Solar cell module recycling system

Abstract

Provided is a solar cell module recirculation system capable of coping with a solar cell module having a large panel size and capable of saving fuel consumption. A solar cell module recycling system for thermally decomposing a used solar cell module is provided with: a conveyor on which the solar cell module is placed; a thermal decomposition furnace for performing a thermal decomposition process on the solar cell module placed on the conveyor; and a filter which is provided in the thermal decomposition furnace and which oxidizes and decomposes the resin that has been melted and fallen from the thermally decomposed solar cell module after the thermal decomposition, and the conveyor is provided so as to penetrate through the thermal decomposition furnace in the conveying direction and has a plurality of through-holes through which the resin has been melted and fallen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module recycling system that thermally decomposes a used solar cell module while it is placed on a conveyor to recover glass and valuable materials. Background Art

[0002] In order to achieve a low-carbon society, the reduction of CO2 brought about by the use of renewable energy represented by solar power generation is accelerating. On the other hand, while the introduction of solar power generation is being widely promoted, the issue of recycling solar cell modules at the time of disposal has also been pointed out.

[0003] The structure of a general solar cell module is composed of three layers: flat glass on the surface, a sealing resin layer on the inside, and a backsheet on the back. A strip line for connecting battery cells to each other is wired in the sealing resin layer. The sealing resin requires transparency, flexibility, adhesiveness, tensile strength, weather resistance, etc., and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (hereinafter simply referred to as "EVA") is usually used, and it functions to bond the flat glass, battery cells, and backsheet by heating and pressurization.

[0004] The following technology for recycling solar cell modules has been proposed: the solar cell module is heated using an electric furnace or the like in an oxidizing atmosphere to thermally decompose the EVA, thereby removing the sealing material and separating the battery cell portion from the glass substrate.

[0005] The present applicant has also proposed a treatment method, which is a method for recovering valuable materials from a solar cell module. In this method, a solar cell module is placed on a porous molded body made of a heat-resistant material carrying a transition metal oxide as a catalyst, and the solar cell module is heated in a heating furnace in an oxidizing atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of 15% or more to melt the resin component and then burn it (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 031661 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] Here, as a recycling system for implementing the above treatment method, for example, there is Figure 6 the recycling system shown. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional recycling system 52. As Figure 6As shown, the recycling system 52 is roughly classified into a mounting section A, a thermal decomposition section B, a recovery section C, a sorting section D, and a cleaning section E.

[0011] Among them, the mounting section A includes a removal area 56 for removing the frame 54 and the terminal box (not shown) from the solar cell module 58, and a mounting area 61 for mounting the solar cell module 58 from which the frame 54 and the like have been removed. In addition, the thermal decomposition section B includes a thermal decomposition furnace 60, a standby area 62 for introducing the solar cell module 58 into the thermal decomposition furnace 60, and a discharge area 64 for discharging the thermally decomposed solar cell module 59 after thermal decomposition in the thermal decomposition furnace 60.

[0012] In addition, the recovery section C includes a recovery area 66 for recovering a recovery net 82 described later, and a module recovery conveyor 68.

[0013] In addition, the sorting section D includes a sorter 76 for sorting valuables other than the flat glass 70 into battery cells 72 and strip lines 74, and the cleaning section E includes a valuables recovery section 65 for recovering valuables other than the flat glass 70, a glass recovery conveyor 78 for recovering the flat glass 70, and a cleaning device 75 for cleaning the recovered flat glass 70.

[0014] Next, a method for recycling a solar cell module will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] First, the used solar cell module 58 transported into the factory is transferred to the removal area 56, and the frame 54 and the terminal box are removed by a frame removal device (not shown).

[0016] Next, the solar cell module 58 is mounted on the mounting area 61. Here, as Figure 7 shown, a substrate 92 having a recovery net 82, a first filter 84, a second filter 86, and a tray 46 stacked in this order from above is pre-staged in the mounting area 61, and the solar cell module 58 is placed on the recovery net 82 located at the uppermost layer of the substrate 92 (see Figure 6 , Figure 8 (a)).

[0017] Here, the first filter 84 mainly uses a porous formed body having heat resistance. As specific materials, stable and common ceramic materials such as alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, cordierite, ferrite, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, forsterite, zircon, mullite, steatite, and aluminum nitride can be cited.

