Recycling method for treating used batteries, in particular rechargeable batteries, and battery processing installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treating used lithium batteries (10) containing the steps: comminuting the batteries (10) such that comminuted material (24) is obtained, and (b) inactivating of the comminuted material (24) such that an inactive comminuted material (42) is obtained. According to the invention, the drying is conducted at a maximum pressure of 300 hPa and a maximum temperature of 80° C. and the deactivated comminuted material (42) is not filled into a transport container and/or said deactivated comminuted material is immediately further processed after the drying process.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A battery processing installation for the treatment of batteries, comprising:
 a comminution unit for comminuting the batteries such that comminuted material is obtained,   (b) a deactivation device in the form of a drying device for deactivating the comminuted material, and   (c) a vacuum installation that is connected to the drying device for generating a vacuum in the drying device,   (d) wherein the drying device is configured to dry at or below a maximum temperature of 80° C.   
     
     
         10 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9 , wherein the comminution unit is arranged in the drying device. 
     
     
         11 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a condenser for condensing gaseous electrolytes which are sucked out of the drying device; and   a particle separator is arranged between the drying device and the condenser and/or at least one pump which pumps in a direction of material flow.   
     
     
         12 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9 , further comprising
 a gas-tight and or dust-tight conveyor which connects the comminution device and the drying device.   
     
     
         13 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 an airlock arranged in front of the comminution unit for supplying the batteries, and/or   a particle separator arranged between the drying device and the condenser in a direction of material flow.   
     
     
         14 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9  wherein the drying device comprises a heater which harnesses heat from heat dissipation of vacuum pumps and/or the condenser. 
     
     
         15 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9  wherein the drying device
 comprises at least one dry-running vacuum pump. 
 
     
     
         16 . The battery processing installation according to  claim 9  wherein the comminution unit comprises a bottom filter for restricting the maximum size of comminuted material. 
     
     
         17 . The battery processing installation of  claim 15  wherein the at least on dry-running vacuum pump comprises at least two vacuum pumps whose volume flows at 400 hPa and maximum achievable minimum pressures differ. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating used lithium batteries with the steps:
 (a) comminuting of the batteries, such that comminuted material is obtained, and   (b) drying of the comminuted material, such that the battery electrolyte vaporises,   (c) wherein at least 50% of the heat required for vaporisation is introduced into the comminuted material by mechanical energy.