Solar cell module recycling treatment system and solar cell module recycling treatment method

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell module recycling treatment system for recycling solar cell modules (2), the solar cell module recycling treatment system comprising at least: a pyrolysis furnace (20) that pyrolytically processes a solar cell module mounted on a collection net (40); a collection unit (80) that collects gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace; and exhaust gas treatment units (82, 84, 86, 88) that treat the gas collected by the collection unit. The pyrolysis furnace is configured such that a filter (42) is provided horizontally within the furnace, the solar cell module mounted on the collection net prior to pyrolysis is loaded on the filter, and the solar cell module is subjected to pyrolysis in a batch process.

Description

Solar cell module recycling processing system and solar cell module recycling processing method

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a solar cell module recycling processing system and a solar cell module recycling processing method.

[0002] Towards the realization of a low-carbon society, acceleration of CO ２ emission reduction is being promoted through the utilization of renewable energy including solar power generation. While the adoption of solar power generation has progressed significantly, the issue of recycling at the time of disposal of solar cell modules has been pointed out.

[0003] A general solar cell module is composed of three members: the front side is a sheet glass, the inner side is a battery layer including cells and a sealing filler for sealing the cells, and the back side is a back sheet. In the battery layer, electric wires (also referred to as ribbon wires) connecting solar cell cells are wired. The sealing filler is required to have transparency, flexibility, adhesiveness, tensile strength, weather resistance and other properties, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (hereinafter abbreviated as "EVA") is generally used, which plays a role in bonding the sheet glass, cells and back sheet through heating and pressing.

[0004] When such a general solar cell module is heated by an electric furnace or the like in an oxidizing atmosphere, EVA melts at 80 to 120°C, deacetylation reaction of EVA occurs around 350°C, and thermal decomposition reaction of the main chain polyethylene portion occurs rapidly around 450°C. Technologies for recycling solar cell modules utilizing this thermal decomposition reaction have been disclosed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0005] However, since the thermal decomposition reaction at around 450°C occurs explosively, thermally decomposing solar cell modules of about 1m x 2m in size can cause fires and is unsuitable for large-scale applications. To solve this technical problem, a method for recovering solar cell element constituent materials has been disclosed (see Patent Document 3), which includes the steps of transporting the materials to a continuous heat treatment furnace in which the oxygen concentration inside the furnace is maintained at 1.0 volume% to 3.0 volume%, releasing and removing acetic acid gas, a type of EVA decomposition gas, in a preheating decomposition section set at 300 to 400°C, and then removing EVA decomposition gases other than acetic acid in a heat treatment section set at 400 to 550°C to remove the EVA encapsulant from the solar cell element and separate the cell part from the glass substrate.

[0006] Furthermore, the applicant has proposed a solar cell module recycling system comprising a conveyor on which solar cell modules are placed, a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis treatment of the solar cell modules placed on the conveyor, and a filter provided in the pyrolysis furnace for oxidative decomposition of the resin that has molten and fallen from the pyrolysis-treated solar cell modules, wherein at least the conveyor is provided to penetrate the pyrolysis furnace in the transport direction and has a plurality of through holes for allowing the resin to molten and fall (see Patent Document 4).

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 11-165150, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-59793, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-108375, International Publication No. 2024 / 162190

[0008] The method disclosed in Patent Document 3 involves thermally decomposing resins such as EVA under heating conditions in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or an atmosphere with a very low oxygen concentration to prevent rapid combustion reactions. However, controlling the oxygen concentration and temperature inside the furnace under the conditions of Patent Document 3 is complex and requires considerable technical skill to operate, so it cannot be considered a simple method.

[0009] On the other hand, the technology described in Patent Document 4 involves placing a heat-resistant material on which a transition metal oxide is supported inside a pyrolysis furnace. This makes it possible to handle large-panel solar cell modules and to perform processing that saves fuel and easily recovers valuable materials.

[0010] However, the technology described in Patent Document 4 requires approximately 11 to 17 MJ of energy to raise the temperature of the filter that oxidizes and decomposes the molten resin that falls from the thermally decomposed solar cell module, which has the problem of being very inefficient in terms of fuel consumption.

[0011] Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 4 is a continuous pyrolysis furnace in which a conveyor is installed to penetrate the pyrolysis furnace in the direction of transport. This requires large-scale equipment, and a problem is that the equipment introduction costs tend to be high.

