Carbon sorting system and method for secondary battery black powder

Abstract

To provide a carbon sorting system and a carbon sorting method for secondary battery black powder capable of effectively recovering valuable metal contained in the black powder.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a carbon sorting system and a carbon sorting method for secondary battery black powder. The carbon sorting system of them may include: a raw material supplier for supplying powder raw material; a main reactor for providing a long chamber formed while extending in a vertical direction so that the powder raw material can flow in the vertical direction; a gas supplier for supplying gas to the long chamber so that the powder raw material in the main reactor flows; and a cyclone unit connected to an upper end portion of the main reactor, for collecting carbon from the powder raw material while the powder raw material suspended at a top of the main reactor is supplied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon sorting system and a carbon sorting method for secondary battery black powder. This research is related to the "Development of low-carbon battery raw material technology from waste lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP)" (subject specific number: 1415182084, subject number: 20229A10100100), which is part of the research and development project for low-carbon industrial raw material technology development of renewable resources, which was conducted with the support of the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute and financial resources from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance (government) in fiscal 2022. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the demand for secondary batteries has increased rapidly, and the price of materials has risen, so the demand for recycling technology is gradually increasing. There is a pressing need to secure technology related to the reuse and recycling of secondary batteries.

[0003] In order to recover valuable metals from waste batteries, black powder, a mixture of anode and cathode, is recovered from the current collector. Black powder contains a mixture of oxides including carbon, the main material of cathode, and lithium, the main material of anode, so the carbon is removed from the black powder by incineration or flotation.

[0004] However, when carbon is removed from black powder by an incineration process, not only is a large amount of carbon dioxide generated, but the carbon may also reduce oxides containing lithium, and the carbon may decompose in the furnace atmosphere, causing unexpected side reactions due to exothermic reactions, etc. Also, when carbon is removed from black powder by a flotation method, the efficiency is reduced in a wet process, and additional processes such as washing the foaming agent are required, which may cause additional problems such as increased process costs.

[0005] As a result, there is an urgent need for a pretreatment technology that can simplify the process costs for the thermal energy used to remove carbon from black powder and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated when removing carbon from black powder. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for removing carbon from black powder of secondary batteries by density classification, and effectively recovering valuable metals contained in the black powder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder, comprising: a raw material supplier for supplying powder raw material; a main reactor including a long chamber formed by extending in a vertical direction to allow the powder raw material to flow in the vertical direction; a gas supplier for supplying gas to the long chamber so that the powder raw material in the main reactor flows; and a cyclone unit connected to an upper end of the main reactor, receiving the powder raw material suspended at the upper end of the main reactor, and collecting carbon from the powder raw material.

[0008] In addition, the main reactor may include a reaction body having an upper end connected to the raw material supplier and a lower end connected to the gas supplier, and having the long chamber therein; and a dispersion plate disposed in a lower portion of the long chamber and providing a plurality of dispersion holes through which the gas can pass.

[0009] Also, a carbon sorting system for secondary battery black powder can be provided, wherein the dispersion holes have a diameter in the range of 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0010] In addition, the gas supplier supplies gas in the range of 1 to 100 LPM (Liter / Min) to the main reactor to fluidize the powder raw material, and a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder can be provided.

[0011] In addition, a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder may be provided, the cyclone unit including a plurality of cyclones continuously connected to the upper end of the main reactor and continuously recovering the carbon from the powder raw material supplied from the main reactor.

[0012] Further, the plurality of cyclone units include a first cyclone and a second cyclone connected in series to the upper end of the main reactor, and the first cyclone includes a first cyclone section for performing a first separation of the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon by using centrifugal force; a first collection section connected to a lower end of the first cyclone section for collecting the powder raw material that has been primarily separated; a first inlet pipe section connecting the upper end of the main reactor and the first cyclone section; and a first cyclone section for collecting the powder raw material that is rising and circulating in the first cyclone section. a second cyclone section for performing a second separation of powder raw material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon using centrifugal force; a second collection section connected to a lower end of the second cyclone section for collecting the secondly separated powder raw material; a second inlet pipe section connecting the first discharge pipe section and the second cyclone section; and a second discharge pipe section for guiding the powder raw material rotating upward in the second cyclone section to the outside of the second cyclone section.

