A method and system for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules
By disrupting the connection between the rigid and non-rigid parts of a photovoltaic module and utilizing a wet unsealing solution and multi-step separation technology, the problem of long unsealing time and low efficiency in photovoltaic module recycling has been solved, achieving efficient separation and recycling of photovoltaic module components, especially glass, EVA adhesive, and metal.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGXI GEM RESOURCES RECYCLING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing photovoltaic module recycling technologies include wet desealing, which is time-consuming, inefficient, time-consuming, costly, and difficult to separate components.
By breaking down the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module to connect them with the non-rigid parts, the fragmented materials are separated by soaking them in a container using a wet unsealing solution. Then, EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers are separated by steps such as friction cleaning, wet leaching, sieving, color sorting, and material sorting.
By improving the desealing kinetic rate, shortening the desealing time, and reducing operating costs, this method enables the efficient separation and recycling of glass, swollen EVA, silicon, and metals, filling the gap in the recycling of PET materials.
Smart Images
Figure CN119608717B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of solid waste resource utilization technology, specifically to a method and system for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules. Background Technology
[0002] my country has the world's largest installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity, and the amount of scrapped PV laminates is projected to reach 8 million tons per year by 2035. PV modules contain waste glass (76.5%), silicon wafers (12.2%), PET backsheets (8.9%), and small amounts of metal. Their recycling is an important supplement to the raw materials for PV production, and the recycling of decommissioned PV laminates is key to the closed-loop development of the PV industry.
[0003] Current waste photovoltaic module recycling technologies include wet recycling and pyrometallurgical recycling. Wet recycling technology mainly uses a solvent system to change the structure of EVA adhesive, causing its silane coupling bonds to break, resulting in weakened adhesion and decapsulation. For example, CN106206848A discloses a novel method for recycling failed photovoltaic modules, which includes the following process steps: a) a frame removal machine removes the frame of the failed photovoltaic module; b) the frameless photovoltaic module is transferred to a pyrolysis unit; c) the pyrolysis unit performs high-temperature pyrolysis on the frameless photovoltaic module, which produces pyrolysis oil and carbon black, and yields inorganic encapsulation materials, battery chips, and electrode connection materials. The inorganic encapsulation materials are conveyed out of the pyrolysis unit, while the battery chips, electrode connection materials, and carbon black are sent to a sorting unit; d) the sorting unit separates the battery chips, electrode connection materials, carbon black, and dust, and the sorted battery chips are sent to a wet cleaning / metallurgical unit; e) the wet cleaning / metallurgical unit cleans the coating, electrode connection materials, and other impurities on the battery chips and recovers rare and precious metals such as silver and indium.
[0004] However, since the surface of the photovoltaic module that can contact the solvent system is only a gap less than 2mm wide, the swelling kinetics process is slow, and the desealing process usually takes more than 80 hours, resulting in long desealing time and low efficiency. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a method and system for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules, thereby solving the technical problems of long unsealing time and low efficiency in the existing wet recycling technology for photovoltaic modules.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules, comprising the following steps:
[0008] S1: Provide a photovoltaic module, and break the rigid part of the photovoltaic module so that the rigid part of the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module;
[0009] S2: Immerse the photovoltaic modules in a wet unsealing container with a wet unsealing solution to separate the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic modules during the unsealing process;
[0010] S3: Screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass and silicon wafer in photovoltaic modules respectively.
[0011] In some embodiments, prior to step S1, the method further includes the following step: cutting and removing the aluminum frame and wiring frame of the waste photovoltaic module.
[0012] In some embodiments, the rigid portion of the photovoltaic module is damaged by mechanically breaking the glass, including crushing or impacting it.
[0013] In some embodiments, the specific steps of S1 include: placing the photovoltaic module with the backsheet side facing down, using a transmission mechanism to transport the photovoltaic module, stopping after each set distance of transport, and using a pressing component above the transmission mechanism to bend and press the photovoltaic module downwards, thereby breaking the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module into multiple segments in sequence, so as to destroy the rigid part in the photovoltaic module and maintain the integrity of the backsheet, while the integrity of the non-rigid material is not destroyed, and the rigid part in the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module.
