Method for treating mixture derived from battery and method for treating battery

Abstract

To efficiently remove a binder used in a positive electrode in order to recover a positive electrode material containing a valuable metal from a used secondary battery.SOLUTION: A method for treating a battery-derived mixture, which is a mixture containing a battery positive electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and organic matter, includes placing the battery-derived mixture in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and supplying active oxygen species to the treatment environment, thereby causing the water present in the treatment environment to react with the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and the generated hydroxyl radicals decompose the organic matter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating a mixture derived from a battery, and a method for treating a battery. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development into the recycling of secondary batteries, which contribute to energy efficiency, has been conducted to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and advanced energy. For example, some lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries have stacked electrodes in which positive and negative electrodes are stacked with a separator between them. The positive electrodes of these types of batteries use ternary cathode materials (NCMs) consisting of nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Therefore, methods have been proposed to recover valuable metals such as NCMs from used secondary batteries.

[0003] In order to recover valuable metals from batteries, it is necessary to separate the positive electrode active material containing the valuable metal from the positive electrode structure. To achieve this, a technique for removing the binder that holds the positive electrode active material has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for recovering positive electrode active material from electrode scrap of used batteries. According to the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, electrode scrap containing the positive electrode active material is subjected to high-temperature heat treatment to remove the binder contained in the positive electrode structure, thereby separating the positive electrode active material from the current collector. Patent Document 1 also discloses a method for dissolving the binder using a solvent to recover the positive electrode active material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-521735 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method of removing binders using a solvent requires a lot of energy to process the solvent after use, which poses a problem of high environmental impact. Furthermore, it is necessary to select an appropriate solvent depending on the type of binder, which poses a practical problem. Furthermore, the method of removing binders by heat treatment inevitably changes the material form (crystal structure, etc.) of the valuable metals to be recovered. Therefore, in order to reuse the recovered valuable metals as positive electrode active materials, there is a problem in that the recovered metal oxides must be reduced. Thus, there has been a need for a method of efficiently removing binders in order to recover materials used in battery positive electrodes. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to efficiently remove the binder used in the positive electrode in order to recover positive electrode materials containing valuable metals from used secondary batteries, thereby contributing to energy efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for treating a battery-derived mixture, which is a mixture containing a battery positive electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and organic matter, the method comprising placing the battery-derived mixture in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, supplying active oxygen species to the treatment environment, causing the water present in the treatment environment to react with the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and using the generated hydroxyl radicals to decompose the organic matter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the binder used in the positive electrode of a battery can be efficiently removed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a target battery as an example of a battery to which the present disclosure is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for treating a battery. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a decomposition device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [1. Target battery configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a target battery 10 as an example of a battery to which the present disclosure is applied, and schematically shows a cross section of the target battery 10. The target battery 10 is a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging. The target battery 10 described in this embodiment is a laminated battery in which battery materials are encapsulated in a laminate material 22, and has an overall flat plate shape. The target battery 10 can be referred to as a pouch-type battery, a laminated battery cell, a pouch-type battery cell, a lithium-ion battery cell, a battery module, or the like.

[0011] The subject battery 10 is a secondary battery known as a lithium-ion battery, which has attracted attention as an electricity storage device with a high energy density. Examples of positive electrode active materials for lithium-ion batteries include lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium manganese oxide, and lithium iron phosphate. Examples of positive electrode active materials include ternary cathode materials (NCMs) containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Examples of negative electrode active materials for lithium-ion batteries include carbon-based materials. All-solid-state batteries, which use a solid electrolyte as the electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, are also known.

[0012] Nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are used as positive electrode active materials in lithium-ion batteries, all-solid-state batteries, and the like, are known as valuable metals, and there is a demand for their recovery from used batteries. Therefore, this embodiment discloses an efficient method for recovering these metals. In the disclosed method, the electrode material to be recovered is a valuable metal contained in the target battery 10, more specifically, an NCM-related compound contained in the positive electrode active material of the positive electrode composite 32. In other words, it is a substance containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Hereinafter, a positive electrode material (positive electrode active material) containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese will be abbreviated as NCM.

[0013] 1, the target battery 10 has a configuration in which a laminated electrode 21 is housed in a laminate material 22. The laminate material 22 is a laminate film whose base material is a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The laminate material 22 functions as an exterior body of the target battery 10 and as a seal that seals the laminated electrode 21.

