Battery Chemistry Sorting Using X-Ray Fluorescence Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage device sorting processes, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, are inefficient in separating based on material chemistries, leading to inadequate recycling and increased environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses electromagnetic radiation to determine the chemical composition of energy storage devices, combining chemical sensing technologies like X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with physical sensing to generate sorting instructions, enabling precise separation and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic radiation sensing is used to determine chemical composition, then sorting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection and simple mechanical sorting with electromagnetic radiation sensing (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) to detect chemical composition. This substitution enables automated, high-precision identification of battery materials, significantly improving sorting accuracy while the system handles the complexity through computerized analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary between the battery and the sorting decision. The radiation interacts with the battery materials to produce characteristic signals that reveal chemical composition, serving as a mediator that enables non-contact, high-precision material identification without direct physical manipulation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If direct recycling methods are implemented, then environmental emissions are reduced, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary chemical composition analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy before recycling processing. By identifying the specific materials and chemistries in advance, the system can directly route batteries to appropriate recycling streams, enabling direct recycling methods that reduce emissions while managing processing complexity through upfront characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of material identification from general category recognition to specific chemical composition analysis. This parameter change enables direct recycling by providing detailed material information needed for targeted processing, reducing the need for generic high-emission treatment methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of lithium-ion battery recycling, reducing production costs and environmental emissions by facilitating direct recycling methods.
Implementation Method 1
combining chemical sensing technologies like X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
detecting an output radiation reflected or backscattered by the energy storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes irradiating an energy storage device using an input radiation characterized by a first electromagnetic spectrum and detecting an output radiation reflected or backscattered by the energy storage device. The method also includes determining a second electromagnetic spectrum of the output radiation and comparing the second electromagnetic spectrum with a reference electromagnetic spectrum. The method further includes generating a sorting instruction based on comparison of the second electromagnetic spectrum with the reference electromagnetic spectrum.