Li-Ion Battery Recycling via Self-Heating Pyrolysis and Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dry smelting process for recycling waste lithium ion batteries is economically inefficient, requires extensive equipment and time, and results in a high impurity content in the recovered valuable components, leading to environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A recycling method involving the pyrolysis of waste lithium ion batteries, followed by a water-based separation process to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and other valuable components, reducing the need for high-temperature processing and subsequent acid treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dry smelting process is used to recover valuable metals from waste lithium ion batteries, then the recovery efficiency is improved, but the process complexity and equipment requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the binder and polymer components from the electrode powder through a water washing process after pyrolysis. This separation step isolates the valuable metal components from organic contaminants, achieving high recovery efficiency without requiring complex subsequent purification processes. The water-soluble binder is simply washed away, leaving clean metal powders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using pyrolysis at relatively low temperatures (below 500°C) compared to traditional high-temperature smelting processes. This parameter change achieves effective decomposition of organic components while preserving valuable metals, thereby reducing equipment requirements and process complexity while maintaining high recovery efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-temperature heating is applied in the dry smelting process, then organic compounds are effectively removed, but a large amount of impurities are generated in the discharged resultant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using pyrolysis at relatively low temperatures (below 500°C) compared to traditional high-temperature smelting processes. This parameter change achieves effective decomposition of organic components while preserving valuable metals, thereby reducing equipment requirements and process complexity while maintaining high recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the binder and polymer components from the electrode powder through a water washing process after pyrolysis. This separation step isolates the valuable metal components from organic contaminants, achieving high recovery efficiency without requiring complex subsequent purification processes. The water-soluble binder is simply washed away, leaving clean metal powders.
3Productivity
If the pulverized powder is heated at high temperature and then pulverized again, then valuable metals are extracted effectively, but the process requires extensive time and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the binder and polymer components from the electrode powder through a water washing process after pyrolysis. This separation step isolates the valuable metal components from organic contaminants, achieving high recovery efficiency without requiring complex subsequent purification processes. The water-soluble binder is simply washed away, leaving clean metal powders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using pyrolysis at relatively low temperatures (below 500°C) compared to traditional high-temperature smelting processes. This parameter change achieves effective decomposition of organic components while preserving valuable metals, thereby reducing equipment requirements and process complexity while maintaining high recovery efficiency.
4Productivity
If strong acid is used for extraction of valuable components, then the extraction ratio is improved, but environmental issues arise from acid waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the binder and polymer components from the electrode powder through a water washing process after pyrolysis. This separation step isolates the valuable metal components from organic contaminants, achieving high recovery efficiency without requiring complex subsequent purification processes. The water-soluble binder is simply washed away, leaving clean metal powders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water, a cheap and environmentally benign substance, instead of expensive and hazardous strong acids for the extraction and purification process. This substitution maintains effective separation of valuable metals while eliminating the environmental problems associated with acid waste disposal.
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 an economical and eco-friendly recovery of electrode raw materials, increasing recycling efficiency while minimizing environmental impact by reducing impurities and eliminating the need for extensive equipment and high-temperature processing.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the internal temperature of the pyrolysis furnace to induce self-heating of the waste lithium ion secondary battery
Implementation Method 2
induce self-heating of the waste lithium ion secondary battery, (c) maintaining a self-heating reaction
Implementation Method 3
injecting the first powder into water, dissolving a lithium component included in the first powder
Implementation Method 4
separating and recovering a lithium aqueous solution, a precipitate settled in the lithium aqueous solution, and a floating material on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A recycling method of a waste lithium ion secondary battery may include (a) charging a waste lithium ion secondary battery into a pyrolysis furnace, (b) increasing the internal temperature of the pyrolysis furnace to induce self-heating of the waste lithium ion secondary battery, (c) maintaining a self-heating reaction of the waste lithium ion secondary battery, (d) discharging a first powder formed after completing the self-heating reaction of the waste lithium ion secondary battery, and (e) injecting the first powder into water, dissolving a lithium component included in the first powder, and separating and recovering a lithium aqueous solution, a precipitate settled in the lithium aqueous solution, and a floating material on the surface of the lithium aqueous solution, separately.