[0014] The target battery 10 of this embodiment has a flat plate shape formed by bonding two sheets of laminate material 22 together, and a pair of current collecting tabs 23A, 23B for extracting power from the target battery 10 penetrate the outer casing and are exposed from the end of the target battery 10.

[0015] The laminated electrode 21 is a multilayer body in which positive electrode plates 11 and negative electrode plates 12 are stacked, and a separator 13 is disposed between each positive electrode plate 11 and negative electrode plate 12. The separator 13 is disposed between the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12 to prevent a short circuit between the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12.

[0016] The positive electrode plates 11 and the negative electrode plates 12 are arranged alternately, and one positive electrode plate 11 and one negative electrode plate 12 facing each other constitute one electrode plate pair. A stacked electrode 21 is formed by stacking a plurality of electrode plate pairs.

[0017] The positive electrode plate 11 includes a rectangular positive electrode current collector 31, and a positive electrode composite 32 is provided on both sides of the positive electrode current collector 31. The positive electrode current collector 31 is, for example, an aluminum foil or an aluminum plate. The positive electrode composite 32 includes, for example, an NCM, a conductive material, a conductive additive, and a binder. The positive electrode plate 11 has a positive electrode terminal 11A extending from an end of the positive electrode plate 11. The positive electrode terminals 11A extending from the multiple positive electrode plates 11 constituting the stacked electrode 21 are each connected to a current collecting tab 23A.

[0018] The negative electrode plate 12 includes a rectangular negative electrode current collector 41. A negative electrode composite material 42 is provided on the surface of the negative electrode current collector 41 that faces the positive electrode plate 11. The negative electrode current collector 41 is made of, for example, copper foil. The negative electrode plate 12 has a negative electrode terminal 12A that extends from an end of the negative electrode plate 12. The negative electrode terminals 12A that extend from the multiple negative electrode plates 12 that make up the stacked electrode 21 are each connected to a current collecting tab 23B.

[0019] The current collecting tabs 23A and 23B are formed from a thin metal plate such as copper or aluminum, and pass between the two laminate materials 22 and are exposed to the outside.

[0020] If the target battery 10 is a lithium-ion battery, the laminate material 22 is filled with a liquid or gel electrolyte. The electrolyte includes, for example, an electrolyte, a solvent, and an additive. Examples of the electrolyte include lithium salts such as lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6). Examples of the solvent and additive include carbonate esters such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and vinylene carbonate. These are just some examples, and the electrolyte, solvent, and additive can be selected and changed as appropriate.

[0021] When the target battery 10 is an all-solid-state battery, a solid electrolyte is disposed inside the laminate material 22. Although oxide-based electrolytes and sulfide-based electrolytes are known as solid electrolytes, the present disclosure may also be applicable to all-solid-state batteries using other materials. The solid electrolyte of the all-solid-state battery is disposed, for example, between the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12 in place of the separator 13. In this case, the solid electrolyte not only functions as an electrolyte but also prevents short-circuiting between the positive electrode plate 11 and the negative electrode plate 12.

[0022] [2. Battery disposal method] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method for treating a battery. In the cutting step S1, the target battery 10 is cut into multiple cut pieces. These cut pieces may be numerous crushed pieces of the target battery 10. In the cutting step S1, the laminate material 22 constituting the outer casing of the target battery 10 is opened, and a process for deactivating the contents of the laminate material 22 is performed. The contents of the laminate material 22 refer to the material constituting the stacked electrode 21 and may include the current collecting tabs 23A and 23B. The contents can be deactivated, for example, by bringing a sufficient amount of water or water vapor into contact with the contents of the laminate material 22. Specific examples of such methods include immersing the cut target battery 10 in water, pouring water on the target battery 10, spraying water vapor on the target battery 10, or placing the target battery 10 in an environment with a sufficient amount of water or water vapor. The temperature of the water or water vapor used for deactivation is preferably a temperature that does not change the material form (e.g., crystal structure) of the nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the contents of the target battery 10.

[0023] During the process of deactivating the target battery 10, at least a portion of the lithium contained in the contents of the target battery 10 is converted into a lithium compound such as lithium hydroxide, which becomes easily soluble in water. In addition, in response to the generation of hydrogen sulfide or other gases during deactivation, ventilation, ventilation, neutralization, etc. may be performed.