[0018] In addition, the second filter 86 uses a filter obtained by adding a catalyst such as titanium oxide and iron oxide to the first filter 84.

[0019] The tray 46 is located at the lowermost layer of the substrate 92 and is a member with a net-like part in the center surrounded by an outer frame, mainly made of iron.

[0020] Here, the substrate 92 has a weight above a certain level. For example, in the case of assuming a size capable of handling the 72-cell type solar cell module described later, usually the total weight of the first filter 84 and the second filter 86 is about 79 Kg, and the weight of the tray 46 is about 49 Kg.

[0021] The solar cell module 58 placed on the substrate 92 in the mounting area 61 is kept warm in the heat preservation tank 96 and is transferred to the standby area 62 (refer to Figure 6 ), and as shown in Figure 8 (b) of, it is put into the thermal decomposition furnace 60. The solar cell module 58 put into the thermal decomposition furnace 60 is subjected to thermal decomposition treatment (thermal decomposition process) while being mounted on the substrate 92.

[0022] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the process of thermal decomposition of the solar cell module 58 put into the thermal decomposition furnace 60. That is, when the solar cell module 58 is put into the thermal decomposition furnace 60, in the layer structure in the state shown in Figure 9 (a) of at first, as shown in Figure 9 (b) of, the sealing resin of the sealing resin layer 98 is thermally decomposed, and acetic acid gas 98a and polyethylene (PE) 98b are discharged from the sealing resin.

[0023] Next, as shown in Figure 9 (c) of, the sealing resin melts, and then, as shown in Figure 9 (d) of, the backsheet 100 melts. And when the thermal decomposition is completed, as shown in Figure 9 (e) of, on the first filter 84, in addition to the white pigment 98c mixed into the sealing resin, only the recovery net 82, the flat glass 70, the cell unit 72, and the strip line 74 remain. In addition, in the thermal decomposition furnace 60, three solar cell modules 58 can be thermally decomposed at one time.

[0024] Next, as shown in Figure 8 (b) of, after the thermally decomposed solar cell module 59 is discharged to the discharge area 64, as shown in Figure 8 (c) of, it is transferred to the recovery area 66 and is transferred (recovered) to the module recovery conveyor 68 (module recovery process). In addition, the thermally decomposed solar cell module 59 is transferred to the module recovery conveyor 68 in a state of being placed on the recovery net 82 located at the uppermost layer of the substrate 92. In the recovery area 66, the substrate 92 below the first filter 84 without the recovery net 82 remains in standby (refer to Figure 8 (c) of,Figure 8 of (d)).

[0025] After the pyrolyzed solar cell module 59 transferred to the module recovery conveyor 68 is naturally cooled on the conveyor belt, it directly slides out onto the glass recovery conveyor 78 and is recovered (glass recovery process, refer to Figure 6 ).

[0026] On the other hand, the battery cells 72 and the strip lines 74 contained in the pyrolyzed solar cell module 59 fall from the module recovery conveyor 68 and are recovered by the valuable material recovery unit 65 (valuable material recovery process). The battery cells 72 and the strip lines 74 recovered by the valuable material recovery unit 65 are conveyed by the valuable material conveyor 67 to the sorter 76, and the battery cells 72 and the strip lines 74 are sorted and recycled as valuable materials.

[0027] After the flat glass 70 removes attachments such as organic substances and metals through the cleaning device 75, it is recycled as new flat glass and other materials (cleaning process).

[0028] Such a conventional recycling system 52 is mainly used when recycling non-large solar cell modules 58 for large-scale solar power station industries. Here, in the conventional recycling system 52, the size of the substrate 92 (recovery net 82, first filter 84, second filter 86, and tray 46) is determined in such a way that the solar cell module 58 pyrolyzed by the pyrolysis furnace 60 can be mounted.

[0029] Therefore, if a solar cell module 58 larger than the determined size is to be mounted, the solar cell module 58 cannot be accommodated in the substrate 92, and it may not be possible to properly pyrolyze the resin. In addition, the width of the pyrolysis furnace 60 is usually designed according to the tray 46. Therefore, in order to pyrolyze the solar cell module 58 with a larger panel size, it is also necessary to redesign the pyrolysis furnace 60.

[0030] That is, in the conventional recycling system 52, for a solar cell module 58 larger than the initially envisioned solar cell module 58, it is impossible to pyrolyze it using the pyrolysis furnace 60, and the frame 54 is also removed manually, so there is a problem that it cannot be processed.