[0012] Furthermore, the continuous pyrolysis furnaces described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 have the problem that running costs become high unless a certain amount of waste solar modules are prepared and operated, making them unsuitable for recycling small amounts of waste solar modules.

[0013] For these reasons, one embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell module recycling system and a recycling method that are fuel-efficient and capable of efficiently recycling waste solar cell modules according to the amount of modules to be processed.

[0014] The inventors diligently studied to solve the above problems. As a result, they have completed the present invention. Examples of the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention are, for example, the following [1] to

[12] .

[0015] [1] A solar cell module recycling system for recycling solar cell modules, comprising at least a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis of solar cell modules mounted on a collection network, a collection unit for collecting gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace, and an exhaust gas processing unit for processing the gas collected in the collection unit, wherein the pyrolysis furnace has a filter horizontally provided inside the furnace, and solar cell modules mounted on a collection network before pyrolysis are loaded on the filter and are pyrolysis in batches. [2] The solar cell module recycling system according to [1], further comprising a waiting and unloading unit for waiting for solar cell modules mounted on a collection network before pyrolysis in the pyrolysis furnace, and / or for unloading solar cell modules mounted on a collection network after pyrolysis in the pyrolysis furnace.

[0016] [3] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to [1] or [2], wherein the pyrolysis furnace is equipped with a heater on the ceiling side. [4] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the collection unit has a fan that sends the collected gas to the exhaust gas processing unit.

[0017] [5] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the exhaust gas processing unit is provided with an augmenter that injects fuel into the exhaust gas for re-combustion. [6] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein a plurality of pyrolysis furnaces are provided.

[0018] [7] A solar cell module recycling system according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising a transport device for transporting solar cell modules mounted on the collection network. [8] A solar cell module recycling system according to any one of [1] to [7], further comprising a cleaning device for removing foreign matter from the glass plates of solar cell modules after thermal decomposition treatment.

[0019] [9] A solar cell module recycling system according to any one of [1] to [8], comprising a frame removal device for removing the frame from the solar cell module before it is subjected to thermal decomposition treatment.

[10] A solar cell module recycling system according to any one of [1] to [9], comprising a sorting machine for sorting valuable materials from the solar cell module after it has been subjected to thermal decomposition treatment.

[0020]

[11] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to

[10] , wherein the valuable material is at least one selected from the group consisting of cells, glass, ribbon wire, silicon, silver, and copper.

[12] A solar cell module recycling processing method using the solar cell module recycling processing system according to any one of [1] to

[11] , comprising at least a pyrolysis step of pyrolyzing the solar cell modules in batches in the pyrolysis furnace, a recovery step of recovering the solar cell modules mounted on the recovery network together with the recovery network after the pyrolysis step, a valuable material recovery step of recovering valuable materials from the pyrolyzed solar cell modules after the recovery step, and an exhaust gas treatment step of treating the gas generated by the pyrolysis process.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar cell module recycling system that is fuel-efficient and can efficiently recycle waste solar cell modules according to the amount of waste modules to be processed.

[0022] This is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell module. (a) is a plan view of the solar cell module, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell module. This is a schematic diagram of a solar cell module mounted on a collection network, showing one embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram of a solar cell module recycling system, showing one embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram of a solar cell module recycling system, showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which it is composed of multiple pyrolysis furnaces. This is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell module recycling system, showing one embodiment of the present invention, and a solar cell module recycling method using the system.

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0024] <Solar Cell Module Recycling Processing System> A solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell module recycling processing system for recycling solar cell modules, and is configured to perform thermal decomposition processing in a batch manner.

[0025] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to process solar cell modules 2 mounted on a collection network 40 in a batch pyrolysis furnace 20. The pyrolysis furnace 20 has a filter 42 installed horizontally inside the furnace, and the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the collection network 40 are stacked on top of the filter 42. The gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace 20 is collected in a collection unit 80 and processed in an exhaust gas processing unit.

[0026] Furthermore, in the solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pyrolysis furnace 20 may be composed of a plurality of pyrolysis furnaces 20.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, it is preferable that there are multiple pyrolysis furnaces 20, and that the system includes a collection unit 80 for collecting the gas generated by the multiple pyrolysis furnaces 20, and an exhaust gas processing unit such as a dust collection unit 86 and a hydrogen fluoride removal unit 88 for processing the collected gas.