[0024] Following the cutting step S1, the dissolving step S2 is performed. In the dissolving step S2, water-soluble components contained in the cut pieces cut in the cutting step S1 are dissolved in water. In the dissolving step S2, the crushed pieces are exposed to a sufficient amount of water, for example, by throwing or immersing the cut pieces in water, or by washing the crushed pieces with water. This causes the water-soluble components contained in the contents of the target battery 10 to dissolve into the water. The dissolving step S2 may also serve as a process for deactivating the contents of the target battery 10 in the cutting step S1. In the dissolving step S2, the deactivated lithium compound, electrolyte, or solid electrolyte dissolves in water, making the water strongly alkaline. The dissolving step S2 causes the cut pieces to become a mixture of solid and liquid.

[0025] In the sieving step S3, the mixture containing water and crushed material is sieved to collect solid matter larger than the mesh size of the sieve. The material that passes through the sieve corresponds to the mixture obtained in the dissolving step S2 from which the relatively large solid matter has been removed. The solid matter removed by the sieve is mainly the copper foil used in the negative electrode current collector 41, but also includes fragments of the aluminum plate, aluminum foil, and laminate material 22 used in the positive electrode current collector 31.

[0026] Copper is recovered from the solid matter collected by the sieve in the sieving step S3 in a copper recovery step (not shown). The remainder after copper recovery contains aluminum and NCM that adhered to the surface of the solid matter, and therefore may be treated in a filtration step S4 together with the material that passed through the sieve in the sieving step S3.

[0027] The permeate from the sieving step S3 is filtered in the filtration step S4. In the filtration step S4, filtration is performed using a filter medium with finer mesh than the sieve used in the sieving step S3, and solids are collected. The solids collected in the filtration step S4 include fine particles, and these are, for example, particles containing a solid electrolyte, an NCM, and a binder, and are a mixture. The solids collected in the filtration step S4 are referred to as the treatment target M. The treatment target M corresponds to an example of the "battery-derived mixture" and the "permeate."

[0028] Lithium is recovered from the liquid that has passed through the filter in the filtration step S4 in a step not shown in the figures. For recovering lithium, a known method such as the Li Separation Method by Ionic Conductor (LiSMIC) can be used.

[0029] The treatment object M collected in the filtration step S4 is treated in the decomposition step S5. The decomposition step S5 is a step of decomposing organic matter contained in the treatment object M by placing the treatment object M in a treatment environment in which active oxygen species are present. The organic matter decomposed in the decomposition step S5 is, for example, a binder.

[0030] The material to be treated M treated in the decomposition step S5 is mixed with water and stirred in the water addition step S6 to form a slurry containing water, NCM, aluminum, and a trace amount of copper.

[0031] In the recovery step S7, the NCM is recovered from the slurry. For example, in the recovery step S7, the NCM particles in the slurry are recovered by magnetic means.

[0032] [3. Details of the disassembly process] Here, the decomposition step S5 will be described in detail. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the decomposition device 60. The decomposition device 60 is an example of a device for performing the processing of the decomposition step S5.

[0033] The decomposition device 60 includes a treatment vessel 61 that accommodates the treatment target M, and treats the treatment target M in the treatment vessel 61. The decomposition device 60 includes an inlet pipe 64 connected to the treatment vessel 61, and an exhaust pipe 66. The inlet pipe 64 is a pipe that introduces active oxygen species into the treatment vessel 61. The treatment target M to be treated in the decomposition device 60 may be in a state in which it has been collected in the filtration step S4, or may be in a state in which the moisture content has been reduced by a dehydration treatment or a drying treatment.

[0034] An active oxygen generator 71 is connected to the inlet pipe 64 via a transport pipe 72 , and an ozone generator 73 is connected to the inlet pipe 64 via a transport pipe 74 .

[0035] The active oxygen generator 71 is a device that generates active oxygen species that have the effect of decomposing organic matter and sends them to the transport pipe 72. In this embodiment, the active oxygen generator 71 uses O2 as the active oxygen species. - (superoxide anion radicals). The active oxygen generator 71 uses a first gas as a material for generating active oxygen species. The first gas is a gas containing oxygen molecules (oxygen gas, air, etc.). For example, an oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen from the air and delivers the first gas containing high-concentration oxygen to the active oxygen generator 71 may be installed next to the active oxygen generator 71.

