Waste Cathode Material Separation by Heat Treatment and Water Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating transition metals from waste positive electrode materials in lithium secondary batteries often result in environmental pollution due to the use of chemical solvents, necessitating a more sustainable and pollution-free approach.
Innovation Solution
A dry method involving heat treatment of the waste positive electrode material in an inert or oxygen atmosphere to phase separate lithium oxide and metal oxide, followed by cooling and leaching with distilled water to extract the transition metal, effectively avoiding chemical solvent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chemical solvents are used to extract transition metals from waste positive electrode material, then metal recovery efficiency is improved, but environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the extraction process by replacing chemical solvents with a thermal treatment approach. The waste positive electrode material undergoes heat treatment at specific temperatures (700-900°C) in controlled atmospheres, transforming the extraction mechanism from chemical dissolution to thermal decomposition and phase separation, thereby eliminating solvent-related environmental pollution while maintaining effective metal recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions during thermal treatment to separate components. The waste positive electrode material undergoes phase changes at different temperature stages, where the binder and conductive agent decompose and volatilize, while the active material transforms into distinct phases that can be easily separated through simple filtration, replacing the need for chemical solvents and reducing environmental impact
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal treatment is used to separate components, then environmental pollution is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic thermal treatment with staged temperature increases. The process progresses through distinct temperature phases (700-900°C), where each stage targets specific components for decomposition or transformation. This periodic heating approach optimizes energy utilization by applying thermal energy only when and where needed, rather than continuous high-energy input, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining environmental benefits
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 enables efficient separation of transition metals from waste positive electrode materials while preventing environmental pollution, ensuring high purity and economic feasibility by maintaining phase separation and reducing the need for chemical solvents.
Implementation Method 1
heat treating the waste positive electrode material in an inert gas atmosphere or an oxygen atmosphere to phase separate the waste positive electrode material into a lithium oxide and a metal oxide
Implementation Method 2
cooling an obtained product of Step 2 to room temperature in an inert atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
mixing a cooled product cooled to room temperature in Step 3 with distilled water, and then filtering the mixture to leach a transition metal
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for separating a transition metal from a waste positive electrode material, wherein the method includes Step 1 of preparing a waste positive electrode material represented by Formula 1, Step 2 of heat treating the waste positive electrode material in an inert gas atmosphere or an oxygen atmosphere to phase separate the waste positive electrode material into a lithium oxide and a metal oxide, Step 3 of cooling an obtained product of Step 2 to room temperature in an inert atmosphere, and Step 4 of mixing a cooled product cooled to room temperature in Step 3 with distilled water, and then filtering the mixture to leach a transition metal.