[0013] In addition, a fluororesin coating (PTFE) is formed on the inner walls of the main reactor and the cyclone unit, and a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder can be provided.

[0014] In addition, a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder can be provided, wherein the reaction body includes a first-stage body portion; and a second-stage body portion inclined and connected to an upper portion of the first-stage body portion so as to have a diameter larger than that of the first-stage body portion, and the diameter of the second-stage body portion is more than twice as large as that of the first-stage body portion.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a method for carbon separation of black powder for secondary batteries, the method including the steps of: supplying a powder raw material to a main reactor; supplying a gas to the main reactor so that the powder raw material flows in the main reactor; supplying the powder raw material suspended at an upper end of the main reactor to a cyclone unit; and recovering carbon from the powder raw material in the cyclone unit.

[0016] In addition, the carbon recovering step may include primarily recovering the powder raw material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon through a first cyclone connected to the upper end of the main reactor, and secondarily recovering the powder raw material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon through a second cyclone connected continuously to the first cyclone. Effect of the Invention

[0017] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by selectively separating and removing carbon from the black powder of the lithium secondary battery, when the black powder is used as a raw material in the recycling process, the efficiency of the recycling process for the black powder can be improved, thereby improving the economic efficiency of the secondary battery recycling process and making it possible to apply the process to various industries.

[0018] In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the carbon contained in the black powder is selectively removed by density classification, and the CO generated during high-temperature heat treatment of the black powder is reduced. x This has the effect of minimizing gas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a dispersion plate of a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a graph showing a result of a thermogravimetric analysis of black powder applied to the carbon separation system for black powder for secondary batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of thermogravimetric analysis of black powder collected from a dispersion plate with 1 mm dispersion holes according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of thermogravimetric analysis of black powder recovered from a dispersion plate with 2 mm dispersion holes according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a carbon separation system for secondary battery black powder according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a method for separating carbon from black powder for secondary batteries according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is one of various aspects of the present invention that can be claimed, and the following description can form a part of the detailed technology of the present invention.

[0021] However, in the description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions may be omitted in order to clarify the present invention.

[0022] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can include various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, and should be understood as including all modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0023] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the corresponding components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0024] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless otherwise clearly meant in the context.

[0025] Hereinafter, a carbon separation system for black powder for secondary batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] 1 and 2, a carbon separation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention selectively removes carbon contained in a powder raw material through density classification, thereby improving the efficiency of a recycling process for the powder raw material from which carbon has been removed. The carbon separation system 10 may include a raw material supplier 100, a main reactor 200, a gas supplier 300, and a cyclone unit 400.

[0027] The raw material feeder 100 can accommodate the powder raw material to be supplied to the main reactor 200. In this embodiment, the powder raw material can be black powder of lithium ion secondary batteries recovered by removing current collectors in the anode and cathode after dismantling / separating a used lithium secondary battery pack for recycling the lithium secondary battery. The black powder contains valuable metals such as Li, Ni, Co, and Mn together with carbon, and removing the carbon from the black powder can increase the recovery efficiency of valuable metals contained in the black powder.

[0028] The raw material supply machine 100 may include a raw material hopper 110 capable of accommodating a powder raw material, and a raw material valve 120 that selectively supplies the powder raw material accommodated in the raw material hopper 110 to the main reactor 200. The raw material valve 120 can selectively supply the powder raw material accommodated in the raw material hopper 110 to the main reactor 200 by opening and closing a movement path along which the powder raw material moves from the raw material hopper 110 to the main reactor 200.

[0029] The main reactor 200 may provide a space in which the powder raw material can move vertically by the flow of gas. The main reactor 200 may include a reaction body 210 and a dispersion plate 220. The reaction body 210 may provide a long chamber 211 formed by extending vertically to allow the powder raw material to flow vertically.

[0030] A fluororesin coating (PTFE) may be formed on the inner wall of the main reactor 200. By forming a fluororesin coating (PTFE) on the inner surface of the main reactor 200, when carbon in the black powder of the secondary battery is fused to the inner surface of the main reactor 200 due to high electrostatic force, carbon discharge can be easily performed and the carbon recovery rate can be improved.

