Recovery device of metal lithium negative electrode

Abstract

The utility model discloses a recovery device of a lithium metal cathode, which relates to the technical field of lithium battery recovery, and comprises a reaction container, the reaction container comprises a heating furnace and a collecting cover, the heating furnace and the collecting cover enclose to form a reaction cavity, the heating furnace is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet which are used for injecting or discharging an organic solvent, and the collecting cover is arranged in the reaction cavity. The side, away from the heating furnace, of the collecting cover communicates with a collecting pipe, and the end, away from the collecting cover, of the collecting pipe communicates with a collector for collecting liquid metal lithium. The reaction cavity is heated through the heating furnace, metal lithium is molten into liquid metal lithium, along with injection of the organic solvent, the liquid metal lithium with low density can float on the surface of the organic solvent, along with continuous rising of the liquid level, the liquid metal lithium is collected into the collector through the collecting pipe, meanwhile, the closed reaction cavity and the collecting pipe can isolate air, and therefore the liquid metal lithium can be collected. And the temperature is controlled through the heating furnace, so that the energy consumption is effectively reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to lithium battery recycling technical field, especially a kind of recovery device of metal lithium negative electrode. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of electric vehicles, portable electronic devices and energy storage systems, the lithium battery market shows explosive growth. Compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries use metal lithium as negative electrode material, have higher theoretical specific capacity and energy density, and are considered as an important development direction of next-generation high-energy battery system. However, the large-scale application of lithium metal batteries also brings new technical challenges, especially in the recycling process after the battery is retired.

[0003] At present, the negative electrode of lithium metal battery is usually made by directly coating metal lithium on the surface of copper foil, stainless steel or other current collectors. Although this structural design improves the performance of the battery, it faces significant problems in the recycling process. The existing recycling devices are few and usually complex to operate. There are risks such as hydrogen generation, thermal runaway, or the need for high temperatures for recycling, resulting in high energy consumption and increased recycling costs. SUMMARY

[0004] The main purpose of the present utility model is to provide a recovery device for metal lithium negative electrode, aiming to reduce energy consumption and improve recycling safety.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the recovery device for metal lithium negative electrode provided by the present utility model comprises:

[0006] A reaction vessel, comprising a heating furnace and a collection cover, the heating furnace and the collection cover form a reaction cavity;

[0007] Wherein, the heating furnace is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for injecting or discharging organic solvent, and the collection cover is communicated with a collection tube on the side away from the heating furnace, and the collection tube is communicated with a collector at the end away from the collection cover for collecting liquid metal lithium.

[0008] In an embodiment, the collection cover extends away from the heating furnace, and the cross-sectional area of the collection cover gradually decreases as it extends outward until it is connected to the collection tube.

[0009] In an embodiment, the collection cover is provided with a collection port at the end away from the heating furnace, the collection cover is connected to the collection tube through the collection port, and the cross-sectional size of the collection port corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the collection tube.

[0010] In an embodiment, the collection tube is provided with a first valve to control the collection of liquid metal lithium.

[0011] In an embodiment, the heating furnace is internally provided with a rack, and the rack is arranged with a plurality of placement spaces in intervals for placing the metal lithium negative electrode material.

[0012] In an embodiment, the rack is in a grid shape, and the cross-sectional size of the rack corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the heating furnace.

[0013] In an embodiment, the heating furnace is internally provided with a filter basket, the cross-sectional size of the filter basket corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the heating furnace, and the surface of the filter basket is hollowed out to facilitate the circulation of the organic solution.

[0014] In an embodiment, a vibrating bottom plate is arranged between the rack and the heating furnace to vibrate the rack.

[0015] In an embodiment, the liquid inlet is provided with a second valve to control the injection of the organic solvent, and the liquid outlet is provided with a third valve to control the discharge of the organic solvent.

[0016] In an embodiment, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are arranged on opposite sides of the heating furnace.

