Flexible De-Powdering of Lithium Battery Pole Pieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The recycling of composite current collectors from waste lithium batteries is challenging due to their lightweight and low viscosity electrode powder coating, which makes traditional multi-stage crushing methods inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A process and device utilizing a flexible de-powdering device with soft rubber rods to separate composite pole pieces, followed by a cyclone collector and vibrating screen for material separation, without the need for heat treatment or multi-stage crushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional multi-stage crushing methods are used to separate composite current collectors, then the separation can be achieved, but the energy consumption increases and the process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical multi-stage crushing systems with a flexible de-powdering device that uses soft rubber rods for rubbing and beating. This substitution reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective separation of electrode powder from composite current collectors, directly resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cyclone collector and negative pressure pipeline system to transport and separate materials. The pneumatic system efficiently moves crushed pole pieces through the processing line and separates electrode powder from current collectors using airflow, reducing the need for additional mechanical crushing stages and lowering overall energy consumption
2Productivity
If traditional crushing equipment is used on composite pole pieces, then the pole pieces can be processed, but the lightweight composite structure causes inefficient separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters by using soft rubber rods with specific hardness and flexibility to match the lightweight composite structure of the pole pieces. The rubbing and beating action with controlled force effectively separates electrode powder from the lightweight current collector without causing excessive fragmentation or ineffective processing, thereby improving both processing efficiency and separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic flexible de-powdering mechanism where soft rubber rods move with controlled motion to adapt to the lightweight composite structure. The system adjusts the rubbing and beating actions dynamically to effectively process the pole pieces, ensuring reliable separation while maintaining high processing efficiency
3Quantity of substance
If multi-stage crushing is performed to separate electrode powder, then the powder can be recovered, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary crushing to break down the composite pole pieces into smaller fragments before using the flexible de-powdering device. This preliminary action prepares the material for more efficient powder removal in subsequent steps, reducing the total number of crushing stages needed and shortening the overall process time while maintaining high powder recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces repeated mechanical crushing stages with a flexible de-powdering device using soft rubber rods for rubbing and beating. This substitution efficiently removes electrode powder from crushed pole pieces in a single or limited number of operations, significantly reducing process time while achieving high powder recovery rates
4Quantity of substance
If soft rubber rods are used for flexible de-powdering, then the electrode powder recovery rate increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible soft rubber rods instead of rigid crushing elements. These flexible rods effectively remove electrode powder from the lightweight composite current collectors by rubbing and beating actions, achieving high recovery rates (>98%) while maintaining a relatively simple device structure that can be integrated into existing recycling systems
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 process achieves a recovery rate of >98% and purity of >99% for the electrode powder, while reducing energy consumption and avoiding dust pollution, with a simple and cost-effective approach.
Implementation Method 1
transporting falling electrode powder and remaining composite current collectors to a cyclone collector through negative pressure pipelines
Implementation Method 2
transporting falling electrode powder and remaining composite current collectors to a cyclone collector
Implementation Method 3
screening and separating the materials collected by the cyclone collector using a vibrating screen
Implementation Method 4
rubbing and beating the composite pole pieces using the flexible de-powdering device
Implementation Method 5
rubbing and beating the composite pole pieces using the flexible de-powdering device
Implementation Method 6
transporting falling electrode powder and remaining composite current collectors to a cyclone collector through negative pressure pipelines
Data Source
AI summary
A process and a device for recycling waste lithium battery materials are provided. The process includes: S10. charging, transporting composite pole pieces to a flexible de-powdering device through a uniform feeder; S20. flexibly removing powder, rubbing and beating the composite pole pieces using the flexible de-powdering device, after flexible depowdering, discharging part of composite current collectors from a closed air spiral discharge pipe connecting to the flexible de-powdering device; S30. centrally receiving materials, transporting falling electrode powder and remaining composite current collectors to a cyclone collector through negative pressure pipelines, and centrally collecting dust produced in the process of uniform feeding and closed air spiral discharge; and S40. screening, screening and separating the materials collected by the cyclone collector using a vibrating screen, and separating the composite current collectors and electrode powder. The process can improve the separation efficiency of the electrode powder.