[0031] The length of the reactor body 210 can be designed to selectively suspend carbon in consideration of the raw material / density of the powder raw material. The length of the reactor body 210 can correspond to the flow distance of the powder raw material. In this embodiment, the length of the reactor body 210 can be 1500 mm. The raw material supplier 100 can be connected to the upper end of the reactor body 210. The gas supplier 300 can be connected to the lower end.

[0032] Meanwhile, for carbon separation, the flow rate can be selected by calculating the minimum fluidization velocity using the following Wen & Yu (1966) formula (Formula 1): Since this Wen & Yu formula (Formula 1) is a general formula, a detailed explanation of it will be omitted.

[0033]

number

[0034] However, as a solid fluidized particle characteristic indicating a known fluidized particle size and particle density, it is related to the Archimedes number, which is a function of gas properties (gas viscosity and gas density).The reason for using a flow rate higher than the minimum fluidization velocity is that the minimum fluidization equation does not take into account the dispersion plate, so a flow rate higher than the minimum fluidization velocity was used to take into account the flow rate attenuated by the dispersion plate.

[0035] [Table 1]

[0036] Referring to Table 1, the average particle size of carbon in the NCM black powder is calculated to be 8, 10, and 15 microns, respectively, and the density is 2,260 kg / m 3 The NCM cathode materials are 10, 15, and 25 microns, with a density of 4,620 kg / m 3 For the NCM cathode material, the LiNiO2 density was referenced instead of the tap density.

[0037] The dispersion plate 220 may be disposed at the lower part of the long chamber 211. The dispersion plate 220 may deliver the gas supplied from the gas supplier 300 to the upper part of the long chamber 211 so that the carbon in the powder raw material flows to the upper end of the reaction body 210. The dispersion plate 220 may be formed with a clamp hole 221 for fixing to the reaction body 210 and a plurality of dispersion holes 222 for passing the gas. The plurality of dispersion holes 222 may be through holes formed at the center of the dispersion plate 220 and having a diameter in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0038] If the shape of the dispersion hole 222 is made in the form of a simple hole and the diameter of the dispersion hole 222 exceeds 2 mm, which is larger than the diameter of the powder, the diameter of the dispersion hole 222 may cause the powder to fall below the dispersion plate 220. If the diameter of the dispersion hole 222 is less than 1 mm, air injection is not smooth, so when air is injected into the main reactor 200, a positive pressure may be generated between the air input part of the main reactor 200 where the air is input and the dispersion plate 220, and the gas may not be transferred smoothly to the upper part of the dispersion plate 220, resulting in a deterioration of the flow characteristics.

[0039] The gas supplier 300 can supply gas to the long chamber 211 of the main reactor 200 so that the powder raw material in the main reactor 200 flows. The supply flow rate of the gas supplied from the gas supplier 300 can be in the range of 1 to 100 LPM (Liter / Min). If the supply flow rate of the gas is less than 1 LPM, it is difficult to make the powder raw material flow in the main reactor 200 and float the carbon to the upper end side of the main reactor 200, and if the supply flow rate of the gas is more than 100 LPM, heavy substances in the powder raw material also float to the upper end side of the main reactor 200 together with carbon, so that it may be difficult to separate the carbon in the main reactor 200.

[0040] In this embodiment, the gas supplied from the gas supply device 300 is air at 20 to 100 LPM, but is not limited thereto, and the gas supplied from the gas supply device 300 may be various kinds of gases other than air that can smoothly classify carbon in the powder raw material. As an example, the gas supplied from the gas supply device 300 may be argon, nitrogen, or a mixed gas containing at least these.

[0041] The cyclone unit 400 can separate and recover carbon contained in the powder raw material by inducing a swirling flow to the powder raw material. The cyclone unit 400 can receive the powder raw material suspended at the upper end of the main reactor 200 and recover carbon from the supplied powder raw material.

[0042] A fluororesin coating can be formed on the inner wall of the cyclone unit 400 to effectively separate the carbon contained in large amounts in the black powder from the cathode material. This is because the high static electricity of carbon can cause carbon fine particles to adhere to the cyclone unit 400, reducing the classification efficiency. Thus, by forming a fluororesin coating on the inner wall of the cyclone unit 400, static electricity can be minimized and carbon recovery can be effectively improved.

