Lithium-Ion Battery Preheating for Safe Electrolyte Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing large-sized waste lithium-ion batteries are inefficient due to the need for manual disassembly and the risk of ignition/explosion from the electrolyte solution, which limits heat treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a heater to decompose and remove the electrolyte solution from waste lithium-ion batteries at a temperature below 400°C, using low-oxygen gas to prevent ignition, and a grate preheater to continuously transport and heat-treat the batteries without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual disassembly is performed to process large-sized waste lithium-ion batteries, then the batteries can be prepared for heat treatment, but a lot of time and labor are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the electrolyte solution from the waste lithium-ion battery through heat treatment at controlled temperature below 400°C before the main processing steps. This extraction of the hazardous component enables subsequent crushing and processing without manual disassembly, thereby improving productivity while eliminating time-consuming disassembly operations.
2Reliability
If heat treatment is performed on waste lithium-ion batteries with electrolyte solution present, then the electrolyte solution may ignite or explode, but removing the electrolyte solution first reduces safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary heat treatment at controlled temperature below 400°C to decompose and remove the electrolyte solution before conducting main heat treatment at higher temperatures. This preliminary action eliminates the harmful electrolyte solution that could cause ignition or explosion, thereby ensuring safety during subsequent processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter in stages: first maintaining temperature below 400°C to remove electrolyte solution, then proceeding to higher temperatures for main heat treatment. This parameter change strategy prevents ignition/explosion by controlling the thermal conditions during electrolyte removal, thereby improving reliability while managing harmful factors.
3Productivity
If the heating temperature is set high to quickly decompose the electrolyte solution, then heat treatment efficiency improves, but the risk of ignition and explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the temperature parameter by maintaining it below 400°C during the electrolyte solution decomposition phase. This parameter setting achieves sufficient decomposition speed while preventing ignition, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety. The controlled temperature ensures efficient electrolyte removal without creating harmful ignition conditions.
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 improves heat treatment efficiency, allows for the safe crushing of batteries, and reduces heat treatment time, enabling the processing of large-sized waste lithium-ion batteries without disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heat-treats a waste lithium-ion battery at a heating temperature of lower than 400° C. to decompose and remove an electrolyte solution from the waste lithium-ion battery
Data Source
AI summary
A system for and a method of processing a waste lithium-ion battery make it possible to improve heat treatment efficiency and to heat-treat a large-sized waste lithium-ion battery without disassembling the battery. One example of the system for processing a waste lithium-ion battery includes a heater that heat-treats a waste lithium-ion battery at a heating temperature of lower than 400° C. to decompose and remove an electrolyte solution from the waste lithium-ion battery.