[0014] In some embodiments, S2 specifically includes the following steps: removing debris attached to the surface of the backplate, the debris being considered unpacked after it detaches from the backplate, and the debris being sieved out by screening and collected and sent to the next processing module, and then removing the backplate that does not adhere to the glass, silicon wafer and metal.
[0015] In some embodiments, the specific steps for removing debris adhering to the backsheet surface are as follows: winding the photovoltaic module, placing the wound photovoltaic module into a container containing a wet desealing solvent, and rotating the photovoltaic module by rotating the drum inside the container. After the EVA adhesive comes into contact with the wet desealing solvent in the container, it loses its stickiness, causing the glass, silicon wafer and EVA adhesive on the backsheet to fall off under the rotation of the drum.
[0016] In some embodiments, S3 specifically includes the following steps: sequentially using friction cleaning, wet leaching, sieving, color sorting, and material sorting to separate swollen EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers.
[0017] In some embodiments, the friction cleaning adopts a wet friction, rinsing and dehydration mode to remove the EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface, and the wet friction time is not less than 60s; the wet leaching separates the EVA adhesive by density separation; the sieving stage is used to separate PVF powder, wherein the sieve used to sieve the PVF powder is ≥500 mesh; the color sorting is used to separate the black component of the silicon wafer; the material sorting is used to separate PET material and glass material.
[0018] Secondly, the present invention also provides a photovoltaic module separation and recycling system, which is used to implement the photovoltaic module separation and recycling method of any of the above claims, and includes: a rigid removal module, a wet desealing module, and a component separation module. The rigid removal module is used to break down the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module, so that the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module are connected by the non-rigid parts of the photovoltaic module. The wet desealing module is used to place the photovoltaic module into a wet desealing container and immerse it in a wet desealing solution, separating the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic module during the desealing process. The component separation module is used to separately screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers in the photovoltaic module.
[0019] In some embodiments, the component separation module includes: a friction cleaning module, a wet leaching module, a sieving module, a color sorting module, and a material sorting module. The friction cleaning module uses a wet friction, rinsing, and dehydration process to remove EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface, with the wet friction time being no less than 60 seconds. The wet leaching module is used to separate EVA adhesive by density separation. The sieving module is used to separate PVF powder, wherein the sieve used for sieving PVF powder is ≥500 mesh. The color sorting module is used to separate silicon wafers containing the black component. The material sorting module is used to separate PET material from glass material.
[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the photovoltaic module separation and recycling method and system provided by this invention, by breaking down the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module and connecting them with the non-rigid parts, increases the contact area between the adhesive and the wet leaching reagent in the photovoltaic module in subsequent processes, thereby increasing the kinetic rate. By immersing the photovoltaic module in a wet unsealing container and soaking it in a wet unsealing solution, the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic module are separated during the unsealing process. The wet unsealing solution is used to dissolve the encapsulation material, so as to separate various fragmented materials. Finally, EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers in the photovoltaic module are screened out respectively. This solution solves the defects of excessively long descaling time, difficult component separation, and large and costly wet unsealing reactors in the wet recycling process of waste photovoltaic modules. It achieves the separation and recycling of glass, swollen EVA, silicon, metal enrichment solution, and PVF powder, and realizes the high-value reuse of PET materials, filling the gap of unusable swollen PET materials. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling method provided in this embodiment of the invention;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling method provided in the embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the rigid removal module of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the photovoltaic module before and after the rigidity is removed;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure for fixing photovoltaic modules before winding;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the wet depackaging module of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in this embodiment of the invention;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the wet depackaging module of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in this embodiment of the invention;
[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the component separation module of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in this embodiment of the invention;
[0030] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the component separation module of the photovoltaic module separation and recycling system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0032] 1. Rigid removal module; 11. Transmission mechanism; 111. Transmission roller; 112. Conveyor belt; 12. Guiding mechanism; 121. Non-powered roller; 13. Pressing mechanism; 131. First steel pressure plate; 132. First driving component; 133. Second steel pressure plate; 134. Second driving component; 14. Bounce screen; 15. Material collection trough;
[0033] 2. Wet unpacking module; 21. Wet unpacking container shell; 211. Wet unpacking solvent; 22. Drum screen; 23. Crushed material conveying screw;
[0034] 3. Component separation module; 31. Friction cleaner housing; 311. Feed inlet; 312. Discharge outlet; 32. Friction shaft; 33. Friction rotating blades;
[0035] 4. Rinse tank; 5. Fixing buckle; 6. Fixing net; 7. Photovoltaic module. Detailed Implementation
[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.
