Shredded battery material and battery disposal method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shredded battery material and a battery disposal method, wherein the shredded battery material is a shredded battery material obtained by dispersing and disposing at least one unit shredded battery material, and has an R value of 190 to 260 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image.

Description

Battery shredders and battery disposal methods

[0001] As for waste batteries, it relates to battery shredders extracted from waste battery recycling and a method for processing batteries.

[0002] As global demand for electric vehicles grows, the disposal of waste batteries generated from these vehicles is emerging as a social issue. Lithium secondary batteries, the primary raw material for these waste batteries, contain organic solvents, explosive materials, and heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and iron. However, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium are valuable metals with high scarcity value. Therefore, the recovery and recycling processes for discarded lithium secondary batteries are emerging as a key research area.

[0003] Specifically, a lithium secondary battery is mainly composed of copper and aluminum used as a current collector, Li, Ni, Co, Mn-containing oxides constituting a positive electrode material, and graphite used as an negative electrode material, and includes a separator separating the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material, and an electrolyte injected into the separator. The solvent used as the solvent and salt constituting the electrolyte is mainly a mixture of carbonate organic substances such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, and for example, LiPF6 is used.

[0004] In order to utilize the above-mentioned waste batteries, development is actively underway on a waste battery recycling process that crushes the waste batteries to produce intermediate materials such as waste battery shreds or black powder, and then recovers valuable metals through a post-process.

[0005] However, in the waste battery recycling process, the waste battery generally has a voltage in the range of 3.0 to 3.2 V in a fully discharged state per cell, although this voltage varies depending on the number of times the battery has been used or its condition, and has a voltage close to 4 V in a fully charged state. Therefore, in a module or pack in which tens to hundreds of cells are connected, the residual voltage has a considerable amount of energy, so when an external shock is applied to the waste battery to physically disassemble it, safety related to explosion or electric shock of the battery becomes a problem.

[0006] To prevent this, the battery requires pretreatment to minimize chemical energy reactions before battery shredding, such as by salt water discharge, electrical discharge, or freezing.

[0007] Salt discharge is a representative wet treatment method, while electric discharge or cryogenic treatment is a dry treatment method. If copper impurities are introduced into the downstream process during the pretreatment step, the high copper impurity content can lead to a decrease in the recovery rate of valuable metals.

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide battery scrap that contains a minimum amount of copper impurities, thereby reducing the content of impurities when added to a post-process and increasing the recovery rate of valuable metals.

[0009] Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery processing method for selecting battery waste that contains excessive impurities such as copper from among battery waste recovered from pretreatment in a post-process, thereby reducing the content of impurities when input to a post-process and increasing the recovery rate of valuable metals.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least one unit battery shredder is disposed in a dispersed manner, and the captured two-dimensional image may have an R value of 190 to 260 in RGB. In one embodiment, the captured two-dimensional image may have a G value of 120 to 230 in RGB.

[0011] In one embodiment, the captured two-dimensional image may have a B value of 90 to 190 in RGB. In one embodiment, the captured two-dimensional image may have a standard deviation of an R value of 22 to 30 in RGB. In one embodiment, the area fraction of the copper based on the captured two-dimensional image may be 5.0 to 10.0% of the total area.

[0012] In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may include a separator having a positive electrode or a negative electrode laminated on at least one surface. In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may include a current collector layer in which copper (Cu) is disposed within the negative electrode.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery processing method may include the steps of preprocessing a battery, shredding the preprocessed battery, photographing an image of the shredded result, extracting a color of the shredded result from the photographed image, and classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color. In one embodiment, the step of preprocessing the battery may include the step of preparing the battery and the step of forcibly discharging the battery.

[0014] In one embodiment, the step of shredding the preprocessed battery and the step of capturing an image of the shredded result may include a step of dispersing the shredded result. In one embodiment, the step of extracting the color of the shredded result from the captured image may include a step of extracting RGB values.