[0017] The technical scheme of the utility model discloses a reaction container, the metal lithium negative electrode material is placed in the heating furnace, the organic solvent is injected through the liquid inlet, and the reaction cavity is heated through the heating furnace, the metal lithium is melted into liquid metal lithium, along with the continuous injection of the organic solvent, the liquid metal lithium with lower density floats on the surface of the organic solvent, along with the continuous rise of the liquid level, the liquid metal lithium is collected into the collector through the collecting pipe, direct contact of the metal lithium with water and oxygen is avoided, hydrogen release, violent heat release and thermal runaway risk are fundamentally inhibited, at the same time, the air can be isolated by the closed reaction cavity and the collecting pipe, combustion and explosion hazards are further reduced, and the energy consumption is effectively reduced through temperature control of the heating furnace. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model or the prior art, the drawings needed in the embodiment or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below, and obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the structures shown in the drawings without creative labor.

[0019] Figure 1 The structure schematic view of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device provided by the utility model in an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2The structure schematic diagram of another embodiment of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device is provided.

[0021] Figure 3 The upper view of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device is provided.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0023] 100, metal lithium negative electrode recovery device; 1, reaction container; 11, heating furnace; 111, liquid inlet; 112, liquid outlet; 12, collection cover; 121, collection port; 2, reaction cavity; 3, collection pipe; 31, first valve; 4, collector; 5, storage rack; 51, placement space; 6, filter basket; 7, vibration bottom plate.

[0024] The implementation, functional features and advantages of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the protection scope of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device.

[0026] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement condition, etc. between the components in a certain specific posture, and if the specific posture changes, the directional indications also change accordingly.

[0027] In addition, if the embodiments of the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device involve descriptions of "first", "second", etc., the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for description purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features limited by "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, "and / or" or "and / or" appearing throughout the text means that the three parallel solutions are included, taking "A and / or B" as an example, including A solution, or B solution, or A and B solution. In addition, the technical solutions of each embodiment can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that a person skilled in the art can realize it, and when the combination of technical solutions appears contradictory or unachievable, it should be considered that the combination of technical solutions does not exist, and is not within the protection scope required by the metal lithium negative electrode recovery device.

[0028] In recent years, with the rapid development of electric vehicles, portable electronic devices and energy storage systems, the market of lithium batteries has shown explosive growth. Compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries have higher theoretical specific capacity and energy density due to the use of metal lithium as the negative electrode material, and are considered as an important development direction of the next generation of high-energy batteries. However, the large-scale application of lithium metal batteries also brings new technical challenges, especially in the recycling process after the battery is retired.

[0029] At present, the negative electrode of the lithium metal battery is usually made by directly coating metal lithium on the surface of the current collector such as copper foil and stainless steel. Although this structure design improves the performance of the battery, it faces significant problems in the recycling process. There are few existing recycling devices, and the operation is usually complex. There are risks such as generation of hydrogen gas, thermal runaway, or the need for high temperature for recycling, resulting in large energy consumption and increasing the cost of recycling.

[0030] The utility model provides a kind of recycling device 100 of metal lithium negative electrode.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 In an embodiment of the present application, the recycling device 100 of metal lithium negative electrode comprises:

[0032] The reaction vessel 1 comprises a heating furnace 11 and a collection cover 12, and the heating furnace 11 and the collection cover 12 form a reaction cavity 2.

[0033] The heating furnace 11 is provided with a liquid inlet 111 and a liquid outlet 112 for injecting or discharging organic solvent, and the collection cover 12 is communicated with a collection tube 3 away from the heating furnace 11, and the collection tube 3 is communicated with a collector 4 away from the collection cover 12 for collecting liquid metal lithium.

[0034] It should be noted that the organic solvent does not react with metal lithium, has a density not less than 0.6 g / cm3, and a boiling point not less than 240℃, to ensure the safety of the collection process, such as paraffin oil, diphenyl ether, benzyl benzoate, dibutyl phthalate, etc.

