Battery recycling system

Abstract

To provide a battery recycling system capable of efficiently recycling a battery while suppressing discharge of CO2 by non-roasting.SOLUTION: A battery recycling system according to the present disclosure includes a primary crushing device that crushes a case of a discharged secondary battery to expose an electrode material; An electrolytic solution recovery device that recovers an electrolytic solution contained in the electrode material, a secondary crushing device that further crushes the secondary batteries from which the electrolytic solution has been recovered, a sorting device that sorts crushed materials of the secondary batteries, and an adjustment device that adjusts an atmosphere inside each of the primary crushing device, the electrolytic solution recovery device, the secondary crushing device, and the sorting device to a N2 atmosphere, and a second discharge port from which the N2 gas filled in the sorting device is discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery recycling system that sorts shredded materials generated by shredding secondary batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] In the recycling of secondary batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium-ion batteries, it is necessary to accurately sort the crushed material produced by crushing the secondary batteries while suppressing CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a crushing and classification device that improves the recovery of active materials contained in electrode materials for secondary batteries. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-73986 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, secondary batteries are crushed after discharge, but because electrolyte remains in the secondary batteries, a short circuit in the crushed secondary batteries can cause the separators in the secondary batteries to melt and adhere to the electrode material, making it impossible to carefully sort the crushed secondary batteries.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a battery recycling system that can accurately sort and efficiently recycle crushed secondary batteries while suppressing CO2 emissions by not roasting them. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery recycling system according to the present disclosure includes a discharge device that discharges secondary batteries to be recycled; a primary crushing device that crushes the cases of the discharged secondary batteries to expose the electrode material of the secondary batteries; an electrolyte recovery device that recovers the electrolyte contained in the electrode material by heating the secondary batteries with the exposed electrode material in a reduced pressure environment; a secondary crushing device that further crushes the secondary batteries from which the electrolyte has been recovered; a sorting device that sorts the crushed secondary batteries crushed by the secondary crushing device; and an adjusting device that adjusts the atmosphere inside each of the primary crushing device, the electrolyte recovery device, the secondary crushing device, and the sorting device to an N atmosphere. The sorting device has a first discharge outlet from which predetermined crushed materials from the crushed secondary batteries are discharged, and a second discharge outlet that is located above the first discharge outlet on a discharge path to the first discharge outlet and from which N gas that has been filled in the sorting device is discharged. The battery recycling system according to the present disclosure adjusts the atmosphere inside each of the primary crushing device, electrolyte recovery device, secondary crushing device, and sorting device to an N2 atmosphere to reduce the oxygen concentration, thereby more reliably preventing heat generation due to short circuits in crushed secondary batteries. This prevents the separators in the crushed secondary batteries from melting and adhering to the electrode material. Furthermore, the battery recycling system according to the present disclosure prevents oxidation of the powdered crushed secondary batteries, allowing for accurate sorting of the crushed secondary batteries. In other words, the battery recycling system according to the present disclosure reduces CO2 emissions by not roasting the batteries, while accurately sorting and efficiently recycling the crushed secondary batteries. Furthermore, the battery recycling system according to the present disclosure provides an N2 gas outlet separate from the outlet for the powdered crushed materials discharged from the sorting device, thereby preventing the powdered crushed materials from being stirred up by the N2 gas, thereby improving the recovery performance of the powdered crushed materials. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a battery recycling system that can accurately sort and efficiently recycle crushed secondary batteries while suppressing CO2 emissions by not roasting them. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in a battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an adjustment device provided in a battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a primary crushing device provided in the battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of an electrolyte recovery device provided in a battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a secondary crushing device provided in the battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing specific examples of screens provided in a secondary crushing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of a sorting device provided in a battery recycling system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of the vicinity of a discharge port of a sorting device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation.

[0010] <First Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery recycling system 1 according to a first embodiment. The battery recycling system 1 is a system that crushes secondary batteries TG to be recycled and sorts the crushed materials by material. The sorted crushed materials are recycled for various purposes.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery recycling system 1 includes a discharger 11, a primary crusher 12, an electrolyte recovery device 13, a secondary crusher 14, a sorting device 15, and an adjustment device 16. The processes of the discharger 11, the primary crusher 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crusher 14, the sorting device 15, and the adjustment device 16 are performed by instructions from a control device (not shown). However, some of the processes of the discharger 11, the primary crusher 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crusher 14, the sorting device 15, and the adjustment device 16 may be performed by user operation. For example, the discharge process of the secondary batteries by the discharger 11 and the input of the discharged secondary batteries into the primary crusher 12 may be performed by user operation.