[0015] In one embodiment, the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color may classify and remove over-discharged battery shreds having an R value of 175 to 185 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result. In one embodiment, the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color may classify and remove over-discharged battery shreds having a G value of 125 to 140 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result.

[0016] In one embodiment, the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color may classify and remove over-discharged battery shreds having a B value of 100 to 120 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result. In one embodiment, the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color may classify and remove over-discharged battery shreds having an area fraction of copper of 2.0 to 4.5% of the total area based on the captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method may include a step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color, followed by a step of crushing the sorted battery shreds from which the over-discharged battery shreds have been removed from the shredded result.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery shredder has an average R value of 190 to 260 in RGB of the surface of the battery shredder, thereby minimizing contamination by copper and preventing the problem of the recovery rate of valuable metals being lowered due to an increase in the content of impurities such as copper when applied to a post-process.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery processing method includes a method of sorting battery scrap having an average R value of 190 to 260 in RGB from battery scrap, thereby preventing the problem of a high content of impurities such as copper and a lower recovery rate of valuable metals when applied to a post-process.

[0020] FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate photographs of battery shreds according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figures 2a to 2c show photographs of battery shreds according to comparative examples of the present invention.

[0022] The terms first, second, and third, etc., are used to describe, but are not limited to, various parts, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These terms are used solely to distinguish one part, component, region, layer, or section from another part, component, region, layer, or section. Accordingly, a first part, component, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as a second part, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "singular" and "comprising" include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "comprising" as used herein specifies a particular feature, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0024] When a part is referred to as being "on" or "over" another part, it can be directly on or over the other part, or there may be other parts intervening. Conversely, when a part is referred to as being "directly on" another part, there are no other parts intervening.

[0025] Although not defined otherwise, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are further interpreted to have meanings consistent with the relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal unless otherwise defined.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, these are presented as examples and the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims set forth below.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery shredder may be a dispersed arrangement of at least one unit battery shredder. Specifically, the unit battery shredder is intended for recovering valuable metals from spent batteries and has a layered structure including a separator with a positive or negative electrode laminated on at least one surface.

[0028] Specifically, the layered structure may include a configuration in which an anode or cathode is included on one surface or both surfaces of the separator based on the separator. More specifically, the number of layers of the layered structure may correspond to the number of separators.

[0029] The above layered structure includes, for example, any one of anode-separator-cathode, anode-separator, separator-anode, separator-cathode, and cathode-separator, and for example, anode-separator-cathode-separator-anode-separator-cathode may have a three-layered layered structure. Specifically, the unit battery shredder may have a predetermined thickness in the thickness direction as at least one or more layers are laminated.

[0030] In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may include a current collector layer in which copper (Cu) is disposed within the negative electrode. The negative electrode may include a current collector, and specifically, the current collector may include a copper (Cu) foil, and the unit battery shredder may include a current collector layer including copper.

[0031] In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may satisfy the following condition 1.

[0032] <Condition 1> The above layered structure may be a laminated structure having 1 or more layers and 7 or fewer layers.

[0033] The above unit battery shredder may have a layered structure having a laminated structure of one or more layers and no more than seven layers. Specifically, the layered structure may have a laminated structure of one or more layers and no more than five layers.

[0034] The above layered structure can minimize the temperature rise of the shredded material and allow an appropriate heating time to be taken as the layered structure is laminated within the above range. If the layered structure is laminated thicker than the upper limit of the above range, the temperature rise increases excessively and the heating time also increases, which may cause a fire as the material combusts.

[0035] In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may satisfy the following condition 2.

[0036] <Condition 2> The size of the above unit battery shreds may be 100 mm or less based on the longest axis among the horizontal, vertical, and height directions.

[0037] In one embodiment, the unit battery shredder may have a size of 100 mm or less based on its longitudinal axis. Specifically, the size of the unit battery shredder may be 50 mm or less. If the size of the unit battery shredder is excessively large, there is a problem that the temperature of the battery shredder itself may rise above 100°C, which increases the possibility of a fire occurring.