[0036] The active oxygen generator 71 includes, for example, an electron emission type negative ion generating unit, an inlet for the inflow of the first gas, and an outlet for the outflow of the ionized gas generated by the application of high voltage. The electron emission type negative ion generating unit includes a cathode needle for applying high voltage to the first gas, and emits electrons from the needle-shaped cathode needle to the first gas to generate the ionized gas. A known electron emission type negative ion generating unit can be used for the active oxygen generator 71. This type of unit can be, for example, those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-153549, 10-162932, 10-199654, 10-199655, 10-325560, 2001-338743, 2001-56395, 2002-110312, 2002-319470, 2003-17218, or 2005-5049.

[0037] The outlet of the active oxygen generator 71 is connected to a transport pipe 72 , and the gas containing active oxygen species generated by the active oxygen generator 71 flows into the introduction pipe 64 through the transport pipe 72 .

[0038] The ozone generator 73 uses a second gas as a material for generating ozone. The second gas is a gas containing oxygen molecules (oxygen gas, air, etc.). For example, an oxygen concentrator that supplies oxygen from the air and delivers a second gas containing a high concentration of oxygen to the ozone generator 73 may be installed next to the ozone generator 73. The ozone generator 73 includes an inlet through which the second gas flows, a discharge device that generates an electric discharge inside the ozone generator 73, and an outlet through which the gas containing O3 (ozone) generated by the electric discharge flows out. The discharge device generates ozone from the oxygen by applying a high voltage to a space filled with the second gas to generate a silent electric discharge. The outlet of the ozone generator 73 is connected to a transport pipe 74, and the gas containing ozone generated by the ozone generator 73 flows into the introduction pipe 64 through the transport pipe 74.

[0039] The superoxide anion radicals supplied to the processing vessel 61 through the introduction pipe 64 are an example of "active oxygen species," and the "active oxygen species" may include ozone.

[0040] The introduction pipe 64 is a hollow pipe through which gas flows. One end of the introduction pipe 64 is connected to the transport pipes 72 and 74, and the other end of the introduction pipe 64 is connected to the internal space of the processing vessel 61. A flow rate adjusting unit 65 is provided inside the introduction pipe 64. The flow rate adjusting unit 65 is, for example, a plate with a plurality of holes or a flat mesh. The flow rate adjusting unit 65 reduces the flow rate of the gas flowing into the introduction pipe 64 from the transport pipes 72 and 74 inside the introduction pipe 64. As a result, the gas containing active oxygen species generated by the active oxygen generator 71 and the gas containing ozone generated by the ozone generator 73 flow into the processing vessel 61 as a low-speed airflow.

[0041] The processing vessel 61 is a hollow vessel, and the inside of the processing vessel 61 is a processing environment 62 for processing the processing object M. The processing vessel 61 is provided with a humidity adjusting device 75 for adjusting the humidity of the processing environment 62 and a temperature adjusting device 76 for adjusting the temperature of the processing environment 62.

[0042] The humidity adjusting device 75 is a device that maintains the humidity of the processing environment 62 at a predetermined humidity level. The humidity adjusting device 75 is a device that supplies, for example, high-humidity air, water vapor, or water mist to the inside of the processing vessel 61. The humidity adjusting device 75 includes a humidity sensor (not shown) that detects the humidity of the processing environment 62, and autonomously adjusts the processing environment 62 to a predetermined humidity level based on the detected value of the humidity sensor. The humidity adjusting device 75 may be disposed inside the processing vessel 61. For example, if the predetermined humidity of the processing environment 62 is 100%, a container containing water may be disposed in the processing environment 62 as the humidity adjusting device 75.

[0043] The temperature adjustment device 76 is a device that maintains the temperature of the processing environment 62 at a predetermined temperature. The temperature adjustment device 76 is, for example, a device that supplies hot air into the processing vessel 61. The temperature adjustment device 76 includes a temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the processing environment 62 and autonomously adjusts the processing environment 62 to a predetermined temperature based on the detected value of the temperature sensor. The temperature adjustment device 76 may be installed inside the processing vessel 61. For example, the temperature adjustment device 76 may include a heater installed inside the processing environment 62 and maintain the processing environment 62 at a predetermined temperature by controlling the power on and off of the heater. In this configuration, a blower fan may be installed in the processing environment 62 together with the heater to reduce temperature unevenness in the processing environment 62.