[0012] The discharge device 11 is a device that discharges a secondary battery TG to be recycled. The discharge device 11 discharges the secondary battery TG, for example, by connecting the secondary battery TG to a predetermined resistance element. The discharge device 11 may be a tray on which the secondary battery TG is placed until the discharge is complete.

[0013] The secondary battery TG to be recycled is, for example, a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The secondary battery TG has an electrode material and a case that houses the electrode material. The electrode material has a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator disposed between them, and an electrolyte.

[0014] In lithium-ion batteries, the case is made of, for example, aluminum (Al). The negative electrode current collector is made of copper (Cu), and the negative electrode active material is graphite (C). The positive electrode current collector is made of aluminum, and the positive electrode active material is a metal compound containing lithium (Li). The electrolyte solution uses an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate, and an electrolyte such as a lithium salt. The separator uses resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition, for example, the bolts that secure the electrode materials housed in the case use iron (Fe).

[0015] In nickel-metal hydride batteries, the case is made of resin or other materials. A hydrogen storage alloy is used for the negative electrode, and nickel hydroxide is used for the positive electrode. An aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide is used as the electrolyte. Resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are used for the separator. In addition, iron or other materials are used for the external terminals.

[0016] The primary crushing device 12 crushes the cases of discharged secondary batteries TG to expose the electrode materials of the secondary batteries TG. This allows the downstream electrolyte recovery device 13 to recover the electrolyte contained in the electrode materials. The primary crushing device 12 also shreds the sheet-like separator, which is one of the components of the electrode materials. This prevents the separator from becoming entangled in downstream devices, which can occur if the separator is not shredded, and thus prevents deterioration of the processing performance of the downstream devices.

[0017] The electrolyte recovery device 13 heats the crushed secondary batteries TG (also referred to as crushed material TG) crushed by the primary crushing device 12 in a reduced pressure environment to distill and recover the electrolyte contained in the crushed material TG. This allows the battery recycling system 1 to prevent heat generation due to short circuits in the crushed secondary batteries TG, thereby preventing the separators in the crushed secondary batteries TG from melting and adhering to the electrode material. As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can suppress deterioration in the sorting accuracy of the crushed material generated by crushing the secondary batteries TG.

[0018] The secondary crushing device 14 further crushes the crushed secondary batteries TG (also referred to as crushed material TG) after the electrolyte solution has been recovered. Here, the primary crushing device 12 at the previous stage only crushes the secondary batteries TG to the extent that the electrode material of the secondary batteries TG is exposed and the leached separators are shredded. In contrast, the secondary crushing device 14 further crushes the crushed secondary batteries TG after the electrolyte solution has been recovered into smaller pieces. This enables the battery recycling system 1 to finely sort the crushed secondary batteries TG by material.

[0019] The sorting device 15 finely sorts, by material, the crushed secondary batteries TG (also referred to as crushed material TG) crushed by the secondary crushing device 14. For example, the sorting device 15 uses a plurality of sieves with different openings to finely sort the crushed material TG by material.

[0020] The adjusting device 16 adjusts the atmosphere in each of the chambers of the primary crushing device 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crushing device 14, and the sorting device 15 to an N2 atmosphere, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration in each device to an allowable value or less. Specifically, the adjusting device 16 reduces the oxygen concentration in each of the chambers of the primary crushing device 12 and the electrolyte recovery device 13 to 2% or less, and reduces the oxygen concentration in each of the chambers of the secondary crushing device 14 and the sorting device 15 to 6% or less. However, the adjusting device 16 may uniformly reduce the oxygen concentration in each of the devices 12 to 15 to 2% or less.

[0021] As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can more reliably prevent heat generation due to short-circuiting of the crushed secondary batteries TG in each of the devices 12 to 15, even if electrolyte remains in the crushed secondary batteries TG. As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can prevent the separators in the crushed secondary batteries TG from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and furthermore, can prevent oxidation of the powdery crushed secondary batteries TG, thereby enabling accurate sorting of the crushed secondary batteries TG. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 can accurately sort and efficiently recycle the crushed secondary batteries TG while suppressing CO2 emissions by not roasting the secondary batteries.