[0031] In addition, in the thermal decomposition process, there is a problem of relatively large waste of fuel consumption. Specifically, the temperature required for thermal decomposition of the solar cell module 58 is 450°C. For example, in the case of thermally decomposing a 60-cell type solar cell module 58 with a size of 1665 mm × 990 mm, the necessary energy required for thermal decomposition of the solar cell module 58 itself is approximately 6.5 MJ. In contrast, the necessary energy for heating the first filter 84, the second filter 86, and the tray 46 on which the solar cell module 58 is mounted is approximately 17 MJ. That is, in the thermal decomposition process, the heating of the first filter 84, the second filter 86, and the tray 46 requires approximately 70% of the total energy.

[0032] From the above, it can be seen that in the conventional recycling system 52, the first filter 84, the second filter 86, and the tray 46 significantly restrict the panel size of the solar cell module 58 and the reduction of fuel consumption.

[0033] An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module recycling system that can handle solar cell modules with a relatively large panel size and can save fuel consumption.

[0034] Solution for Solving the Problem

[0035] The solar cell module recycling system of the present invention performs a thermal decomposition process on a used solar cell module, and is characterized in that

[0036] The solar cell module recycling system includes:

[0037] A conveyor for placing the solar cell module;

[0038] A thermal decomposition furnace for performing a thermal decomposition process on the solar cell module placed on the conveyor; and

[0039] A filter provided in the thermal decomposition furnace for oxidatively decomposing the resin that melts and drops from the thermally decomposed solar cell module after thermal decomposition,

[0040] At least the conveyor is disposed through the thermal decomposition furnace in the conveying direction, and has a plurality of through holes for allowing the resin to melt and drop.

[0041] Thus, by disposing the filter inside the thermal decomposition furnace, it is possible to save the necessary energy for reheating the substrate which, as in the past, was first thermally decomposed for the solar cell module and then exposed to the external air to lower the temperature. In addition, since it is not necessary to place the solar cell module on the substrate as in the past, the restriction on the panel size can be greatly alleviated. Therefore, it is possible to provide a solar cell module recycling system that can handle a larger panel size and can save fuel consumption.

[0042] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0043] the filter is disposed directly below the upper belt of the conveyor in the thermal decomposition furnace.

[0044] Thus, by disposing the filter directly below the upper belt of the conveyor, the resin that melts and drops from the thermally decomposed solar cell module will not spill, and can be properly oxidized and decomposed.

[0045] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0046] it is provided with an adjustment mechanism for changing the distance between the filter and the conveyor.

[0047] Thereby, by optimizing the radiant heat of the filter, the amount of air flow between the solar cell module and the filter, etc., the temperature rise of the solar cell module can be rapidly promoted.

[0048] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0049] the width of the filter is 110% or more and 130% or less of the length in the transport direction of the solar cell module.

[0050] Thereby, the resin that melts and drops from the thermally decomposed solar cell module will not spill, and can be properly oxidized and decomposed.

[0051] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0052] the length of the filter is 420% or more and 600% or less of the width of the solar cell module.

[0053] Thereby, it is possible to thermally decompose the solar cell module in the thermal decomposition chamber in a state where multiple solar cell modules are placed on the conveyor.

[0054] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0055] The through-hole is formed as a space surrounded by wire meshes or extends in a slit shape at a prescribed interval orthogonally to the traveling direction of the conveyor.

[0056] Thus, by providing the through-hole in the conveyor, the resin can be directly melted and dropped onto the filter in the thermal decomposition furnace.

[0057] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0058] the filter is formed by laminating a first filter made of a ceramic material and a second filter in which a catalyst is added to the ceramic material.

[0059] Thereby, the resin melted and dropped into the filter in the thermal decomposition furnace can be directly oxidized and decomposed.

[0060] In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention is characterized in that

[0061] it includes a removing device located upstream of the conveyor for removing a frame and a terminal box from the solar cell module and capable of rotating in the horizontal direction.

[0062] Thereby, it is possible to easily transfer a solar cell module larger than originally envisioned to the conveyor.

[0063] Effects of the Invention

[0064] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar cell module recycling system that can handle larger panel sizes and can save fuel consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell module according to an embodiment.

[0066] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell module recycling system according to an embodiment.

