Crushing device and battery recycling system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a crushing device and a battery recycling system capable of suppressing a reduction in processing capability. This crushing device is provided with: a crushing chamber into which a secondary battery to be crushed is introduced; the rotating shaft is arranged in the crushing chamber; a striking body that rotates in the crushing chamber by receiving a centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the rotating shaft; the screen is arranged on the bottom surface of the crushing chamber, and crushed materials, smaller than a preset size, of the crushed secondary battery pass through the screen; and a control unit that periodically opens the screen mesh.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a crushing device that crushes a secondary battery and a battery recycling system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recycling of a secondary battery such as a nickel-hydrogen battery and a lithium-ion battery, it is required to suppress emission of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and to sort crushed matters generated by crushing the secondary battery with high precision. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a crushing and classifying device that improves the recovery of an active material included in an electrode material of a secondary battery.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-73986 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In Patent Literature 1, a lighter crushed matter such as a separator in the crushed matters of the secondary battery can be rolled up by the rotation of the striking body even in a case where the mesh hole diameter of the screen is smaller, and can remain in the crushing chamber without passing through the screen. In this case, the load applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft becomes large due to the accumulation of the crushed matters in the crushing chamber, and thus there is a problem that the processing capacity of the crushing device can be reduced.

[0008] The present disclosure was completed in view of the above background, and aims to provide a crushing device and a battery recycling system that can suppress reduction in processing capacity.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The crushing device of the present disclosure includes a crushing chamber into which a secondary battery as a crushing target is put; a rotating shaft provided inside the crushing chamber; a striking body that rotates in the crushing chamber by receiving centrifugal force accompanying rotation of the rotating shaft; a screen provided to a bottom surface of the crushing chamber to pass a crushed matter of the secondary battery that is smaller than a predetermined size; and a control section that periodically opens the screen. The crushing device of the present disclosure can discharge a lighter crushed matter such as a separator that is difficult to pass through the screen from the crushing chamber by periodically opening the screen, and thus can prevent reduction in processing capacity.

[0011] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a crushing device and a battery recycling system that can suppress reduction in processing capacity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an adjustment device provided in a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a primary crushing device provided in a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of an electrolyte recovery device provided in a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a secondary crushing device provided in a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen provided in a secondary crushing device of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a sorting device provided in a battery recycling system of the present disclosure.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0022] 1 battery recycling system, 11 discharging device, 12 primary crushing device, 13 electrolyte recovery device, 14 secondary crushing device, 15 sorting device, 16 adjustment device, 121 main body portion, 122 crushing chamber, 123 crushing portion, 123a rotating shaft, 123b rotor, 123c hook, 124 drop inlet, 125 upper cover, 126 discharge outlet, 131 main body portion, 132 conveying chamber, 133 auger, 134 drop inlet, 135 discharge outlet, 136 pressure reducing device, 137 heating device, 138 recovery device, 141 main body portion, 142 crushing chamber, 143 crushing portion, 143a rotating shaft, 143b rotor, 143c shaft, 143d hammer, 144 fixed blade, 145 screen, 146 drop inlet, 147 discharge outlet, 148 control portion, 151 main body portion, 152 sorting chamber, 153 vibration generator, 154 drop inlet, 155 box, 161 measuring portion, 162 output control portion, 163 output portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, a specific embodiment to which the present application is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, the following description and the drawings are appropriately simplified for clear description.

[0024] <Embodiment 1>

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a battery recycling system 1 of Embodiment 1. The battery recycling system 1 is a system that crushes a secondary battery TG as a recycling target and sorts the crushed matter or the like by material. The sorted crushed matter or the like is recycled for various uses.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1 , the battery recycling system 1 is provided with a discharging device 11, a primary crushing device 12, an electrolyte recovery device 13, a secondary crushing device 14, a sorting device 15, and an adjustment device 16. In addition, the processing of each of the discharging device 11, the primary crushing device 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crushing device 14, the sorting device 15, and the adjustment device 16 is performed according to an instruction from a control device not shown. However, a part of the processing of the discharging device 11, the primary crushing device 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crushing device 14, the sorting device 15, and the adjustment device 16 can also be performed by the operation of a user. For example, the discharging processing of the secondary battery based on the discharging device 11, and the input of the secondary battery after discharging to the primary crushing device 12 can also be performed by the operation of a user.