[0022] (Processing flow of battery recycling system 1) Next, the flow of processing in the battery recycling system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the battery recycling system 1.

[0023] First, the battery recycling system 1 uses the discharge device 11 to discharge the secondary battery TG to be recycled (step S101).

[0024] Thereafter, the battery recycling system 1 performs primary crushing of the discharged secondary batteries TG using the primary crushing device 12 (step S102). Specifically, the battery recycling system 1 crushes the cases of the discharged secondary batteries TG to expose the electrode materials of the secondary batteries TG, and shreds the sheet-like separators, which are one of the components of the electrode materials.

[0025] Thereafter, the battery recycling system 1 uses the electrolyte recovery device 13 to heat the crushed secondary battery TG (crushed material TG) crushed by the primary crushing device 12 in a reduced pressure environment, thereby distilling and recovering the electrolyte contained in the crushed material TG (step S103).

[0026] Thereafter, the battery recycling system 1 uses the secondary crushing device 14 to further crush the crushed secondary batteries TG (crushed material TG) after the electrolyte solution has been recovered (step S104).

[0027] Thereafter, the battery recycling system 1 uses the sorting device 15 to carefully sort the crushed secondary batteries TG (crushed material TG) crushed by the secondary crushing device 14 into individual materials (step S105).

[0028] Here, the battery recycling system 1 reduces the oxygen concentration in each of the devices 12 to 15 to below an allowable value by adjusting the atmosphere in each of the rooms of the primary crushing device 12 where primary crushing is performed, the electrolyte recovery device 13 where electrolyte recovery is performed, the secondary crushing device 14 where secondary crushing is performed, and the sorting device 15 where sorting processing is performed to an N2 atmosphere (step S201).

[0029] As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can more reliably prevent heat generation due to short-circuiting of the crushed secondary batteries TG in each of the devices 12 to 15, even if electrolyte remains in the crushed secondary batteries TG. As a result, the battery recycling system 1 can prevent the separators in the crushed secondary batteries TG from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and furthermore, can prevent oxidation of the powdery crushed secondary batteries TG, thereby enabling accurate sorting of the crushed secondary batteries TG. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 can accurately sort and efficiently recycle the crushed secondary batteries TG while suppressing CO2 emissions by not roasting the secondary batteries.

[0030] Specific examples of the devices 12 to 15 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0031] (Specific examples of adjustment device 16 and its peripheral devices) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the adjustment device 16. In Fig. 3, devices 11 to 15 other than the adjustment device 16 in the battery recycling system 1 are also shown.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, the adjustment device 16 includes a measurement unit 161, an output control unit 162, and an output unit 163. Hoses H1 to H4, through which gas passes inside the chamber, are attached to the primary crushing device 12, the electrolyte recovery device 13, the secondary crushing device 14, and the sorting device 15, respectively. Oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are attached to the gas outlets of the hoses H1 to H4, respectively. The oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are, for example, zirconia-type oxygen concentration sensors that generate a current or electromotive force corresponding to the oxygen concentration. However, the oxygen concentration sensors S1 to S4 are not limited to zirconia-type oxygen concentration sensors and may be other types of oxygen concentration sensors, such as magnetic, electrode, or laser spectroscopy types.

[0033] The measurement unit 161 calculates the oxygen concentration of each of the devices 12-15 based on the detection results of the oxygen concentration sensors S1-S4. The output unit 163 supplies N2 (nitrogen) stored in the N2 storage unit into the chambers of each of the devices 12-15. As the output unit 163 supplies N2 into the chambers of each of the devices 12-15, the gas in the chambers of each of the devices 12-15 is discharged to the outside via a scrubber. The output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied by the output unit 163 into the chambers of each of the devices 12-15 based on the oxygen concentration of each of the devices 12-15. For example, the output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied into the chambers of each of the devices 12-15 so that the oxygen concentration in each of the chambers of the primary crushing device 12 and the electrolyte recovery device 13 is maintained at 2% or less, and the oxygen concentration in each of the chambers of the secondary crushing device 14 and the sorting device 15 is maintained at 6% or less. Alternatively, the output control unit 162 controls the amount of N2 supplied to the chambers of the devices 12 to 15 so that the oxygen concentration in the chambers of the devices 12 to 15 is uniformly maintained at 2% or less. This allows the battery recycling system 1 to more reliably prevent heat generation due to short-circuiting of the crushed secondary batteries TG in each device, even if electrolyte remains in the crushed secondary batteries TG.