[0035] The utility model discloses a technical scheme through adopting the reaction container 1, the metal lithium negative pole material is put into the heating furnace 11, and the organic solvent is injected through the liquid inlet 111, and the reaction cavity 2 is heated through the heating furnace 11, and the metal lithium is melted into liquid metal lithium, along with the continuous injection of organic solvent, the liquid metal lithium of lower density can float on the surface of organic solvent, along with the continuous rise of liquid level, the liquid metal lithium is collected into the collector 4 through the collecting pipe 3, avoids the direct contact of metal lithium and water, oxygen, fundamentally inhibits the hydrogen release, violent heat release and thermal runaway risk, simultaneously, the reaction cavity 2 of closed type and the collecting pipe 3 can isolate air, further reduce the combustion, explosion hidden danger, and the temperature is controlled through the heating furnace 11, and energy consumption is effectively reduced.

[0036] Optionally, the collection cover 12 extends away from the heating furnace 11, and the cross-sectional area of the collection cover 12 gradually decreases as it extends outward, until it communicates with the collecting pipe 3.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1 , it should be noted that the collection cover 12 adopts a tapered structure that extends outward and gradually decreases in cross-sectional area, such as an arc shape, a conical shape, or a funnel shape;

[0038] It can be understood that a guiding channel is formed from wide to narrow during the flow of liquid metal lithium. This structure, on the one hand, produces a natural convergence effect through the tapered cross-section, accelerating the directional flow of liquid lithium to the collecting pipe 3, reducing the retention and residue of lithium liquid in the reaction cavity 2, and improving the recovery rate.

[0039] Moreover, the tapered guiding channel can inhibit turbulence or splashing during the flow of liquid lithium.

[0040] Optionally, the collection cover 12 has a collection opening 121 at the end away from the heating furnace 11, the collection cover 12 communicates with the collecting pipe 3 through the collection opening 121, and the cross-sectional size of the collection opening 121 corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the collecting pipe 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2 , it can be understood that the collection opening 121 is located at the farthest end of the collection cover 12 away from the heating furnace 11. Since the liquid metal lithium floats on the uppermost layer, by placing the collection opening 121 at the end away from the heating furnace 11, it can be ensured that the collection opening 121 continuously collects the liquid on the top, i.e., it ensures that the liquid metal lithium is collected first.

[0042] Moreover, the collection opening 121 and the collecting pipe 3 have the same cross-sectional design, which can eliminate the flow channel discontinuity at the traditional variable-diameter connection, reduce the resistance and vortex phenomenon during the flow of liquid metal lithium, and ensure that the lithium liquid is smoothly and continuously introduced into the collector 4.

[0043] Optionally, the collection pipe 3 is provided with a first valve 31 to control the collection of liquid metal lithium.

[0044] It can be understood that by providing the first valve 31 on the collection pipe 3, the process of liquid metal lithium flowing from the collection pipe 3 into the collector 4 can be effectively controlled. Not only does it improve the flexibility and safety of the recycling operation, allowing the operator to open or close the first valve 31 at the appropriate time to optimize the recycling process, but it also avoids the loss of liquid metal lithium at unnecessary times, thereby ensuring the efficiency of the recycling process and the amount of metal lithium recovered.

[0045] In addition, the presence of the valve also facilitates the rapid shutdown of the flow of liquid metal in emergency situations, reducing potential safety risks such as accidental leakage or thermal runaway, further enhancing the safety and controllability of the entire recycling process.

[0046] Furthermore, after the recycling of the liquid metal lithium is complete, closing the first valve 31 prevents the organic solvent from flowing into the collector 4 through the collection pipe 3 and mixing with the metal lithium.