[0043] The cyclone unit 400 may be composed of a plurality of cyclones connected in series to the upper end of the main reactor 200. As an example, the cyclone unit 400 may include a first cyclone 410 and a second cyclone 420 connected in series to the upper end of the main reactor 200.

[0044] The first cyclone 410 may include a first cyclone unit 411, a first recovery unit 412, a first inlet pipe unit 413, and a first discharge pipe unit 414. The first cyclone unit 411 may use centrifugal force to perform a primary separation of powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon. Here, the powder raw material containing the preset amount of carbon may be understood as the powder raw material supplied through the raw material supply device 100, and the powder raw material containing more than the preset amount of carbon may be understood as the powder raw material containing more carbon than the carbon contained in the powder raw material supplied through the raw material supply device 100.

[0045] A first inlet pipe 413 may be eccentrically connected to one side of the first cyclone unit 411. The powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon that has flowed into the first cyclone unit 411 may be deposited on an inner wall of the first cyclone unit 411 by centrifugal force and may descend to the first collecting unit 412 by gravity and a downward airflow. The first collecting unit 412 may be connected to a lower end of the first cyclone unit 411. The first collecting unit 412 may collect and collect the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon that descends in the first cyclone unit 411. A first collecting valve 416 may be provided between the first cyclone unit 411 and the first collecting unit 412. The first collecting valve 416 may selectively open and close a path moving from the first cyclone unit 411 to the first collecting unit 412.

[0046] The first inlet pipe unit 413 may connect between an upper end of the main reactor 200 and one side of the first cyclone unit 411. The first inlet pipe unit 413 may be provided with a first inlet valve 415 for opening and closing a moving path from the main reactor 200 to the first cyclone unit 411. When the first inlet valve 415 is adjusted to be opened, the powder raw material suspended at the upper end of the main reactor 200 may be supplied to the cyclone unit 400.

[0047] The first discharge pipe part 414 may be disposed at the upper center of the first cyclone part 411. The first discharge pipe part 414 may guide the powder raw material ascending and circulating in the first cyclone part 411 to the outside of the first cyclone part 411. The first discharge pipe part 414 may be connected to the second inlet pipe part 423 of the second cyclone 420.

[0048] The second cyclone 420 may include a second cyclone unit 421, a second collection unit 422, a second inlet pipe unit 423, and a second discharge pipe unit 424. The second cyclone unit 421 may perform a second separation of the powder raw material supplied from the first cyclone 410 and containing more than a preset amount of carbon.

[0049] A second inlet pipe 423 may be eccentrically connected to one side of the second cyclone unit 421. The powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon that has flowed into the second cyclone unit 421 may be deposited on an inner wall of the second cyclone unit 421 by centrifugal force and may descend to the second collecting unit 422 by gravity and a downward airflow. The second collecting unit 422 may be connected to a lower end of the second cyclone unit 421. The second collecting unit 422 may collect and collect the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon that descends in the second cyclone unit 421. A second collecting valve 426 may be provided between the second cyclone unit 421 and the second collecting unit 422. The second collecting valve 426 may selectively open and close a path moving from the second cyclone unit 421 to the second collecting unit 422.

[0050] The second inlet pipe unit 423 may connect between the first discharge pipe unit 414 of the first cyclone 410 and one side of the second cyclone unit 421. The second inlet pipe unit 423 may be provided with a second inlet valve that opens and closes a moving path from the first cyclone 410 to the second cyclone 420. When the second inlet valve is adjusted to be opened, the powder raw material discharged to the first cyclone 410 may be supplied to the second cyclone 420.

[0051] The second discharge pipe unit 424 may be disposed at the center of the upper portion of the second cyclone unit 421. The second discharge pipe unit 424 may guide the powder raw material rotating upward in the second cyclone unit 421 to the outside of the second cyclone unit 421. The second discharge pipe unit 424 may be provided with a discharge valve selectively opening and closing a path through which the powder raw material is discharged to the outside.

[0052] The discharge valve can adjust the overall differential pressure and internal pressure of the main reactor 200 and the cyclone unit 400. For example, when the discharge valve is closed, the path through which the powder raw material is discharged from the second cyclone 420 to the outside is blocked, so that the internal pressure of the main reactor 200 and the cyclone unit 400 can be increased.

