Integrated elution separator for waste lithium battery pole piece

Abstract

The utility model discloses an integrated elution separator for waste lithium battery pole pieces, which comprises a body, a shell, a machine body and a barrel, the shell is externally mounted on the machine body, and the barrel is mounted in the machine body; a pole piece feeding area and a foil taking area are respectively arranged in front of and behind the elution separator body, a feeding door is arranged on one side of the shell, which is positioned in the feeding area, and a taking door is arranged on one side of the shell, which is positioned in the taking area; a liquid injection port, an exhaust port and an air inlet are formed in the top of the shell, a liquid discharge port is formed in the lower part of the shell, and the liquid injection port, the exhaust port, the air inlet and the liquid discharge port are communicated with the machine body and the barrel; a drying fan is installed on the top of the shell and communicates with the air inlet in a matched mode. An exhaust fan is installed on the top of the shell and communicates with the exhaust port in a matched mode. A control panel for setting a pole piece processing program is mounted on one side, which is positioned on the feeding door, of the shell; a heating pipe is mounted on the inner wall of the barrel. The loss of target elements of black powder obtained by the elution separator provided by the utility model is extremely low, impurities such as aluminum, copper, fluorine and the like are extremely low, the impurity removal treatment cost is greatly reduced, and the elution separator does not belong to fluorine-containing hazardous wastes and is high in quality, high in efficiency and environment-friendly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of waste lithium battery recycling, and particularly relates to an integrated elution separator for waste lithium battery electrode sheets. Background Art

[0002] Retired lithium-ion batteries contain a large amount of copper and aluminum metals, key components worthy of recycling such as negative electrode graphite powder, positive electrode active material powder, and toxic and irritating electrolyte. If not properly disposed of and effectively recycled, it will not only lead to the waste of precious metal element resources, but also pose a long-term and far-reaching potential threat to the environment. Currently, the recycling and reuse of waste lithium batteries have become an urgent need to achieve sustainable resource utilization and reduce the environmental burden. In particular, the sorting and recycling of high-value electrode materials have become the focus of the industry. At present, traditional recycling methods, such as physical crushing and screening processes for waste lithium batteries to obtain black powder and foil chips, although achieving preliminary separation of materials to a certain extent, their inherent limitations cannot be ignored: the harsh environments such as the huge noise and dust diffusion generated during the operation not only affect work efficiency but also increase the health risks of operators; at the same time, the mutual intermingling of the current collector and the electrode powder after crushing results in insufficient and incomplete material separation, high impurity content, and increases the complexity and cost of subsequent impurity removal processes. Therefore, it limits the competitiveness of the black powder obtained by the traditional crushing-sieving process in the recycling market.

[0003] Another new recycling method is the fine-disassembly - elution process route. The waste lithium batteries are finely disassembled to separately obtain complete positive and negative electrode sheets, and then soaked and eluted with a specific eluent. Finally, the active material on the surface of the electrode sheet is fully separated from the current collector to obtain high-quality electrode powder. This method has a high recovery rate and low impurity content in the obtained electrode powder, and has gradually become an important process for waste lithium battery recycling. However, there is still a lack of an elution separation device with strong universality and simple operation. Existing elution equipment often has problems such as complex modules, single functions, and poor adaptability, and it is difficult to meet the batch processing requirements of different types of electrode sheets. In addition, in actual processing, it should also be considered to remove the residual LiPF6 on the surface of the electrode sheet to avoid being classified as hazardous waste.

[0004] In view of this, there is a need to provide a green, environmentally friendly, efficient, simple, and flexibly integrated integrated electrode sheet elution separator to meet the needs of the waste lithium battery recycling market. Content of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide an integrated elution separator for used lithium battery electrode sheets, which can process different types of used electrode sheets in a convenient, fast, efficient, high-quality and large-batch manner. It can not only remove the residual LiPF6 on the surface of the electrode sheets, but also completely separate the electrode powder layer from the positive and negative current collectors, thereby improving the purity of the obtained copper foil, aluminum foil and battery electrode powder, and reducing the harm to the human body and the environment at the same time.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned utility model purpose, the technical solutions adopted by the present utility model are as follows:

[0007] An integrated elution separator for used lithium battery electrode sheets, comprising:

[0008] A main body, a housing, a machine body and a cylinder. The housing is externally installed on the machine body, and the cylinder is installed inside the machine body; the front and rear of the elution separator main body are respectively a pole piece feeding area and a foil taking area. The housing is provided with a feeding door on one side located in the feeding area and a taking door on one side located in the taking area; the top of the housing is provided with a liquid injection port, an exhaust port, an air inlet, and the lower part is provided with a liquid discharge port. The liquid injection port, the exhaust port, the air inlet and the liquid discharge port are communicated with the machine body and the cylinder; a drying fan is installed on the top of the housing, and the drying fan is cooperatively communicated with the air inlet; an exhaust fan is installed on the top of the housing, and the exhaust fan is cooperatively communicated with the exhaust port; a control panel for setting the electrode sheet treatment program is installed on one side of the housing located at the feeding door; heating pipes are installed on the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0009] Preferably, the cylinder is installed horizontally, and its end shafts are in a horizontal state, and the speed regulation and tumbling rotation are realized by the motor of the machine body.

[0010] Preferably, the cylinder is provided with a cylinder door, and the cylinder door is connected with a cylinder door locking member.

[0011] Preferably, the rotation speed setting range of the cylinder is 0 - 100 rpm, and the liquid heating temperature setting range is 30 - 100 °C.

[0012] Preferably, the drying temperature setting range of the drying fan is 30 - 120 °C.

[0013] Preferably, the elution separator is applied to the positive or negative electrode sheets of used ternary batteries or lithium iron phosphate batteries obtained through the pre-treatment processes of discharging - precise disassembly - cutting.

[0014] Beneficial effects:

[0015] The integrated elution and separation machine for waste lithium battery electrodes provided by the present utility model adopts a functional integrated design. Through the aforementioned device structure, the functions of removing LiPF6, soaking and eluting, and separating foil powder are integrated. The three electrode processing functions can be respectively realized in the same cylinder of the elution and separation machine, and at the same time, functions such as heating the liquid, drying the foil, and discharging waste gas can be carried out. The elution and separation machine provided by the present utility model separates and independently sets the electrode feeding area and the foil taking area by setting the front and rear positions of the main body, that is, the electrodes to be processed are put into the feeding area, and the current collector foil is taken out from the taking area after the processing is completed, avoiding cross-contamination between the electrodes to be processed and the clean foil, and ensuring the elution processing environment. As a new processing device for the elution process, the elution and separation machine provided by the present utility model is aimed at the waste lithium battery positive or negative electrodes obtained through the pre-treatment processes of discharging - precise disassembly - cutting. The fluorine-containing components are dissolved by soaking in an organic solvent, the adhesion between the active material of the electrode and the current collector is released by soaking in an eluent, and the pole powder material is promoted to be completely separated from the surface of the current collector, that is, foil powder separation, through the speed-adjustable rolling rotation of the cylinder, so that the loss of target elements in the collected black powder is extremely small, and the content of impurity elements such as aluminum, copper, and fluorine is very low, reducing the cost of impurity removal treatment, not belonging to fluorine-containing hazardous waste, and improving the market competitiveness of its products in the black powder market. In addition, the elution and separation machine provided by the present utility model can preset the program, has strong equipment technology expandability, the consumables used are environmentally friendly and recyclable, and there is no dust and low emissions. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a front structural schematic diagram of the integrated elution and separation machine provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a back structural schematic diagram of the integrated elution and separation machine provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a side structural schematic diagram of the integrated elution and separation machine provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 It is a cylinder structural schematic diagram of the integrated elution and separation machine provided by an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0020] Reference Signs

[0021] 1 - Elution and Separation Machine Main Body; 101 - Electrode Feeding Area; 102 - Foil Taking Area; 2 - Housing; 21 - Feeding Door; 22 - Taking Door; 23 - Liquid Injection Port; 24 - Exhaust Port; 25 - Air Inlet; 26 - Drainage Port; 27 - Control Panel; 3 - Machine Body; 4 - Cylinder; 41 - Cylinder Door; 42 - Cylinder Door Locking Part; 43 - End Shaft; 44 - Heating Tube; 5 - Drying Fan; 6 - Exhaust Fan. Detailed Embodiments

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will describe the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings, and other embodiments can also be obtained.