[0047] Optionally, the heating furnace 11 is internally provided with a shelf 5, which is spaced apart and has a plurality of placement spaces 51 for placing metal lithium negative materials.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3 It can be understood that the shelf 5, through the plurality of placement spaces 51 arranged at intervals, can achieve the layered and orderly arrangement of metal lithium negative materials, fully utilize the three-dimensional space of the reaction chamber 2, significantly increase the material capacity of a single treatment, and improve the lithium recovery amount per unit time, especially suitable for large-scale recycling production lines, and greatly improve the overall processing efficiency of the device.

[0049] In addition, spacing the placement spaces 51 limits the stacking thickness of each layer of materials, avoiding the problem of blocked local heat transfer caused by excessive accumulation of metal lithium negative materials, ensuring the complete dissolution and liquid conversion of metal lithium, avoiding the retention of residual lithium, and improving the recovery rate.

[0050] Optionally, the shelf 5 is in a grid shape, and the cross-sectional size of the shelf 5 corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the heating furnace 11.

[0051] It can be understood that each grid unit can fully expose the metal lithium negative materials to the heat source, thereby improving the heating efficiency and uniformity of the heat treatment.

[0052] Secondly, the corresponding design of the shelf 5 and the cross section of the heating furnace 11 maximizes the available space in the heating furnace 11, allowing more metal lithium negative materials to be accommodated in each recycling operation, further improving the recycling efficiency and production capacity.

[0053] In addition, the mesh-like shelf 5 can reduce interference with liquid flow and ensure the smooth flow of organic solvents.

[0054] Furthermore, the edges of the mesh-like shelf 5 are tightly fitted to the inner wall of the heating furnace 11, which can fix the position of the negative electrode material and prevent it from shifting or stacking due to solvent flow or gravity during the melting process.

[0055] It should be noted that the shelf 5 includes multiple partitions, which are interlaced to form the placement space 51. The surface of the partitions is perforated to ensure smooth flow of organic solutions.

[0056] Optionally, the heating furnace 11 is provided with a filter basket 6, the cross-sectional size of the filter basket 6 corresponds to the cross-sectional size of the heating furnace 11, and the surface of the filter basket 6 is hollowed out to facilitate the flow of organic solution.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, it can be understood that after the lithium metal is collected, the waste is still inside the reaction chamber 2. By lifting the filter basket 6, the waste can be removed in one go, simplifying the recycling process.

[0058] Furthermore, the size of the filter basket 6 corresponds to the size of the heating furnace 11 to ensure effective retention of waste materials.

[0059] In some embodiments, the filter basket 6 is used in conjunction with the shelf 5, which is placed inside the filter screen.

[0060] Optionally, a vibrating base plate 7 is provided between the shelf 5 and the heating furnace 11 to make the shelf 5 vibrate.

[0061] Optionally, the vibrating base plate 7 is vibrated using ultrasonic vibration. After the lithium metal is liquefied, the vibrating base plate 7 is pneumatically activated to detach the liquid lithium metal from the current collector, preventing the liquid lithium metal from adhering to the current collector or the surface of the shelf 5, thereby reducing dead lithium residue and further improving the lithium recovery rate.

[0062] In some embodiments, the vibrating base plate 7 employs low-frequency mechanical vibration. The micro-disturbances generated by the vibration can enhance solvent flow and heat diffusion, ensuring uniform temperature within the reaction chamber 2 and improving recovery efficiency.

[0063] Optionally, the inlet 111 is provided with a second valve to control the injection of organic solvent, and the outlet 112 is provided with a third valve to control the discharge of organic solvent.

[0064] It should be noted that the injection rate, flow rate, and discharge timing of the organic solvent can be precisely controlled through the second and third valves. By controlling the injection of the organic solvent in stages, such as low-speed injection during the initial wetting period, sufficient and uniform contact between the organic solvent and the lithium metal anode material is ensured, avoiding a sudden drop in local temperature or pressure fluctuation in the reaction chamber 2 caused by an excessive influx of solvent at once, thereby optimizing the melt-stripping kinetics process.