[0067] Figure 3 is a view showing a cross-section of a thermal decomposition furnace according to an embodiment in the elevation direction.

[0068] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a conveyor according to an embodiment as viewed from above.

[0069] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell module recycling system according to another embodiment.

[0070] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional solar cell module recycling system.

[0071] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing the layer structure of a conventional substrate.

[0072] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram showing the flow of a conventional solar cell module recycling method.

[0073] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram showing the process in which a solar cell module is decomposed in a conventional thermal decomposition furnace. Detailed implementation mode

[0074] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a solar cell module recycling system (hereinafter simply referred to as the recycling system) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 (a) of is a schematic diagram of a solar cell module according to an embodiment as viewed from above, Figure 1 and (b) of is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section thereof.

[0075] As Figure 1 shown in (a) of, the solar cell module 2 has a rectangular shape, and battery cells (solar cell elements) 4 are arranged in a matrix, and a frame 5 is arranged as an outer frame. The frame 5 is mainly made of an aluminum frame. In addition, as Figure 1 shown in (b) of, the solar cell module 2 is composed of three layers, a flat glass 6, a sealing resin layer 8, and a backsheet 10, laminated from above, and a terminal box 9 for supplying the generated power of the battery cells 4 to a battery (not shown) or the like is attached to the lower part thereof. In addition, as the sealing resin, EVA is usually used, and the backsheet 10 is usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0076] The battery cells 4 and the strip lines 14 connecting the battery cells 4 to each other are sealed in the sealing resin layer 8, and in the sealing resin layer 8, the sealing resin, the battery cells 4, and the strip lines 14 are integrally and firmly bonded together. Therefore, in this state, it is extremely difficult to decompose the solar cell module 2 and separate the flat glass 6 (tempered glass), the battery cells 4, and the strip lines 14.

[0077] In addition, as long as the solar cell module 2 applicable to the present invention is a solar cell module having a resin backsheet, all can be used. Specifically, single crystal silicon solar cells, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, amorphous silicon solar cells, heterojunction solar cells, CIS solar cells, CIGS solar cells, CdTe solar cells, etc. can be cited.

[0078] Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view showing the recycling system 16 according to the embodiment. As Figure 2 shown, the recycling system 16 includes a part for removing the frame 5 and the terminal box 9 (refer to Figure 1A removing device 18 for removing the same, a conveyor 20 for placing and conveying the solar cell module 2, a thermal decomposition furnace 22 for performing thermal decomposition treatment on the solar cell module 2 placed on the conveyor 20, a glass recovery conveyor 26 for recovering the flat glass 6 from the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 after thermal decomposition in the thermal decomposition furnace 22, a valuable material recovery unit 28 for recovering valuable materials other than the flat glass 6, a sorting machine 30 for sorting valuable materials other than the flat glass 6 from the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 into battery cells 4 and strip lines 14, etc.

[0079] In addition, when placing the solar cell module 2 on the conveyor 20, in order to be able to place multiple solar cell modules 2 at one time and perform thermal decomposition treatment on them, it is preferable to place the solar cell module 2 in such a way that the width direction of the conveyor 20 and the thermal decomposition furnace 22 is parallel to the length direction of the solar cell module 2 (in such a way that the length direction of the solar cell module 2 is orthogonal to the conveying direction of the conveyor 20 and the thermal decomposition furnace 22).

[0080] Here, the removing device 18 can rotate in the horizontal direction. For example, for a solar cell module 2 larger than the assumed solar cell module, by rotating the removing device 18 by 90°, it can be easily conveyed to the thermal decomposition furnace 22. In addition, the removing device 18 itself may not necessarily be able to rotate, and the removing device 18 may be additionally provided with a rotating device. In this case, after removing the frame 5 and the terminal box 9 using the removing device 18, the solar cell module 2 is rotated using the rotating device.

[0081] In addition, in Figure 2 It is exemplified that large solar cell modules 2 and solar cell modules 2 of a normal panel size are mixed and placed on the conveyor 20.