[0034] (Specific example of primary crushing device 12) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the primary crushing device 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the primary crushing device 12 includes a main body 121, a crushing chamber 122, a crushing section 123, an inlet 124, an upper cover 125, and an outlet 126. In addition, a crushing valve V11 for controlling the passage of crushed materials and a vacuum gate valve V12 for controlling the passage of gas are provided on a path from the outlet 126 of the primary crushing device 12 to the inlet (not shown) of the downstream electrolyte recovery device 13.

[0035] The crushing chamber 122 is provided inside the main body 121. The inlet 124 is provided in the upper part of the main body 121 and communicates with the crushing chamber 122 inside the main body 121. The outlet 126 is provided in the lower part of the main body 121 and communicates with the crushing chamber 122 inside the main body 121.

[0036] For example, first, with the crushing valve V11 and the vacuum gate valve V12 both closed, the top lid 125 attached to the input port 124 of the primary crushing device 12 is opened. Thereafter, a discharged secondary battery TG is input into the crushing chamber 122 through the input port 124. At this time, the adjusting device 16 adjusts the oxygen concentration in the crushing chamber 122 to be equal to or lower than an allowable value (for example, 2%). Thereafter, the top lid 125 is closed. Thereafter, the crushing unit 123 is driven by a motor (not shown), and the crushing unit 123 starts crushing the secondary battery TG input into the crushing chamber 122.

[0037] The crushing unit 123 is provided in the crushing chamber 122. The crushing unit 123 is composed of a pair of rotating shafts 123a, a pair of rotors 123b, and a plurality of hooks 123c provided on the outer periphery of each of the pair of rotors 123b. The pair of rotating shafts 123a rotate by receiving driving force from a motor (not shown). This causes a pair of rotors 123b, which are attached to the pair of rotating shafts 123a and arranged opposite each other, to rotate as well. In the example of FIG. 4, when viewed in the positive direction of the y-axis, the left rotor 123b rotates clockwise and the right rotor 123b rotates counterclockwise. A secondary battery TG introduced into the crushing chamber 122 is guided between the pair of rotors 123b by the plurality of hooks 123c provided on the outer periphery of each of the pair of rotors 123b and crushed by the pair of rotors 123b. The plurality of hooks 123c may be formed in a blade shape so as to shred the case and separator of the secondary battery TG.

[0038] The crushed pieces of the secondary batteries TG crushed by the crushing unit 123 (crushed pieces TG) fall into a discharge port 126 provided below the crushing chamber 122. After the crushing by the crushing unit 123, when the crushing valve V11 and the vacuum gate valve V12 are opened, the crushed pieces of the secondary batteries TG crushed by the crushing unit 123 are discharged from the discharge port 126.

[0039] (Specific example of electrolyte recovery device 13) 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the electrolyte recovery device 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrolyte recovery device 13 includes a main body 131, a transfer chamber 132, a screw feeder 133, an inlet 134, an outlet 135, a pressure reducing device 136, a heating device 137, and a recovery device 138. As already described, a crushing valve V11 for controlling the passage of crushed materials and a vacuum gate valve V12 for controlling the passage of gas are provided on the path from the outlet 135 of the primary crushing device 12 to the inlet 134 of the electrolyte recovery device 13. Furthermore, a crushing valve V21 for controlling the passage of crushed materials and a vacuum gate valve V22 for controlling the passage of gas are provided on the path from the outlet 135 of the electrolyte recovery device 13 to the inlet 134 of the secondary crushing device 14.

[0040] The transfer chamber 132 is provided inside the cylindrical main body 131. An inlet 134 is provided at the front end of the cylindrical main body 131 and leads to the transfer chamber 132 inside the main body 131. An outlet 135 is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical main body 131 and leads to the transfer chamber 132 inside the main body 131. A screw feeder 133 is provided inside the transfer chamber 132. The screw feeder 133 is driven by a motor (not shown) and transports the crushed material TG introduced into the transfer chamber 132 from the front end to the rear end of the transfer chamber 132 while stirring the crushed material TG by rotation. This allows the crushed material TG to be uniformly distributed from the front end to the rear end of the transfer chamber 132.