[0065] Furthermore, in order to control the height of the liquid level, it may be necessary to repeatedly feed or discharge the liquid. The second valve and the third valve can effectively control the height of the liquid level.

[0066] Optionally, the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 are located on opposite sides of the heating furnace 11.

[0067] It is understandable that repeated feeding or discharging may be necessary to control the liquid level, with the organic solution flowing in from the inlet 111 and flowing out from the outlet 112.

[0068] By placing the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 on opposite sides of the heating furnace 11, the organic solution flows through the entire reaction chamber 2 along a preset path, ensuring that the solvent flows evenly from the liquid inlet 111 to the liquid outlet through all the lithium metal anode materials on the shelf 5.

[0069] The opposing layout eliminates the "short-circuit flow" or local flow dead zones that may be caused by the traditional same-side entry and exit, so that the materials in each layer of the shelf 5 can be fully wetted, avoiding the difference in melting efficiency caused by uneven solvent distribution and improving the consistency of batch processing.

[0070] Furthermore, the symmetrical arrangement of the inlet 111 and the outlet 112 facilitates uniform heating of the organic solution, resulting in a uniform temperature distribution of the organic solution.

[0071] Optionally, the heating furnace 11 and the collecting cover 12 are detachably connected, and a sealing strip is provided between the heating furnace 11 and the collecting cover 12.

[0072] In some embodiments, the heating furnace 11 and the collection cover 12 are detachably connected. Before use, the collection cover 12 is opened and the filter basket 6 is placed in. After the lithium anode material is placed in the placement rack, it is put into the heating furnace 11 together. Finally, the collection cover 12 and the heating furnace 11 are fastened together, which simplifies the process and improves the recycling efficiency.

[0073] Furthermore, the sealing strip enhances the sealing performance of the reaction chamber 2, thereby improving safety.

[0074] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A recovery device of a metal lithium negative electrode, characterized by, The application relates to a reaction container for preparing lithium metal negative electrode material. The reaction container comprises a heating furnace and a collecting cover, and the heating furnace and the collecting cover jointly form a reaction cavity. The heating furnace is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for injecting or discharging organic solvent.

2. The device for recovering metal lithium negative electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collecting cover is communicated with a collecting pipe at a side far from the heating furnace.

3. The device for recovering metal lithium negative electrodes according to claim 2, characterized in that, The collecting pipe is communicated with a collector at an end far from the collecting cover for collecting liquid lithium.

4. The device for recovering metal lithium negative electrodes according to claim 3, characterized in that, The collecting cover extends to a side far from the heating furnace, and the cross-sectional area of the collecting cover gradually decreases with the extension.

5. The metal lithium negative electrode recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The collecting cover is provided with a collecting opening at an end far from the heating furnace.

6. The metal lithium negative electrode recovery apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The collecting opening is communicated with the collecting pipe, and the cross-sectional area of the collecting opening corresponds to that of the collecting pipe.

7. The metal lithium negative electrode recovery apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The collecting pipe is provided with a first valve for controlling the collection of liquid lithium.

8. The metal lithium negative electrode recovery apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The heating furnace is internally provided with a support rack.

9. The device for recovering metal lithium negative electrode according to claim 8, wherein The support rack is provided with a plurality of placing spaces for placing lithium metal negative electrode material.

10. The device for recovering metal lithium negative electrodes according to claim 9, characterized in that, The support rack is in a grid shape, and the cross-sectional area of the support rack corresponds to that of the heating furnace. The heating furnace is internally provided with a filter basket. The filter basket is in a hollow shape, and the cross-sectional area of the filter basket corresponds to that of the heating furnace. The support rack and the heating furnace are provided with a vibrating bottom plate for vibrating the support rack. The liquid inlet is provided with a second valve for controlling the injection of organic solvent. The liquid outlet is provided with a third valve for controlling the discharge of organic solvent. The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are arranged on opposite sides of the heating furnace.

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