[0044] The processing environment 62 is an environment in which a predetermined temperature and humidity are maintained by the functions of the humidity adjusting device 75 and the temperature adjusting device 76. More preferably, the processing environment 62 is an environment in which a predetermined temperature and humidity are maintained. The processing environment 62 contains a sufficient amount of water molecules (HO) supplied by the humidity adjusting device 75.

[0045] A processing stage 67 for holding the object to be processed M is disposed inside the processing vessel 61. The processing stage 67 may be, for example, a plate-like member on which the object to be processed M can be placed, or may be a pillar, shelf, leg, or other mechanical structure for holding the container containing the object to be processed M inside the processing vessel 61.

[0046] The processing stage 67 includes a heating unit 68 that sets the temperature of the processing object M to a predetermined temperature. The heating unit 68 is, for example, a heater that generates heat by electricity.

[0047] The treatment stage 67 preferably holds the treatment object M at a position where the treatment object M comes into contact with the airflow flowing in from the inlet pipe 64. In this case, the active oxygen species generated by the airflow flowing in from the inlet pipe 64 can effectively decompose the organic matter in the treatment object M.

[0048] 3, a processing stage 67 may be installed at a position facing the end of the introduction pipe 64. In this case, the airflow flowing into the processing environment 62 from the introduction pipe 64 quickly reaches the processing target M, and the surroundings of the processing target M become an atmosphere containing a large amount of active oxygen species.

[0049] The processing vessel 61 may also include a partition wall 69. The partition wall 69 is a plate-like or film-like member that separates the processing vessel 61 from the processing table 67 and surrounds at least the processing table 67 and the object M to be processed on the processing table 67. In FIG. 3, the partition wall 69 separates the interior of the processing vessel 61 so as to surround the end of the inlet pipe 64. The partition wall 69 is made of a breathable material. For example, the partition wall 69 may have holes that allow gas to pass through, or may be made of a nonwoven fabric. In this configuration, the active oxygen species that flow into the processing vessel 61 through the inlet pipe 64 remain around the object M to be processed, thereby enabling the object M to be processed more quickly. Furthermore, moisture present in the processing environment 62 also penetrates into the partition wall 69, allowing a reaction involving water molecules to proceed sufficiently inside the partition wall 69, as described below.

[0050] The exhaust pipe 66 is a pipe that connects the inside and outside of the treatment vessel 61, and discharges exhaust gas from the treatment environment 62. In a configuration in which the decomposition apparatus 60 has a partition wall 69, the exhaust pipe 66 is arranged to communicate with the inside of the partition wall 69.

[0051] The decomposition device 60 may be provided with a control device (not shown). In this case, the control device can be configured to be able to control the heating unit 68, the active oxygen generator 71, the ozone generator 73, the humidity adjuster 75, and the temperature adjuster 76.

[0052] In the treatment environment 62, the superoxide anion radicals generated by the active oxygen generator 71, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 73, and water molecules react to generate ·OH (hydroxyl radicals), which have strong oxidizing power. The reaction is estimated as follows:

[0053] First, in the active oxygen generator 71, superoxide anion radicals are generated by the reaction of the following formula (1). O2+ e = O2 - …(1)

[0054] In the treatment environment 62, the superoxide anion radical reacts with ozone as shown in the following formula (2), producing O3 - (Ozonide ion radical) is generated. O2 - + O3= O2+ O3 - …(2)

[0055] The ozonide ion radical reacts with water molecules present in the treatment environment 62 as shown in the following formula (3) to generate hydroxyl radicals. O3 - + H2O = OH + O2+ OH - …(3)

[0056] Hydroxyl radicals are highly reactive among active oxygen species and exhibit strong oxidizing power, effectively decomposing organic matter contained in the treatment object M. The organic matter contained in the treatment object M is a binder and modified substances derived from the binder. The modified substances are generated, for example, by a reaction between a sulfide contained in the electrolyte of the target battery 10 and the binder. Hydroxyl radicals have the effect of oxidizing and decomposing C-H bonds, C-C bonds, C-O bonds, C-S bonds, and S-S bonds in the organic matter.

[0057] In the treatment environment 62, hydroxyl radicals are generated around the treatment object M, thereby decomposing organic matter such as binders contained in the treatment object M. In particular, the decomposition device 60 generates hydroxyl radicals from superoxide anion radicals, ozone, and water in the treatment environment 62 in which the treatment object M is placed. Hydroxyl radicals have a short lifespan, but in the treatment environment 62, the hydroxyl radicals come into contact with the treatment object M immediately after being generated, so that the organic matter contained in the treatment object M can be effectively decomposed.