[0027] The discharging device 11 is a device that performs discharging of the secondary battery TG as a recycling target. The discharging device 11 discharges the secondary battery TG by connecting the secondary battery TG to a predetermined resistance element, for example. The discharging device 11 can also be a tray on which the secondary battery TG is placed until discharging ends.

[0028] The secondary battery TG as a recycling target is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery. The secondary battery TG has an electrode material and a case that houses the electrode material. The electrode material has a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator provided therebetween, and an electrolyte.

[0029] In the lithium ion battery, the case is formed of Al (aluminum), for example. The current collector of the negative electrode uses Cu (copper), and the active material of the negative electrode uses graphite (C). The current collector of the positive electrode uses Al, and the active material of the positive electrode uses a metal compound containing Li (lithium). The electrolyte uses an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and an electrolyte such as a lithium salt. The separator uses a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene. In addition, a bolt that fixes the electrode material housed in the case uses Fe (iron), for example.

[0030] In a nickel-hydrogen battery, a case is formed of resin or the like. A negative electrode uses a hydrogen storage alloy, and a positive electrode uses nickel hydroxide. An electrolyte solution uses an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. A separator uses resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition, an external terminal uses Fe or the like.

[0031] The primary crushing device 12 exposes the electrode material of the secondary battery TG by crushing the case of the secondary battery TG after discharging. Thereby, in the electrolyte solution recovery device 13 of the rear stage (later stage), the electrolyte solution contained in the electrode material can be recovered. In addition, the primary crushing device 12 shreds (finely crushes) the separator in a sheet shape which is one of the constituent elements of the electrode material. Thereby, the entanglement of the separator in the device of the rear stage which can occur in a case where the separator is not shredded can be suppressed, and thus the deterioration of the handling performance of the device of the rear stage can be suppressed.

[0032] The electrolyte solution recovery device 13 heats the crushed matter (also referred to as crushed matter TG) of the secondary battery TG after crushing by the primary crushing device 12 in a reduced pressure environment, and thereby distills and recovers the electrolyte solution contained in the crushed matter TG. Thereby, the battery recycling system 1 can prevent the heat generation caused by the short circuit of the secondary battery TG after crushing, and thus can prevent the case where the separator in the secondary battery TG after crushing is melted and adheres to the electrode material. As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can suppress the deterioration of the sorting precision of the crushed matter generated by crushing the secondary battery TG.

[0033] The secondary crushing device 14 further crushes the crushed matter (also referred to as crushed matter TG) of the secondary battery TG after recovery of the electrolyte solution. Here, the primary crushing device 12 of the front stage (earlier stage) only needs to crush the secondary battery TG to the extent that the electrode material of the secondary battery TG is exposed or the strip-shaped separator is shredded. In contrast, the secondary crushing device 14 further crushes the crushed matter of the secondary battery TG after recovery of the electrolyte solution. Thereby, the battery recycling system 1 can finely sort the crushed matter of the secondary battery TG by material.

[0034] The sorting device 15 finely sorts the crushed matter (also referred to as crushed matter TG) of the secondary battery TG after crushing by the secondary crushing device 14 by material. For example, the sorting device 15 uses a plurality of sieves having different mesh hole diameters to finely sort the crushed matter TG by material.

[0035] The adjusting device 16 reduces the oxygen concentration in each of the primary crushing unit 12, the electrolyte recovery unit 13, the secondary crushing unit 14, and the sorting unit 15 to an N2 atmosphere, thereby lowering the oxygen concentration in each unit to below the permissible value. Specifically, the adjusting device 16 reduces the oxygen concentration in the primary crushing unit 12 and the electrolyte recovery unit 13 to below 2%, and reduces the oxygen concentration in the secondary crushing unit 14 and the sorting unit 15 to below 6%. However, the adjusting device 16 can also reduce the oxygen concentration in all units 12-15 to below 2%.