[0037] To address the technical problems of long unsealing time and low efficiency in wet recycling technology for photovoltaic modules, this invention provides a separation and recycling method and system for photovoltaic modules. It solves the defects of excessively long debinding time, difficult component separation, and large and costly wet unsealing reactors in the wet recycling process of waste photovoltaic modules. It achieves the separation and recycling of glass, swollen EVA, silicon, metal enrichment solution, and PVF powder, and realizes the high-value reuse of PET materials, filling the gap of unusable swollen PET materials.
[0038] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules, comprising the following steps:
[0039] S1: Provide a photovoltaic module, and break the rigid part of the photovoltaic module so that the rigid part of the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module;
[0040] S2: Immerse the photovoltaic modules in a wet unsealing container with a wet unsealing solution to separate the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic modules during the unsealing process;
[0041] S3: Screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass and silicon wafer in photovoltaic modules respectively.
[0042] In this solution, a photovoltaic module is provided, and the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module are broken down, allowing the rigid parts to be connected to the non-rigid parts of the photovoltaic module. This increases the contact area between the adhesive and the wet leaching reagent in the photovoltaic module in subsequent processes, thereby increasing the kinetic rate. By immersing the photovoltaic module in a wet unsealing container and applying a wet unsealing solution, the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic module are separated during the unsealing process. The wet unsealing solution is used to dissolve the encapsulation material, allowing for the separation of various fragmented materials. Finally, EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers from the photovoltaic module are screened out. This solution solves the shortcomings of the wet recycling process of waste photovoltaic modules, such as the excessively long descaling time, the difficulty of component separation, and the large size and high operating cost of the wet unsealing reactor. It achieves the separation and recycling of glass, swollen EVA, silicon, metal enrichment solution, and PVF powder, and realizes the high-value reuse of PET materials, filling the gap of unusable swollen PET materials.
[0043] In order to facilitate the removal of the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module, in this embodiment, before step S1, it is necessary to cut and remove the aluminum frame and wiring frame of the waste photovoltaic module.
[0044] It should be noted that in this scheme, the removal of rigidity refers to the bending, curling and other deformation processes that occur when a multi-layered structure composed of both rigid and non-rigid materials undergoes deformation under the action of mechanical external force. During this process, the integrity of the rigid layer structure is destroyed and it breaks into small pieces, while the integrity of the non-rigid materials is not destroyed. Moreover, the softness of the non-rigid materials means that the original multi-layered structure still exists, and its structural rigidity is no longer present.
[0045] Preferably, in this embodiment, the rigid part of the photovoltaic module is damaged by mechanically breaking the glass, including processes such as crushing or impacting, but excluding shearing or tearing processes, and the backsheet material must be kept intact.
[0046] The present invention also provides a more specific embodiment to illustrate the above steps S1-S3, which specifically include:
[0047] Step 1: Place the photovoltaic module with the backsheet side facing down. Use the transmission mechanism to transport the photovoltaic module. Stop after transporting a set distance. When stopping, use the pressing component above the transmission mechanism to bend and press the photovoltaic module downwards, breaking the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module into multiple segments in sequence. This destroys the rigid part of the photovoltaic module while maintaining the integrity of the backsheet. The integrity of the non-rigid material is not destroyed. The rigid part of the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module.
[0048] Because the bending force on the backsheet side of the photovoltaic module is relatively small during breakage, placing the backsheet side of the photovoltaic module close to the conveying surface and bearing surface for breakage can regularly break the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module into multiple segments. This not only removes the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module but also maintains the integrity of the organic module (PET backsheet / PVF film) structure. The resulting fragments are glass fragments, which facilitate the separation of glass, metal and PVF materials during the subsequent unsealing process.