[0058] Then, by decomposing the organic matter contained in the treatment target M, it is possible to peel off the NCM from the aluminum foil used as the positive electrode current collector 31 of the target battery 10. In addition, it is possible to decompose the positive electrode mixture 32 solidified by the binder, so that the NCM can be made removable.

[0059] The temperature of the processing environment 62 is preferably a temperature that does not cause a change in the crystal structure of nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the positive electrode composite 32. The same applies to the temperature of the heating unit 68. For example, the temperature of the heating unit 68 is preferably 200° C. or lower. The temperature of the processing environment 62 is also lower than the temperature of the heating unit 68.

[0060] As described above, the method described in this embodiment is a method for treating the treatment target M, which is a mixture containing the positive electrode active material of the target battery 10 and organic matter. In this treatment method, the treatment target M is placed in a treatment environment 62 adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity. Active oxygen species are then supplied to the treatment environment 62, causing the water present in the treatment environment 62 to react with the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and the generated hydroxyl radicals decompose the organic matter.

[0061] According to this, hydroxyl radicals can be generated in the treatment environment 62 adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and organic matter contained in the treatment target M can be efficiently decomposed. Therefore, the binder of the treatment target M obtained from the used target battery 10 can be efficiently removed, and the positive electrode active material containing valuable metals can be recovered.

[0062] The material to be treated M is a mixture obtained by decomposing a target battery 10 having a positive electrode composite 32 having a structure in which a positive electrode active material is bound with a binder, an electrolyte, and a negative electrode composite 42, and the organic matter is the binder.

[0063] According to this, by removing the binder from the mixture obtained by disassembling the used target battery 10, the positive electrode active material can be recovered more efficiently.

[0064] The temperature of the processing environment 62 is a temperature that does not cause a change in the crystal structure of nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the positive electrode active material.

[0065] This allows the binder to be removed at a temperature that does not cause changes in the material form (crystal structure, etc.) of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, or oxidation, etc. Therefore, the recovered nickel, cobalt, and manganese can be easily reused as the positive electrode of a battery.

[0066] The above-described method for treating the target battery 10 also includes a sieving step S3 in which relatively large solids are separated from cut pieces obtained by cutting the contents of the target battery 10, and a decomposition step S5 in which the remainder from which the solids have been separated in the sieving step S3 is treated as a treatment target M and organic matter contained in the treatment target M is decomposed. This method also includes a recovery step S7 in which an electrode material is recovered from the treatment target treated in the decomposition step S5. In the decomposition step S5, the treatment target M is placed in a treatment environment 62 adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity. Active oxygen species are then supplied to the treatment environment 62, causing a reaction between the water present in the treatment environment 62 and the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and the generated hydroxyl radicals decompose the organic matter. According to this method, the binder can be efficiently removed from the remaining portion after cutting the used target battery 10 and removing the relatively large solid matter, and the positive electrode material containing valuable metals can be efficiently recovered.

[0067] 4. Other Embodiments The above embodiment is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and any modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0068] In the above embodiment, an example of treating the target battery 10 having a ternary positive electrode material containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese has been described, but the subject of the battery treatment method of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery treatment method of the present disclosure can be applied to batteries using materials containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and there are no other limitations.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the decomposition device 60 has been described as an apparatus for performing the decomposition step S5, but this is just one example. The environment for performing the decomposition step S5 may be configured in such a way that the object to be treated M is placed in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and active oxygen species and water can be reacted with each other.

[0070] Furthermore, the shape of the target battery 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be applied to cylindrical or prismatic batteries in which battery materials are housed in an exterior made of iron, aluminum, etc. In other words, the present disclosure is applicable to lithium ion batteries other than laminated batteries and all-solid-state batteries.

[0071] [5. Configurations supported by the above embodiments] The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0072] (Configuration 1) A method for treating a battery-derived mixture, which is a mixture containing a battery positive electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and organic matter, comprising placing the battery-derived mixture in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and supplying active oxygen species to the treatment environment, thereby causing the water present in the treatment environment to react with the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and using the generated hydroxyl radicals to decompose the organic matter. According to the method for treating a mixture derived from a battery of Configuration 1, hydroxyl radicals are generated in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and organic matter contained in the mixture placed in the treatment environment can be efficiently decomposed. As a result, binders can be efficiently removed from the mixture obtained from used batteries, and positive electrode materials containing valuable metals can be recovered.