[0041] For example, first, the crushing valve V21 and the vacuum gate valve V22 provided on the discharge port 135 side are closed, and the crushing valve V11 and the vacuum gate valve V12 provided on the input port 134 side are opened. Thereafter, crushed secondary batteries TG (crushed material TG) crushed by the primary crushing device 12 are introduced into the transfer chamber 132 through the input port 134. The crushed material TG introduced into the transfer chamber 132 is transported from the front end to the rear end of the transfer chamber 132 by the rotation of the screw feeder 133, and is uniformly distributed from the front end to the rear end of the transfer chamber 132. At this time, the adjusting device 16 adjusts the oxygen concentration in the transfer chamber 132 to be equal to or lower than an allowable value (e.g., 2%). Thereafter, the crushing valve V11 and the vacuum gate valve V12 are closed. Thereafter, the electrolyte contained in the crushed material TG in the transfer chamber 132 is collected.

[0042] The pressure reducing device 136 reduces the pressure in the transfer chamber 132. The heating device 137 heats the crushed material TG in the transfer chamber 132 in a reduced pressure environment. This vaporizes the electrolyte contained in the crushed material TG in the transfer chamber 132. The recovery device 138 recovers the electrolyte vaporized in the transfer chamber 132 by cooling and liquefying it. In other words, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers the electrolyte contained in the crushed material TG in the transfer chamber 132 by distillation.

[0043] For example, if the secondary battery TG is a lithium ion battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers DMC, EMC, DEC, PC, and EC as the electrolyte. DMC stands for dimethyl carbonate. EMC stands for ethyl methyl carbonate. DEC stands for diethyl carbonate. PC stands for propylene carbonate. EC stands for ethylene carbonate. Furthermore, if the secondary battery TG is a nickel-metal hydride battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers water as the electrolyte.

[0044] Here, the electrolyte recovery device 13 may recover different types of electrolyte by heating the crushed material TG at different pressures and temperatures. For example, if the secondary battery TG is a lithium ion battery, the electrolyte recovery device 13 recovers PC and EC by heating the crushed material TG at a pressure lower than that used to recover DMC, EMC, and DEC.

[0045] After the electrolyte is collected, the crushing valve V21 and the vacuum gate valve V22 are opened, and the crushed material TG after the electrolyte is collected in the transport chamber 132 is transported to the rear end of the transport chamber 132 by the rotation of the screw feeder 133 and discharged from the discharge port 135.

[0046] (Specific example of secondary crushing device 14) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the secondary crushing device 14. As shown in FIG. 6, the secondary crushing device 14 includes a main body 141, a crushing chamber 142, a crushing unit 143, a fixed blade 144, a screen 145, an inlet 146, an outlet 147, and a control unit 148. As already described, a crushing valve V21 that controls the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V22 that controls the passage of gas are provided on the path from the outlet 147 of the upstream electrolyte recovery device 13 to the inlet 146 of the secondary crushing device 14. Furthermore, a crushing valve V31 that controls the passage of crushed material and a vacuum gate valve V32 that controls the passage of gas are provided on the path from the outlet 147 of the secondary crushing device 14 to the inlet (not shown) of the sorting device 15.

[0047] The crushing chamber 142 is provided inside the main body 141. The inlet 146 is provided in the upper part of the main body 141 and communicates with the crushing chamber 142 inside the main body 141. The outlet 147 is provided in the lower part of the main body 141 and communicates with the crushing chamber 142 inside the main body 141.

[0048] For example, first, the crushing valve V31 and the vacuum gate valve V32 provided on the discharge port 147 side are closed, and then the crushing valve V21 and the vacuum gate valve V22 provided on the inlet 146 side are opened. Thereafter, the crushed material TG after the electrolyte recovery is introduced into the crushing chamber 142 through the inlet 146. At this time, the adjusting device 16 adjusts the oxygen concentration in the crushing chamber 142 to be equal to or lower than an allowable value (e.g., 6%). Thereafter, the crushing valve V21 and the vacuum gate valve V22 are closed. Thereafter, the crushing unit 143 is driven by a motor (not shown), and the crushing unit 143 starts crushing the crushed material TG introduced into the crushing chamber 142.

