Battery Electrode Extraction Using Freezing and Cyclone Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing recycling systems for used batteries are inefficient, costly, and require significant human intervention, leading to environmental concerns and suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a freezing unit, shredding unit, cyclone separator, separating unit, and cleaning unit, which automates the process of extracting electrode materials from used batteries, reducing manual intervention and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing recycling systems are used for used batteries, then battery materials can be recovered, but the process is inefficient and costly with significant human intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The recycling process is divided into distinct automated stages: freezing unit separates battery components at low temperature, shredding unit mechanically breaks down materials, magnetic separator extracts ferrous metals, and eddy current separator removes non-ferrous metals. This segmentation enables each unit to perform its function automatically without human intervention, resolving the contradiction between productivity and automation extent.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated systems including conveyors for material transport, freezing units for temperature-controlled separation, and electromagnetic separators for material classification. This substitution eliminates the need for human intervention while maintaining high productivity in the recycling process.
2Productivity
If existing recycling systems are used for used batteries, then battery materials can be recovered, but the cost is high and maintenance requirements are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service features where the freezing unit automatically separates battery components based on temperature-dependent properties, and the magnetic and eddy current separators automatically sort materials without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. This self-service capability reduces operational costs and maintenance requirements while maintaining high resource recovery rates.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical crushing is used for separation of cathode and anode materials, then separation can be achieved, but the separation rate is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameter of temperature by using a freezing unit to cool battery materials before processing. This temperature change alters the mechanical properties of battery components, enabling more effective separation in subsequent crushing and sorting stages. This parameter change achieves higher separation rates without requiring overly complex device configurations.
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
The system effectively extracts electrode materials from used batteries with reduced maintenance costs, improved separation rates, and minimal environmental impact, facilitating efficient resource recovery.
Implementation Method 1
The feedstock may be cooled at a pre-defined temperature in the freezing unit
Implementation Method 2
A cyclone separator configured with the shredding unit, and configured to receive air bone electrode material particles generated as a result of shredding the one or more batteries
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic material separating unit, facilitating separating of magnetic material particles from the electrode material particles, configured with the powder separating unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for extracting electrode material from batteries. A shredding unit (104) configured to receive the cooled feedstock from the freezing unit (102). The shredding unit (104) is configured to shred the feedstock into powder form. A cyclone separator (110) configured with the shredding unit (104), and configured to receive air bone electrode material particles generated as a result of shredding the batteries. A separating unit (106) configured with the shredding unit (104), and configured to separate the electrode material particles. A cleaning unit (108) operatively configured with the separating unit and the cyclone separator (110). The cleaning unit (108) is configured to receive the powdered electrode particles from the shredding unit (104), and powdered electrode materials from a first output of the cyclone separator (110). A mixing agitator (110) is configured to receive the powdered electrode material from the cleaning unit (108).