METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A DRIVE UNIT AND / OR A SEPARATION SUPPORT UNIT FOR SEPARING CELL LAYERS OF A CELL STACK OF A FUEL CELL

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling a drive unit and / or a separation support unit for separating adhering cell layers of a cell stack, in particular an electrochemical cell, a corresponding control unit and a cell layer separation device for separating adhering cell layers of a cell stack, in particular an electrochemical cell.

[0002] When recycling a wide variety of products such as packaging, electronic waste, etc., the products are typically shredded or ground in an "undefined" manner. Afterwards, the valuable fractions are separated from the less valuable ones and processed further.

[0003] Fuel cell stacks consist of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), which comprise membranes, gas diffusion layers (GDLs), and sealing frames, as well as bipolar plates (BPPs), which are typically made of sheet steel or milled graphite plates. These two components—MEAs and BPPs—are stacked alternately on top of each other. A typical automotive fuel cell stack with approximately 100 kW of power consists of roughly 350 to 450 BPPs and an equal number of MEAs. Depending on the product design, the components become increasingly bonded to each other by the seals or the GDLs as the system ages.

[0004] The recycling of fuel cell stacks follows the procedure described in the introduction, which has several disadvantages. First, the MEAs (Mechanical Energy Exchanges) are removed from the BPPs (Biomass Power Plants) for recycling or...

[0005] Due to increasing adhesion and corrosion, remanufactured components are difficult to separate. This leads to valuable platinum-containing particles or dust adhering to the bipolar plate fragments, being sorted out along with them, and thus irretrievably lost. Remanufacturing, for example, bipolar plates is generally impossible due to the destructive shredding process. Furthermore, an undefined dismantling process for recycling poses the risk of significant losses of valuable materials.

[0006] US 2007 / 134536 A1 describes a method for disassembling a fuel cell stack using a separation unit. Should be in today's stack prototype construction (with very low production numbers)

[0007] If rework is required, a type of knife or spatula is used manually to carefully loosen the adhesive seal between two cell layers. This manual method is very inefficient because, firstly, it is only effective locally, as the tool must be guided delicately around the entire circumference of the stack (roughly 0.75-1 m), and secondly, it is relatively time-consuming and sometimes results in significant tool wear. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a drive unit and / or a separation support unit for separating adhering cell layers of a cell stack, in particular an electrochemical cell, received in a receiving unit, by means of a separation unit comprising the steps: Guiding the separation unit between the adhering cell layers of the cell stack to separate the cell layers by means of the drive unit; detecting at least one physical quantity that changes during the guiding step due to the action of the separation unit on the cell stack by means of a sensor unit; and controlling the drive unit and / or a separation support unit depending on the at least one detected physical quantity by means of a control unit in order to optimize the separation process.

[0009] The present invention further relates to a control unit configured to perform the following steps: Receiving sensor data from a sensor unit, wherein the sensor data represent at least one physical quantity that changes when a separating unit is guided between adhering cell layers of a cell stack, in particular an electrochemical cell, by means of a drive unit, due to the action of a separating unit on the cell stack; and outputting a control signal to the drive unit and / or a separation support unit depending on the received sensor data in order to optimize the separation process.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a cell layer separation device for separating adhering cell layers of a cell stack, in particular an electrochemical cell, received in a receiving unit. at least one separation unit for separating the cell layers; a drive unit for guiding the at least one separation unit between the adhering cell layers of the cell stack for separating the cell layers; optionally, a separation support unit for introducing ultrasonic vibrations and / or a lubricant and / or heat or cold into the cell stack; a sensor unit for detecting at least one physical quantity that changes during the guiding step due to the action of the separation unit on the cell stack; and a control unit described above.

[0011] The method according to the invention enables an automated and optimized separation process of adhering cell layers of a cell stack, thereby reducing, in particular, the risk of damage to the separation unit and / or the cell stack. This allows the disassembly process for recycling or remanufacturing to be optimized with regard to cycle time, robustness, tool durability and / or costs, as well as the loss of valuable elements and the recyclability of the MEAs and BPPs, thus providing a simple, fast and efficient separation process.

[0012] This is achieved in particular by controlling the guidance of the separation unit and / or a separation support depending on a detected physical quantity and thus on the measured quantity, so that it is possible to react immediately and as required to geometric manufacturing tolerances of the cell stack, damage such as bent corners, corroded areas, etc.

