Battery-Derived Mixture Treatment Using Hydroxyl Radical Binder Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering valuable metals from secondary batteries, such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese, face inefficiencies due to the high energy requirements and environmental burdens of solvent-based binder removal, and structural changes from heat treatment, necessitating a more efficient method to recover these metals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of reactive oxygen species, specifically superoxide anion radicals and ozone, to generate hydroxyl radicals in a controlled temperature and humidity environment, which decomposes the binder in a battery-derived mixture, allowing for efficient recovery of nickel, cobalt, and manganese without altering their crystal structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solvent-based binder removal is used, then the binder is removed from the positive electrode structure, but much energy is required to treat the solvent after use and environmental burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical solvent-based binder removal system with a mechanical/physical system using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic vibration directly breaks down the binder material through cavitation and mechanical stress, eliminating the need for chemical solvents and their subsequent energy-intensive treatment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from chemical concentration and temperature control to ultrasonic frequency and power parameters. By controlling the ultrasonic wave parameters (frequency, power, duration), the binder removal process becomes more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly while maintaining effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If heat treatment is used to remove binder, then the binder is removed from the positive electrode structure, but the material form (crystal structure) of valuable metals is changed requiring additional reduction treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal treatment with ultrasonic mechanical treatment. The ultrasonic waves generate localized mechanical stress and cavitation that breaks down the binder without significantly heating the metal materials, thereby preserving their crystal structures and eliminating the need for subsequent reduction treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-temperature heat treatment into a beneficial low-temperature ultrasonic treatment. The ultrasonic energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat is instead used to directly mechanically disrupt the binder, achieving the same removal effect without the harmful thermal impact on metal crystal structures.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used to recover metals from batteries, then valuable metals are extracted, but the process requires selection of appropriate solvents and causes environmental burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical extraction methods with physical ultrasonic treatment. This substitution eliminates environmental pollution from solvent disposal while maintaining high metal recovery efficiency, as the ultrasonic waves effectively separate binder materials from metal particles without introducing harmful chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water as a harmless, inexpensive medium in place of expensive and environmentally problematic organic solvents. Water can be easily disposed of or recycled without special treatment, significantly reducing environmental burden while maintaining effective binder removal and metal recovery capabilities.
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 method effectively removes the binder from the positive electrode materials, enabling efficient recovery and reuse of nickel, cobalt, and manganese without structural changes, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
supplying reactive oxygen species to the treatment environment, thereby causing the reactive oxygen species to react with water present in the treatment environment to generate a hydroxyl radical
Implementation Method 2
decomposing the organic substance by the generated hydroxyl radical
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of treating a battery-derived mixture, which is a mixture containing a positive electrode material of a battery containing any one or more of nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and an organic substance, the method including: placing the battery-derived mixture in a treatment environment adjusted to a predetermined temperature and predetermined humidity; supplying reactive oxygen species to the treatment environment, thereby causing the reactive oxygen species to react with water present in the treatment environment to generate a hydroxyl radical; and decomposing the organic substance by the generated hydroxyl radical.