[0023] The following will introduce the technical solutions of the present invention in detail with specific embodiments.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated elution separator for waste lithium battery electrodes, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, including a main body 1, a housing 2, a body 3, and a cylinder 4. The housing 2 is externally installed on the body 3, and the cylinder 4 is installed inside the body 3. The housing 2 is used to encapsulate the machine and provide interfaces. The body 3 is used to carry relevant mechanical linkage devices and drive functions. The cylinder 4 is used to carry liquids, load the electrodes to be processed, and achieve rotational processing. The front and rear of the elution separator main body 1 are respectively set as an electrode feeding area 101 and a foil taking area 102. The housing 2 is provided with a feeding door 21 on one side located in the feeding area 101, and a taking door 22 on one side located in the taking area 102. The electrodes to be processed need to be fed from the feeding area 101, and after the processing is completed, the current collector foil needs to be taken out from the taking area 102, which can avoid cross-contamination.

[0025] Further, the top of the housing 2 is provided with a liquid injection port 23, an exhaust port 24, an air inlet 25, and the lower part is provided with a liquid discharge port 26. Among them, the liquid injection port 23, the exhaust port 24, the air inlet 25, and the liquid discharge port 26 communicate with the body 3 and the cylinder 4. The liquid injection port 23 is used to introduce liquid into the cylinder 4, and the liquid discharge port 26 is used to discharge the liquid in the cylinder 4 to the outside. A drying fan 5 is installed on the top of the housing 2. The drying fan 5 is cooperatively connected with the air inlet 25. By introducing dry air into the cylinder 4 from the air inlet 25 through the drying fan 5, drying of the materials can be achieved in the cylinder 4. The drying temperature of the drying fan 5 can be set at 30 - 120 °C. An exhaust fan 6 is installed on the top of the housing 2. The exhaust fan 6 is cooperatively connected with the exhaust port 24. The harmless exhaust gas generated in the cylinder 4 is discharged from the exhaust port 24 through the exhaust fan 6. The housing 2 is provided with a control panel 27 on one side located at the feeding door 21, and the electrode processing program can be set.

[0026] The cylinder 4 is horizontally installed inside the body 3, and its end shaft 43 is in a horizontal state, and the speed regulation and tumbling rotation are realized through the motor of the body 3. The rotation speed can be set at 2 - 50 rpm. The cylinder 4 is provided with a cylinder door 41, and the cylinder door 41 is connected with a cylinder door locking member 42. A heating pipe 44 is installed on the inner wall of the cylinder 4, and the liquid heating temperature is set in the range of 30 - 100 °C.

[0027] The main working process of the elution separator in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0028] S1. LiPF6 removal: In the electrode feeding area, after loading the waste ternary cathode into the cylinder, an organic solvent is injected through the liquid injection port to soak and remove the residual LiPF6 on the surface of the electrode. Then, the organic solvent is discharged through the drain port, and drying is carried out at 50 °C by a drying fan to remove the residual organic solvent.

[0029] S2. Immersion elution: An eluent is injected through the liquid injection port, and heating is carried out at 70 °C simultaneously for immersion reaction to release the adhesion between the cathode material and the current collector aluminum foil. Then, the eluent is discharged through the drain port.

[0030] S3. Foil - powder separation: Deionized water is injected through the liquid injection port, and the cylinder is rotated by the motor of the machine body at a speed of 50 rpm to completely separate the cathode material from the current collector aluminum foil. And the foil - powder separation process is repeated twice to ensure that there is no residual cathode material on the surface of the foil.

[0031] S4. Foil drying: The cathode material is broken and mixed into the water and discharged through the drain port. The relatively large - sized aluminum foil remains in the cylinder for drying at 50 °C and is then taken out at the foil taking area.