[0013] Within the scope of the present invention, an electrochemical cell comprises in particular a fuel cell and / or an electrolysis cell and / or a battery cell.

[0014] The method is thus specifically designed and intended for separating adhering cell layers of a fuel cell cell stack and / or an electrolyzer cell stack and / or a battery cell cell stack. It should be noted, however, that the method is also applicable to cell stacks of a cooler or heat exchanger without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0015] A cell layer of the cell stack can include or consist of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or a bipolar plate (BPP). Therefore, a cell stack comprising, for example, 700 to 1000 cell layers can contain 350 to 500 BPPs and 350 to 500 MEAs.

[0016] The recording unit can be designed, for example, as a work table or work surface. The recording unit can be height-adjustable.

[0017] The separation unit is designed and dimensioned to be inserted between the adhering cell layers to be separated along a defined guidance direction and to separate the cell layers. The defined guidance direction preferably runs essentially parallel to the plane of the cell layers to be separated. Preferably, a plurality of separation units, particularly of identical design, are provided, which can be guided simultaneously into different adhering cell layers.

[0018] The separating unit can be arranged on a holding unit, which, depending on the embodiment, can be rod-shaped, plate-shaped, or frame-shaped. With a plurality of separating units, these can be spaced apart from one another and distributed along a defined arrangement direction on the holding unit. This arrangement direction preferably runs transversely or perpendicular to the plane of the cell layers to be separated. The number of separating units and / or the spacing between them can be adapted to the cell stack and, if applicable, the respective manufacturing tolerances and geometric component tolerances. The number of separating units can, for example, range from greater than or equal to 5 to less than or equal to 30. If, for example, the thickness of the BBPs and the spacing between them are quite precise, the number of separating units can be selected at the upper end of this range.The distance between the separating units is preferably in a range of greater than or equal to 0.3 mm to less than or equal to 0.8 mm, more preferably in a range of greater than or equal to 0.4 mm to less than or equal to 0.6 mm.

[0019] The distance between the separating units can be fixed and unchangeable. However, it is advantageous if the distance between the separating units is adjustable. For adjusting the distance, it is advantageous if the separating units are linearly movable on the holding unit along the arrangement direction, in particular by floating or spring mountings, and / or rotatably mounted about a direction of rotation, in particular transverse to the arrangement direction and the intended guide direction. This measure allows the cell layer separator to be adapted to the cell stack in a very simple manner, as well as to manufacturing tolerances and geometric component tolerances. This, in turn, allows the number of separating units to be maximized, so that more cell layers, or ideally all cell layers of the cell stack, can be separated in a single operation.They can be separated from each other by a single step of guiding the separation units, which further reduces the disassembly time of the cell stack.

[0020] The separating unit for separating the cell layers is preferably wedge-shaped and / or pointed, tapering to a point in the intended guiding direction. Alternatively or additionally, the separating unit for separating the cell layers is preferably designed to be spread along a spreading direction and, in particular, has one separating leg that can be spread along the spreading direction. In other words, the separating unit can have two separating legs, one of which is fixed and the other of which is movable away from it and thus spreadable. The spreading direction preferably runs transversely or perpendicularly to the plane of the cell layers to be separated.

[0021] Alternatively, it is advantageous if the separating unit for separating the cell layers is wire-shaped or fibrous, and in particular if it is designed as a wire or thread / cord / yarn aligned parallel to a cell layer plane. It is especially advantageous if the holding unit and the separating unit are designed and arranged such that they can be guided in the direction of movement from one side of the cell stack to the opposite side of the cell stack to separate the cell layers. In other words, for example, a parallel wire or thread can be arranged in a frame-shaped holding unit, which, when inserted into the cell stack, threads itself into the space between the cell layers to be separated.

[0022] The separation unit is guided between the adhering cell layers of the cell stack by means of a suitably designed drive unit in order to separate the cell layers. Within the scope of the present invention, the term "guided" includes, among other things, an immersion phase, i.e., immersion or insertion of the separation unit into the cell stack; and a movement phase, i.e., passing or moving the separation unit through the cell stack; but also a spreading phase, i.e., spreading or movement of the separation unit in the stack direction within the cell stack.

[0023] The drive unit can have a carrier mounted on a translationally / linearly movable or rail-guided support, on which the separating unit or the holding unit is arranged. The carrier can be height-adjustable.