[0049] The crushing unit 143 and the fixed blade 144 are provided in the crushing chamber 142. The crushing unit 143 is composed of a rotating shaft 143a, a rotor 143b, a shaft 143c, and a hammer 143d. The rotating shaft 143a rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown). This causes the rotor 143b attached to the rotating shaft 143a to rotate as well. A plurality of hammers (impacting bodies) 143d are rotatably connected to the outer periphery of the rotor 143b via a shaft 143c. Note that a plurality of rotors 143b may be provided in the axial direction (y-axis direction) of the rotating shaft 143a. In this case, a plurality of hammers 143d are rotatably connected to the outer periphery of each rotor 143b via a shaft 143c. The hammers 143d rotate within the crushing chamber 142 by receiving a centrifugal force accompanying the rotation of the rotating shaft 143a, and crush the object TG to be crushed within the crushing chamber 142. The fixed blade 144 shreds the crushed material TG between itself and the rotating hammer 143d.

[0050] The hammer 143d has an R (also referred to as a corner R) on its edge. The R is provided at least on the tip of the hammer 143d, and preferably on the entire outer periphery of the hammer 143d, which may come into contact with the crushed material TG when the hammer 143d rotates. For example, the size of the R is determined based on the required size of the crushed material TG after crushing, the required peeling rate of the active material from the crushed material TG after crushing, etc.

[0051] The screen 145 is provided at the bottom of the crushing chamber 142 and constitutes part of the wall of the crushing chamber 142. The screen 145 allows crushed materials TG crushed in the crushing chamber 142 to pass through, the crushed materials having a size equal to or smaller than the opening size. The screen 145 may be a mesh as shown in FIG. 7 or may be a perforated metal. The opening size of the screen 145 is set to 5 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or less. If the screen 145 is a mesh screen, the opening size is the minimum width of the opening 145a. If the screen 145 is a perforated metal screen having multiple circular openings, the opening size is the diameter of the opening.

[0052] Of the crushed materials TG crushed by the crushing unit 143, etc., crushed materials of a size equal to or smaller than the openings pass through the screen 145 and fall into the discharge port 147 provided below the crushing chamber 142. Thereafter, when the crushing valve V31 and the vacuum gate valve V32 are opened, the crushed materials TG are discharged from the discharge port 147.

[0053] The control unit 148 periodically opens the screen 145, thereby causing the crushed material TG that cannot pass through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 to fall to the discharge port 147. As a result, crushed material TG that is light and does not easily pass through the screen 145, such as separators, is discharged from the crushing chamber 142, thereby reducing the load on the crushing process of the secondary crushing device 14.

[0054] The control unit 148 may separately discharge the crushed material TG that has passed through the screen 145 and the crushed material TG that has not passed through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 at different times from the discharge port 147. Furthermore, the control unit 148 may remove light crushed material such as separators from the crushed material TG that has not passed through the screen 145 and remains in the crushing chamber 142 using an air sorter or the like, and then feed the crushed material back into the crushing chamber 142.

[0055] (Specific example of sorting device 15) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the sorting device 15. As shown in Fig. 7, the sorting device 15 includes a main body 151, a sorting chamber 152, a vibration generator 153, an inlet 154, a box 155, recovery boxes B1 to B4, sieves F1 to F3, and paths R1 to R4. In addition, on the path from the discharge port (not shown) of the upstream secondary crushing device 14 to the inlet 154 of the sorting device 15, there are provided a crushing valve V31 that controls the passage of crushed materials and a vacuum gate valve V32 that controls the passage of gas, as already explained.

[0056] The sorting chamber 152 is provided inside the main body 151. The input port 154 is provided at the top of the main body 151 and communicates with the sorting chamber 152 inside the main body 151.

[0057] For example, first, the crushing valve V31 and the vacuum gate valve V32 provided on the side of the input port 154 are opened. Then, crushed secondary batteries TG (crushed material TG) crushed by the secondary crushing device 14 are input into the sorting chamber 152 through the input port 154. At this time, the adjusting device 16 adjusts the oxygen concentration in the sorting chamber 152 to be equal to or lower than an allowable value (for example, 6%). Then, the crushing valve V31 and the vacuum gate valve V32 are closed. Then, the crushed material TG in the sorting chamber 152 is sorted.

