithium element is fully dissolved in water during the screening and dropping process, and the copper and aluminum powders slightly larger in size can be at least partially screened out.

[0069] Optionally, see Figure 1 , the multiple circulation pipelines include a first circulation pipeline 141, a second circulation pipeline 142 and a third circulation pipeline 143. The first circulation pipeline 141 is arranged corresponding to the primary mesh layer 121, and is used to receive the materials intercepted by the primary mesh layer 121. The second circulation pipeline 142 is arranged corresponding to the secondary mesh layer 122, and is used to receive the materials intercepted by the secondary mesh layer 122. The third circulation pipeline 143 is arranged corresponding to the tertiary mesh layer 123, and is used to receive the materials intercepted by the tertiary mesh layer 123. By way of example, the flow directions of the intercepted materials at the first circulation pipeline 141, the second circulation pipeline 142 and the third circulation pipeline 143 are respectively indicated by the dotted arrows at the first circulation pipeline 141, the second circulation pipeline 142 and the third circulation pipeline 143. The inlet of the circulation driving member 144 is connected to the first circulation pipe 141, the second circulation pipe 142 and the third circulation pipe 143, and the outlet is connected to the return port 1104, thereby driving the multiple layers of intercepted materials to flow toward the return port 1104 for return.

[0070] Optionally, a water storage chamber 1105 is further formed in the shell 11, and the water storage chamber 1105 is connected to the top of the water inlet 1103. The ultrasonic vibration device 10 for extracting lithium from lithium batteries also includes a water inlet pipe 15. The water inlet pipe 15 is arranged at the water inlet 1103, and one end of the water inlet pipe 15 is connected to the water storage chamber 1105, and the other end is connected to the ultrasonic vibration chamber 1101, and is provided with a water inlet valve 151. Therefore, when the water inlet valve 151 is opened, the water in the water storage chamber 1105 can flow from the water storage chamber 1105 to the ultrasonic vibration chamber 1101 under the action of gravity, so as to be fully mixed and contacted with the lithium battery powder entering the ultrasonic vibration chamber 1101.

[0071] Optionally, the ultrasonic vibration device 10 for extracting lithium from a lithium battery further includes an atomizing nozzle 152. The atomizing nozzle 152 is disposed at the other end of the water inlet pipe 15. Thus, water is input into the ultrasonic vibration cavity 1101 in the form of water mist, so that the lithium battery powder is in full and uniform contact with the water. The water in the form of water mist is more easily activated, and the components in the water are more easily combined with the charges on the surface of the piezoelectric layer to form oxidizing components, which is conducive to promoting the further dissolution of lithium ions in water.

[0072] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the layout of the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 The lithium extraction equipment of the lithium battery disclosed in the present invention further comprises the ultrasonic vibration device 10 and the separation device as described above. The separation device is arranged after the ultrasonic vibration device 10 and is used to separate the lithium liquid and the powder.

[0073] Optionally, when the lithium-containing lithium battery powder includes lithium electrode powder, lithium-free electrode powder (graphite powder of the negative electrode of the lithium battery and solid impurities generated after lithium extraction from the lithium electrode powder) and copper and aluminum powder larger in size than the lithium-free electrode powder, the separation device includes a first centrifuge 81 and a second centrifuge 82. The first centrifuge 81 has a first discharge outlet 8101 and is connected to the rear stage of the ultrasonic vibration device 10. The second centrifuge 82 is connected to the rear stage of the first centrifuge 81, has a smaller centrifugal force than the first centrifuge 81, and has a discharge outlet 8201 and a second discharge outlet 8202.

[0074] Therefore, after the lithium battery powder after ultrasonic vibration enters the first centrifuge 81, the first centrifuge 81 can use centrifugal force to separate the copper and aluminum powders in the lithium battery powder and discharge them through the first discharge outlet 8101, while the remaining powder is input into the second centrifuge 82. The second centrifuge 82 separates the lithium liquid and the lithium-free electrode powder. The lithium liquid is discharged through the discharge outlet 8201, and the lithium-free electrode powder is discharged through the second discharge outlet 8202.