[0024] At least one physical quantity is detected by means of a suitably designed sensor unit. This physical quantity is a quantity that changes during the guiding step due to the action of the separating unit on the cell stack. The at least one physical quantity is preferably assigned to the separating unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit. The physical quantity is preferably a property and / or a state variable and / or an active variable that acts on the separating unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit. Accordingly, the at least one physical quantity can preferably be selected from the group consisting of: force, frequency, length, velocity, electrical resistance, or derivatives thereof.

[0025] Here, the physical quantity preferably includes a force or counterforce, in particular a force magnitude and / or a force direction, acting on the separation unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit; and / or a frequency, in particular a vibration frequency and / or a vibration frequency spectrum of the separation unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit; and / or a length, in particular a deformation, of the separation unit and / or the cell stack; and / or a velocity, in particular a velocity profile of the separation unit; and / or an electrical resistance, in particular an electrical through-resistance and / or an impedance of the cell stack in the stacking direction.

[0026] Preferably, at least one physical quantity is detected at the separation unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit. Detection of the physical quantity is preferably carried out using an optical sensor unit, but depending on the physical quantity, it can also be achieved using other methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0027] The force or counterforce can be detected, for example, directly at the separating unit itself or the drive unit. However, the counterforce can also be detected indirectly at the cell stack, whereby, for example, inferences about the counterforce can be drawn based on a bending and thus, given the known geometry and material of the bent / loaded part. It should be noted that if the separating unit is designed as a wire or cord, the detected force or counterforce can also be the wire tension or cord tension without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] The vibration frequency can be determined, for example, by optically detecting surface vibrations on the separation unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit.

[0029] The bending can be detected, for example, using strain gauges on the cell stack and / or the separating unit (e.g., if the latter is made of wire or cord) or by optically measuring the cell stack geometry and / or the separating unit geometry. This optical measurement can be performed, for example, using a static laser distance meter or one that moves with the separating unit, or a mechanical (tactile) sensor that measures whether and to what extent the top layer of cells moves upwards.

[0030] The speed profile can be determined, for example, by means of optical detection or distance measurement, in order to determine the uniformity of the forward movement and any "jerking" of the separating unit.

[0031] The resistance and / or impedance of the cell stack in the stacking direction can be measured or determined, for example, on the entire cell stack or on a section of it. This can, for example, indicate whether the top layer of cells has become detached, as this results in a change in electrical resistance.

[0032] The physical quantity is preferred. during an immersion phase of guiding the separation unit into the cell stack; and / or during a movement phase of guiding the separation unit through the cell stack; and / or during a spreading phase of guiding the separation unit in the cell stack.

[0033] The respective phase can be determined, for example, by means of the sensor unit, in order to further control the drive unit and / or the separation support unit depending on the respective phase of guiding.

[0034] Accordingly, the physical quantity can be, for example, a force acting against the intended direction of guidance when the separator unit is immersed / inserted into the cell stack, or a voltage acting on the wire or cord when the separator unit is immersed / inserted into the cell stack. Similarly, the vibration frequency spectrum can be the spectrum of a vibration generated when the separator unit is immersed / inserted into the cell stack. This allows, in particular, the identification and timely correction of an incorrect or unfavorable insertion position of the separator unit on the cell stack.

[0035] The counterforce can also be a force acting against the intended direction of movement when the separating unit is moved within the cell stack, or a voltage acting on the wire or cord when the separating unit is moved within the cell stack. Similarly, the vibration frequency spectrum can be a spectrum of vibrations generated during movement of the separating unit within the cell stack.

[0036] The counterforce can also be a force that acts against the spreading direction of the expandable separation units within the cell stack when the separation unit is spread. Similarly, the vibration frequency spectrum can be a spectrum of vibrations that arise when the separation unit is spread within the cell stack.

[0037] Depending on the detected physical quantity, a control unit then controls the drive unit and / or a separation support unit in order to optimize the separation process, in particular to optimize separation effectiveness and / or to reduce the risk of damage to the separation unit and / or the cell stack.

[0038] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "control" encompasses both controlling and regulating the units.

[0039] In this case, the drive unit and / or the separation support unit are preferably further controlled depending on a relative position of the separation unit to the cell stack.

[0040] Preferably, the drive unit is used to set the speed and / or direction of movement and / or the orientation of the separating unit.