[0036] Therefore, in each of the devices 12-15, the battery recycling system 1 can more reliably prevent the heating caused by short circuits in the broken secondary battery TG, even when electrolyte remains in the broken secondary battery TG. Thus, the battery recycling system 1 can prevent the separators inside the broken secondary battery TG from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and it can also prevent the oxidation of the powdery fragments of the secondary battery TG, thereby enabling high-precision sorting of the broken secondary battery TG fragments. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 can suppress CO2 emissions through non-calcination, and can accurately sort and efficiently recycle the broken secondary battery TG fragments.

[0037] Furthermore, the battery recycling system 1 preferably prevents the operation of devices 12-15 from starting until the oxygen concentration in devices 12-15 falls below the permissible value. Alternatively, the battery recycling system 1 may, after the operation of devices 12-15 has started, stop the operation of any device, or all devices 12-15, if the oxygen concentration in any of devices 12-15 exceeds the permissible value. The battery recycling system 1 may also include an output device that outputs information indicating that the oxygen concentration in any of devices 12-15 exceeds the permissible value. The output device outputs this information via a speaker or displays it on a monitor. Furthermore, the battery recycling system 1 may also include an analysis device that analyzes the degree of adhesion of the separator to the electrode material caused by the melting of the separator, based on images captured by a camera, etc., and the adjustment device 16 is configured to adjust the permissible oxygen concentration set in devices 12-15 based on the analysis results of the analysis device. For example, when the adhesion of the separator to the electrode material is high, the adjusting device 16 can set the allowable value of the oxygen concentration of each of the devices 12 to 15 to be low.

[0038] (Process flow of battery recycling system 1)

[0039] Next, use Figure 2The process flow of battery recycling and reuse system 1 is described. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the battery recycling and reuse system 1.

[0040] First, the battery recycling system 1 uses the discharge device 11 to discharge the secondary battery TG, which is to be recycled and reused (step S101).

[0041] Subsequently, the battery recycling system 1 uses a primary crushing device 12 to perform a primary crushing of the discharged secondary battery TG (step S102). Specifically, the battery recycling system 1 crushes the casing of the discharged secondary battery TG to expose the electrode material of the secondary battery TG or cuts the sheet-like separators that are one of the components of the electrode material.

[0042] Subsequently, the battery recycling system 1 uses the electrolyte recovery device 13 to heat the fragments (fragmented TG) of the secondary battery TG after it has been crushed by the primary crushing device 12 under reduced pressure, thereby distilling and recovering the electrolyte contained in the fragmented TG (step S103).

[0043] Subsequently, the battery recycling system 1 uses a secondary crushing device 14 to further crush the fragments (fragment TG) of the secondary battery TG after electrolyte recovery (step S104).

[0044] Subsequently, the battery recycling system 1 uses the sorting device 15 to finely sort the fragments (fragmented material TG) of the secondary battery TG after it has been crushed by the secondary crushing device 14 according to their material (step S105).

[0045] Here, the battery recycling system 1 adjusts the atmosphere in the chambers of the primary crushing device 12 (which performs primary crushing), the electrolyte recovery device 13 (which performs electrolyte recovery), the secondary crushing device 14 (which performs secondary crushing), and the sorting device 15 (which performs sorting) to an N2 atmosphere, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration in each device 12 to below the permissible value (step S201).

[0046] Therefore, in each of the devices 12-15, the battery recycling system 1 can more reliably prevent the heating caused by short circuits in the broken secondary battery TG, even when electrolyte remains in the broken secondary battery TG. Thus, the battery recycling system 1 can prevent the separators inside the broken secondary battery TG from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and it can also prevent the oxidation of the powdery fragments of the secondary battery TG, thereby enabling high-precision sorting of the broken secondary battery TG fragments. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 can suppress CO2 emissions through non-calcination, and can accurately sort and efficiently recycle the broken secondary battery TG fragments.

[0047] The following uses Figures 3 to 8 The specific examples of devices 12 to 15 are explained.