[0028] The solar cell module recycling system shown in Figure 4 is preferable because it can adjust the number of pyrolysis furnaces 20 in operation according to the amount of solar cell modules 2 to be processed, thereby optimizing running costs and enabling efficient recycling. In particular, it is preferable when the amount of solar cell modules 2 to be processed is small, as the number of pyrolysis furnaces 20 in operation can be reduced to lower running costs.

[0029] [Pyrolysis Furnace] The pyrolysis furnace 20 is the area for pyrolysis processing of the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40. As shown in Figure 3, the pyrolysis furnace 20 has a filter 42 installed horizontally inside the furnace. With this configuration, since the filter 42 remains inside the furnace, if the filter 42 is heated when the pyrolysis furnace 20 starts operating, the effort and fuel consumption of reheating the filter 42 each time the solar cell modules 2 are processed can be saved. Multiple filters may be installed horizontally inside the furnace, and they may be fixed or removable. The number of filters 42 installed inside the furnace can be appropriately changed depending on the size of the pyrolysis furnace 20 and the amount of solar cell modules to be processed, but for example, it is preferable to install 30 to 40 filters inside the furnace, and it is more preferable to install 32 to 35 filters to make it easier to handle small processing amounts.

[0030] Inside the furnace, the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery net 40 before being subjected to thermal decomposition are stacked on top of the filter 42. From the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of soot, it is preferable that the filter 42 be equipped with multiple filters of different materials, and it is more preferable that it be equipped with two filters of different materials stacked on top of each other. It is even more preferable that the filter 42 be equipped with a first filter 43 and a second filter 44, which will be described later.

[0031] - The first filter 43 is preferably stable at the combustion temperature described later (specifically, around 425°C to 575°C) and has a porous structure. This is because when the resin contained in the sealing filler 8 and backsheet 10 used in the solar cell module 2 melts due to heating and flows down onto the first filter 43, the contact area with the atmosphere inside the pyrolysis furnace 20 increases, making oxidation reactions more likely to occur. Specifically, stable and common ceramic materials such as alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, cordierite, ferrite, barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate, forsterite, zircon, mullite, steatite, and aluminum nitride can be used as the material for the first filter 43. Among these, alumina, silicon carbide, and cordierite are preferred.

[0032] There are no particular restrictions on the pore size of the porous structure, but it is preferable to have a pore size of about 0.1 to 5 mm because it allows for easy penetration when EVA and PET melt at around 450°C. There are no particular restrictions on the number of cells on the surface of the first filter 43, but it is preferable to have 5 to 50 pixels per inch (hereinafter also referred to as "ppi"). There are no restrictions on the porosity of the first filter, but it is preferable to have a porosity of about 50 to 95%, and a three-dimensional skeletal structure with continuous pores is more preferable.

[0033] The shape of the first filter 43 is not particularly limited, but a plate-like shape is preferred in order to prevent the resin contained in the sealing filler 8 and backsheet 10 used in the solar cell module 2 from falling off. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of soot caused by the leakage of molten resin components to the outside of the first filter 43, it is preferable that the first filter 43 be as large as possible within the range that can accommodate the horizontal surface area of ​​the solar cell module 2.

[0034] - The second filter 44 is preferably a first filter 43 with a transition metal oxide supported on it. This is because transition metal oxides have the ability to adsorb oxygen in an oxidized state and decompose carbon monoxide and soot produced during combustion. Examples of transition metal oxides to be supported include chromium(III) oxide, iron(III) oxide, copper(III) oxide, and titanium(III) oxide. Among these, chromium(III) oxide is preferred because it reduces carbon monoxide (CO) in the gas generated by the thermal decomposition treatment and does not easily produce soot.

[0035] When the filter 42 includes two filters made of different materials, it is preferable that the first filter 43 is made of silicon carbide and the second filter 44 is made of silicon carbide with chromium(III) oxide supported on it. Furthermore, it is even more preferable to laminate the first filter 43 on top of the second filter 44, as this is superior in suppressing the generation of soot.