[0041] Advantageously, the separation support unit introduces ultrasonic vibrations and / or a lubricant and / or heat or cold into the cell stack to optimize the separation process, in particular to optimize the separation efficiency and / or to reduce the risk of damage to the separation unit and / or the cell stack.

[0042] It is advantageous if, during the control step, the drive unit and / or the separation support unit are further controlled depending on a property of the separation unit. The property of the separation unit is preferably selected from the group consisting of: type, size, shape, material.

[0043] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, during the control step, the drive unit and / or the separation support unit are also controlled depending on an (initial) property of the cell stack. This property of the cell stack is preferably selected from the group consisting of: type, size, shape, profile (especially edge profile), material, product history (especially operating time), and damage. The geometric properties can be determined, for example, using an optical detection unit (edge ​​profiles created by laser triangulation, grayscale or color images captured by cameras, etc.). The material properties and product history can be determined or retrieved, for example, from databases.

[0044] Advantageously, the separation unit and / or the separation support unit can be selected based on the previously determined separation efficiency and / or the previously determined risk of damage to the separation unit and / or the cell stack. The separation unit and / or the separation support unit can be selected based on criteria such as size, type, or technology.

[0045] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a separation effectiveness of the control step is determined as a function of a change in the detected physical quantity, in particular wherein the drive unit and / or the separation support unit is subsequently controlled as a function of the determined separation effectiveness in the control step.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if a risk of damage to the separation unit and / or the cell stack during the separation of the cell layers is determined as a function of a change in the recorded physical quantity and / or the determined separation efficiency, in particular wherein the drive unit and / or the separation support unit is / are subsequently controlled in the control step as a function of the determined risk of damage.

[0047] If, for example, an ultrasonic vibration is initiated due to an excessively high force or counterforce, i.e., excessively high required separation forces – which in turn can lead to a higher risk of damage to the components of the cell stack and / or higher wear of the separation unit – the separation effectiveness of this measure can be determined by a decreasing change in the counterforce.

[0048] If the separation efficiency is too low, the counterforce does not decrease sufficiently, or the risk of damage is unacceptably high, the frequency or amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration can be adjusted accordingly.

[0049] The success or failure of the implemented measure or process adjustment can be directly measured using a learning algorithm.

[0050] In this process, the separation process is preferably aborted in the control step using the drive unit if a limit value for the detected physical quantity and / or the determined damage risk and / or the determined separation effectiveness is reached, exceeded or fallen below.

[0051] Advantageously, the separation efficiency and / or the damage risk are determined by the control unit or an external computing unit, particularly using artificial intelligence. This allows the separation efficiency and / or the damage risk, and thus the separation process itself, to be optimized with regard to factors such as cost, tool durability, cycle time, etc., particularly using artificial intelligence.

[0052] This can achieve the following: Longer tool life and therefore reduced costs due to less frequent replacement of cutting units and fewer exchange operations. Use of specific cutting units depending on the application's "severity." Use of robust cutting units only when necessary. Adjustment of the damage risk to the components being disassembled, depending on their intended use (reconditioning, recycling, scrapping, etc.). Shorter process times with consistent performance (depending on requirements: safe, robust separation of components, damage-free operation, etc.).

[0053] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the process includes a step of separating the adhering cell layers using the separation unit. In this step, the uppermost cell layer can be removed after the separation process, for example, using a suction gripper on a robot or manually. Drawings

[0054] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a cell layer separation device with wedge-shaped separation units; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a cell layer separation device with expandable separation legs; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a cell layer separation device with wires; and Fig. 4 a flowchart of a method for controlling a drive unit and / or a separation support unit for separating adhering cell layers of a cell stack.

[0055] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, without repeating these elements.

[0056] Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 Show advantageous embodiments of cell layer separation devices, which in their entirety are provided with the reference numeral 10; 10'; 10".

[0057] The cell layer separating devices 10; 10'; 10" are designed to simultaneously separate a plurality of adhering cell layers 12, 14 of a cell stack 16 of a fuel cell (not shown). Each cell layer 12 to be separated comprises a bipolar plate 12 and each cell layer 14 comprises a membrane electrode assembly 14. The membrane electrode assemblies 14 each comprise gas diffusion layers (GDL) 18 and a sealing frame 20.