[0032] For the ternary cathode powder material obtained by processing with the elution separator of this embodiment, the element content test is carried out as follows: Randomly sample the processed material using a sampling tool, dissolve the sample in dilute hydrochloric acid to prepare an ionic solution with the solution acidity less than 5%, and then use inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP - MS) to detect the element content of the material. The results are as follows:

[0033] Table 1 Composition of the powder obtained by processing with the elution separator of this embodiment

[0034]

[0035]

[0036] Comparative example

[0037] Ternary black powder is obtained through a traditional crushing - screening device, and the element content test is carried out on it. The specific test method is the same as that of the embodiment of the present utility model. The results are as follows:

[0038] Table 2 Composition of the ternary black powder obtained through the traditional crushing - screening device

[0039] Component Name Content (mass fraction) % Lithium (Li) 3.41 Nickel (Ni) 12.34 Cobalt (Co) 5.17 Manganese (Mn) 15.46 Copper (Cu) 1.25 Aluminum (Al) 2.89

[0040] Thus, the ternary black powder obtained by the conventional crushing-screening device in the comparative example has a low content of key elements (lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese), while a high content of impurity elements (copper and aluminum), indicating that the target elements are lost more during the operation of the crushing-screening device, the foil powder separation is not thorough, and a lot of aluminum and copper scraps are mixed in, and the subsequent impurity removal cost increases; the ternary positive electrode powder obtained by the elution separator of this embodiment has a high content of key elements, while the content of impurity elements is low, indicating that the elution separator of this embodiment can greatly reduce the loss of elements, and the foil powder separation is very complete, which can shorten the subsequent hydrometallurgical impurity removal steps and greatly reduce the impurity removal cost. In addition, the fluorine content of the pole powder obtained by the elution separator is also very low, and this type of pole powder does not belong to fluorine-containing hazardous waste, which greatly reduces the harm to the human body and the environment.

[0041] The above is a detailed description of an embodiment of an integrated washing and separation machine for waste lithium battery pole pieces provided by the utility model. This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principle and implementation method of the utility model. The description of the above embodiment is only used to help understand the core idea of ​​the utility model. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, without departing from the principle of the utility model, the utility model can also be improved and modified, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the utility model.

Claims

1. An integrated washing and separation machine for waste lithium battery pole pieces, characterized in that: include: The invention comprises a main body (1), a shell (2), a machine body (3) and a cylinder (4), wherein the shell (2) is externally mounted on the machine body (3), and the cylinder (4) is installed inside the machine body (3); the front and rear of the eluting and degassing machine main body (1) are electrode feeding areas (101) and foil material taking areas (102), respectively; the shell (2) is provided with a feeding door (21) on one side of the feeding area (101), and the shell (2) is provided with a taking door (22) on one side of the taking area (102); the top of the shell (2) is provided with a liquid injection port (23), an exhaust port (24), an air inlet (25), and a lower portion A liquid discharge port (26) is provided, and the liquid injection port (23), the exhaust port (24), the air inlet (25), and the liquid discharge port (26) are connected to the machine body (3) and the cylinder (4); a drying fan (5) is installed on the top of the shell (2), and the drying fan (5) is in communication with the air inlet (25); an exhaust fan (6) is installed on the top of the shell (2), and the exhaust fan (6) is in communication with the exhaust port (24); a control panel (27) for setting the electrode processing program is installed on the side of the shell (2) located at the feeding door (21); and a heating pipe (44) is installed on the inner wall of the cylinder (4).

2. The integrated eluting and de-eluting separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder (4) is installed horizontally, and its end shaft (43) is in a horizontal state, and the speed-adjustable tumbling rotation is achieved through the motor of the machine body (3).

3. The integrated elution separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder body (4) is provided with a cylinder door (41), and the cylinder door (41) is connected to a cylinder door locking member (42).

4. The integrated elution separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation speed setting range of the cylinder (4) is 0 to 100 rpm, and the liquid heating temperature setting range is 30 to 100°C.

5. The integrated eluting and de-eluting separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drying temperature setting range of the drying fan (5) is 30 to 120°C.

6. The integrated eluting and de-eluting separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elution separator is applied to the positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets of waste ternary batteries or lithium iron phosphate batteries obtained through the discharge-fine disassembly-cutting pre-treatment process.

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