Lithium Precursor Regeneration with Fluidized Bed Particle Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high production cost and environmental concerns associated with lithium secondary batteries necessitate the development of efficient and pure regeneration methods for lithium precursors from waste lithium secondary batteries, particularly for the cathode active material.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a cathode active material mixture from waste lithium secondary batteries, followed by aggregation and reduction to produce a lithium precursor, utilizing a fluidized bed reactor and specific particle size and density adjustments to enhance efficiency and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional lithium secondary batteries are manufactured using high-cost valuable metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, then high operational voltage and energy density are achieved, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting spent lithium secondary batteries and extracting valuable metals (nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium) from the cathode active material for reuse. This closed-loop recycling system recovers high-value materials that would otherwise be discarded, directly reducing production costs while maintaining the performance benefits of using these precious metals in new batteries.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cathode active material is recycled from waste lithium secondary batteries, then environmental protection is improved, but regeneration efficiency and purity are insufficient with conventional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the recycling process into distinct stages: collection of spent batteries, separation of cathode active material, classification by particle size, and selective regeneration. This segmented approach allows for optimized processing at each stage, improving both the efficiency and purity of lithium precursor regeneration while maintaining environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling particle size distribution (classifying into specific size ranges) and adjusting processing parameters during regeneration. By changing physical parameters like particle size and chemical parameters like reaction conditions, the process achieves high regeneration efficiency and purity, transforming waste materials into high-quality lithium precursors suitable for manufacturing new cathode active materials.
3Device complexity
If lithium precursor regeneration is performed without particle size classification, then process simplicity is maintained, but fluidization efficiency decreases and particle scattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent classifies cathode active material particles into specific size ranges (e.g., 10-50 μm, 50-100 μm, 100-200 μm) before regeneration. This segmentation improves fluidization efficiency in the fluidized bed reactor by ensuring uniform particle behavior, reducing scattering, and enhancing heat and mass transfer. The classification step, while adding a process stage, enables significantly improved regeneration efficiency and product quality.
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 allows for high-yield, high-purity lithium precursor recovery by improving fluidization and reducing particle scattering, thereby enhancing the recycling efficiency of lithium from waste batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The aggregated cathode active material powder is reduced to prepare a preliminary precursor mixture
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a fluidized bed reactor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recovering active metals of a lithium secondary battery comprises collecting a cathode active material mixture from the cathode of the lithium secondary battery; subjecting the cathode active material mixture to a reducing reaction to prepare a preliminary precursor mixture; forming an aqueous lithium precursor solution from the preliminary precursor mixture; and collecting an aluminum-containing material from the aqueous lithium precursor solution with an aluminum removing resin.