[0075] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment further includes a discharge conveying device 83 (e.g., a discharge pipe). The discharge conveying device 83 has a discharge input end 831 and a discharge output end 832. The discharge input end 831 is arranged below the discharge port 1106 of the ultrasonic vibration device 10, and is used to receive the lithium-containing slurry. The discharge output end 832 is higher than the discharge input end 831 and is connected to the first centrifuge 81, and is used to output the lithium-containing slurry to the first centrifuge 81.

[0076] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment further includes a copper-aluminum container 84. The copper-aluminum container 84 is connected below the first discharge outlet 8101 to uniformly collect copper-aluminum powders.

[0077] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction device further includes a second lithium liquid container 85. The second lithium liquid container 85 is connected to the liquid discharge outlet 8201 to collect the lithium liquid uniformly.

[0078] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction device further includes a lithium-free electrode powder container 86. The lithium-free electrode powder container 86 is arranged corresponding to the second discharge outlet 8202 to uniformly collect the lithium-free electrode powder.

[0079] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment further includes a pole powder conveying device 87. The pole powder conveying device 87 has a pole powder input end 871 and a pole powder output end 872. The pole powder input end 871 is arranged below the second discharge outlet 8202, and is used to receive lithium-free electrode powder. The pole powder output end 872 is higher than the pole powder input end 871 and is arranged adjacent to the lithium-free pole powder container 86, and is used to output the lithium-free electrode powder to the lithium-free pole powder container 86. At the same time, in the process of the lithium-free electrode powder being conveyed by the pole powder conveying device 87, the lithium-free electrode powder can be dried, thereby reducing the moisture content of the lithium-free electrode powder, so as to facilitate the subsequent recycling of the lithium-free electrode powder.

[0080] Optionally, the lithium battery lithium extraction equipment further includes a crushing device 91, a material collection and separation device 92 and a grinding device 93. The crushing device 91 is arranged in front of the ultrasonic vibration device 10, and is used to crush the waste lithium batteries to form lithium battery powder.

[0081] At the same time, it can be understood that since the waste lithium battery also includes a lithium battery shell (aluminum shell), a graphite negative electrode, a diaphragm and an electrolyte (volatile organic solvent and electrolytic salt, etc.) between the lithium positive electrode and the graphite negative electrode, an aluminum foil coated with a lithium positive electrode material, and a copper foil coated with a graphite negative electrode material, the lithium battery scraps after crushing also include copper and aluminum scraps, diaphragm scraps, lithium-free electrode scraps, and volatile organic matter, and after the shredder 911 shreds, the diaphragm scraps formed by the flexible diaphragm are larger in size, the copper and aluminum powder formed by the rigid aluminum shell, copper foil, and aluminum foil are of medium size, and the electrode scraps formed by the lithium electrode and graphite electrode are of the smallest size.

[0082] The aggregate separation device 92 is arranged between the crushing device 91 and the ultrasonic vibration device 10, and is used to separate the diaphragm crushed materials and the volatile organic matter, and is used to screen and separate the larger diaphragm crushed materials and adsorb the volatile organic matter, so that the crushed materials after separation mainly include copper and aluminum crushed materials and electrode crushed materials.

[0083] For example, the shredder 91 includes a shredder 911. The shredder 911 is used to shred waste lithium batteries into lithium electrode shreds.

[0084] The crushing device 91 further includes a crusher 912. The crusher 912 is arranged at the rear stage of the shredder 911 and is used to further crush the lithium electrode crushed materials.

[0085] The grinding device 93 (e.g., a grinder) is connected between the material collecting and dividing device 92 and the ultrasonic vibration device 10, and is used to grind the divided and crushed materials before ultrasonic vibration. Thus, the crushed copper and aluminum crushed materials and the electrode crushed materials are ground and refined by the grinding device 93 and then transported to the ultrasonic vibration device 10 to provide the ultrasonic vibration device 10 with lithium electrode powder and copper and aluminum powder, that is, the lithium-containing lithium battery powder.

[0086] Optionally, the lithium battery extraction equipment further includes a lithium battery conveying device 94 (such as a conveyor belt device). The lithium battery conveying device 94 is arranged in front of the crushing device 91, and is used to convey the waste lithium batteries to the crushing device 91 for crushing by the crushing device 91, and the conveying is smooth and stable.