[0053] The primary reactor 200, the first cyclone 410, and the second cyclone 420 may be supported by a support frame 500. The support frame 500 may include a housing / structure for supporting the primary reactor 200, the first cyclone 410, and the second cyclone 420. EXAMPLES

[0054] In the present invention, a fluidized bed dry density classification was carried out on black powder from which Cu and Al, which are current collectors for lithium secondary batteries, were removed. The main reactor 200 was made of an acrylic material with a diameter of 50 mm so that the fluidization of the powder raw material powder could be visually confirmed.

[0055] The height of the main reactor 200 was set to about 1500 mm from the dispersion plate to ensure the flow distance of the powder raw material powder. Since the carbon contained in the powder raw material has a relatively low density compared to other substances in the powder raw material, it was possible to recover the powder raw material powder containing a larger amount of relatively low-density carbon through the cyclone unit 400.

[0056] The cyclone unit 400 improves the efficiency of classifying the powder raw material by comprising a first cyclone 410 and a second cyclone 420 arranged in series. The average carbon content of the initial 300 g of the powder raw material was measured by thermogravimetry.

[0057] The powder raw material used in this embodiment is a black powder for a lithium ion secondary battery in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery, a binder, and other organic substances are mixed. Therefore, in order to confirm the carbon content more accurately, a carbon / sulfur analyzer and a thermogravimetric analyzer were used to analyze the powder raw material.

[0058] First, the powder raw material was fed into the main reactor 200, and 20 to 30 LPM of air was supplied to the main reactor 200 via the gas supplier 300, thereby fluidizing the powder raw material in the main reactor 200. In order to stably form a fluidized bed of the powder raw material in the main reactor 200, a dispersion plate was installed in the main reactor 200. Two types of dispersion plates with dispersion holes of 1 mm diameter and 2 mm diameter were installed in the main reactor 200 and an experiment was performed. After the powder raw material in the main reactor 200 was fluidized for a certain period of time, a thermogravimetric analysis was performed on the powder raw material powder collected in the first cyclone 410, and the change in the carbon content relative to the powder raw material was analyzed.

[0059] Referring to Figure 3, the results of the thermogravimetric analysis of the powder raw material showed a weight loss of about 6% up to 370°C. This was determined to be the temperature range in which the binder and other organic substances used in the manufacture of secondary battery electrodes would decompose. It was estimated that full-scale carbon decomposition would occur in the range of 600-800°C. The analysis results of the raw carbon are shown in Table 2 below.

[0060] [Table 2]

[0061] Thermogravimetric analysis showed that no additional weight loss occurred at temperatures above 800°C, with the final mass remaining at 57% of the powder raw material.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, after testing fluidized bed classification of powder raw material using a dispersion plate with a dispersion hole of 1 mm, the powder raw material powder collected in the first cyclone 410 showed the same weight loss as the powder raw material up to 600° C., but at high temperatures of 800° C. or higher, the weight was finally reduced by 36.2%.

[0063] This is because, when comparing only the remaining weight under the assumption that carbon was completely removed after the completion of the thermogravimetric analysis, it was confirmed that approximately 36% of carbon was further collected in the primary cyclone due to the fluidized bed where relatively light carbon was formed. This was because, as a result of the carbon / sulfur analysis of the primary cyclone, the carbon content of the powder raw material powder was an average of 62.88%, and the quantitative classification efficiency of carbon was analyzed to be approximately 34%, which was confirmed to be similar to the thermogravimetric analysis.

[0064] 5, the results of the thermogravimetric analysis of fluidized bed classification under the same conditions using a dispersion plate with 1 mm dispersion holes showed the same weight loss behavior up to 600°C, with 37.8% of the weight remaining. When converted in the same manner as above, 33% of carbon was further captured in the first cyclone, and the carbon / sulfur analysis of the first cyclone 410 with a dispersion plate with 1 mm dispersion holes showed 61.13%, confirming that the classification efficiency was about 32%.

[0065] For example, the carbon separation system according to the present invention can remove about 30% of the carbon from the powder raw material powder through a dry process, and it is expected that the amount of COx gas generated can be reduced by up to 30% or more when carbon is removed by heat treatment.