[0082] Figure 3 is a view showing a cross-section in the elevation direction of the thermal decomposition furnace 22. As Figure 3 shown, the thermal decomposition furnace 22 includes a front chamber 22a for introducing the solar cell module 2 into the thermal decomposition furnace 22, a thermal decomposition chamber 22b having a heating burner (not shown) for thermally decomposing the solar cell module 2, and a rear chamber 22c. The thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 (refer to Figure 1 ) after thermal decomposition in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b is discharged into this rear chamber 22c. And the conveyor 20 is provided to penetrate through the thermal decomposition furnace 22 in the conveying direction. In addition, the front chamber 22a, the thermal decomposition chamber 22b, and the rear chamber 22c can also be provided by dividing the conveyor 20 itself. Thereby, the airtightness of the thermal decomposition chamber 22b can be more appropriately ensured.

[0083] Further, in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b, a filter 32 for oxidatively decomposing the resin that has melted and dropped from the solar cell module 24 to be thermally decomposed is provided directly below the upper belt 20b of the conveyor 20.

[0084] Here, an adjustment mechanism (not shown) for changing and adjusting the distance between the filter 32 and the conveyor 20 may also be provided therebetween. Thereby, the radiant heat of the filter, the amount of air flow passing between the solar cell module and the filter, etc. can be optimized, and the temperature rise of the solar cell module can be rapidly promoted.

[0085] In addition, the filter 32 is formed by laminating a first filter (not shown) made of a ceramic material and a second filter (not shown) in which a catalyst is added to the ceramic material. Further, for the sake of cost, the filter 32 may also be composed of only the first filter or only the second filter.

[0086] Moreover, the front chamber 22a and the rear chamber 22c preferably have the following structure: when the solar cell module 2 is introduced into the thermal decomposition chamber 22b, it can be introduced into the thermal decomposition chamber 22b in a state of being isolated from the outside air.

[0087] Specifically, structures such as a double-door structure are considered for isolating the front chamber 22a from the thermal decomposition chamber 22b and the thermal decomposition chamber 22b from the rear chamber 22c from the outside air, respectively. Thereby, leakage of smoke and gas in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b can be prevented, and a temperature drop in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b caused by the inflow of outside air can be prevented.

[0088] Furthermore, the rear chamber 22c preferably has a cooling space and a cooling device (not shown) for gradually cooling the solar cell module to be thermally decomposed. Thereby, when the solar cell module 24 to be thermally decomposed moves outside the rear chamber 22c and becomes exposed to the outside air, a situation where the solar cell module 24 to be thermally decomposed is rapidly cooled and the flat glass 6 breaks can be prevented.

[0089] In addition, when the solar cell module 2 is placed such that the width direction of the conveyor 20 and the thermal decomposition furnace 22 is parallel to the length direction of the solar cell module 2, the width of the filter 32 provided in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b (the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the solar cell module 2) is preferably set to be 110% or more and 130% or less of the length in the conveying direction of the solar cell module to be thermally decomposed. For example, when the size of the solar cell module is 1000 mm × 2000 mm, specifically, the width of the filter 32 is preferably 2200 mm or more and 2600 mm or less. Thereby, the resin that has melted and dropped from the solar cell module 24 to be thermally decomposed will not spill, and can be appropriately oxidatively decomposed.

[0090] In addition, regarding the length of the filter 32 (the length in the conveying direction of the solar cell module 2), it is contemplated that it can be processed in a form where three sheets are arranged with a gap, and it is preferably set to be 420% or more and 600% or less of the width of the solar cell module that is the object of the thermal decomposition treatment. Specifically, the length of the filter 32 is preferably 4200 mm or more and 6000 mm or less. Thereby, the solar cell module 2 can be thermally decomposed in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b in a state where multiple solar cell modules 2 are placed on the conveyor 20.

[0091] Here, the first filter mainly uses a porous formed body having heat resistance. As specific materials, stable and common ceramic materials such as alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, cordierite, ferrite, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, forsterite, zircon, mullite, steatite, and aluminum nitride can be cited.

[0092] In addition, the second filter uses a filter in which a catalyst such as titanium oxide or iron oxide is added to the first filter.

[0093] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the conveyor 20 as viewed from above. As Figure 4 shown, a plurality of through holes 20a, which are spaces surrounded by mesh-like wires, are formed in the conveyor 20. Thereby, the solar cell module 2 can be thermally decomposed in a state of being placed on the conveyor 20, and the resin can directly melt and fall onto the filter 32.