[0038] In one embodiment, the battery shredder may have an R value of 190 to 260 in the RGB of a captured two-dimensional image. The RGB value of the two-dimensional image refers to a value measured by shining external light on the shredder in the visible light region having a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm and capturing the reflected light of the light projected on the shredder with a video camera. Specifically, the RGB value is obtained by measuring a two-dimensional image based on an area of ​​260 mm × 300 mm for the battery shredder in which unit battery shredders are dispersed and arranged, measuring the RGB value from the two-dimensional image, and then extracting the R value. Specifically, the R value may be 191 to 255. Since the R value satisfies the above-mentioned range, it can be utilized to manufacture a black powder with minimized copper impurities.

[0039] If the above R value is outside the lower limit of the aforementioned range, there is a problem that copper is ionized and precipitated, causing the color of the current collector of the battery shreds to precipitate in a dark brown color, and a problem that a large amount of copper impurities are contained in the resultant product, thereby reducing the efficiency of recovering valuable metals.

[0040] In one embodiment, the battery shredder may have a G value of 120 to 230 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image. Specifically, the RGB value is obtained by measuring a two-dimensional image captured of the battery shredder in which unit battery shredders are dispersed and arranged, measuring RGB values ​​from the two-dimensional image, and then extracting the G value. Specifically, the G value may be 128 to 228. Since the G value satisfies the above-described range, it can be utilized to manufacture a black powder with minimized copper impurities.

[0041] If the above G value is outside the lower limit of the aforementioned range, there is a problem that copper is ionized and precipitated, causing the color of the current collector of the battery shreds to precipitate in a dark brown color, and a problem that a large amount of copper impurities are contained in the resultant product, thereby reducing the efficiency of recovering valuable metals.

[0042] In one embodiment, the battery shredder may have a B value of 90 to 190 in the RGB of the captured two-dimensional image. Specifically, the RGB value is obtained by measuring a two-dimensional image captured for the battery shredder in which the unit battery shredders are dispersed and arranged, measuring the RGB value from the two-dimensional image, and then extracting the B value. Specifically, the B value may be 97 to 185. Since the B value satisfies the above-mentioned range, it can be utilized to manufacture a black powder with minimized copper impurities. If the B value is outside the lower limit of the above-mentioned range, there is a problem that copper is ionized and precipitated, causing the color of the current collector of the battery shredder to precipitate to a dark brown color, and there is a problem that a large amount of copper impurities are contained in the resultant product, thereby lowering the efficiency of recovering valuable metals.

[0043] In one embodiment, the RGB of the two-dimensional image measured based on the area of ​​260 mm × 300 mm may have a standard deviation of R values ​​of 22 to 30. Specifically, the standard deviation refers to a value calculated by randomly sampling several sections of colors of Cu, which is a desired detection target, from the fragments dispersed from the RGB values ​​obtained from the two-dimensional image, checking the RGB values, and calculating the distribution range of the Cu color. The standard deviation of the R value may have a standard deviation of R values ​​of 23 to 25.

[0044] In one embodiment, the RGB of the captured two-dimensional image may have a standard deviation of G values ​​of 30 to 40. Specifically, the standard deviation of the G values ​​may have a value of 33 to 36.

[0045] In one embodiment, the RGB of the captured two-dimensional image may have a standard deviation of B values ​​of 25 to 35. Specifically, the standard deviation of the B values ​​may have a value of 27 to 30.

[0046] In this way, battery shreds whose RGB values ​​satisfy the aforementioned range are battery shreds that have undergone preprocessing in the normal discharge range, and by selecting normally discharged battery shreds rather than over-discharged battery shreds and performing a subsequent process, black powder with minimized impurities such as copper can be manufactured.

[0047] In one embodiment, the area fraction of copper in the battery shredder may be 5.0 to 10.0% based on a captured two-dimensional image. Specifically, the area fraction of copper is obtained by measuring a two-dimensional image based on an area of ​​260 mm × 300 mm for the battery shredder in which unit battery shredders are dispersed and arranged, extracting the color of copper from the two-dimensional image, and expressing the area fraction that the color of copper occupies based on 100% of the area of ​​260 mm × 300 mm.

