KR102349189B1 - Apparatus for treating waste battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating waste batteries, which comprises: a conveying means having a conveying belt rotated by a plurality of rotating shafts rotated so that the supplied waste batteries are conveyed in one direction; a pulverizer arranged in a middle along the traveling direction of the conveying means and pulverizing a waste battery; a heater formed on a downstream side of the pulverizer and heating the dust formed by the pulverizer; a collector collecting the dust passing through the pulverizer and the heater; a filter part filtering the pulverized material of the collector; a mixer supplying an additive to the dust discharged from a discharge pipe of the filter part; and a compressor compressing the mixture mixed in the mixer.

Description

Waste battery treatment device {APPARATUS FOR TREATING WASTE BATTERY}

The present invention relates to a waste battery treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a waste battery treatment apparatus capable of minimizing diffusion of dust generated in the process of treating a waste battery to the surroundings.

BACKGROUND ART In general, lithium ion rechargeable batteries are used in automotive, home appliance, and industrial energy storage applications, and usage requirements are increasing.

However, less than 5% of waste batteries whose useful life has expired are recycled worldwide.

In contrast, the application of lithium-ion batteries in electromobility applications such as electric vehicles is expected to result in the retirement of lithium-ion battery packs with an estimated service life of over 11 million tonnes.

As such, the lithium ion battery pack whose service life has expired has cobalt, lithium, copper, graphite, nickel, aluminum, manganese, and the like of a valuable metal.

That is, waste batteries whose useful life has expired can be used as a high-grade urban mine source for lithium and many other valuable metals.

Current methods of recycling waste batteries mainly consist of smelting or pyrometallurgy to recover metal alloys (typically cobalt, copper and nickel). In particular, recycling facilities using dry smelting have a problem that fine dust or dust of pulverized waste batteries is contained in the air and contains harmful components that can accumulate in the alveoli of workers, as well as components that cause environmental pollution. .

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1574641 (2015.12.04. Announcement) Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1831260 (2018.02.22. Announcement)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a waste battery treatment device that can be applied directly to a subsequent process by minimizing the diffusion of dust generated in the process of treating the waste battery to the surroundings. have.

Waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a conveying means having a conveying belt rotated by a plurality of rotating shafts rotated so that the supplied waste batteries are conveyed in one direction, disposed in the middle along the traveling direction of the conveying means, A pulverizer for pulverizing a waste battery, a heater formed on the downstream side of the pulverizer and heating the dust formed by the pulverizer, a collector for collecting dust passing through the pulverizer and the heater, filtering the pulverized product of the collector It may include a filter unit, a mixer for supplying additives to the dust discharged from the discharge pipe of the filter unit, and a compressor for compressing the mixture mixed in the mixer.

The collector is formed in a duct structure having an internal flow space above the crusher, the heater, and the filter unit, and may include a branch pipe that sequentially communicates with the crusher, the heater, and the filter unit along the longitudinal direction.

The compressor may communicate with the mixer along a discharge pipe discharged from the filter unit.

The compressor may include an upper member disposed on the upper side and reciprocating up and down to compress the dust and a lower member supporting the dust from the lower side on the opposite side of the upper member of the dust.

The mixer may inject an additive including at least one of a binder and a diluent or a mixture thereof to the dust inside.

The diluent may include a non-aromatic hydrocarbon.

A waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a collector for collecting dust of pulverized waste batteries and a mixer for supplying and mixing additives to the dust discharged from the collector, wherein the mixer includes a preset number of mixer rotations and a preset mixing amount.

The preset pressure may be 0.5 to 3.0 t ^{/cm 2 .}

The preset mixing amount may be a mixing amount of the diluent and the binder, and the preset mixing amount may be 5 to 30%.

The preset mixer rotation speed may be 100 to 500 rpm.

According to the waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention made as described above, since the dust of the crushed waste battery flows to the mixer via the collector and the filter unit in direct communication, the process is performed by preventing the dust from scattering to the surroundings. It is possible to improve the poor working environment caused by the fine dust generated during operation.

In addition, since the dust passing through the collector and the filter unit is mixed with the additive inside the mixer, cohesive force may be improved.

In addition, when a diluent is added as an additive, since the diluent required for the subsequent process is used to prevent dust, it can be used as it is without removing the diluent in the subsequent process. In this case, the diluent prevents dust through powder agglomeration, increases moldability, and does not need to be removed in a subsequent process, so the number of steps can be reduced.

