Lithium ion recovery system

Abstract

The utility model provides a lithium ion recovery system which comprises a wastewater tank, a ceramic membrane device, a ceramic membrane water production tank, a first solution heat exchanger, a second solution heat exchanger, a first security filter, a calcium and magnesium removal device, a precision filter, a solution intermediate water tank, a second security filter, a high-pressure NF high-pressure pump, a concentrated high-pressure NF device and a solution concentrated water tank which are connected in sequence, the ceramic membrane device has the advantages that the ceramic membrane device has excellent filtering performance, the overall treatment efficiency is improved, the temperature in the treatment process can be accurately controlled by the multi-stage heat exchanger, and the treatment efficiency is improved; the security filter and the precision filter can further remove tiny impurities in the wastewater, the calcium and magnesium removal device can effectively remove calcium and magnesium ions in the wastewater, and the high-pressure NF high-pressure pump can provide enough pressure, so that the concentration high-pressure NF device can efficiently remove refractory organic matters, inorganic salts and other impurities in the wastewater, and the treatment cost is reduced; the recovery efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery recycling, and in particular to a lithium-ion recycling system. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, portable electronic devices, and many other fields. With the advancement of technology and the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to grow. As the use of lithium-ion batteries becomes more widespread, recycling has also begun. However, in current technologies, there is often a lack of effective treatment methods for the concentrated liquid generated during the wastewater treatment process in lithium-ion battery recycling. Temperature control and impurity removal in the wastewater treatment process are often not precise enough, resulting in poor treatment effects, low wastewater treatment efficiency, and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a lithium-ion recovery system to solve the technical problems that the concentrated liquid generated in the wastewater treatment process often lacks an effective treatment method, and the temperature control and impurity removal in the wastewater treatment process are often not precise enough, resulting in poor treatment effect, low wastewater treatment efficiency and high cost.

[0004] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides a lithium-ion recovery system, comprising a wastewater tank, a ceramic membrane device, a ceramic membrane product water tank, a first solution heat exchanger, a second solution heat exchanger, a first security filter, a calcium and magnesium removal device, a precision filter, an intermediate solution water tank, a second security filter, a high-pressure NF pump, a high-pressure NF concentration device, and a solution concentrate tank, connected in sequence.

[0005] The advantages of the above technical solutions are as follows: the ceramic membrane device has excellent filtration performance, effectively removing suspended solids, organic matter, and other impurities from wastewater, providing high-quality feed water for subsequent treatment steps and improving overall treatment efficiency; the multi-stage heat exchanger can precisely control the temperature during the treatment process, further improving treatment efficiency; the security filter and precision filter can further remove minute impurities from the wastewater, ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent treatment. Simultaneously, the calcium and magnesium removal device effectively removes calcium and magnesium ions from the wastewater, preventing scaling and corrosion problems; the high-pressure NF pump provides sufficient pressure, enabling the high-pressure NF concentration device to efficiently remove recalcitrant organic matter, inorganic salts, and other impurities from the wastewater, improving effluent quality, reducing treatment costs, and increasing recovery efficiency.

[0006] Optionally, a liquid supply booster pump is also provided between the wastewater tank and the ceramic membrane device.

[0007] Optionally, a calcium and magnesium removal booster pump is provided between the ceramic membrane water production tank and the first solution heat exchanger.

[0008] Optionally, a high-pressure solution booster pump is provided between the intermediate solution tank and the second security filter.

[0009] Optionally, the high-pressure NF concentrator is further connected to a secondary recovery mechanism. The secondary recovery mechanism includes a primary HRO freshwater tank, a freshwater booster pump, a primary freshwater security filter, a primary freshwater reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, a first-stage freshwater reverse osmosis device, and a concentrated water tank connected in sequence. The inlet of the primary HRO freshwater tank is connected to the outlet of the high-pressure NF concentrator via a pipe. The outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a water treatment mechanism. The wastewater outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a concentrated concentrate tank. The outlet of the concentrated concentrate tank is connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

[0010] Optionally, the solution concentrate tank is connected to the MVR evaporator, and the condensate from the MVR evaporator passes sequentially through the MVR evaporator distillation condensate tank, the distillation condensate booster pump, the MVR evaporator distillation condensate heat exchanger, the condensate security filter, the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump, and the condensate primary reverse osmosis device. The outlet of the condensate primary reverse osmosis device is connected to the water treatment mechanism, and the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump is connected to the collection concentrate tank.