[0048] (Specific examples of adjusting device 16 and its peripheral devices)

[0049] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a specific example of the adjusting device 16. Figure 3 The diagram also shows devices 11 to 15, other than the adjustment device 16 in the battery recycling system 1.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the adjustment device 16 includes a measuring unit 161, an output control unit 162, and an output unit 163. Additionally, flexible hoses H1 to H4 for supplying gas to the chamber are installed in the primary crushing device 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crushing device 14, and the sorting device 15. Furthermore, oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are installed at the gas outlets of the hoses H1 to H4. The oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are, for example, zirconia-type oxygen concentration sensors, generating a current or electromotive force corresponding to the oxygen concentration. However, the oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are not limited to zirconia-type oxygen concentration sensors; for example, they can also be other types of oxygen concentration sensors such as magnetic, electrode, or laser spectrophotometer types.

[0051] The measuring unit 161 calculates the oxygen concentration of each of the devices 12 to 15 based on the detection results of the oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4. The output unit 163 supplies N2 (nitrogen) stored in the N2 storage unit to the chambers of each of the devices 12 to 15. Furthermore, as N2 is supplied to the chambers of each of the devices 12 to 15 by the output unit 163, the gas inside the chambers of each of the devices 12 to 15 is discharged to the outside via a scrubber. The output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied to the chambers of each of the devices 12 to 15 by the output unit 163 based on the oxygen concentration of each of the devices 12 to 15. For example, the output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied to the chambers of each of the devices 12 to 15 in such a way that the oxygen concentration in the chambers of the primary crushing device 12 and the electrolyte recovery device 13 is maintained at 2% or less, and the oxygen concentration in the chambers of the secondary crushing device 14 and the sorting device 15 is maintained at 6% or less. Alternatively, the output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied to the chambers of each of the devices 12-15 in a manner that maintains the oxygen concentration in each chamber at 2% or less. As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can more reliably prevent heat generation caused by short circuits in the broken secondary battery TG, even when electrolyte remains in the broken secondary battery TG.

[0052] (A specific example of the primary crushing device 12)

[0053] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a specific example of a primary crushing device 12. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the primary crushing device 12 includes a main body 121, a crushing chamber 122, a crushing section 123, an inlet 124, a top cover 125, and an outlet 126. Furthermore, along the path from the outlet 126 of the primary crushing device 12 to the inlet (not shown) of the subsequent electrolyte recovery device 13, a crushing valve V11 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V12 for controlling the passage of gas are provided.

[0054] The crushing chamber 122 is disposed within the main body 121. The inlet 124 is disposed at the upper part of the main body 121 and communicates with the crushing chamber 122 within the main body 121. The outlet 126 is disposed at the lower part of the main body 121 and communicates with the crushing chamber 122 within the main body 121.

[0055] For example, firstly, with the crushing valve V11 and vacuum gate valve V12 closed, the top cover 125 of the inlet 124 of the primary crushing device 12 is opened. Then, the discharged secondary battery TG is introduced into the crushing chamber 122 via the inlet 124. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the crushing chamber 122 is adjusted to a permissible value (e.g., 2%) or below using the adjusting device 16. Then, the top cover 125 is closed. Afterward, the crushing section 123 is driven by a motor (not shown), thereby initiating the crushing of the secondary battery TG introduced into the crushing chamber 122 by the crushing section 123.

[0056] The crushing section 123 is disposed within the crushing chamber 122. The crushing section 123 comprises a pair of rotating shafts 123a, a pair of rotors 123b, and a plurality of hooks 123c disposed on the outer periphery of each of the rotors 123b. The pair of rotating shafts 123a rotates under the driving force of a motor (not shown). Consequently, the pair of rotors 123b, respectively mounted on the pair of rotating shafts 123a and arranged facing each other, also rotate. Figure 4 In this example, when viewed from the positive y-axis, the left rotor 123b rotates clockwise, and the right rotor 123b rotates counterclockwise. The secondary battery TG, fed into the crushing chamber 122, is guided between the rotors 123b by multiple hooks 123c located on the outer periphery of each rotor 123b, where it is crushed by the rotors 123b. Alternatively, the hooks 123c may be blade-shaped to cut the casing and separators of the secondary battery TG.

[0057] The fragments (fragmented material TG) of the secondary battery TG after being crushed by the crushing section 123 fall into the discharge port 126 located below the crushing chamber 122. After crushing by the crushing section 123, if the crushing valve V11 and the vacuum gate valve V12 are opened respectively, the fragments of the secondary battery TG after being crushed by the crushing section 123 are discharged from the discharge port 126.