[0036] - The mesh support filter 42 preferably has a mesh support 41 on its surface. The mesh support 41 can be, for example, a roller, a projection, a rail, etc., and is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure that supports the recovery net 40 at multiple points. Providing a mesh support 41 is preferable because it reduces friction between the recovery net 40 and the filter 42 when placing or lowering the recovery net 40 onto the filter 42, making it easier to move the recovery net 40 horizontally. When the filter 42 includes a first filter 43 and a second filter 44, the mesh support 41 is preferably provided on the upper surface of the first filter 43.

[0037] The temperature inside the pyrolysis furnace 20 does not need to be particularly limited as long as the resin melts and undergoes oxidative decomposition, but for example, it can be set to 400°C or higher and less than 580°C.

[0038] In this invention, combustion refers to an oxidation reaction in which organic materials such as EVA and PET contained in the backsheet 10 and sealing filler 8 that constitute the solar cell module 2 react with oxygen in the atmosphere.

[0039] Therefore, the combustion temperature is appropriately determined according to the resin constituting the backsheet 10, but is preferably 425 to 575°C. If it is 425°C or higher, it will be higher than the thermal decomposition temperature of EVA and PET, and combustion will occur. If it is 575°C or lower, rapid combustion can be suppressed, and damage to the glass plate 6 of the solar cell module 2 can be prevented.

[0040] The combustion time is determined appropriately according to the combustion temperature and the thermal decomposition treatment of the resin constituting the backsheet 10, but is preferably 9 to 13 minutes. If it is 9 minutes or longer, the thermal decomposition treatment will proceed sufficiently and gas and smoke from inside the thermal decomposition furnace 20 will not easily leak to the outside.

[0041] The melting of resins such as EVA and PET begins at a temperature lower than the combustion temperature. To obtain the combustion temperature, it is preferable to raise the temperature of the solar cell module 2 before it enters the pyrolysis furnace 20, and more specifically, it is preferable to raise the temperature of the solar cell module 2 using the standby unloading unit 22 described later.

[0042] The pyrolysis treatment should be performed in the pyrolysis furnace 20 in consideration of exhaust gas treatment and the like. Further, from the viewpoint of preventing the inflow of outside air into the pyrolysis furnace 20 and suppressing gas generation, it is preferable not to open or close the inlet / outlet 20a of the pyrolysis furnace during the pyrolysis treatment.

[0043] The heater 21 for heating the pyrolysis furnace 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve a combustion temperature, and examples thereof include gas furnaces and electric furnaces. Among these, electric furnaces are preferable because they do not require oxygen in the air for heating and allow fine temperature control during the pyrolysis treatment.

[0044] The pyrolysis furnace 20 is preferably provided with the heater 21 on the ceiling side. Further, the pyrolysis furnace 20 is more preferably provided with the heater 21 and a fan (not shown) on the ceiling side. By providing the heater 21 and the fan on the ceiling side of the pyrolysis furnace 20, the combustion heat of the resin can be circulated, making it easy to efficiently control the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace 20.

[0045] In the pyrolysis treatment, it is preferable to control the oxygen concentration in the pyrolysis furnace 20 within a range of 6 vol% or more and less than 15 vol%. This is because the resin can be gently and stably combusted and removed. The lower limit of the oxygen concentration is preferably 7 vol%, more preferably 8 vol%, and the upper limit is preferably 14.8 vol%, more preferably 14.5 vol%. It should be noted that even if the oxygen concentration momentarily deviates from the above range, there is no particular operational problem as long as it can be controlled immediately.

[0046] The method for controlling the oxygen concentration in the pyrolysis furnace 20 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of a gas furnace using a mixed gas of LP gas and air as the oxygen-containing gas, the mixing ratio of air can be adjusted according to the oxygen concentration in the furnace.

[0047] The pyrolysis furnace 20 is usually provided with an inlet / outlet 20a for carrying materials into and out of the furnace. The pyrolysis furnace 20 may have separate inlet and outlet, or may have a single inlet / outlet.

[0048] [Standby unloading section] A solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a standby unloading section 22 for keeping solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 on standby before being subjected to thermal decomposition treatment in the thermal decomposition furnace 20, and / or for unloading solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 after being subjected to thermal decomposition treatment in the thermal decomposition furnace 20.

[0049] It is more preferable that the standby / unloading section 22 be provided on the side of the pyrolysis furnace inlet / outlet 20a. This is because it can suppress the inflow of outside air when loading the solar cell module 2 into the pyrolysis furnace 20, and further suppress the temperature drop inside the pyrolysis furnace 20 when opening and closing the pyrolysis furnace inlet / outlet 20a, thereby reducing wasted fuel.