[0011] Optionally, the water treatment mechanism includes a secondary freshwater tank, a second-stage freshwater deionization booster pump, a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, and a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device connected in sequence, wherein the outlet of the second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device is connected to a pure water tank.

[0012] Optionally, the wastewater outlet of the second-stage desalination reverse osmosis unit is connected to the inlet of the first-stage HRO freshwater tank.

[0013] Optionally, a concentration booster pump is provided between the collection and concentration tank and the wastewater tank.

[0014] Optionally, the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are further provided with waste liquid outlets, and the waste liquid outlets of the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

[0015] As described above, the lithium-ion recovery system of this utility model has the following beneficial effects: the ceramic membrane device has excellent filtration performance, which can efficiently remove suspended solids, organic matter and other impurities from wastewater, providing high-quality feed water for subsequent treatment steps and improving overall treatment efficiency; the multi-stage heat exchanger can precisely control the temperature during the treatment process, improving treatment efficiency; the security filter and precision filter can further remove tiny impurities from the wastewater, ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent treatment. Simultaneously, the calcium and magnesium removal device can effectively remove calcium and magnesium ions from the wastewater, preventing scaling and corrosion problems; the high-pressure NF pump can provide sufficient pressure, enabling the high-pressure NF concentration device to efficiently remove recalcitrant organic matter, inorganic salts and other impurities from the wastewater, improving effluent quality, reducing treatment costs, and increasing recovery efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model.

[0018] Please see Figure 1 It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are merely schematic representations of the basic concept of this utility model. The illustrations only show components relevant to this utility model and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape, and size of the components in implementation. In implementation, the form, quantity, and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the component layout may also be more complex. The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings are only used to complement the content disclosed in the specification for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this utility model. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportional relationships, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and purposes that this utility model can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this utility model. Meanwhile, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle" and "one" used in this specification are only for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of this utility model. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered as within the scope of implementation of this utility model.

[0019] Please see Figure 1As shown, this utility model provides a lithium-ion recovery system, including a wastewater tank, a ceramic membrane device, a ceramic membrane product water tank, a first solution heat exchanger, a second solution heat exchanger, a first security filter, a calcium and magnesium removal device, a precision filter, a solution intermediate water tank, a second security filter, a high-pressure NF pump, a high-pressure NF concentration device, and a solution concentrate tank, connected in sequence.

[0020] It should also be noted that the wastewater tank stores wastewater, which is then introduced into the ceramic membrane device. Within the ceramic membrane device, suspended solids, colloids, bacteria, and some dissolved organic matter are removed through membrane filtration technology, producing concentrated wastewater and filtrate. The ceramic membrane product water tank collects the filtrate from the ceramic membrane device 3. This filtrate is then treated twice, by the first and second solution heat exchangers, using heat exchange principles to adjust the wastewater temperature to meet the requirements of subsequent treatment steps. A first security filter is installed to further remove fine particles and impurities from the wastewater, protecting downstream equipment from clogging. A calcium and magnesium removal device removes calcium from the wastewater using chemical or physical methods. Magnesium ions are used to prevent scaling during subsequent treatment. A precision filter is installed to further remove tiny particles and impurities from the wastewater, ensuring higher purity. An intermediate solution tank stores the pre-treated wastewater for subsequent processing. A second security filter further removes fine particles and impurities from the wastewater, protecting downstream equipment from clogging. A high-pressure nanofiltration (NF) pump provides high-pressure power to allow the wastewater to pass through the high-pressure nanofiltration (NF) concentration unit. The NF concentration unit uses nanofiltration technology to remove small-molecule organic matter and salts from the wastewater, while concentrating lithium ions. Finally, the concentrate from the NF concentration unit is collected in a solution concentrate tank.