[0058] (Specific example of electrolyte recovery device 13)

[0059] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a specific example of the electrolyte recovery device 13. (See diagram for example.) Figure 5As shown, the electrolyte recovery device 13 includes a main body 131, a conveying chamber 132, a screw feeder 133, an inlet 134, an outlet 135, a pressure reducing device 136, a heating device 137, and a recovery device 138. Furthermore, along the path from the outlet (not shown) of the primary crushing device 12 to the inlet 134 of the electrolyte recovery device 13, a crushing valve V11 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V12 for controlling the passage of gas are provided, as already described. Furthermore, along the path from the outlet 135 of the electrolyte recovery device 13 to the inlet (not shown) of the secondary crushing device 14, a crushing valve V21 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V22 for controlling the passage of gas are provided.

[0060] A conveying chamber 132 is disposed inside a cylindrical main body 131. An inlet 134 is located at the front end of the cylindrical main body 131 and communicates with the conveying chamber 132 inside the main body 131. An outlet 135 is located at the rear end of the cylindrical main body 131 and communicates with the conveying chamber 132 inside the main body 131. A screw feeder 133 is disposed inside the conveying chamber 132. The screw feeder 133 is driven by a motor (not shown) and, while rotating, agitates the crushed material TG fed into the conveying chamber 132, conveying it from the front end to the rear end of the conveying chamber 132. Thus, the crushed material TG is evenly distributed from the front end to the rear end of the conveying chamber 132.

[0061] For example, firstly, with the crushing valve V21 and vacuum gate valve V22 located on the outlet 135 side closed, the crushing valve V11 and vacuum gate valve V12 located on the inlet 134 side are opened. Then, the fragments (fragmented TG) of the secondary battery TG crushed by the primary crushing device 12 are fed into the conveying chamber 132 via the inlet 134. The fragmented TG fed into the conveying chamber 132 is conveyed from the front end to the rear end of the conveying chamber 132 by the rotation of the screw feeder 133, and is evenly distributed from the front end to the rear end of the conveying chamber 132. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the conveying chamber 132 is adjusted to a permissible value (e.g., 2%) or below using the adjusting device 16. Then, the crushing valve V11 and vacuum gate valve V12 are closed. Afterwards, the electrolyte contained in the fragmented TG within the conveying chamber 132 is recovered.

[0062] The pressure reducing device 136 reduces the pressure in the transfer chamber 132. The heating device 137 heats the broken material TG inside the transfer chamber 132 under the reduced pressure. As a result, the electrolyte contained in the broken material TG inside the transfer chamber 132 is vaporized. The recovery device 138 recovers the electrolyte by cooling and liquefying the vaporized electrolyte in the transfer chamber 132. That is, the electrolyte recovery device 13 distills and recovers the electrolyte contained in the broken material TG inside the transfer chamber 132.

[0063] For example, when the secondary battery TG is a lithium-ion battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers DMC, EMC, DEC, PC, and EC as electrolyte. DMC is dimethyl carbonate. EMC is ethyl methyl carbonate. DEC is diethyl carbonate. PC is propylene carbonate. EC is ethylene carbonate. Additionally, when the secondary battery TG is a nickel-metal hydride battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers water as electrolyte.

[0064] Here, the electrolyte recovery device 13 can also recover different types of electrolyte by heating the shredded material TG at different pressures and temperatures. For example, in the case where the secondary battery TG is a lithium-ion battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 can recover PC and EC by heating the shredded material TG at a lower pressure than when recovering DMC, EMC, and DEC.

[0065] After the electrolyte is recovered, if the crushing valve V21 and the vacuum gate valve V22 are opened respectively, the crushed material TG after electrolyte recovery in the conveying chamber 132 is conveyed to the rear end of the conveying chamber 132 by the rotation of the screw feeder 133 and discharged from the outlet 135.