[0050] The temperature of the standby unloading section 22 is preferably 100 to 200°C, and more preferably 110 to 190°C. This is from the viewpoint of preheating the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 to improve the thermal efficiency of the subsequent pyrolysis treatment, and from the viewpoint of preventing the glass plates 6 from cracking due to thermal shock when the solar cell modules 2 are unloaded from the pyrolysis furnace 20 to the standby unloading section 22 after the pyrolysis treatment. It is preferable to raise the temperature of the standby unloading section 22 using heat supplied from the heat exchange section 84 via piping or the like. This is to improve thermal efficiency and perform the pyrolysis treatment efficiently with less fuel consumption.

[0051] The standby unloading section 22 is usually equipped with a standby unloading section inlet / outlet 22a. This is for loading solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 before pyrolysis treatment into the standby unloading section inlet / outlet 22a and unloading solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 after pyrolysis treatment. If the pyrolysis furnace 20 is equipped with two pyrolysis furnace inlets / outlets 20a rather than one, a pyrolysis furnace inlet and a pyrolysis furnace outlet, the standby unloading section may be provided in two locations, on the pyrolysis furnace inlet side and on the pyrolysis furnace outlet side.

[0052] [Collection Section] The collection section 80 is a region that collects gases, smoke, etc., generated in the pyrolysis furnace 20. It is preferable that the collection section 80 has a fan (not shown) that sends the collected gases to the pyrolysis furnace 20. This is because it reduces wasted fuel from the viewpoint of thermal efficiency.

[0053] [Exhaust Gas Processing Unit] The exhaust gas processing unit is the area that processes the collected gas. Preferably, the exhaust gas processing unit has the function of removing harmful substances such as hydrogen fluoride contained in smoke, soot, etc., in addition to the gas generated by the thermal decomposition process. The exhaust gas processing unit can use exhaust gas treatment equipment such as an augmenter 82, a heat exchange unit 84 having a heat exchanger, a dust collection unit 86 having a dust collector, and a hydrogen fluoride exclusion unit 88 having a hydrogen fluoride exclusion device, in an appropriate combination depending on the type of harmful substance. In this specification, an augmenter refers to a so-called afterburner (registered trademark).

[0054] The exhaust gas processing unit is preferably equipped with an augmenter 82 that injects fuel into the exhaust gas for re-combustion. The augmenter 82 is not particularly limited as long as it can burn harmful substances such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide contained in the gas. The augmenter 82 may also have an air supply function for supplying air to the heat exchange unit 84.

[0055] The exhaust gas processing unit is more preferably equipped with an augmenter 82 and a heat exchange unit 84. When the exhaust gas processing unit is equipped with an augmenter 82 and a heat exchange unit 84, it is preferable that the waste heat from the augmenter 82 and / or the heat exchange unit 84 is supplied from the heat exchange unit 84 to the pyrolysis furnace 20 and / or the standby discharge unit 22. This is to increase thermal efficiency and perform pyrolysis processing efficiently with less fuel consumption. The exhaust gas processing unit is preferably equipped with at least one selected from the group consisting of an augmenter 82, a heat exchange unit 84, a dust collection unit 86, and a hydrogen fluoride exclusion unit 88. This is from the viewpoint of suppressing the release of harmful substances to the outside.

[0056] [Solar Cell Module] Any solar cell module 2 having a resin backsheet 10 that is not of the double-sided glass type can be used. Specifically, examples of solar cell modules 2 include monocrystalline silicon solar cells, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, amorphous silicon solar cells, heterojunction solar cells, CIS solar cells, CIGS solar cells, CdTe solar cells, etc. Furthermore, even double-sided glass type solar cell modules can be used if the resin can be melted and thermal decomposition treatment is possible.

[0057] [Frame Removal Device] A solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a frame removal device 17 for removing the frame 5 from the solar cell module 2 before it is subjected to thermal decomposition processing. The frame 5 of the solar cell module 2 may be removed before the thermal decomposition processing, or it may be removed after the thermal decomposition processing to reduce the possibility of the glass breaking during removal, but it is preferable to remove it before the thermal decomposition processing due to the advantages of better thermal efficiency and easier work. It is even more preferable that the frame removal device is provided in front of the thermal decomposition furnace 20.