[0021] "NF" is an abbreviation for nanofiltration. Nanofiltration is a membrane separation technology that falls between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. It has high filtration precision and can effectively remove impurities such as dissolved salts, organic matter, colloids, and microorganisms from water.

[0022] The high-pressure NF pump and the high-pressure NF concentration unit are used to concentrate the solution using nanofiltration technology. This may generate some concentrated wastewater, which can be recycled to wastewater tank 1 for further treatment.

[0023] For example, a liquid supply booster pump is also provided between the wastewater tank and the ceramic membrane device.

[0024] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up the liquid supply booster pump is to increase the pressure of the wastewater, ensuring that the wastewater can smoothly enter the subsequent ceramic membrane device and overcome the internal resistance of the device.

[0025] For example, a calcium and magnesium removal booster pump is provided between the ceramic membrane water production tank and the first solution heat exchanger.

[0026] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up the calcium and magnesium removal booster pump is to further increase the pressure of the wastewater, providing the necessary power for subsequent calcium and magnesium removal operations.

[0027] For example, a high-pressure solution booster pump is provided between the intermediate solution tank and the second security filter.

[0028] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up the high-pressure solution booster pump is to pressurize the wastewater to a high-pressure state so that the subsequent nanofiltration operation can proceed smoothly.

[0029] In one embodiment, a pH additive is also provided on the second security filter to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the wastewater to meet the operational requirements of the subsequent nanofiltration unit. Commonly used pH additives include acids (such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, etc.) or alkalis (such as sodium hydroxide, etc.).

[0030] For example, the high-pressure NF concentrator is also connected to a secondary recovery mechanism. The secondary recovery mechanism includes a primary HRO freshwater tank, a freshwater booster pump, a primary freshwater security filter, a primary freshwater reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, a first-stage freshwater reverse osmosis device, and a concentrated water tank connected in sequence. The inlet of the primary HRO freshwater tank is connected to the wastewater outlet of the high-pressure NF concentrator via a pipe. The outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a water treatment mechanism. The wastewater outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a concentrated concentrate tank. The outlet of the concentrated concentrate tank is connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

[0031] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up a secondary recycling system is to improve water resource utilization and lithium ion recovery efficiency. Through this system, wastewater generated by the high-pressure NF concentrate unit can be further treated and recycled, thereby minimizing water waste and recovering as many valuable lithium ions as possible.

[0032] HRO stands for High-Recovery Operation, which emphasizes the system's recovery efficiency.

[0033] The primary HRO freshwater tank is used to store water collected from the wastewater effluent of the high-pressure NF concentrate unit. Although this water contains certain impurities and incompletely recovered lithium ions, it is still possible to recover them through subsequent treatment steps.

[0034] The freshwater booster pump is used to increase the water pressure entering the primary freshwater security filter. This is because the reverse osmosis process requires a certain pressure to force water molecules through the semi-permeable membrane.

[0035] Further primary freshwater security filters are used to remove large particulate impurities and particles that may damage the reverse osmosis membrane in the water, in order to protect the subsequent primary freshwater reverse osmosis high-pressure pump and reverse osmosis unit.

[0036] It should also be noted that the high-pressure pump in the first-stage freshwater reverse osmosis unit is used to increase water pressure, ensuring that water can smoothly pass through the first-stage freshwater reverse osmosis unit. The first-stage unit utilizes the selective permeability of a semi-permeable membrane to separate lithium ions and other valuable substances from water molecules. Through this process, lithium ions can be further recovered, and the treated freshwater is sent to a concentrated water tank. This tank stores the concentrated water and freshwater collected from the first-stage unit. The concentrated water may contain high concentrations of lithium ions and other valuable substances, which can be further treated or recycled. The freshwater can be used for other purposes, such as re-entering the lithium ion recovery system or for other water treatment processes.