[0049] Preferably, the transmission mechanism is set at a distance of 10cm, and the rigid structure is damaged once every 10cm of transmission.
[0050] Step 2: Remove debris adhering to the backsheet surface. Specifically, the steps for removing debris from the backsheet surface are as follows: The photovoltaic module is wound up and placed into a container containing a wet desealing solvent. The rotation of a drum inside the container causes the photovoltaic module to rotate. The EVA adhesive loses its stickiness upon contact with the wet desealing solvent, causing the glass, silicon wafer, and EVA adhesive on the backsheet to detach under the rotation of the drum. Once the debris detaches from the backsheet, the desealing process is considered complete. The debris is then sieved out and collected for transmission to the next processing module. Subsequently, the backsheet, free of adhered glass, silicon wafer, and metal, is removed.
[0051] Preferably, the wet unsealing solvent is an unsealing solvent with a DMPU-like structure (pH=).
[0052] Step 3: Separate swollen EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers sequentially using friction cleaning, wet leaching, sieving, color sorting, and material sorting. The friction cleaning employs a wet friction, rinsing, and dehydration process to remove the EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface; the wet friction time is no less than 60 seconds. The wet leaching separates the EVA adhesive through density separation, using a ≥3 mol / L hydrochloric acid system with the leaching potential controlled at 350-380 mV to leach metals such as silver and copper. The sieving stage separates PVF powder using a ≥500 mesh sieve. The color sorting separates the black component (silicon wafers). The material sorting separates PET and glass materials.
[0053] The non-adhesive glass, silicon wafer, and metal backing is used to melt-add 10% by mass into conventional rPET material for the manufacture of recycled textile fibers.
[0054] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a photovoltaic module separation and recycling system. This system is used to implement the photovoltaic module separation and recycling method provided in any of the above embodiments. The photovoltaic module separation and recycling system includes: a rigid removal module 1, a wet desealing module 2, and a component separation module 3. The rigid removal module 1 is used to break down the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module 7, allowing the rigid parts of the photovoltaic module 7 to be connected by the non-rigid parts of the photovoltaic module 7. The wet desealing module 2 is used to place the photovoltaic module 7 into a wet desealing container and immerse it in a wet desealing solution, separating the fragmented materials of the photovoltaic module 7 during the desealing process. The component separation module 3 is used to separately screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers from the photovoltaic module 7.
[0055] In order to destroy the rigid parts in the photovoltaic module 7, in some embodiments, the rigidity removal module 1 includes: a transmission mechanism 11, a guiding mechanism 12, and a pressing mechanism 13.
[0056] The transmission mechanism 11 includes two transmission rollers 111, a conveyor belt 112, and a drive device. The conveyor belt 112 is sleeved between the two transmission rollers 111, and its top surface forms a conveying surface. The height of the transmission roller 111 on the left is lower than the height of the other transmission roller 111, so that the conveying surface formed by the top surface of the conveyor belt 112 is inclined upward from left to right. The drive device is connected to the transmission rollers 111 and is used to drive the transmission rollers 111 to rotate. The drive device is a motor or an electric shaft, etc. It drives the transmission rollers 111 to rotate, which in turn drives the conveyor belt 112 to move between the two transmission rollers 111, conveying the photovoltaic module 7 from left to right to the guide mechanism 12.
[0057] The guiding mechanism 12 includes several unpowered rollers 121, which are arranged in a downward inclination from the direction closest to the transmission mechanism 11 to the direction furthest from the transmission mechanism 11, so that a bearing surface is formed between the tops of the several unpowered rollers 121. After the photovoltaic module 7 is partially conveyed to the bearing surface by the transmission mechanism 11, the movement of the first pressing component and the second pressing component relative to the conveyor belt 112 and the unpowered rollers 121 respectively can press the two sides of the photovoltaic module 7 against the top surfaces of the conveyor belt 112 and the unpowered rollers 121, thereby destroying the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module 7.