[0066] (Specific example of secondary crushing device 14)

[0067] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a specific example of the secondary crushing device 14. (See diagram for example.) Figure 6 As shown, the secondary crushing device 14 includes a main body 141, a crushing chamber 142, a crushing section 143, a fixed blade 144, a screen 145, an inlet 146, an outlet 147, and a control unit 148. Furthermore, along the path from the outlet (not shown) of the upstream electrolyte recovery device 13 to the inlet 146 of the secondary crushing device 14, a crushing valve V21 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V22 for controlling the passage of gas are provided, as already described. Moreover, along the path from the outlet 147 of the secondary crushing device 14 to the inlet (not shown) of the sorting device 15, a crushing valve V31 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V32 for controlling the passage of gas are provided.

[0068] The crushing chamber 142 is disposed within the main body 141. The inlet 146 is disposed at the upper part of the main body 141 and communicates with the crushing chamber 142 within the main body 141. The outlet 147 is disposed at the lower part of the main body 141 and communicates with the crushing chamber 142 within the main body 141.

[0069] For example, firstly, with the crushing valve V31 and vacuum gate valve V32 located on the outlet 147 side closed, the crushing valve V21 and vacuum gate valve V22 located on the inlet 146 side are opened. Then, the pulverized material TG after electrolyte recovery is fed into the crushing chamber 142 via the inlet 146. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the crushing chamber 142 is adjusted to a permissible value (e.g., 6%) or below using the adjusting device 16. Then, the crushing valve V21 and vacuum gate valve V22 are closed. Then, the crushing unit 143 is driven by a motor (not shown), thereby initiating the crushing of the pulverized material TG fed into the crushing chamber 142 by the crushing unit 143.

[0070] A crushing section 143 and a fixed blade 144 are disposed within a crushing chamber 142. The crushing section 143 consists of a rotating shaft 143a, a rotor 143b, a shaft 143c, and hammers 143d. The rotating shaft 143a rotates under the driving force of a motor (not shown). Consequently, the rotor 143b mounted on the rotating shaft 143a also rotates. Multiple hammers (impacting bodies) 143d are rotatably connected to the outer periphery of the rotor 143b via the shaft 143c. Alternatively, multiple rotors 143b may be disposed along the axial direction (y-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 143a. In this case, multiple hammers 143d are rotatably connected to the outer periphery of each rotor 143b via the shaft 143c. The hammers 143d rotate within the crushing chamber 142 under the centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the rotating shaft 143a, thereby crushing the material TG within the crushing chamber 142. The fixed blade 144 cuts the debris TG between itself and the rotating hammer 143d.

[0071] A radius R (rounded corner, also called angle R) is provided at the edge of the hammer 143d. The angle R is provided at least at the top tip of the hammer 143d, and preferably at the entire portion of the outer periphery of the hammer 143d where the hammer 143d may come into contact with the crushed material TG when it rotates. For example, the size of the angle R is determined based on the required size of the crushed material TG, the required stripping rate of active material from the crushed material TG, etc.

[0072] A screen 145 is disposed at the bottom of the crushing chamber 142, forming part of the wall surface of the crushing chamber 142. The screen 145 allows particles smaller than the screen aperture in the crushed material TG after being crushed in the crushing chamber 142 to pass through. The screen 145 can be as follows: Figure 7 The mesh shown can also be made of punching metal. The aperture diameter of the screen 145 is set to 5 mm or less, but more preferably 1 mm or less. Furthermore, when the screen 145 is a mesh, the aperture diameter is the minimum width of the opening 145a. When the screen 145 is punching metal with multiple circular openings, the aperture diameter is the diameter of the opening.

[0073] The crushed material TG, which is smaller than the screen aperture after being crushed by the crushing section 143, passes through the screen 145 and falls into the discharge port 147 located below the crushing chamber 142. Then, if the crushing valve V31 and the vacuum gate valve V32 are opened respectively, the crushed material TG is discharged from the discharge port 147.

[0074] The control unit 148 periodically opens the screen 145, causing the crushed material TG that cannot pass through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 to fall to the discharge port 147. As a result, not only crushed material TG larger than the screen aperture of the screen 145 is discharged from the crushing chamber 142, but also lighter crushed material TG, such as separators, that is difficult to pass through the screen 145, is discharged from the crushing chamber 142. Therefore, the load on the crushing process of the secondary crushing device 14 can be reduced. This prevents a decrease in the processing capacity of the secondary crushing device 14.