[0048] The above copper area fraction can be satisfied in the range of 5.0 to 10.0%, specifically, 6.0 to 9.8%, and more specifically, 6.9 to 9.6%. By satisfying the above-mentioned range of copper area fraction, it is possible to confirm a crushed material treated under pretreatment conditions capable of minimizing impurities.

[0049] If the area fraction of the copper is outside the upper limit of the above-mentioned range, there may be a problem that the level of impurities in the post-process increases beyond the optimized dry crushing conditions. If the area fraction of the copper is outside the lower limit of the above-mentioned range, there may be a problem that the probability of impurity generation increases because the electric discharge is outside the existing range conditions.

[0050] A battery processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of preprocessing a battery, shredding the preprocessed battery, photographing an image of a shredded result, extracting a color of the shredded result from the photographed image, classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the extracted shredded result, and crushing the sorted battery shreds from which the over-discharged battery shreds have been removed from the shredded result.

[0051] The step of preprocessing the battery may include a step of preparing the battery and a step of forcibly discharging the battery. In the step of preparing the battery, the battery may be, for example, a lithium secondary battery separated from an automobile, a secondary battery separated from an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a camera, or a laptop, and specifically, a lithium secondary battery.

[0052] The step of forcibly discharging the battery may be a step of lowering the voltage within the battery, and may be a step of adjusting the voltage slightly remaining within the battery to drop close to 0 V. Specifically, by performing the forcibly discharging step, even if a short circuit occurs where the positive and negative electrodes within the battery are in direct contact, a battery reaction does not occur, so the battery temperature does not increase, preventing gas generation and combustion of the electrolyte.

[0053] The step of crushing a preprocessed battery may involve applying external force to the discharged battery to crush it. Specifically, the step of crushing the battery may refer to a process of applying impact or pressure to the battery to cause a portion of the battery to detach from the battery.

[0054] In one embodiment, the step of shredding the battery may include any of the following: crushing the battery, cutting the battery, compressing the battery, or a combination thereof. Specifically, the step of shredding may include any process that destroys the battery to produce small-sized shredded materials.

[0055] In one embodiment, the step of crushing the battery may include any process of destroying the battery by compressing the battery or applying an external force, such as a shear force or a tensile force. The step of crushing the battery may be performed, for example, using a crusher.

[0056] In one embodiment, the step of crushing the battery may be performed at least once. Specifically, the step of crushing may be performed at least once, either continuously or discontinuously.

[0057] In one embodiment, the step of crushing the battery may be performed under conditions in which an inert gas, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water, or a combination thereof is supplied, or under vacuum conditions of 100 torr or less. By performing crushing in such an atmosphere, explosion of the battery can be prevented, and the vaporization of the electrolyte can be suppressed, thereby preventing the generation of flammable gases such as ethylene, propylene, or hydrogen.

[0058] The step of taking an image of the shredded result may be a step of measuring a two-dimensional image based on an area of ​​260 mm × 300 mm for the battery shreds in which the unit battery shreds are distributed and arranged.

[0059] The step of extracting the color of the shredded result from the photographed image may be a step of extracting RGB values ​​from the image. Specifically, the step of extracting the color of the shredded result may be such that each of the entire pixels included in the area of ​​the designated region of interest from the image has an RGB value, and a pixel included in the previously derived RGB reference value range is set to '1', and a pixel outside the range is set to '0' (or vice versa), thereby extracting a desired region from the photographed image.

[0060] In one embodiment, a step of dispersing the shredded product may be included between the step of shredding the preprocessed battery and the step of capturing an image of the shredded product. Specifically, the step of dispersing the shredded product may be a step of evenly dispersing the battery shreds using a vacuum or external force. By performing the dispersing step, it is advantageous in that it facilitates color extraction for a large quantity of unit battery shreds.