In addition, since the agglomerated dust in the mixer is immediately compressed and formed into blocks, the recovery process is facilitated to solve the problem of low yield, and the compressed blocks can be stacked, making it easy to move and sell.

1 schematically shows an apparatus for treating a waste battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the compression device of FIG. 1 .
Figure 3 shows a state in which the compression device of Figure 2 is operated.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully understand the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless specifically defined explicitly.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms including different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, when a component shown in the drawings is turned over, a component described as "beneath" or "beneath" of another component may be placed "above" of the other component. can Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may also be oriented in other orientations, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 schematically shows a waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the compression apparatus of FIG. 1 , and FIG. 3 is an operating state of the compression apparatus of FIG. it has been shown

1 to 3 , the waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transport unit 100 , a grinder 110 , a heater 120 , a filter unit 130 , a mixer 200 , and a compressor. (300) may be included.

The conveying means 100 includes a conveying belt 102 in which at least one pair of driving rollers 101 are spaced apart by a predetermined length and arranged in parallel, and rotated in one direction by the rotational friction force of the outer peripheral surface of the driving roller 101 can do.

The driving roller 101 may be disposed at both ends along the longitudinal direction of the transport belt 102 , or a plurality of driving rollers may be disposed in parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance to transmit a driving force to the transport belt 102 .

The grinder 110 may be disposed in the middle along the traveling direction of the conveying means 100 . In addition, a plurality of grinding blades (not shown) are provided to finely grind the supplied waste battery W, and may be crushed by frictional force formed in the gap between the intersecting grinding blades. means may be used, but is not limited thereto because various means for crushing the waste battery W may be used.

The heater 120 heats the dust pulverized in the grinder 110 at a high temperature in advance to perform a function of improving cohesion in the process through the filter unit 130 and the compressor 300 to be described later. For example, the heat treatment temperature of the heater 120 may be set in the range of 500 ℃ to 1000 ℃.

The filter unit 130 may be disposed on the downstream side of the heater 120 to perform a function of filtering the current collector included in the dust passing through the grinder 110 and the heater 120 . At this time, a collector 140 communicating with the crusher 110 , the heater 120 and the filter unit 130 sequentially along the longitudinal direction is provided on the upper side of the crusher 110 , the heater 120 and the filter unit 130 . can be

The collector 140 performs a function of preventing the fine dust from being discharged to the outside. The filter unit 130 may communicate with the branch pipe 141 formed on the most downstream side of the collector 140 .

A mesh network (not shown) is disposed inside the filter unit 130 to perform a function of separating the dust from the current collector included in the waste battery passing through the crusher 110 and the heater 120 .

That is, the pulverized material generated inside the pulverizer 110 and the heater 120 sequentially rises and passes through the collector 140 , and from the pulverized material falling through the collector 140 in the filter unit 130 . Allow the dust to flow while the relatively bulky current collector is filtered.

A discharge pipe 131 is formed at the rear end of the filter unit 130 , and the dust discharged through the discharge pipe 131 may be supplied to the mixer 200 .

The mixer 200 may supply additives to the dust. The additive may include at least one of a binder or a diluent, or a mixture thereof. When the diluent is included in the additive, it is possible to perform a function of maintaining the shape of the block in the process of the compressor 300 to be described later because the diluent is not cured. In addition, since it is used in the subsequent smelting process, there is no need to remove it. The diluent may be, for example, a non-aromatic hydrocarbon. Here, the diluent performs a function of diluting the extractant when the valuable metal is subsequently recovered.

The mixer 200 may be coupled to communicate with the additive supply unit 201 for supplying the additive as described above. In this case, the mixer 200 may be controlled by a preset mixing amount and a preset mixer rotation speed.

The preset mixing amount may be 5 to 30% when the diluent and the binder are mixed. When the mixing amount is less than 5%, it becomes difficult to prepare the slurry, and when the mixing amount is more than 30%, it becomes difficult to maintain the block shape during molding of the compressor 300 to be described later.

In addition, the mixer 200 may be controlled by a preset number of mixer rotations. The preset number of rotations of the mixer can be controlled in the range of 100 to 500 rpm. If the rotation number of the mixer is less than 100 rpm, mixing may be non-uniform, and when the rotation number of the mixer is more than 500 rpm, the amount of slurry supplied to the compressor 200 It becomes difficult to control.

In addition, the clay in a mixed state of dust and additives in the mixer 200 may be stored in the receiving member 210 disposed below the mixer 200 . After the accommodating member 210 is temporarily stored, it is pressed by a separately installed transfer unit 220 so that it can be transferred to a compressor 300 to be described later.