[0058] [Recovery Net] The recovery net 40 is used to mount the solar cell module 2. The recovery net 40 is not particularly limited as long as it can mount the solar cell module 2, but for example, it is made of iron for its robustness and preferably has a suspension part for suspension. Furthermore, the recovery net 40 is preferably mesh-like from the viewpoint of easily allowing the resin contained in the sealing filler 8 and back sheet 10 to fall into the filter 42 during the thermal decomposition process, from the viewpoint of securing gaps to accelerate the thermal decomposition process, and from the viewpoint of weight reduction.

[0059] [Batch Type] A solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to perform thermal decomposition processing in a batch type. In the present invention, thermal decomposition processing in a batch type means that the solar cell modules brought into the thermal decomposition furnace are subjected to thermal decomposition processing in a stationary location without moving within the thermal decomposition furnace.

[0060] The "batch type" is distinct from the so-called "continuous type," in which solar cell modules are placed on a conveyor belt or the like and transported to a pyrolysis furnace, where they are pyrolyzed as they move through the furnace. When solar cell modules 2 are pyrolyzed in a batch type, as shown in Figure 4, it is possible to adjust the number of pyrolysis furnaces 20 in operation according to the processing volume of solar cell modules 2. This configuration is preferable because it optimizes running costs and enables efficient recycling. Furthermore, this configuration is preferable because it eliminates the need for the large-scale equipment required in a continuous pyrolysis furnace, thus keeping equipment introduction costs low.

[0061] [Transportation Device] The solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a transport device 18 for transporting the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the collection network 40. It is more preferable that the transport device 18 is provided in front of the pyrolysis furnace 20 and / or after the pyrolysis furnace 20. As shown in Figure 5, if there are multiple pyrolysis furnaces 20, it is preferable to provide the transport device 18 from the viewpoint of simplifying the transport work.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the transport device 18 carries the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery net 40 and moves them via the transport path 19 to the vicinity of the pyrolysis furnace inlet / outlet 20a. Furthermore, it is preferable that the solar cell modules 2 that have been pyrolyzed in the pyrolysis furnace 20 are transported by the transport device 18 via the transport path 19 to the module recovery section 30. The transport path 19 may be one-way or two-way.

[0063] [Recycling Process] - A sorting machine The solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a sorting machine 71 that sorts valuable materials from the solar cell module 2 after thermal decomposition processing. It is more preferable that the sorting machine 71 is provided after the glass recovery unit 32.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the solar cell module 2, after being transported to the module recovery unit 30, has its cells 4 and ribbon wires 14 recovered by the valuable materials recovery unit 33. It is even more preferable that the recovered cells 4 and ribbon wires 14 are transported to the sorting machine 71 via the valuable materials conveyor 67, where they are sorted into cells 4, inorganic powders (silicon, silver, copper, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate) 7, and ribbon wires 14, respectively, and recycled as valuable materials. Furthermore, it is preferable that the valuable materials are at least one selected from the group consisting of cells, glass, ribbon wires, silicon, silver, and copper, as this makes them easier to reuse.

[0065] When a solar cell module 2 with a broken glass plate 6 is subjected to thermal decomposition treatment, the glass may be broken into granules of approximately 10 mm. In this case, the valuable materials recovery unit 33 will recover the glass along with the cells 4 and ribbon wires 14. Therefore, it is more preferable that the valuable materials recovery unit 33 separates and recovers the cells 4, ribbon wires 14, and glass.

[0066] A solar cell module recycling processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably includes a cleaning device 74 for removing foreign matter from the glass plate 6 of the thermally decomposed solar cell module 2. It is more preferable that the cleaning device 74 is provided after the glass recovery unit 32.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the solar cell modules 2, which have been transported to the module recovery section 30, have their glass plates 6 recovered in the glass recovery section 32. The surface of the recovered glass plates 6 may have foreign matter such as soot from the thermal decomposition process, organic matter, and metals attached to it. Therefore, in order to recycle the glass plates 6 as a valuable material, it is preferable to remove the foreign matter from the surface of the glass plates 6 using a cleaning device 74.