[0058] In particular, tempered glass can shatter into fragments if its rigidity is broken in one go. In order for the EVA adhesive at the junction of the silicon and the backing plate to come into contact with the wet desealing agent, the rigid structure needs to be broken once every 10cm of transmission.
[0059] The first pressing component includes a first steel pressure plate 131 and a first driving component 132, and the second pressing component includes a second steel pressure plate 133 and a second driving component 134. The first steel pressure plate 131 is disposed above the transmission mechanism 11 and parallel to the conveying surface. The driving end of the bottom of the first driving component 132 is fixedly connected to the first steel pressure plate 131, for driving the first steel pressure plate 131 to move relative to the conveying surface. The second steel pressure plate 133 is disposed above the guide mechanism 12 and parallel to the bearing surface. The driving end of the bottom of the second driving component 134 is fixedly connected to the second steel pressure plate 133, for driving the second steel pressure plate 133 to move relative to the bearing surface. The first driving component 132 and the second driving component 134 are hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders. In practice, the first steel pressure plate 131 and the second steel pressure plate 133 can be driven by the first driving member 132 and the second driving member 134 respectively, so that the first steel pressure plate 131 moves relative to the conveyor belt 112 and the second steel pressure plate 133 moves relative to the unpowered roller 121, causing the material inside the photovoltaic module 7 to crack or be damaged due to stress concentration, thereby achieving the purpose of destroying the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module 7.
[0060] Following the guide mechanism 12, a bouncing screen 14 and a material collection trough 15 are also provided. The bouncing screen 14 is located at one end of the guide mechanism 12, with its feed end corresponding to the discharge end of the guide mechanism 12. The material collection trough 15 is located below the bouncing screen 14 and the driving roller. After the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module 7 is broken, the photovoltaic module 7 is conveyed through the bouncing screen 14. During the conveying process, the bouncing screen 14 vibrates, shaking off broken glass fragments and other powdery materials. The material collection trough 15 below collects the fallen powdery materials as glass material recycling. At the same time, glass fragments that fall from the non-powered roller 121 during the removal of the rigid structure can also be collected in the material collection trough 15.
[0061] The photovoltaic module 7 used for crushing is composed of a backsheet, a first EVA adhesive, a silicon wafer, a second EVA adhesive, and tempered glass connected in sequence. The photovoltaic module 7 is placed with the backsheet side facing down, and the photovoltaic module 7 is conveyed by the transmission mechanism 11. It stops after conveying 10cm. When it stops, the pressing component above the transmission mechanism 11 bends and presses the photovoltaic module 7 downward, breaking the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module 7 into multiple segments in sequence, so as to destroy the rigid part in the photovoltaic module 7 and maintain the integrity of the backsheet. The integrity of the non-rigid materials is not destroyed. The rigid part in the photovoltaic module 7 is connected by the non-rigid part. The photovoltaic module 7 is then conveyed to the bouncing screen 14. The bouncing screen 14 vibrates and shakes off the broken glass fragments and other powder materials. The shaken powder materials and the glass fragments falling from the non-powered roller 121 fall into the material collection tank 15 and are collected.
[0062] To achieve wet desealing of the photovoltaic module 7 and separation of debris from the backsheet, in some embodiments, the wet desealing module includes a wet desealing container shell 21, a drum screen 22, and a debris conveying screw 23. The wet desealing container shell 21 is inclined and filled with a wet desealing solution. The drum screen 22 is centrally located at the bottom inside the wet desealing container shell 21 and can filter debris, causing the debris to fall between the drum screen 22 and the wet desealing container shell 21. The drum screen 22 can also rotate under the drive of a motor or other driving components. The debris conveying screw 23 is located at the bottom of the drum screen 22 and can carry out the debris that falls between the drum screen 22 and the wet desealing container shell 21 through a propeller during rotation.