[0061] The step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color may be a step of sorting and removing over-discharged battery shreds based on the extracted color. In the step of classifying and removing the over-discharged battery shreds, the characteristics of the over-discharged battery shreds are as follows.

[0062] In one embodiment, the over-discharged battery shreds may have an R value of 175 to 185 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image, for example, 260 mm × 300 mm. In one embodiment, the over-discharged battery shreds may have a G value of 125 to 140 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image, for example, 260 mm × 300 mm. In one embodiment, the over-discharged battery shreds may have a B value of 100 to 120 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image.

[0063] The RGB values ​​of the above two-dimensional image refer to values ​​measured in the visible light range using lighting and camera optical equipment. Specifically, the RGB values ​​are obtained by measuring a two-dimensional image captured of battery shreds in which unit battery shreds are dispersed and arranged, measuring the RGB values ​​of each pixel from the two-dimensional image, and then extracting the R value, G value, and B value.

[0064] The over-discharged battery shreds continue to discharge even after all lithium has been removed from the graphite in the anode. This can oxidize the copper foil, which serves as the anode current collector, releasing copper ions into the electrolyte. These copper ions then penetrate the separator and deposit on the surface of the cathode. Consequently, when the over-discharged battery shreds are fed into a post-process, the copper impurity content increases, which reduces the recovery rate of the valuable metal recovery alloy in the post-process.

[0065] By selecting and removing the over-discharged battery shreds having the aforementioned color, only the normally discharged battery shreds are selected and inputted into the subsequent process, thereby reducing the content of impurities and increasing the recovery rate of the valuable metal recovery alloy.

[0066] In one embodiment, the step of extracting the color of the shredded result from the photographed image may include the step of extracting the area fraction of copper. Specifically, the step of extracting the color of the shredded result may include checking the RGB values ​​of pixels of the region of interest of the photographed image corresponding to the color of copper from the photographed image, converting values ​​included in the desired reference detection range into '1' and those outside the desired reference detection range into '0', and checking the area fraction of the color corresponding to copper.

[0067] In one embodiment, the area fraction of copper may be 2.0 to 4.5% based on a captured two-dimensional image of the over-discharged battery shreds. Specifically, the area fraction may be 2.00 to 4.15%. As described above, it can be confirmed that the over-discharged battery shreds have a lower copper area fraction than the normally discharged battery shreds, as copper ions penetrate the separator and are deposited on the surface of the cathode material.

[0068] As described above, by classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the battery shreds and selecting battery shreds that have undergone normal discharge, black powder with a low content of impurities can be manufactured in a post-process.

[0069] In one embodiment, the method may include a step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color, followed by a step of crushing the sorted battery shreds from which the over-discharged battery shreds have been removed from the shredded result. The crushing step may be a step of turning the shreds into a fine powder. Specifically, the crushing step may be a step of processing the shreds into a size of several hundred micrometers.

[0070]

[0071] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments and comparative examples of the present invention are described. However, the following examples are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0072]

[0073] Experimental example

[0074] <Example> - Normal discharge stabilization treatment

[0075] Preprocessing stage

[0076] A 2,750 g NCM battery was prepared using a waste battery, and the waste battery was subjected to an electric discharge process to lower the voltage of the waste battery.

[0077] At this time, the conditions for the above electric discharge were performed under the conditions of SOC 30 to 60% or less.

[0078]

[0079] Battery shredding stage

[0080] The above-mentioned waste batteries were shredded under frozen conditions using a shredder so that the longest length or width of the waste batteries was less than 100 mm.

[0081]

[0082] Distributed processing stage

[0083] A dispersion process was performed, which involved applying vibration so that the shredded waste battery debris fell to the bottom of the shredder and spread widely. Specifically, the dispersion process was performed using a vibrating device under conditions that allowed the target shredded material to be set up in a designated area. For example, if the shredded material was placed in a designated case, the upper portion of the shredded material could be photographed under the same conditions.

