Multilayer Delamination Using Fluid Cycling Through Organic Perforations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delamination methods for multilayer devices, such as photovoltaic panels, are inefficient and lead to material degradation and contamination, making high-value recycling challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pre-treatment step where the organic structure is perforated to create penetration paths for a fluid, followed by cycles of pressurization and depressurization in a reactor, allowing for faster and more effective delamination without reducing the panel size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If mechanical pre-treatment (grinding, crushing, cutting) is used to reduce the size of PV modules, then the delamination processing time is reduced, but the material integrity is degraded and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating perforations in the PV module before the main delamination process. These pre-created pathways allow the fluid to penetrate deeper and faster into the encapsulant material, reducing the overall delamination time without requiring mechanical size reduction that would damage the materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid (supercritical CO2 or other solvents) that acts as a mediator between the delamination process and the encapsulant material. This fluid penetrates through the perforations and chemically interacts with the encapsulant to accelerate bond breakdown without mechanical force, thus preserving material integrity while reducing processing time.
2Productivity
If mechanical pre-treatment is used to reduce panel size, then processing kinetics are improved, but energy consumption increases and material loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pre-treatment system (grinding, crushing, cutting) with a chemical/physical system based on fluid penetration and chemical interaction. The fluid-based delamination process achieves comparable or better processing kinetics without the high energy consumption and material loss associated with mechanical size reduction.
3Speed
If mechanical pre-treatment is applied, then delamination speed is increased, but material contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary fluid serves as a clean mediator that chemically facilitates delamination without causing mechanical contamination. The fluid can be carefully controlled and removed, leaving no residual contamination that would affect the quality of recovered materials, unlike mechanical processes that mix different materials together.
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 significantly reduces the time required for delamination, preserves the integrity of the glass front face, and avoids material loss and contamination, enabling more efficient recycling of multilayer devices.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting it to at least one cycle of pressurization and depressurization of a fluid
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for delaminating a multilayer device comprising several layers, at least one of these layers being an organic structure, particularly for the purpose of recycling the materials constituting these layers. The method comprises the following steps: • A pre-treatment step of the multilayer device 1 consisting of perforating said at least one organic structure 10 in places, then • A treatment step, in a reactor, of the multilayer device 1 consisting of subjecting it to at least one pressurization and depressurization cycle of a fluid 2.