[0063] During implementation, the backsheet of the wound photovoltaic module 7 is located inside the winding layer. The wound photovoltaic module 7 is placed into the outer shell 21 of the wet unsealing container containing wet unsealing solvent 211. The rotation of the drum inside the container drives the photovoltaic module 7 to rotate. The drum screen 22 plays a role in stirring the broken materials during the rotation, so that the photovoltaic module 7 can fully contact the wet unsealing solvent 211. After the EVA adhesive comes into contact with the wet unsealing solvent 211 in the container, it loses its stickiness, causing the glass, silicon wafer and EVA adhesive on the backsheet to fall off under the action of the rotating drum. The unsealing is considered to be completed after the broken materials are separated from the backsheet. After the broken materials are separated from the photovoltaic module 7, they pass through the screen during the rotation of the equipment and fall into the broken material conveying screw 23, where they are carried out. Then the backsheet that does not stick to the glass, silicon wafer and metal is taken out.
[0064] It should be noted that in this scheme, the photovoltaic module 7 is fixed by the fixing buckle 5 and the fixing net 6. After the rigidity is removed, the photovoltaic module 7 is fixed on the fixing net 6 by the fixing buckle 5. Finally, the photovoltaic module 7 is wound by winding the fixing net 6. At each time, 2-3 photovoltaic modules 7 can be fixed on the fixing net 6.
[0065] In order to achieve the screening and classification of various materials in photovoltaic module 7, in some embodiments, the component separation module 3 includes: a friction cleaning module, a wet leaching module, a screening module, a color sorting module, and a material sorting module.
[0066] The friction cleaning module employs a wet friction, rinsing, and dehydration process to remove EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface. The wet friction time is no less than 60 seconds. The friction cleaning module includes a friction cleaning machine housing 31, a friction rotating shaft 32, and friction rotating blades 33. The friction cleaning machine housing 31 is arranged at an inclination, with a feeding inlet 311 at its lower end and a discharge outlet 312 at its higher end. After the mixed material and water enter the friction cleaning machine housing 31 through the feeding inlet 311, the mixed material collides and rubs against the friction cleaning structure under the rotation of the friction rotating blades 33. Under this action, the deadhesive EVA adhesive separates from materials such as glass, silicon wafers, and metals. After exiting the friction cleaning machine, it enters the rinsing stage and is separated by the property that EVA has a lower density than water. After dehydration, the target material EVA and sediment are obtained.
[0067] The wet leaching module is used to separate EVA adhesive by density separation. Density separation means that during the rinsing process, EVA adhesive, because its density is lower than that of water, floats on the surface of the rinsing tank 4 and separates from the sediment. Specifically, the wet leaching module includes a rinsing tank 4, which corresponds to the discharge port 312 of the friction cleaner. The mixture processed by the friction cleaner falls into the rinsing tank 4 through the discharge port 312. After the sediment enters the leaching tank, it reacts with the solution. The metal material is dissolved, while other materials remain solid. After the reaction is completed, the leaching solution and precipitate are removed. The leaching solution is the metal enrichment solution, and the precipitate is the fragments.
[0068] The sieving module is used to separate PVF powder. The sieving module includes a sieve with a mesh size of ≥500.
[0069] The color sorting module is used to separate silicon wafers containing the black component; the material sorting module is used to separate PET materials from glass materials. Both the color sorting module and the material sorting module employ photoelectric sorting. The color sorting module uses visible light sorting, utilizing optical and electronic techniques to distinguish objects based on the different colors (i.e., different wavelengths) of visible light reflected or emitted by them, thus separating the black component silicon wafers. The material sorting module uses near-infrared sorting. Mixed materials have different reflectivities and absorptivity in the near-infrared band; these characteristics can be used to distinguish different materials or objects, thereby differentiating PET materials from glass materials.
[0070] Furthermore, the material sorting module and the color sorting module are also connected to the identification module, the air valve control module, and the airflow impact separation module, respectively. After the material sorting module and the color sorting module collect the material data, the identification module receives the collected signal and controls the movement of the airflow impact separation module through the air valve control module, pushing the corresponding material into the corresponding collection device to achieve the separation of silicon wafers and the separation of PET materials and glass materials.