[0073] (Configuration 2) The method for treating a battery-derived mixture according to Configuration 1, wherein the battery-derived mixture is a mixture obtained by disassembling a battery having a positive electrode, an electrolyte, and a negative electrode, the positive electrode material being bound by a binder, and the organic material is the binder. According to the method for treating a mixture derived from a battery of the second aspect, the binder is removed from the mixture obtained by disassembling a used battery, thereby enabling more efficient recovery of the positive electrode material.

[0074] (Configuration 3) The method for treating a battery-derived mixture according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the temperature of the treatment environment is a temperature that does not cause a change in the crystal structure of nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the positive electrode material. According to the method for treating a mixture derived from a battery of Configuration 3, the binder can be removed at a temperature that does not cause changes in the material form (crystal structure, etc.) of the nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the positive electrode material, or oxidation, etc. Therefore, the recovered nickel, cobalt, and manganese can be easily reused as the positive electrode of a battery.

[0075] (Configuration 4) A method for treating batteries, the target battery being a lithium-ion battery or an all-solid-state battery having an electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, the method comprising: a sieving step of separating relatively large solid matter from cut pieces obtained by cutting the contents of the target battery; a decomposition step of decomposing organic matter contained in the target battery, which is the remainder from which the solid matter has been separated in the sieving step, as the target battery; and a recovery step of recovering the electrode material from the target battery treated in the decomposition step, wherein in the decomposition step, the target battery is placed in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and active oxygen species are supplied to the treatment environment, causing a reaction between water present in the treatment environment and the active oxygen species to generate hydroxyl radicals, and the organic matter is decomposed by the generated hydroxyl radicals. According to the battery treatment method of Configuration 4, hydroxyl radicals are generated in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and humidity, and organic matter contained in the object to be treated placed in the treatment environment can be efficiently decomposed. As a result, the binder can be efficiently removed from the mixture obtained from used batteries, and positive electrode materials containing valuable metals can be recovered. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10...target battery, 11...positive electrode plate, 12...negative electrode plate, 13...separator, 21...laminated electrode, 22...laminate material, 32...positive electrode composite, 42...negative electrode composite, 60...decomposition device, 61...treatment container, 62...treatment environment, 64...inlet pipe, 65...flow rate adjustment section, 66...exhaust pipe, 67...treatment table, 68...heating section, 69...partition, 71...active oxygen generator, 72, 74...transport pipe, 73...ozone generator, 75...humidity adjustment device, 76...temperature adjustment device, M...object to be treated.

Claims

1. A method for treating a battery-derived mixture, which is a mixture containing a battery positive electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and an organic substance, comprising: placing the battery-derived mixture in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity; supplying reactive oxygen species to the treatment environment to cause a reaction between water present in the treatment environment and the reactive oxygen species, thereby generating hydroxyl radicals; The method for treating a mixture derived from a battery comprises decomposing the organic matter using the generated hydroxyl radicals.

2. 2. The method for treating a battery-derived mixture according to claim 1, wherein the battery-derived mixture is a mixture obtained by disassembling a battery having a positive electrode, an electrolyte, and a negative electrode, the positive electrode material being configured to be bound by a binder, and the organic substance is the binder.

3. The method for treating a battery-derived mixture according to claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the treatment environment is a temperature that does not cause a change in the crystal structure of nickel, cobalt, and manganese contained in the positive electrode material.

4. A method for treating a battery, the target battery being a lithium ion battery or an all-solid-state battery having an electrode material containing one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, comprising: a sieving step of separating relatively large solids from cut pieces obtained by cutting the contents of the target battery; a decomposition step in which the remainder from which the solid matter has been separated in the sieving step is treated as a treatment object and organic matter contained in the treatment object is decomposed; a recovery step of recovering the electrode material from the treated material treated in the decomposition step; Including, In the decomposition step, The object to be treated is placed in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity; supplying reactive oxygen species to the treatment environment to cause a reaction between water present in the treatment environment and the reactive oxygen species, thereby generating hydroxyl radicals; The method for treating a battery involves decomposing the organic matter using the generated hydroxyl radicals.

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