Multilayer Delamination Using Perforation and Pressure Cycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current delamination methods for multilayer devices, such as photovoltaic panels, are inefficient and degrade materials, leading to contamination and energy-intensive size reduction processes that hinder high-value recycling and material recovery.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pre-treatment step of perforating the organic structure to create penetration paths, followed by pressurization and depressurization cycles of a fluid in a reactor, which accelerates the delamination process without reducing the device size, maintaining material integrity and reducing treatment time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical pre-treatment (grinding, crushing, cutting) is applied to reduce panel size, then delamination processing time is reduced, but material degradation and contamination occur, limiting high-value recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelamination processing timeVSAvoidmaterial degradation and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating perforations in the organic structure before the main delamination treatment. These pre-created channels allow the fluid to penetrate more effectively into the multilayer structure during the subsequent delamination step, reducing the need for aggressive mechanical pre-treatment while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical pre-treatment systems (grinding, crushing, cutting) with a chemical/fluid-based delamination system. By using a fluid under controlled conditions to dissolve or separate the adhesive layers, the method eliminates the need for mechanical size reduction, thereby preventing material degradation and contamination while achieving effective delamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If mechanical pre-treatment is used to reduce panel size, then delamination kinetics are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelamination kineticsVSAvoidenergy consumption for size reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical size reduction processes with a fluid-based delamination system. The method uses chemical dissolution and fluid penetration to achieve delamination without the need for grinding, crushing, or cutting operations, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining improved delamination kinetics through the perforation-assisted fluid delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If mechanical pre-treatment is applied, then processing time is reduced, but glass fragments contaminate cell materials, complicating separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidglass fragment contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pre-treatment that generates glass fragments with a fluid-based delamination system. By using chemical dissolution and fluid penetration through pre-created channels, the method achieves effective delamination without mechanical contact that would fragment the glass, thereby preventing contamination of cell materials and simplifying subsequent separation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 approach significantly reduces delamination time, preserves material integrity for recycling, and minimizes energy consumption and material loss, enabling efficient recycling of multilayer devices like photovoltaic panels.

Implementation Method 1

A step of treatment in a reactor of the multi-layer device consisting of subjecting it to at least one cycle of pressurization and depressurization of a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurization and depressurization: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4385734A1Method for delaminating a multilayer device

Publication Date: 2024.06.19 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

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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.