[0058] Sieves F1 to F3 are provided in sorting chamber 152. Sieve F1 with the largest opening is provided in the top row, sieve F2 with the second largest opening is provided in the middle row, and sieve F3 with the smallest opening is provided in the bottom row. Note that the number of sieves is not limited to three, and any number of sieves may be provided. Vibration generator 153 vibrates sieves F1 to F3.

[0059] The crushed material TG introduced into the sorting chamber 152 is first sorted into crushed material that passed through sieve F1 and crushed material that did not pass through sieve F1. The crushed material TG that did not pass through sieve F1 is discharged into collection box B1 via path R1. The crushed material TG that passed through sieve F1 is then sorted into crushed material that passed through sieve F2 and crushed material that did not pass through sieve F2. The crushed material TG that did not pass through sieve F2 is discharged into collection box B2 via path R2. The crushed material TG that passed through sieve F2 is then sorted into crushed material that passed through sieve F3 and crushed material that did not pass through sieve F3. The crushed material TG that did not pass through sieve F3 is discharged into collection box B3 via path R3. The crushed material TG that passed through sieve F3 is discharged into collection box B4 via path R4.

[0060] Collection box B1 collects crushed materials such as separators and aluminum cases. Collection box B2 collects crushed materials such as Al foil and Cu foil. Collection box B3 collects black mass, which contains a relatively large amount of impurities. Collection box B4 collects black mass, which contains few impurities. Black mass refers to crushed powder of active materials contained in secondary batteries. In the case of lithium-ion batteries, black mass includes Ni, Co, Mn, Li, C, etc. In the case of nickel-metal hydride batteries, black mass includes Ni, Co, La, Zn, etc.

[0061] The sorting device 15 is housed in a box 155. By supplying N2 into the box 155 using the adjustment device 16, the oxygen concentration in not only the sorting chamber 152 but also the surrounding area of ​​the main body 151 decreases, thereby suppressing oxidation of the black mass and the like sorted by the sorting device 15.

[0062] 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of the vicinity of the discharge port of the sorting device 15. The example in FIG. 9 shows the vicinity of discharge port 158, which is one of the discharge ports of the sorting device 15 and discharges black mass from the sorting chamber 152 to the collection box B4 via path R4. Here, in addition to discharge port 158 ​​from which black mass is discharged, the sorting device 15 also has discharge port 159, which is located above discharge port 158 ​​on path R4 and through which N2 gas filled in the sorting chamber 152 is discharged. This allows the sorting device 15 to prevent black mass, which is powdered crushed material, from being stirred up by the N2 gas, thereby improving the collection performance of powdered crushed material.

[0063] For example, N2 gas discharged from the outlet 159 is re-introduced into the sorting chamber 152 via the inlet 154. That is, the N2 gas discharged from the outlet 159 is reused to make the atmosphere of the sorting chamber 152 an N2 atmosphere. Furthermore, the crushed material contained in the N2 gas discharged from the outlet 159 is re-sorted by the sorting device 15. Alternatively, the N2 gas discharged from the outlet 159 is supplied into the box 155 that houses the sorting device 15. As a result, the atmosphere outside the sorting device 15 is also adjusted to an N2 atmosphere, so that oxidation of the powdered crushed material is more effectively suppressed.

[0064] In addition, in the sorting device 15, not only an N2 gas outlet is provided separately on the path of the outlet that discharges crushed material into the collection box B4, but also N2 gas outlets may be provided separately on the path of the outlet that discharges crushed material into each of the collection boxes B1 to B3. Also, a filter may be provided at each N2 gas outlet to prevent powdered crushed material from being discharged.

[0065] In the present disclosure, the sorting device 15 is described as sorting the crushed material TG using a plurality of sieves with different mesh sizes, but is not limited thereto. For example, the sorting device 15 may sort the crushed material TG using some or all of a wind sorter, a magnetic sorter, an optical sorter, a dry specific gravity sorter, and the sieve sorter described above.

