Waste Battery Crushing in Amphiphilic Solvent for Electrolyte Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for recycling waste batteries containing electrolytes are inefficient and pose significant fire and explosion risks due to electrolyte volatilization and leakage, requiring large amounts of absorbents like activated carbon and secure but inefficient containment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves crushing waste batteries in a solution containing amphiphilic solvents such as ethyl-3-hydroxypropanoate, which dissolves electrolytes completely, reducing vapor pressure and preventing evaporation, combined with subsequent separation and reuse of the solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If absorbents like activated carbon are used to remove electrolyte, then electrolyte removal is achieved, but absorption efficiency is low and large quantity of absorbent is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the solvent system by using amphiphilic solvents (containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups) instead of conventional absorbents. This parameter change enables the solvent to interact with both polar and non-polar components of the electrolyte, significantly improving absorption efficiency and reducing the quantity of solvent needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The amphiphilic solvent acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components of the electrolyte. The hydrophilic group interacts with ionic components while the hydrophobic group interacts with organic components, enabling complete electrolyte removal with high efficiency.
2Reliability
If electrolyte is processed in secure containers, then safety is improved, but processing efficiency is very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical containment approach (secure containers) with a chemical solution approach (amphiphilic solvent). The solvent chemically interacts with and dissolves the electrolyte, eliminating the need for mechanical containment while simultaneously improving processing efficiency through complete dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the electrolyte by dissolving it in amphiphilic solvent, transforming it from a volatile hazardous substance into a stable dissolved state. This parameter change maintains safety while dramatically improving processing efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional methods are used to handle electrolyte, then fire and explosion risks are reduced, but electrolyte removal efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The amphiphilic solvent serves as an intermediary that completely dissolves the electrolyte, preventing its volatilization. This eliminates the fire and explosion risks associated with volatile electrolyte while simultaneously improving removal efficiency through complete dissolution and subsequent easy separation.
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 significantly reduces the risk of explosions and fires by ensuring complete electrolyte dissolution and safe handling, allowing for efficient recycling with minimal environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
crushing the waste battery in a solution containing an amphiphilic solvent... the amphiphilic solvent... dissolves electrolytes completely, reducing vapor pressure and preventing evaporation
Implementation Method 2
dissolves electrolytes completely, reducing vapor pressure and preventing evaporation
Implementation Method 3
reducing vapor pressure and preventing evaporation
Implementation Method 4
a filtration tank for separating the crushed material of the waste battery from the solution
Implementation Method 5
a separation tank for separating the electrolyte dissolved in the solution from the solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recycling waste batteries containing electrolytes includes crushing the waste battery in a solution containing an amphiphilic solvent. A system for recycling a waste battery includes a crushing tank in which a waste battery including an electrolyte and a solution including an amphiphilic solvent are contained, a filtration tank for separating the crushed material of the waste battery from the solution, and a separation tank for separating the electrolyte dissolved in the solution from the solution.