[0037] For example, the solution concentrate tank is connected to the MVR evaporator, and the condensate from the MVR evaporator passes sequentially through the MVR evaporator distillation condensate tank, the distillation condensate booster pump, the MVR evaporator distillation condensate heat exchanger, the condensate security filter, the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump, and the condensate primary reverse osmosis device. The outlet of the condensate primary reverse osmosis device is connected to the water treatment mechanism, and the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump is connected to the collection concentrate tank.

[0038] MVR (Modular Vapor Reduction) is an energy-saving technology that reduces reliance on external energy sources by utilizing the energy of its own generated secondary steam. The MVR evaporator uses a high-efficiency steam compressor to compress the secondary steam produced during evaporation, increasing its pressure and temperature. This thermally enhanced secondary steam then reheats the feed liquid in a heater, causing the heated feed liquid to continue evaporating and generating more secondary steam, thus achieving continuous evaporation. The core of MVR technology is using the thermal energy of secondary steam to increase its temperature through compression, serving as a heat source to replace fresh steam. This method eliminates the need for external fresh steam, relying on the self-circulation of the evaporation system to achieve evaporation and concentration, thereby fully recovering latent heat and improving thermal efficiency.

[0039] It should also be noted that the main function of the MVR evaporator in the solution concentrate tank is to efficiently and energy-savingly treat the concentrate in the solution concentrate tank, reduce the amount of wastewater discharged through the evaporation and concentration process, and recover valuable substances or water, thereby realizing the recycling of resources.

[0040] The MVR evaporator distillation condensate tank stores the distillation condensate produced by the MVR evaporator. The distillation condensate booster pump increases the pressure of the condensate entering the MVR evaporator distillation condensate heat exchanger, ensuring smooth flow and participation in subsequent heat exchange processes. The MVR evaporator distillation condensate heat exchanger utilizes the heat from the condensate for heat exchange, potentially preheating materials entering the MVR evaporator or other fluids requiring heating, thereby improving the overall system's energy efficiency. The condensate security filter, as a precision filtration device, removes particulate impurities from the condensate, such as suspended particles, colloids, and microorganisms, ensuring the safe operation of subsequent treatment equipment and the cleanliness of the effluent. The condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump provides sufficient pressure for the condensate to enter the condensate primary reverse osmosis unit. The condensate primary reverse osmosis unit further treats the condensate using reverse osmosis technology, removing salts, organic matter, and other impurities to obtain purer water. This purified water can be returned to water treatment facilities for reuse or used in other applications requiring high-quality water.

[0041] For example, the water treatment device includes a secondary freshwater tank, a second-stage freshwater deionization booster pump, a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, and a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device connected in sequence, with the outlet of the second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device connected to a pure water tank.

[0042] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up the second-stage deionization booster pump for freshwater is to provide sufficient pressure to ensure that freshwater can smoothly enter the second-stage desalination reverse osmosis high-pressure pump. The second-stage desalination reverse osmosis high-pressure pump can further increase the pressure of the freshwater to reach the working pressure required by the reverse osmosis membrane. The second-stage desalination reverse osmosis device can utilize the selective permeability of the reverse osmosis membrane to further remove dissolved solids, organic matter, inorganic salts and other impurities from the freshwater, thereby improving the purity of the water.

[0043] For example, the wastewater outlet of the second-stage desalination reverse osmosis unit is connected to the inlet of the first-stage HRO freshwater tank.

[0044] It should also be noted that the wastewater discharged from the second-stage desalination reverse osmosis unit, which contains higher concentrations of impurities and unfiltered wastewater, is introduced into the first-stage HRO freshwater tank for further treatment.

[0045] For example, a concentrated water tank and a wastewater tank are provided with a concentrated booster pump.

[0046] It should also be noted that the purpose of setting up the concentrated booster pump is to increase the delivery pressure and flow rate of the concentrate, ensuring that the concentrate can flow back to the wastewater tank smoothly and efficiently for further treatment or recycling.