[0071] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper" and "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0072] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0073] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Provide a photovoltaic module, and break the rigid part of the photovoltaic module so that the rigid part of the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module; S2: The photovoltaic module is placed in a wet unsealing container and immersed in a wet unsealing solution. During the unsealing process, the fragmented material of the photovoltaic module is separated. The photovoltaic module is wound up and fixed by a fixing buckle and a fixing mesh. After the rigidity is removed, the photovoltaic module is fixed to the fixing mesh by the fixing buckle. Finally, the fixing mesh is wound up to achieve the winding of the photovoltaic module. The back plate of the wound photovoltaic module is located inside the winding layer. The wound photovoltaic module is placed into the outer shell of the wet unsealing container containing the wet unsealing solvent. The rotation of the drum inside the container drives the photovoltaic module to rotate. The drum screen plays a role in stirring the fragmented material during the rotation. S3: Screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass and silicon wafer in photovoltaic modules respectively.
2. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before step S1, the following steps are also included: Cut and remove the aluminum frame and wiring frame of the waste photovoltaic module.
3. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid parts of the photovoltaic module are damaged by mechanically breaking the glass, including crushing or impacting it.
4. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific steps of S1 include: The photovoltaic module is placed with its backsheet side facing down. The photovoltaic module is transported by a transmission mechanism. After each set distance, the transmission mechanism stops. When it stops, the pressure component above the transmission mechanism bends and presses the photovoltaic module downwards, breaking the rigid structure in the photovoltaic module into multiple segments in sequence. This destroys the rigid part of the photovoltaic module while maintaining the integrity of the backsheet. The integrity of the non-rigid material is not destroyed. The rigid part of the photovoltaic module is connected by the non-rigid part of the photovoltaic module.
5. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, S2 specifically includes the following steps: Remove the debris attached to the backplate surface. Once the debris detaches from the backplate, the unpacking is considered complete. The debris is then sieved out and collected for the next processing module. Subsequently, the backplate that does not adhere to the glass, silicon wafer, and metal is removed.
6. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 5, characterized in that, The specific steps for removing the debris adhering to the surface of the back plate are as follows: The photovoltaic module is wound up and placed into a container containing a wet desealing solvent. The rotation of the drum inside the container causes the photovoltaic module to rotate. After the EVA adhesive comes into contact with the wet desealing solvent in the container, it loses its stickiness, causing the glass, silicon wafer and EVA adhesive on the back sheet to fall off under the action of the rotating drum.
7. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that, S3 specifically includes the following steps: The swollen EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass, and silicon wafers were separated by sequentially using friction cleaning, wet leaching, sieving, color sorting, and material sorting.
8. The method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules according to claim 7, characterized in that, The friction cleaning adopts a wet friction, rinsing and dehydration mode to remove the EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface, and the wet friction time is not less than 60 seconds. The wet leaching process separates the EVA adhesive through density separation. The sieving process is used to separate PVF powder, wherein the sieve used to sieve the PVF powder is ≥500 mesh; The color sorting is used to separate silicon wafers containing the black component; The material sorting is used to separate PET materials from glass materials.
9. A separation and recycling system for photovoltaic modules, characterized in that, The photovoltaic module separation and recycling system, which implements the method for separating and recycling photovoltaic modules as described in any one of claims 1-8, comprises: A rigid removal module is used to break the rigid parts in the photovoltaic module, so that the rigid parts in the photovoltaic module are connected to the non-rigid parts of the photovoltaic module. A wet unpacking module, used to immerse photovoltaic modules in a wet unpacking container and wet unpacking solution, separating fragmented materials from the photovoltaic modules during the unpacking process; and... A component separation module is used to separately screen out EVA adhesive, metal enrichment solution, PVF powder, glass and silicon wafer in photovoltaic modules.
10. The photovoltaic module separation and recycling system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The component separation module includes: The friction cleaning module uses a wet friction, rinsing and dehydration mode to remove the EVA adhesive adhering to the material surface, and the wet friction time is not less than 60 seconds. A wet leaching module, wherein the wet leaching module is used to separate EVA adhesive by density separation; A sieving module for separating PVF powder, wherein the sieve used for sieving PVF powder is ≥500 mesh; A color sorting module, wherein the color sorting module is used to separate silicon wafers containing the black component; and, The material sorting module is used to separate PET material from glass material.