METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACCUMULATORS, BATTERIES AND THE LIKE

Abstract

A method for processing accumulators, batteries and the like, which contain lithium, lithium ions, sodium, potassium and/or nickel as active components. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out; introducing an accumulator, a battery, cell or the like, that contains lithium, lithium ions, sodium, potassium and/or nickel, into a chamber/reactor (13,23); introducing water (H2O) (B, B2) in to the reactor (13,23); bringing the content of the reactor (13) to a temperature between 120° C. and 370° C. at a pressure between 2 and 250 bar.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of accumulators, batteries, cells, containing lithium, lithium ions, sodium, potassium and/or nickel as active components, consisting of the following steps: Insertion of an accumulator, battery, cell, containing lithium, lithium ions, sodium, potassium and/or nickel, into a reactor, Insertion of water into the reactor, Raising the contents of the reactor to a temperature between 120° C. and 370° C. with a pressure between 2 and 250 bar.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein inert gas is also introduced into the reactor with the water.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the reactor are raised to a temperature of at least 200° C. and to a minimum pressure of 16 bar.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the reactor are raised to a temperature of a maximum of 250° C. and to a maximum pressure of 40 bar.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of water to the batteries/accumulators/cells to be treated is preferably 1/1 to 10/1 by weight.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] An example of the method according to the invention is described below in a non-restrictive manner by means of an attached diagram, wherein:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a process scheme according to the invention; and

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a second process scheme according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In FIG. 1, the reference number 10 indicates a method according to the invention. Reference number 11 indicates a mass A which is formed by batteries, accumulators, charging cells and the like to be recycled. A compound B, which is usually water 12, is then also introduced into this mass A and, in a preferred embodiment, an inert gas can also be added. A and B form the mass C.

[0038] The amount of water H.sub.2O is advantageously determined as a function of the mass of batteries, accumulators, charging cells or the like to be treated. In order to have enough H.sub.2O available during the treatment process, H.sub.2O is added from 1 to 10 times more than the weight A of the batteries to be treated in the water.

[0039] The reactive chemical substances, for example chloric acid and hydrofluoric acid, are bound by water vapour and liquid water. These chemical substances bind with water and form aqueous solutions that are easier to handle than their gaseous compounds.

[0040] The mass C is heated within the reactor 13 by bringing the temperature between 120 and 370° C. Depending on the temperature, the pressure inside the reactor reaches from 2 to 250 bar. The temperature is advantageously kept below 250° C. and the pressure below 40 bar. When reaching a temperature of approx. 220° C. in the reactor and a pressure of approx. 25 bar, the membrane and/or the separator between the anode and the cathode collapses for most of the batteries, accumulators, charging cells and the like and leads the to a short circuit in the battery, the accumulator, and the charging cells. As a result of this short circuit, an increase in temperature is also displayed. As products of the reaction between batteries/accumulators and water under the conditions mentioned, hydrogen (H.sub.2), light hydrocarbons, CO.sub.2 and CO can develop with a content that changes depending on the state of charge of the batteries/accumulators.

[0041] The greater the state of charge of the batteries to be treated, the more H.sub.2 and light hydrocarbons can be developed. It is possible to use the developed gases by recovering the hydrogen (H2) or, for example, to feed a thermal engine with the resulting gases to generate electrical energy.

[0042] In order to stabilize the reaction within the reactor, acids or bases can be added to buffer the pH levels.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a continuous process 20 for the treatment of batteries to be recycled, in which the charge A2 21 is fed within a reactor 23 and water and preferably also inert gas B2 designated by the reference number 22 are added to the reactor. The continuous supply has the advantage that the reactor 23 is already at the desired temperature and at the desired pressure. In order to maintain the pressure within the reactor 23, screw conveyors and/or conveyors with check valves can be provided which maintain the pressure within the reactor 23. In order to monitor and dose the correct amount of water, sensors (temperature, pressure, pH) may be arranged inside the reactor 23, which allow the setting of a possible addition of water or inert gas.

[0044] The gases generated inside the reactor can be used to generate thermal energy to help keep the process at the necessary temperature. After the process 20, the treated materials can be sorted, separated and recycled. The process described in this way can also be used as a pre-treatment process for the recycling of the material in question. With the process according to the invention, the costs for the transport and handling of the exhausted batteries/accumulators decrease significantly, since the potential risk of fire and explosion is eliminated.

[0045] The variants of the method described above are only used for a better understanding of the process, the mode of operation and the properties of the solution presented. They do not limit the disclosure of the exemplary embodiments. The figures are schematic, with properties and essential effects in some cases being clearly enlarged in order to emphasize the functions, the process principles, configurations and technical features. This means that every mode of operation, every principle, every technical embodiment and every feature that is disclosed in the figures or in the description can be used freely and in any manner combined with all patent claims, every feature in the description and in the other figures, other modes of operation, principles, configurations and technical features contained in this disclosure or result from it in such a way that all conceivable combinations can be attributed to the solution described. This also includes combinations between all the individual versions in the description, e.g. in each paragraph of the description, in the claims and also combinations between different variants in the description, in the dimensions and in the figures. The device and method details presented above are shown interrelated: it should be pointed out, however, that they can be combined with one another independently of one another and one can freely be combined with the other. The relationships of the individual parts and their sections between one another and their dimensions and proportions shown in the figures are not to be understood as limiting. Individual dimensions and proportions can also differ from those shown. The patent claims also do not limit the disclosure and therefore not the possible combinations of all the features presented. All the features presented are also disclosed individually and in combination with all other features.

[0046] List of reference numbers

[0047] 10 Method according to the invention

[0048] 11 Mass A of accumulators etc. to be recycled

[0049] 12 Water and inert gas B

[0050] 13 Reactor of mass A and gas B

[0051] 14/15 Final product of process D

[0052] Mass A2 of accumulators etc. to be recycled

[0053] Inert gas B2

[0054] 23 Reactor of mass A2 and gas B2

[0055] Final product of process D2

[0056] C Mass in the reactor 13

[0057] C2 Mass in the reactor 23