[0058] The cell layer separators 10; 10'; 10" each have a holding unit 22; 22'; 22" . Each holding unit 22; 22'; 22" is provided with a plurality of separating units 24; 24'; 24" which are spaced apart from one another along an arrangement direction 26. The arrangement direction 26 is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the cell layers 12, 14 to be separated. A drive unit 27 is designed to guide the separating units between the adhering cell layers 12, 14 of the cell stack 16. The separating units 24; 24'; The 24" are designed and dimensioned to be inserted simultaneously between the adhering cell layers 12, 14 to be separated, along a guide direction 28 that points transversely to the arrangement direction 26. The guide direction 28 runs essentially parallel to the plane of the cell layers 12, 14 to be separated.

[0059] The cell layer separators 10; 10'; 10" also include a separation support unit 29. The separation support unit 29 is designed to introduce ultrasonic vibrations into the cell stack 16.

[0060] According to the invention, a counterforce acting on the separation units 24 is detected by means of a (not shown) sensor unit, wherein the drive unit 27 and the separation support unit 29 are controlled by means of a control unit 31 depending on the detected counterforce in order to optimize separation efficiency and / or reduce the risk of damage to the separation units 24 and / or the cell stack 16.

[0061] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the cell layer separation device 10, wherein the separation units 24 for separating the cell layers 12, 14 are wedge-shaped and tapered in the intended guiding direction 28.

[0062] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a second embodiment of the cell layer separation device 10', wherein the separation units 24' are designed to be spreadable along a spreading direction 30 for separating the cell layers 12, 14. Here, the separation units 24' each have a separating leg 32 that can be spread along the spreading direction 30 and a fixed separating leg 34.

[0063] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a third embodiment of the cell layer separating device 10", wherein the separating units 24" for separating the cell layers 12, 14 are designed as wires 24" arranged parallel to each other along the arrangement direction 26. Here, the holding unit 22" and the wires 24" are designed and arranged such that the cell layer separating device 10" for separating the cell layers 12, 14 can be guided in the guidance direction 28 from one side of the cell stack 16 to an opposite side of the cell stack 16.

[0064] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method 100 for controlling a drive unit 27 and / or a separation support unit 29 for separating adhering cell layers 12, 14 of a cell stack 16, in particular an electrochemical cell, received in a receiving unit, by means of a separation unit 24; 24'; 24". The method 100 comprises a step 102 of guiding the separation unit 24; 24'; 24' between the adhering cell layers 12, 14 of the cell stack 16 for separating the cell layers 12, 14 by means of the drive unit 27. The method 100 further comprises a step 104 of detecting at least one physical quantity that changes during the guiding step 102 due to the action of the separation unit 24; 24'; 24" on the cell stack 16 by means of a sensor unit.The method 100 also includes a step of controlling 106 the drive unit 27 and / or a separation support unit 29 depending on the at least one detected physical quantity by means of a control unit 31 in order to optimize the separation process.

[0065] Method 100 further comprises an optional step 108 of determining the separation efficiency of the control step 106 as a function of a change in the detected physical quantity, in particular wherein, subsequently in the control step 106, the drive unit 27 and / or the separation support unit 29 are controlled as a function of the determined separation efficiency. Method 100 further comprises an optional step 110 of determining the risk of damage to the separation unit 24; 24'; 24" and / or the cell stack 16 during the separation of the cell layers 12, 14 as a function of a change in the detected physical quantity and / or the determined separation efficiency, in particular wherein, subsequently in the control step 106, the drive unit 27 and / or the separation support unit 29 are controlled as a function of the determined risk of damage.

[0066] If an embodiment includes an "and / or" connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

1. Method (100) for controlling a drive unit (27) and / or a separation support unit (29) for separating, by means of a separation unit (24; 24'; 24"), adhering cell layers (12, 14) of a cell stack (16), in particular of an electrochemical cell, which cell stack is received in a receiving unit, said method comprising the following steps: - using the drive unit (27) to guide (102) the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") between the adhering cell layers (12, 14) of the cell stack (16) in order to separate the cell layers (12, 14); - using a sensor unit to capture (104) at least one physical variable that changes during the guiding step (102) due to an action of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") on the cell stack (16); and - using a control unit (31) to control (106) the drive unit (27) and / or a separation support unit (29) depending on the at least one captured physical variable in order to optimize the separation process.

2. Method (100) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one physical variable is assigned to the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16) and / or the receiving unit.

3. Method (100) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one physical variable is a property and / or a state variable and / or an active variable which acts on the separation unit and / or the cell stack and / or the receiving unit, in particular selected from the group consisting of: force, frequency, length, speed, electrical resistance, or derivatives thereof.