[0075] Furthermore, even when the screen 145 is not opened periodically, if the load applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft 143a exceeds a predetermined value after a predetermined period has elapsed since the crushed material TG was introduced into the crushing chamber 142, light crushed material TG that is difficult to pass through the screen 145, such as the separator, may remain in the crushing chamber 142, increasing the load applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft 143a. Therefore, even when the screen 145 is not opened periodically, if the load applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft 143a exceeds a predetermined value after a predetermined period has elapsed since the crushed material TG was introduced into the crushing chamber 142, the control unit 148 opens the screen 145 to discharge the residue in the crushing chamber 142 to the outside. As a result, the load applied to the crushing process can be reduced for the secondary crushing device 14, thus preventing a decrease in processing capacity.

[0076] The control unit 148 can also discharge the crushed material TG that has passed through the screen 145 and the crushed material TG that has not passed through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 at different time intervals from the discharge port 147. In addition, the control unit 148 can also re-feed the crushed material TG that has not passed through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 after the light crushed material such as the separator has been removed by a wind separator or the like into the crushing chamber 142.

[0077] In this way, the secondary crushing device (crushing device) 14 of this disclosure can discharge light crushed material TG, which is difficult to pass through the screen 145, from the crushing chamber 142 by periodically opening the screen 145, thus preventing a decrease in processing capacity.

[0078] (Specific example of sorting device 15)

[0079] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing a specific example of the sorting device 15. For example...Figure 7 As shown, the sorting device 15 includes a main body 151, a sorting chamber 152, a vibration generator 153, an inlet 154, a box 155, recovery boxes B1 to B4, sieves F1 to F3, and paths R1 to R4. Furthermore, along the path from the outlet (not shown) of the secondary crushing device 14 to the inlet 154 of the sorting device 15, as already described, a crushing valve V31 for controlling the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V32 for controlling the passage of gas are provided.

[0080] The sorting chamber 152 is located inside the main body 151. The inlet 154 is located at the upper part of the main body 151 and communicates with the sorting chamber 152 inside the main body 151.

[0081] For example, firstly, the crushing valve V31 and vacuum gate valve V32 located on the inlet 154 side are opened. Then, the fragments of the secondary battery TG, crushed by the secondary crushing device 14 (fragment TG), are fed into the sorting chamber 152 through the inlet 154. At this time, the oxygen concentration in the sorting chamber 152 is adjusted to a permissible value (e.g., 6%) or below by the adjusting device 16. Then, the crushing valve V31 and vacuum gate valve V32 are closed. Afterwards, the fragment TG in the sorting chamber 152 is sorted.

[0082] Screens F1 to F3 are arranged inside the sorting chamber 152. Screen F1, with the largest aperture, is located in the uppermost section; screen F2, with the second largest aperture, is located in the middle section; and screen F3, with the smallest aperture, is located in the lowermost section. Furthermore, the number of screens is not limited to three sections; any number of sections can be used. A vibration generator 153 causes screens F1 to F3 to vibrate.

[0083] The crushed material TG fed into sorting chamber 152 is first sorted into crushed material that passes through sieve F1 and crushed material that does not pass through sieve F1. The crushed material TG that does not pass through sieve F1 is discharged to recycling bin B1 via path R1. The crushed material TG that passes through sieve F1 is then sorted into crushed material that passes through sieve F2 and crushed material that does not pass through sieve F2. The crushed material TG that does not pass through sieve F2 is discharged to recycling bin B2 via path R2. The crushed material TG that passes through sieve F2 is then sorted into crushed material that passes through sieve F3 and crushed material that does not pass through sieve F3. The crushed material TG that does not pass through sieve F3 is discharged to recycling bin B3 via path R3. Additionally, the crushed material TG that passes through sieve F3 is discharged to recycling bin B4 via path R4.

[0084] In recycling bin B1, broken materials such as separators and aluminum casings are recycled. In recycling bin B2, broken materials such as Al foil and Cu foil are recycled. In recycling bin B3, black mass containing a high amount of impurities is recycled. In recycling bin B4, black mass with fewer impurities is recycled. Black mass refers to broken pieces of powdered active materials and other components contained in secondary batteries. In the case of lithium-ion batteries, black mass includes Ni, Co, Mn, Li, and C. In the case of nickel-metal hydride batteries, black mass includes Ni, Co, La, and Zn.