[0066] 6, as a modified example of the present invention, the main reactor 200 may include a multi-stage reaction body 210 having different diameters in the longitudinal direction. As an example, the reaction body 210 may have a two-stage structure providing a first-stage body portion 212 and a second-stage body portion 213 having a diameter larger than that of the first-stage body portion 212.

[0067] When the main reactor 200 is constructed in two stages with different diameter sizes, the flow rate decreases where the diameter increases, making classification easier. This is because, in the case of a main reactor with a constant diameter, a constant flow rate is maintained up to the top of the main reactor 200, so the flow rate and pressure must be adjusted more finely and the length of the main reactor 200 must be relatively long. On the other hand, when the main reactor 200 is constructed in two stages with different diameters, re-sedimentation of relatively heavy powder occurs due to the reduced flow rate, so the total height of the main reactor 200 can be reduced compared to a main reactor with a constant diameter.

[0068] The diameter of the upper reactor body 210 may be at least twice as large as that of the lower reactor body 210. For example, the diameter of the second-stage body 213 may be at least twice as large as that of the first-stage body 212. As a result, the powder moving upward from the first-stage body 212 to the second-stage body 213 continues to be fluidized from the dispersion plate 220 to the first-stage body 212 due to a decrease in flow rate, and the relatively heavy powder re-sedimentates, while the relatively light carbon flow moves to the first cyclone 410.

[0069] Comparing the length of the second stage body part 213 and the length of the first stage body part 212, the ratio of the length of the second stage body part 213 to the length of the first stage body part 212 may be 1:1, and the length of the second stage body part 213 may be shorter than the length of the first stage body part 212. This does not have much to do with the size of the hydrocyclone. In the case of a hydrocyclone, the height of the cylindrical part, the height of the conical part, the height of the inlet, the width of the inlet, etc. can be considered for recovery efficiency, and can be determined according to the particle size and density of the material to be recovered. Furthermore, the design of the hydrocyclone can take into account the gas inflow velocity, etc., and the design of such a hydrocyclone may depend on the operating conditions (flow rate, particle size, density, etc.) rather than the design value of the reaction body.

[0070] In this embodiment, the main reactor 200 has been described as having a two-stage structure with different diameters, but is not limited thereto, and the main reactor 200 may have a three or more stages with different diameters.

[0071] Hereinafter, a method for separating carbon from black powder for secondary batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 7, the method for carbon separation of secondary battery black powder may include step S100 of supplying a powder raw material to a main reactor, step S200 of supplying a gas to the main reactor, step S300 of supplying the powder raw material to a cyclone unit, and step S400 of recovering carbon.

[0073] In the step S100 of supplying the powder raw material to the main reactor, the powder raw material contained in a raw material supplying machine may be supplied to the main reactor. The powder raw material supplied to the main reactor may be black powder of a lithium ion secondary battery. The main reactor may be provided with a dispersion plate having a dispersion hole of 1 mm or a dispersion plate having a dispersion hole of 2 mm.

[0074] In the step S200 of supplying gas to the main reactor, a gas from a gas supplier may be supplied to the main reactor while the powder raw material is being supplied to the main reactor. The supply of gas into the main reactor may fluidize the powder raw material in the main reactor while forming a fluidized bed. The supply flow rate of the gas supplied from the gas supplier may be in the range of 1 to 100 LPM (Liter / Min).

[0075] In step S300 of supplying the powder raw material to the cyclone unit, when the powder raw material forms a stable fluidized bed in the main reactor through the gas supply in the main reactor, the powder raw material suspended at the upper end of the main reactor, in other words, the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon, can be supplied to the cyclone unit.

[0076] In the carbon recovering step S400, a powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon can be recovered. The powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon can be understood as a powder raw material containing more carbon than the powder raw material supplied from the raw material supplying machine.

[0077] In the carbon recovering step S400, a powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon may be primarily recovered through a first cyclone connected to an upper end of the main reactor, and a powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon may be secondarily recovered through a second cyclone connected continuously to the first cyclone.

[0078] As described above, the present invention has an excellent advantage that when the black powder is used as a raw material in a recycling process by selectively separating and removing carbon from the black powder of a lithium secondary battery, the efficiency of the recycling process for the black powder can be improved, and the carbon contained in the black powder can be selectively removed using density classification, thereby minimizing the COx gas generated during high-temperature heat treatment of the black powder.

