Separating Fluid, Method And System For Separating Multilayer Systems

Abstract

A separating fluid, method and use for separating multilayer systems, especially photovoltaic modules, for the purpose of recycling, which allow the separation of multilayer systems. Especially photovoltaic modules, in comparatively simple manner in terms of the processes used, in as environmentally friendly a manner as possible, at high recycling rates. For this purpose, the separating fluid is a nanoscale dispersion or a precursor thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A separating fluid for separating multilayer systems, the separating fluid comprising a nanoscale dispersion, wherein the nanoscale dispersion comprises an organic component, an aqueous component and at least one surfactant, and wherein at least one of the surfactants is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants. 
     
     
         2 . A separating fluid according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous component has a concentration of at least 60 percent by weight. 
     
     
         3 . A separating fluid according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surfactant comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant and one or several surfactants from the group formed by anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants. 
     
     
         4 . The separating fluid according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-ionic surfactant has a concentration in the area from 2 percent by weight to 12 percent by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The separating fluid according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anionic surfactant or the amphoteric surfactant has a concentration of no more than 10 percent by weight. 
     
     
         6 . The separating fluid according to  claim 1  wherein further comprising a hydrotrope for stabilization. 
     
     
         7 . The separating fluid of  claim 1 , further comprising a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of short-chain alcohols. 
     
     
         8 . The separating fluid according to  claim 1 , further comprising a basic component. 
     
     
         9 . A method for separating multilayer systems comprising:
 washing the multilayer systems with a separating fluid comprising a nanoscale dispersion to form undissolved separated components; and   collecting one or more separated components from the multilayer systems.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising
 filling a containing with the separating fluid; and   generating a relative motion between the separating fluid and the container.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the relative motion is generated by at least one of rotation, stirring, vibrating or conveying of the separating fluid within the container. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising chopping the multilayer systems prior to the washing. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising generating defects penetrating one or several layers of the multilayer system. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising separation of the components by a swim-sink method. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising separation by a filter method. 
     
     
         16 . A facility for separation of layers in a multilayer system comprising:
 a submersion contain for accepting the multilayer system;   a dispenser for washing the multilayer system in the submersion container by a separation fluid comprising a nanoscale dispersion; and   a filtration device for filtering separated components from the multilayer system.   
     
     
         17 . The facility of  claim 16 , further comprising a defect production device for production of defects penetrating one or several layers of the multilayer system.