[0094] In addition, the through holes 20a do not necessarily have to be spaces surrounded by mesh-like wires, and they can also extend in a slit shape at a predetermined interval between bars arranged orthogonally to the traveling direction of the conveyor 20. That is, as long as it is a shape that can cause the resin to melt and fall in a state where the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 is placed. Therefore, various types such as a wire mesh belt conveyor, a wire mesh conveyor, and a screen conveyor can be considered as the conveyor 20.

[0095] Next, a method for recycling a solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] First, the used solar cell module 2 carried into the factory is transferred to the removing device 18 to remove the frame 5 and the terminal box 9. Here, when the solar cell module 2 is large, the removing device 18 is rotated by 90°, and the width of the solar cell module 2 transferred to the conveyor 20 can be easily accommodated within the width of the filter 32, and the large solar cell module 2 can be thermally decomposed.

[0097] The solar cell module 2 transferred to the conveyor 20 is first conveyed to the pre-chamber 22a and then fed into the thermal decomposition chamber 22b.

[0098] When the solar cell module 2 is sent into the thermal decomposition chamber 22b, the sealing resin of the sealing resin layer 8 is thermally decomposed, and acetic acid gas and polyethylene (PE) are discharged from the sealing resin (see Figure 9 ). Then, the sealing resin melts, and then the backsheet 10 melts. The molten resin melts and drops through the through-hole 20a onto the filter 32.

[0099] The resin that melts and drops onto the filter 32 reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere in the pores of the first filter of the filter 32 or reacts with the oxygen adsorbed on the catalyst in the second filter and is directly oxidized and decomposed. Here, the gas in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b is heated by the heat energy generated when the resin is oxidized and decomposed.

[0100] Thus, the thermal decomposition chamber 22b itself is effectively utilized as a heat source for thermally decomposing the solar cell module 2, so that the fuel of the heating burner can be reduced.

[0101] Then, when the thermal decomposition is completed, white pigments mixed in the sealing resin remain on the filter 32, and the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 containing only the flat glass 6, the battery cell 4, and the strip line 14 remains on the conveyor 20. The thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 is discharged into the rear chamber 22c. In the rear chamber 22c, the flat glass 6 is cooled to a temperature at which it will not break even when in contact with external air through a cooling space and a cooling device.

[0102] The flat glass 6 slides directly onto the glass recycling conveyor 26 and is recycled (glass recycling process). Then, after removing attachments such as organic substances and metals in the cleaning device 26a, it is recycled as new flat glass and other materials (cleaning process).

[0103] On the other hand, the battery cell 4 and the strip line 14 included in the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 fall from the conveyor 20 and are recycled by the valuable material recovery unit 28 (valuable material recovery process). The battery cell 4 and the strip line 14 recycled by the valuable material recovery unit 28 are conveyed to the sorter 30, and the battery cell 4 and the strip line 14 are sorted and recycled as valuable materials.

[0104] In addition, in the case of treating a solar cell module whose glass is initially broken by thermal decomposition, the treated glass is broken into granular pieces of about 10 mm. In this case, a state in which the battery cell 4, the strip line 14, and the broken glass are mixed exists, and the battery cell 4, the strip line 14, and the broken glass are sorted by the sorter 30 and recycled as valuable materials or recycling materials.

[0105] According to the invention of this embodiment, by disposing the filter 32 inside the thermal decomposition furnace 22, it is possible to save the necessary energy for reheating the substrate 92 (refer to Figure 7 ) that has been thermally decomposed for the solar cell module 2 and then exposed to the outside air and cooled down as in the past. In addition, since it is not necessary to place the solar cell module 2 on the substrate 92 as in the past, the restriction on the panel size can be significantly alleviated.

[0106] Therefore, it is possible to provide a solar cell module recycling system that can handle larger panel sizes and can save fuel consumption.

[0107] In addition, by disposing the filter 32 inside the thermal decomposition chamber 22b, the gas circulating inside the thermal decomposition chamber 22b is heated by the thermal energy generated when the resin is oxidatively decomposed, and the thermal decomposition chamber 22b itself is effectively utilized as a heat source for thermally decomposing the solar cell module 2, so that the fuel of the heating burner can be reduced.

[0108] In addition, by providing the removing device 18 that can rotate in the horizontal direction, it is possible to transfer the large-sized solar cell module 2 that exceeds the width of the thermal decomposition chamber 22b to the conveyor 20.