Here, the conveying unit 220 reciprocates and a means such as a double-acting cylinder capable of pressing the receiving member 210 may be used, but various means by which the receiving member 210 may be transported toward the compressor 300 may be used. Since it can be used, it is not limited thereto.

The compressor 300 is disposed on the upper side and reciprocates up and down to compress the dust and the upper member 320 and the lower member 310 for supporting the dust from the lower side on the opposite side of the upper member 320 of the dust. Can include have. In this case, the molding pressure of the compressor 300 may be ^{0.5 to 3.0 t/cm 2 .} When the molding pressure of the compressor 300 is ^{less than 0.5 t/cm 2} , a molding defect may occur, and when the molding pressure of the compressor 300 ^{exceeds 3.0 t/cm 2} , it is not naturally released in the secondary process.

That is, as described above, a solid block (B) having a volume of a certain shape may be formed by applying a compressive force to the clay mixture from upper and lower sides.

Therefore, according to the waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention made as described above, since the dust of the crushed waste battery flows to the mixer via the collector and the filter unit in direct communication, the dust is prevented from scattering to the surroundings By doing so, it is possible to improve the poor working environment caused by fine dust generated during the process.

In addition, since the dust passing through the collector and the filter unit is mixed with the additive inside the mixer, cohesive force may be improved.

In addition, when a diluent is added as an additive, since the diluent required for the subsequent process is used to prevent dust, it can be used as it is without removing the diluent in the subsequent process. In this case, the diluent prevents dust through powder agglomeration, increases moldability, and does not need to be removed in a subsequent process, so the number of steps can be reduced.

In addition, since the agglomerated dust in the mixer is immediately compressed and formed into blocks, the recovery process is facilitated to solve the problem of low yield, and the compressed blocks can be stacked, making it easy to move and sell.

As described above, the waste battery treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings described above, and within the scope of the claims, the present invention Various implementations are possible by those of ordinary skill in the art.

100: transport means
110: grinder
120: burner
130: filter unit
131: discharge pipe
140: collector
200: mixer
300: compressor

Claims (11)

a conveying means having a conveying belt which is rotated by a plurality of rotating shafts which are rotated so that the supplied waste batteries are conveyed in one direction;
a pulverizer disposed in the middle along the moving direction of the conveying means to pulverize the waste battery;
a heater formed on a downstream side of the pulverizer for heating the dust formed by the pulverizer;
a collector for collecting dust passing through the grinder and the heater;
a filter unit for filtering the pulverized material of the collector;
a mixer for supplying an additive to the dust discharged from the discharge pipe of the filter unit;
a receiving member disposed below the mixer and storing the dust;
a transfer unit for pressing a side surface of the receiving member; and
A waste battery treatment apparatus comprising a compressor for pressing and compressing the upper and lower surfaces of the dust in a state in which the side is pressurized by the transfer unit. According to claim 1,
The collector is formed in a duct structure having an internal flow space above the crusher, the heater, and the filter unit, and is provided with a branch pipe that is sequentially communicated with the crusher, the heater and the filter unit in the longitudinal direction. 3. The method of claim 2,
The compressor is in communication with the mixer along a discharge pipe discharged from the filter unit, waste battery treatment apparatus. 4. The method of claim 3,
The compressor is
an upper member disposed on the upper side and reciprocating up and down to compress the dust; and
and a lower member supporting the dust from the lower side on the opposite side of the upper member of the dust. According to claim 1,
The mixer is a waste battery treatment device for injecting an additive to the dust inside. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the additive comprises a dearomatic hydrocarbon. a collector for collecting dust from crushed waste batteries; and
and a mixer for supplying and mixing additives to the dust discharged from the collector,
Wherein the mixer is controlled by a preset mixer rotation speed and a preset mixing amount, an apparatus for treating waste batteries. 8. The method of claim 7,
Waste battery treatment apparatus further comprising a compressor for compressing the mixture mixed in the mixer to a preset pressure. 9. The method of claim 8,
The preset pressure is 0.5 to 3.0 t/cm ² of, a waste battery treatment device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The preset mixing amount is a mixing amount of the diluent and the binder, and the preset mixing amount is 5 to 30%, the waste battery treatment apparatus. 8. The method of claim 7,
The preset number of rotations of the mixer is 100 to 500 rpm, a waste battery treatment device.

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