4. Method (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the at least one physical variable includes - a force, in particular an amount of force and / or a direction of force acting on the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16) and / or the receiving unit; and / or - a frequency, in particular a vibration frequency and / or a vibration frequency spectrum of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16) and / or the receiving unit; and / or - a length, in particular a deformation, of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16); and / or - a speed, in particular a speed curve, of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24"); and / or - an electrical resistance, in particular an electrical contact resistance, and / or an impedance of the cell stack (16) in the direction of the stack.

5. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one physical variable is captured at the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16) and / or receiving unit, in particular by means of an optical sensor unit.

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are also controlled depending on a relative position of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") to the cell stack.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the capture step (104), the physical variable is determined - during an immersion phase of the guiding (102) of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") into the cell stack (16); and / or - during a movement phase of the guiding (102) of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") through the cell stack (16); and / or - during a spreading phase of the guiding (102) of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") in the cell stack (16), wherein, in the control step (106), the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are also controlled depending on the respective phase of the guiding (102).

8. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), a movement speed and / or a direction of movement and / or an orientation of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") is / are set by means of the drive unit (27).

9. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), the separation support unit (29) is used to introduce - ultrasonic vibrations; and / or - a lubricating medium; and / or - heat or cold into the cell stack (16).

10. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are also controlled depending on a property of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") selected in particular from the group consisting of: type, size, shape, material.

11. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are also controlled depending on a property of the cell stack (16) selected in particular from the group consisting of: type, size, shape, profile, in particular edge profile, material, product history, in particular service life, damage.

12. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a step of determining (108) a separation effectiveness of the control step (106) depending on a change in the physical variable captured, in particular wherein the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are also subsequently controlled in the control step (106) depending on the determined separation effectiveness.

13. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a step of determining (110) a risk of damage of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16) when the cell layers (12, 14) are separated depending on a change in the captured physical variable and / or the determined separation effectiveness, in particular wherein the drive unit (27) and / or the separation support unit (29) is / are controlled subsequently in the control step (106) depending on the determined risk of damage.

14. Method (100) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the separation effectiveness and / or the risk of damage is / are determined by means of the control unit (31) or an external computing unit, in particular by using artificial intelligence.

15. Method (100) according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the separation support unit (29) is selected depending on the previously determined separation effectiveness and / or the previously determined risk of damage to the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") and / or the cell stack (16).

16. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the control step (106), the separation process is interrupted by means of the drive unit (27) when a limit value for the captured physical variable and / or the determined risk of damage and / or the determined separation effectiveness is reached or exceeded or undershot.

17. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a step of separating the adhering cell layers (12, 14) by means of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24").

18. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in order to separate the cell layers (12, 14), the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") - is wedge-shaped and / or pointed and tapered in a direction of guidance (28) in accordance with the intended purpose; or - can be spread along a spreading direction (26), and in particular has a respective dividing leg (32) which can be spread along the spreading direction (26), or - is wire-shaped or fibrous, and in particular is formed as a wire (24") or thread aligned parallel to a cell layer plane of the cell layers.

19. Control unit (31) configured to perform the following steps: - receiving sensor data from a sensor unit, wherein the sensor data represent at least one physical variable that changes during the guiding (102) of a separation unit (24; 24'; 24") by means of a drive unit (27) between adhering cell layers (12, 14) of a cell stack (16), in particular an electrochemical cell, due to an action of a separation unit (24; 24'; 24") on the cell stack (16); and - outputting a control signal to the drive unit (27) and / or a separation support unit (29) depending on the received sensor data in order to optimize the separation process.

20. Cell layer separation device (10; 10'; 10") for separating adhering cell layers (12, 14) of a cell stack (16) received in a receiving unit, in particular an electrochemical cell, having - at least one separation unit (24; 24'; 24") for separating the cell layers (12, 14); - a drive unit for guiding the at least one separation unit (24; 24'; 24") between the adhering cell layers (12, 14) of the cell stack (16) in order to separate the cell layers (12, 14); - a separation support unit (29), if applicable, for introducing ultrasonic vibrations and / or a lubricating medium and / or heat or cold into the cell stack (16); - a sensor unit for capturing at least one physical variable that changes during the guiding step (102) due to an action of the separation unit (24; 24'; 24") on the cell stack (16); and - a control unit according to Claim 19.