[0084]

[0085] Color photography and detection steps for battery shredders

[0086] The region of interest (ROI) of the captured image was measured using an optical device using lighting and a camera, specifically, a Basler ace acA2500 color camera and a flat dome light, for the dispersed waste battery shreds. More specifically, for the dispersed waste battery shreds, the RGB value of each pixel value in the region of interest, 260 mm x 300 mm, was identified, and a video image was taken so that the RGB range for the designated preprocessing conditions could be identified and the area could be calculated. However, it is not limited to the corresponding region. Whether or not to transmit to the post-process was determined based on the ratio of the area of ​​the extracted copper to the total area.

[0087]

[0088] FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate photographs of battery shreds according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] FIG. 1A is a photograph of battery shreds according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is an enlarged photograph of battery shreds according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1C is an image in which the color of copper is extracted from FIG. 1A.

[0090]

[0091] <Comparative Example> - Overdischarge stabilization treatment

[0092] In the above pretreatment step, the conditions for electric discharge were the same as in the example except that overdischarging was performed so that the reverse voltage was applied from 0 V to 0 V or less.

[0093]

[0094] Figures 2a to 2c show photographs of battery shreds according to comparative examples of the present invention.

[0095] FIG. 2a is a photograph of a battery shredder according to a comparative example of the present invention, FIG. 2b is an enlarged photograph of a battery shredder according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2c is an image of the color of copper from FIG. 2a.

[0096]

[0097] Table 1 below shows the RGB color table of the battery shreds when the batteries subjected to electric discharge were shredded according to the examples and comparative examples.

[0098] The RGB color table above was used to randomly select 10 points for each location of the battery shreds and check the result values.

[0099] Color classification 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean Maximum Minimum Standard Deviation Example R 2 5 3 2 2 5 2 3 2 2 5 5 2 1 6 2 5 5 1 9 1 2 1 4 2 5 4 2 0 4 2 3 0 2 5 5 1 9 1 2 4 G 1 8 5 1 4 9 1 6 2 1 9 1 2 8 1 4 9 1 9 6 1 4 5 1 7 1 2 8 1 2 8 3 4 B 1 4 6 1 1 5 1 2 9 1 8 5 1 1 2 1 6 1 9 7 1 1 7 1 561051321859728Comparison ExampleR18018618817718618517617917211717518817621G1181211231181291331131311201161221331137B97101103100110111651099898991116513

[0100] Table 2 below shows the ratio of the area occupied by the color corresponding to copper when the color corresponding to copper was extracted from the shredded battery when the battery that performed the electric discharge was shredded according to the examples and comparative examples. The color corresponding to copper was measured by taking an RGB image of the shredded material within a measurable focal length using an optical device using lighting and a camera, and calculating the fraction by measuring the number of pixels included in the detection range relative to the total area in the range of 260 mm × 300 mm, which is the region of interest.

[0101] Classification 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Average Maximum Minimum Standard Deviation Example 9.5 19.0 39.2 77.7 9 8.8 08.5 06.9 39.0 28.2 49.5 38.6 69.5 36.9 30.8 2 Comparative Example 2.8 6 2.8 12.7 8 2.9 12.0 02.7 32.9 33.0 43.6 34.1 52.9 8 0.5 7 4.1 5 0.5 7

[0102] Looking at Table 1 above, it can be confirmed that in the case of normal discharge, compared to over-discharge, the R, G, and B values ​​in the RGB color values ​​are higher. This can be seen as being close to the color of copper metal, and in the case of over-discharge, it means that the copper is ionized and deposited, so it changes to a darker tone. Looking at Table 2 above, it can be confirmed that in the case of normal discharge, the color area corresponding to copper occupies about 8.66% based on the 260 mm x 300 mm area, and in the case of over-discharge, it can be confirmed that it is low at about 2.98%. This is because, during the crushing process, the graphite attached to the copper collector in the Example was easily separated compared to the Comparative Example, and in the Comparative Example, the bonding force of the graphite attached to the copper collector was stronger due to precipitation, so that the graphite was relatively bonded to the copper collector, and the proportion of the color area corresponding to copper was low.