[0047] For example, the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are also provided with waste liquid outlets, and the waste liquid outlets of the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

[0048] It should also be noted that the ceramic membrane device is used to filter wastewater and may generate some backwash wastewater or concentrated wastewater, which can be connected to a wastewater tank for recycling.

[0049] The calcium and magnesium removal device is used to remove calcium and magnesium ions from the solution, which may generate some wastewater or waste liquid. This wastewater or waste liquid can be connected to a wastewater tank for recycling.

[0050] A valve is also provided between the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device and the wastewater tank to regulate the opening and closing of the connecting pipes.

[0051] In summary, the lithium-ion recovery system of this invention features a ceramic membrane device with excellent filtration performance, effectively removing suspended solids, organic matter, and other impurities from wastewater. This provides high-quality feed water for subsequent treatment steps, improving overall treatment efficiency. The multi-stage heat exchanger precisely controls the temperature during treatment, further enhancing efficiency. Security and precision filters further remove minute impurities from the wastewater, ensuring smooth subsequent treatment. Simultaneously, the calcium and magnesium removal device effectively removes calcium and magnesium ions from the wastewater, preventing scaling and corrosion. The high-pressure NF pump provides sufficient pressure, enabling the high-pressure NF concentration device to efficiently remove recalcitrant organic matter, inorganic salts, and other impurities from the wastewater, improving effluent quality, reducing treatment costs, and increasing recovery efficiency.

[0052] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lithium-ion recovery system, characterized in that: It includes a wastewater tank, a ceramic membrane device, a ceramic membrane product water tank, a first solution heat exchanger, a second solution heat exchanger, a first security filter, a calcium and magnesium removal device, a precision filter, a solution intermediate water tank, a second security filter, a high-pressure NF high-pressure pump, a high-pressure NF concentration device, and a solution concentrate tank, all connected in sequence.

2. The lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid supply booster pump is also provided between the wastewater tank and the ceramic membrane device.

3. The lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A calcium and magnesium removal booster pump is provided between the ceramic membrane water production tank and the first solution heat exchanger.

4. The lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A high-pressure solution booster pump is provided between the intermediate water tank and the second security filter.

5. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The high-pressure NF (Non-Fluorescent Osmosis) concentration unit is also connected to a secondary recovery mechanism. The secondary recovery mechanism includes a primary HRO (High-Pressure Reverse Osmosis) freshwater tank, a freshwater booster pump, a primary freshwater security filter, a primary freshwater reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, a first-stage freshwater reverse osmosis unit, and a concentrated water tank, connected in sequence. The inlet of the primary HRO freshwater tank is connected to the wastewater outlet of the high-pressure NF concentration unit via a pipeline. The outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a water treatment mechanism. The wastewater outlet of the concentrated water tank is connected to a concentrated concentrate tank. The outlet of the concentrated concentrate tank is connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

6. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The solution concentrate tank is connected to the MVR evaporator. The condensate from the MVR evaporator passes sequentially through the MVR evaporator distillation condensate tank, the distillation condensate booster pump, the MVR evaporator distillation condensate heat exchanger, the condensate security filter, the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump, and the condensate primary reverse osmosis device. The outlet of the condensate primary reverse osmosis device is connected to the water treatment mechanism, and the condensate primary desalination high-pressure pump is connected to the collection concentrate tank.

7. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water treatment system includes a secondary freshwater tank, a second-stage freshwater deionization booster pump, a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis high-pressure pump, and a second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device connected in sequence. The outlet of the second-stage freshwater desalination reverse osmosis device is connected to a pure water tank.

8. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The wastewater outlet of the second-stage desalination reverse osmosis unit is connected to the inlet of the first-stage HRO freshwater tank.

9. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 8, characterized in that: A concentration booster pump is provided between the collection and concentration tank and the wastewater tank.

10. A lithium-ion recovery system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are also provided with waste liquid outlets, and the waste liquid outlets of the ceramic membrane device and the calcium and magnesium removal device are connected to the inlet of the wastewater tank.

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