[0066] For example, a wind sorter blows air onto the crushed material TG to separate the crushed material TG into lighter material blown up by the wind and other material fragments. A magnetic sorter separates crushed material TG into iron and other material fragments that are attracted to a magnet and other material fragments. An optical sorter identifies the material of the crushed material TG based on the color of the crushed material TG identified from an image captured by a camera, and sorts the crushed material TG by blowing air at a force corresponding to the identification result, for example. A dry specific gravity sorter vibrates a tray into which the crushed material TG is placed, to separate the crushed material TG placed in the tray into lighter material fragments and heavy material fragments.

[0067] As described above, the battery recycling system 1 according to the present disclosure can more reliably prevent heat generation due to short circuits in crushed secondary batteries by adjusting the atmosphere in each device 12-15 to an N2 atmosphere and reducing the oxygen concentration. This prevents the separators in the crushed secondary batteries from melting and adhering to the electrode material, and further prevents oxidation of the powdery crushed secondary battery material, allowing for accurate sorting of the crushed secondary batteries. In other words, the battery recycling system 1 according to the present disclosure can accurately sort and efficiently recycle crushed secondary batteries while suppressing CO2 emissions by not roasting them.

[0068] Furthermore, in the battery recycling system 1 according to the present disclosure, the sorting device 15 has an outlet for N2 gas in addition to an outlet for the powdery crushed material (black mass). This prevents the powdery crushed material from being stirred up by the N2 gas, thereby improving the recovery performance of the powdery crushed material.

[0069] In this disclosure, the battery recycling system 1 will be described as an example in which secondary batteries TG are crushed and the crushed materials are sorted for recycling, but this is not limited to this, and the system may be configured to crush, for example, all-solid-state batteries and sort the crushed materials for recycling.

[0070] The battery recycling system 1 may further include an analytical device that analyzes the contents of the black mass, and a management device that adjusts the operating conditions of each device 12 to 15 (e.g., the crushing time and crushing force of each of the primary crushing device and the secondary crushing device) so that the analysis results of the analytical device are the desired analysis results.

[0071] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Battery recycling system, 11 Discharge device, 12 Primary crushing device, 13 Electrolyte recovery device, 14 Secondary crushing device, 15 Sorting device, 16 Adjustment device, 121 Main body, 122 Crushing chamber, 123 Crushing section, 123a Rotating shaft, 123b Rotor, 123c Hook, 124 Inlet, 125 Upper cover, 126 Discharge outlet, 131 Main body, 132 Transport chamber, 133 Screw feeder, 134 Inlet, 135 Discharge outlet, 136 Pressure reducing device, 137 Heating device, 138 Recovery device, 141 Main body, 142 Crushing chamber, 143 Crushing section, 143a Rotating shaft, 143b Rotor, 143c Shaft, 143d Hammer, 144 Fixed blade, 145 Screen, 146 Inlet, 147 outlet, 148 control unit, 151 main body, 152 sorting room, 153 vibration generator, 154 inlet, 155 box, 158 outlet, 159 outlet, 161 measuring unit, 162 output control unit, 163 output unit

Claims

1. a discharge device for discharging secondary batteries to be recycled; a primary crushing device that crushes the cases of the discharged secondary batteries to expose the electrode materials of the secondary batteries; an electrolyte recovery device that recovers an electrolyte contained in the electrode material by heating the secondary battery with the electrode material exposed in a reduced pressure environment; a secondary crushing device for further crushing the secondary batteries from which the electrolytic solution has been recovered; a sorting device that sorts the crushed secondary batteries crushed by the secondary crushing device; an adjusting device that adjusts the atmosphere inside each of the primary crushing device, the electrolyte recovery device, the secondary crushing device, and the sorting device to a N atmosphere; A battery recycling system comprising: The sorting device is a first outlet through which predetermined crushed materials of the secondary batteries are discharged; a second outlet provided above the first outlet on a discharge path to the first outlet, and through which N gas filled in the sorting device is discharged; having Battery recycling system.

2. The N2 gas discharged from the second outlet is supplied into the sorting device. The battery recycling system according to claim 1 .

3. a box surrounding the sorting device; The N2 gas discharged from the second outlet is supplied into the box. The battery recycling system according to claim 1 .

4. The sorting device further includes a filter covering the second outlet. The battery recycling system according to claim 1 .

Images