[0109] In addition, according to the invention of this embodiment, since there is no longer a need for the loading section A and the recovery section C (refer to Figure 6 ) required in the conventional recycling system, as Figure 5 shown, it is also possible to realize the recycling system 16' of a processing line having a plurality of thermal decomposition furnaces 22. In addition, in this case, the removing device 18 does not rotate, and there is provided a distributing section 34 that distributes the solar cell module 2 after the frame 5 and the terminal box 9 have been removed by the removing device 18 to each channel, and a rotating device 36 that rotates the solar cell module 2 distributed by the distributing section 34. The solar cell module 2 rotated by the rotating device 36 is sent to the conveyor 20 of each channel. And for the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 output from the thermal decomposition furnace 22 of each channel, the flat glass 6 that slides out from the thermally decomposed solar cell module 24 is concentrated at the position of the glass recycling conveyor 26 by the glass conveying section 38 for conveying to the glass recycling conveyor 26.

[0110] In addition, in Figure 5 , an example is shown where large-sized solar cell modules 2 and solar cell modules 2 of a normal panel size are mixed and placed on the conveyor 20.

[0111] In addition, according to the invention of this embodiment, there is no longer a need for the loading section A and the recovery section C (refer to Figure 6 ) required in the conventional recycling system, and there is no need for the substrate 92 (refer to Figure 7)The solar cell module 2 is placed on the upper side. Therefore, there is no need for the recovery net 82 and the tray 46, and the first filter 84 and the second filter 86 corresponding to the number of trays are replaced by the filter 32 disposed in the thermal decomposition chamber 22b. Thus, the cost for processing the solar cell module 2 can be significantly reduced.

[0112] Description of Reference Numerals

[0113] 2, solar cell module; 4, battery cell; 5, frame; 6, flat glass; 8, sealing resin layer; 9, terminal box; 10, backsheet; 14, strip line; 16, recycling system; 18, removal device; 20, conveyor; 20a, through hole; 20b, upper belt; 22, thermal decomposition furnace; 22a, front chamber; 22b, thermal decomposition chamber; 22c, rear chamber; 24, thermally decomposed solar cell module; 26, glass recovery conveyor; 26a, cleaning device; 28, valuable material recovery section; 30, sorter; 32, filter; 34, distribution section; 36, rotating device; 38, glass conveying section; 46, tray; 52, recycling system; 54, frame; 56, removal area; 58, solar cell module; 59, thermally decomposed solar cell module; 60, thermal decomposition furnace; 61, loading area; 62, standby area; 64, discharge area; 65, valuable material recovery section; 66, recovery area; 67, valuable material conveyor; 68, module recovery conveyor; 70, flat glass; 72, battery cell; 74, strip line; 75, cleaning device; 76, sorter; 78, glass recovery conveyor; 82, recovery net; 84, first filter; 86, second filter; 92, substrate; 96, heat insulating tank; 98, sealing resin layer; 98a, acetic acid gas; 98c, white pigment; 100, backsheet; A, loading section; B, thermal decomposition section; C, recovery section; D, sorting section; E, cleaning section.

Claims

1. A solar cell module recycling system that thermally decomposes used solar cell modules, characterized in that: The solar cell module recycling system includes: A conveyor for placing the solar cell modules; A thermal decomposition furnace for thermally decomposing the solar cell modules placed on the conveyor; and A filter provided in the thermal decomposition furnace to oxidize and decompose the resin that melts and drops from the thermally decomposed solar cell modules after thermal decomposition, At least the conveyor is disposed through the thermal decomposition furnace in the conveying direction and has a plurality of through holes for allowing the resin to melt and drop.

2. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter is provided directly below the upper belt of the conveyor in the thermal decomposition furnace.

3. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: In addition, the solar cell module recycling system of the present invention includes an adjustment mechanism for changing the distance between the filter and the conveyor.

4. The solar cell module recycling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The width of the filter is 110% or more and 130% or less of the length in the conveying direction of the solar cell module.

5. The solar cell module recycling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The length of the filter is 420% or more and 600% or less of the width of the solar cell module.

6. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through holes are formed as spaces surrounded by mesh-like metal wires or extend in a slit shape at regular intervals orthogonal to the traveling direction of the conveyor.

7. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter is formed by laminating a first filter made of a ceramic material and a second filter with a catalyst added to the ceramic material.

8. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solar cell module recycling system includes a removal device located upstream of the conveyor for removing the frame and terminal box from the solar cell module and capable of rotating in the horizontal direction.

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