[0085] Furthermore, the sorting device 15 is housed in the box 155. By supplying N2 into the box 155 using the adjusting device 16, not only is the oxygen concentration in the sorting chamber 152 reduced, but the oxygen concentration in the surrounding area of ​​the main body 151 is also reduced, thereby suppressing the oxidation of black powder and the like sorted by the sorting device 15.

[0086] In this disclosure, the example given is the use of multiple sieves with different aperture sizes in the sorting device 15 to sort crushed material TG, but it is not limited to this. For example, the sorting device 15 may also use some or all of the following: wind separator, magnetic separator, optical separator, dry gravity separator, and sieve separators to sort crushed material TG.

[0087] As described above, the battery recycling system 1 of this disclosure reduces the oxygen concentration by adjusting the atmosphere in each of the devices 12-15 to an N2 atmosphere, thereby more reliably preventing heat generation caused by short circuits in the broken secondary batteries. Therefore, the battery recycling system 1 of this disclosure can prevent the separators inside the broken secondary batteries from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and it can also prevent the oxidation of the powdery fragments of the secondary batteries, thus enabling high-precision sorting of the secondary battery fragments. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 of this disclosure can suppress CO2 emissions through non-calcination and can accurately sort and efficiently recycle the secondary battery fragments.

[0088] Furthermore, in the battery recycling system 1 disclosed herein, the secondary crushing device 14 can periodically open the screen to discharge light and difficult-to-pass crushed materials such as separators from the crushing chamber, thus preventing a reduction in processing capacity.

[0089] In this disclosure, the example of a battery recycling system 1 that crushes a secondary battery TG and sorts the crushed material into equal parts for recycling is used as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can also be configured to crush an all-solid battery and sort the crushed material into equal parts for recycling.

[0090] In addition, the battery recycling system 1 may also include an analysis device for analyzing the contents of black powder, and a management device for adjusting the operating conditions of each device 12 to 15 (e.g., the crushing time and crushing force of the primary crushing device and the secondary crushing device, etc.) in a way that makes the analysis results of the analysis device the desired analysis results.

[0091] Furthermore, this disclosure enables the secondary crushing device 14 or the battery recycling system 1 to perform part or all of the processing by having the CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a computer program.

[0092] The aforementioned program includes a group of commands (or software code) used, when read into a computer, to cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media or physical storage media include RAM (Random-Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid-State Drive) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray discs or other optical disc storage, magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. The program may also be transmitted on a transient computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example, and not limitation, transient computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0093] The present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the structure and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments.

Claims

1. A crushing device, comprising: The crushing chamber contains a secondary battery that is used as the object to be crushed. The rotating shaft is located inside the crushing chamber; The impacting body rotates within the crushing chamber under the centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotating shaft; A screen, disposed on the bottom surface of the crushing chamber, allows crushed secondary batteries smaller than a predetermined size to pass through; and The control unit periodically opens the screen.

2. The crushing device according to claim 1, The control unit opens the screen when the load applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft exceeds a predetermined value after a predetermined period has elapsed since the secondary battery was inserted.

3. The crushing device according to claim 1, The crushing device also includes an air separator, which performs air separation on the crushed material discharged from the crushing chamber by opening the screen. The crushed material discharged from the crushing chamber that was not recovered by the wind separator is fed back into the crushing chamber.

4. A battery recycling system, comprising: A discharge device for discharging secondary batteries intended for recycling; A primary crushing device exposes the electrode material of a secondary battery by crushing the casing of the secondary battery after it has been discharged. An electrolyte recovery device recovers the electrolyte contained in the electrode material by heating the secondary battery with the exposed electrode material under reduced pressure. The secondary crushing device is the crushing device according to claim 1, which further crushes the secondary battery after the electrolyte has been recovered. as well as The sorting device sorts the fragments of the secondary battery after it has been crushed by the secondary crushing device.

5. The battery recycling system according to claim 4, The battery recycling system also includes an adjustment device that adjusts the atmosphere inside the primary crushing device, the electrolyte recovery device, the secondary crushing device, and the sorting device to an N2 atmosphere.

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