[0079] Although the examples of the present invention have been described as specific embodiments, these are merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and should be construed as having the broadest scope according to the basic idea disclosed in this specification. A person skilled in the art may combine / replace the disclosed embodiments to implement patterns of shapes not shown, but this would not depart from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art may easily change or modify the embodiments disclosed based on this specification, and it is clear that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10: carbon separation system, 20: carbon separation method, 100: raw material supplying machine, 200: main reactor, 210: reaction body, 220: distribution plate, 221: distribution hole, 300: gas supplying machine, 400: cyclone unit, 410: first cyclone, 411: first cyclone section, 412: first recovery section, 413: first inlet pipe section, 414: first discharge pipe section, 415: first inlet valve, 416: first recovery valve, 420: second cyclone, 421: second cyclone section, 422: first recovery section, 423: first inlet pipe section, 424: first discharge pipe section, 425: first inlet valve, 426: first recovery valve, 500: support frame.

Claims

1. a raw material feeder for feeding the powder raw material; a main reactor including a long chamber extending in a vertical direction so that the powder raw material can flow in the vertical direction; a gas supply that supplies gas to the long chamber so as to flow the powder feedstock in the main reactor; and A cyclone unit is connected to the upper end of the main reactor, receives the powder raw material suspended in the upper end of the main reactor, and recovers carbon from the powder raw material; The cyclone unit comprises: a first cyclone connected in series to the upper end of the primary reactor; and a second cyclone connected in series to the first cyclone; Including, The powder material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon is first passed through the first cyclone and collected; The powder material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon is then passed through the second cyclone and collected. Carbon sorting system for secondary battery black powder.

2. The main reactor comprises: a reaction body having an upper end connected to the raw material supplier, a lower end connected to the gas supplier, and an elongated chamber provided therein; and a dispersion plate disposed in a lower portion of the long chamber and providing a plurality of dispersion holes for the gas to pass therethrough; The secondary battery black powder carbon sorting system according to claim 1.

3. The dispersion holes are Having a diameter in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm, The carbon sorting system for secondary battery black powder according to claim 2.

4. The gas supplier includes: A gas in the range of 1 to 100 LPM (Liter / Min) is supplied to the main reactor to fluidize the powder raw material; The secondary battery black powder carbon sorting system according to claim 1.

5. The first cyclone is a first cyclone unit for primarily separating the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon by using centrifugal force; a first collection section connected to a lower end of the first cyclone section for collecting the powder raw material that has been primarily separated; a first inlet pipe section connecting the upper end of the main reactor and the first cyclone section; and A first discharge pipe portion that guides the powder raw material that is rising and swirling in the first cyclone portion to the outside of the first cyclone portion, The second cyclone a second cyclone section for secondarily separating the powder raw material containing more than a predetermined amount of carbon by using centrifugal force; a second collection section connected to a lower end of the second cyclone section for collecting the powder raw material that has been secondarily separated; a second inlet pipe portion connecting the first discharge pipe portion and the second cyclone portion; and A second discharge pipe portion that guides the powder raw material rotating upward in the second cyclone portion to the outside of the second cyclone portion, The secondary battery black powder carbon sorting system according to claim 1.

6. A fluororesin coating (PTFE) is formed on the inner walls of the main reactor and the cyclone unit; The secondary battery black powder carbon sorting system according to claim 1.

7. The reaction entity is A first stage body portion; and a second-stage body portion inclinedly connected to an upper portion of the first-stage body portion so as to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the first-stage body portion; The diameter of the second stage body portion is at least twice as large as the diameter of the first stage body portion. The carbon sorting system for secondary battery black powder according to claim 2.

8. feeding a powder feedstock into a primary reactor; supplying a gas to the primary reactor so as to flow the powder feedstock in the primary reactor; feeding the powder raw material suspended at the upper end of the main reactor into a cyclone unit; and recovering carbon from the powder feedstock in the cyclone unit; The carbon recovery step includes: the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon is primarily recovered through a first cyclone connected to the upper end of the main reactor, and the powder raw material containing more than a preset amount of carbon is secondarily recovered through a second cyclone connected continuously to the first cyclone; Carbon sorting method for secondary battery black powder.

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