[0103]

[0104] <Evaluation Example> - Valuable Metal Recovery Rate

[0105] Table 3 below shows the recovery rate of valuable metals and the ratio of impurities when black powder was obtained by crushing examples and comparative examples.

[0106] The above-mentioned recovery rate of valuable metals and the ratio of impurities were made into a black mass form and the ratio of the analyzed elements was measured using an (ICP analysis) device.

[0107] When the Cu content in the black powder of the comparative example increases, it can be confirmed that the recovery rates of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn decrease due to the process load in the wet refining process for Cu removal.

[0108] Valuable metal recovery rate [%] Impurity LiNiCoMnCu Example 709394940.33 Comparative example 548179823.96

[0109]

[0110] Classification stage

[0111] According to the Examples and Comparative Examples, a step was performed to sort out the comparative example fragments that had undergone overdischarge from the manufactured battery fragments so that they would not enter the post-process. Specifically, a step was performed to remove the comparative example fragments that had undergone overdischarge by detecting pixels corresponding to the discharge condition in the RGB color range and calculating the ratio of the detection area to the total area.

[0112]

[0113] crushing stage

[0114] A step was performed to remove the fragments of the comparative example that had undergone overdischarge and to crush them to have particle sizes of several hundred μm using the crushing equipment of the example.

[0115]

[0116] Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. As to battery shreds, wherein at least one unit of battery shreds is distributed and arranged, Battery shreds having an R value of 190 to 260 in RGB of the captured two-dimensional image.

2. In paragraph 1, Battery shreds having a G value of 120 to 230 in RGB of the captured two-dimensional image.

3. In paragraph 1, Battery shreds having a B value of 90 to 190 in RGB of the captured two-dimensional image.

4. In paragraph 1, Battery shreds having a standard deviation of R values ​​of 22 to 30 in RGB of the captured two-dimensional image.

5. In paragraph 1, Battery shreds having an area fraction of copper of 5.0 to 10.0% of the total area based on the captured two-dimensional image.

6. In paragraph 1, The above unit battery shredder is a battery shredder comprising a separator having a positive electrode or a negative electrode laminated on at least one surface.

7. In paragraph 1, The above unit battery shredder is a battery shredder including a current collector layer in which copper (Cu) is disposed within the negative electrode.

8. Step of preprocessing the battery; Step of crushing the preprocessed batteries; A step of taking an image of the shredded result; A step of extracting the color of the shredded result from the captured image; and A battery processing method comprising a step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color.

9. In paragraph 8, The step of preprocessing the above battery is: Step of preparing the above battery; and A battery processing method comprising a step of forcibly discharging the battery.

10. In paragraph 8, Between the step of shredding the preprocessed battery and the step of taking an image of the shredded result, A battery processing method comprising a step of dispersing the above shredded result.

11. In paragraph 8, A battery processing method, wherein the step of extracting the color of the shredded result from the photographed image includes the step of extracting RGB values.

12. In paragraph 11, A battery processing method for classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color, wherein the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds having an R value of 175 to 185 in RGB of a two-dimensional image captured for the shredded result.

13. In paragraph 11, A battery processing method in which the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color classifies and removes over-discharged battery shreds having a G value of 125 to 140 in RGB of a two-dimensional image captured for the shredded result.

14. In paragraph 11, A battery processing method in which the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery shreds from the shredded result based on the extracted color classifies and removes over-discharged battery shreds having a B value of 100 to 120 in RGB of a captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result.

15. In paragraph 8, A battery processing method in which the step of classifying and removing over-discharged battery debris from the shredded result based on the extracted color comprises classifying and removing over-discharged battery debris having an area fraction of copper of 2.0 to 4.5% of the total area based on a captured two-dimensional image of the shredded result.

16. In paragraph 8, After the step of classifying and removing the over-discharged battery fragments from the shredded results based on the extracted color, A battery processing method comprising the step of crushing selected battery shreds from which the over-discharged battery shreds are removed from the crushed result.

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