[0087] Optionally, the lithium battery extraction equipment further includes a crushed material conveying device 95 (such as a conveyor belt device or a screw conveyor). The crushed material conveying device 95 is disposed between the shredder 911 and the pulverizer 912 and is used to convey the shredded lithium battery crushed materials to the pulverizer 912 .

[0088] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Anyone familiar with the technology may modify or change the above embodiments without violating the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed in the present disclosure shall still be covered by the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from lithium batteries, characterized in that: include: The shell is provided with an ultrasonic vibration cavity and a feed port, a water inlet and a discharge port connected to the ultrasonic vibration cavity, and the feed port is used for introducing lithium battery powder containing lithium; The drop net assembly is arranged in the ultrasonic vibration cavity and has a piezoelectric layer formed on the surface. The piezoelectric layer forms charge movement that promotes the precipitation of lithium ions under the friction between water and lithium battery powder and the cavitation of ultrasonic waves; as well as An ultrasonic vibration component, connected to the drop net component, for outputting ultrasonic waves to drive the drop net component to vibrate; The blanking net assembly includes: a multi-level net layer, each level of the net layer is formed with the piezoelectric layer, the multi-level net layers are arranged at intervals along the blanking direction from the feed port to the discharge port, and along the blanking direction, the mesh areas of the multi-level net layers decrease successively; the multi-level net layers include: a primary net layer, provided with circular meshes, and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface; a secondary net layer, arranged at intervals downstream of the primary net layer along the blanking direction, and the piezoelectric layer is formed on the upper surface, and is provided with non-circular holes with an area smaller than the circular mesh holes; a tertiary net layer, arranged at intervals downstream of the secondary net layer along the blanking direction, and is provided with a third mesh with an area smaller than the non-circular holes, and the third mesh is different in shape from the non-circular holes; the tertiary net layer is woven, and the piezoelectric layer is coated on the outer periphery of the woven wire, and the piezoelectric layer is a piezoelectric coating made of piezoelectric material.

2. The ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from a lithium battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a material return port located above the material drop net assembly; The ultrasonic vibration device also includes a circulation component, which includes multiple circulation pipes and a circulation drive. One end of the multiple circulation pipes is correspondingly connected to the upstream of the multiple levels of the mesh layer, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the circulation drive. The outlet of the circulation drive is connected to the return port, which is used to drive the multi-layer material intercepted by the multiple levels of the mesh layer to return to the return port.

3. The ultrasonic vibration device for extracting lithium from a lithium battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water storage chamber is also formed in the shell, and the water storage chamber is connected to the top of the water inlet; The ultrasonic vibration device further comprises: a water inlet pipe, which is arranged at the water inlet, one end of which is communicated with the water storage cavity, the other end of which is communicated with the ultrasonic vibration cavity, and is provided with a water inlet valve.

4. Lithium battery lithium extraction equipment, characterized in that: include: The ultrasonic vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; as well as The separation device is arranged at the rear stage of the ultrasonic vibration device and is used to separate the lithium liquid and the powder.

5. The lithium battery lithium extraction equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lithium battery powder includes lithium electrode powder, copper-aluminum powder and lithium-free electrode powder; The separation device comprises: A first centrifuge having a first discharge outlet and connected to the rear stage of the ultrasonic vibration device; The second centrifuge is connected to the rear stage of the first centrifuge, has a centrifugal force smaller than that of the first centrifuge, and has a discharge outlet for discharging lithium liquid and a second discharge outlet for discharging lithium-free electrode powder.

6. The lithium battery lithium extraction equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: include: A crushing device, arranged in front of the ultrasonic vibration device, is used to crush waste lithium batteries to form lithium battery crushed materials, wherein the lithium battery crushed materials also include copper and aluminum crushed materials, diaphragm crushed materials, lithium-free electrode crushed materials and volatile organic matter; A material collecting and dividing device, arranged between the material crushing device and the ultrasonic vibration device, for separating the diaphragm crushed material and the volatile organic matter; The grinding device is connected between the material collecting and dividing device and the ultrasonic vibration device, and is used for grinding the divided and crushed materials before ultrasonic vibration to form powder.

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