[0068] <Solar Cell Module Recycling Processing Method> The solar cell module recycling processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell module recycling processing method using the solar cell module recycling processing system described above. As shown in Figure 5, the method comprises at least a pyrolysis step in which solar cell modules 2 are pyrolyzed in batches in a pyrolysis furnace 20, a recovery step in which the solar cell modules 2 mounted on the recovery network 40 are recovered together with the recovery network 40 after the pyrolysis step, a valuable materials recovery step in which valuable materials, preferably cells 4, ribbon wires 14, inorganic powder 7, and glass (not shown) are recovered from the pyrolyzed solar cell modules 2 after the recovery step, and an exhaust gas treatment step for treating the gas generated by the pyrolysis processing. According to the processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, equipment introduction costs and running costs can be kept low compared to a continuous pyrolysis furnace.

[0069] The solar cell module recycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of pyrolysis furnaces 20. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the method may include a plurality of pyrolysis furnaces 20, and the pyrolysis process may involve batch-type pyrolysis of the solar cell modules 2 in the plurality of pyrolysis furnaces 20.

[0070] This processing method is preferable because it allows for adjusting the number of pyrolysis furnaces 20 in operation according to the amount of solar cell modules 2 to be processed, thereby optimizing running costs and enabling efficient recycling. Furthermore, this processing method improves upon the wasteful use of fuel in conventional continuous solar cell module recycling methods when processing small amounts of solar cell modules, thus keeping running costs low.

[0071] 2: Solar cell module 4: Cell 5: Frame 6: Glass plate 7: Inorganic powder (silicon, silver, copper, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate) 8: Sealing filler 9: Terminal box 10: Backsheet 14: Ribbon wire 17: Frame removal device 18: Conveying device 19: Conveying path 20: Pyrolysis furnace 20a: Pyrolysis furnace inlet / outlet 21: Heater 22: Standby discharge section 22a: Standby discharge section inlet / outlet 30: Module recovery section 32: Glass recovery section 33: Valuable material recovery section 40: Recovery net 41: Net support 42: Filter 43: First filter 44: Second filter 58: Suspended section 67: Conveyor for valuable materials 71: Sorting machine 74: Cleaning device 80: Collection section 82: Augmenter 84: Heat exchange section 86: Dust collection section 88: Hydrogen fluoride removal section

Claims

1. A solar cell module recycling system for recycling solar cell modules, comprising at least: a pyrolysis furnace for pyrolysis of solar cell modules mounted on a collection network; a collection unit for collecting gas generated in the pyrolysis furnace; and an exhaust gas processing unit for processing the gas collected in the collection unit, wherein the pyrolysis furnace has a filter horizontally installed inside the furnace, and solar cell modules mounted on a collection network before pyrolysis are loaded onto the filter and pyrolysis are performed in a batch manner.

2. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising a waiting / unloading section for waiting solar cell modules mounted on a recovery network before being subjected to pyrolysis treatment in the pyrolysis furnace, and / or for unloading solar cell modules mounted on a recovery network after being subjected to pyrolysis treatment in the pyrolysis furnace.

3. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, wherein the pyrolysis furnace is equipped with a heater on the ceiling side.

4. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, wherein the collection unit has a fan that sends the collected gas to the exhaust gas processing unit.

5. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas processing unit is provided with an augmenter that injects fuel into the exhaust gas for re-combustion.

6. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the pyrolysis furnaces are provided.

7. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a transport device for transporting solar cell modules mounted on the collection network.

8. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device for removing foreign matter from the glass plate of the solar cell module after thermal decomposition treatment.

9. The solar cell module recycling system according to claim 1, further comprising a frame removal device for removing the frame from the solar cell module before thermal decomposition treatment.

10. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting machine for sorting valuable materials from solar cell modules after thermal decomposition processing.

11. The solar cell module recycling processing system according to claim 10, wherein the valuable material is at least one selected from the group consisting of cells, glass, ribbon wire, silicon, silver, and copper.

12. A solar cell module recycling method using the solar cell module recycling processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least: a pyrolysis step of pyrolyzing solar cell modules in batches in the pyrolysis furnace; a recovery step of recovering the solar cell modules mounted on the recovery network together with the recovery network after the pyrolysis step; a valuable materials recovery step of recovering valuable materials from the pyrolyzed solar cell modules after the recovery step; and an exhaust gas treatment step of treating the gas generated by the pyrolysis process.

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