阅读说明：本技术 分离提取方法及蓄电池浸渍用混合物 (Separation and extraction method and mixture for battery impregnation ) 是由 萩原幸弘 于 2020-10-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及分离提取方法及蓄电池浸渍用混合物。使蓄电池提前放电,同时从蓄电池回收有价物。分离提取方法具有在包含多肽的水中浸渍蓄电池的浸渍工序。在包含多肽的水中浸渍蓄电池时,锂等从蓄电池内析出到水中。多肽捕集析出到水中的析出物并使其沉淀。因为在沉淀物中包含锂等有价物,所以根据分离提取方法,能够回收蓄电池的有价物。(The invention relates to a separation and extraction method and a mixture for battery impregnation. The accumulator is discharged in advance, and valuable substances are recovered from the accumulator. The separation and extraction method includes an immersion step of immersing the storage battery in water containing the polypeptide. When a battery is immersed in water containing a polypeptide, lithium or the like is precipitated from the battery into the water. The polypeptide is precipitated by capturing the precipitate precipitated in the water. Since the precipitate contains valuable substances such as lithium, valuable substances of the battery can be recovered by the separation and extraction method.)

1. A method of separation and extraction comprising:

and an immersion step of immersing the secondary battery in water containing the polypeptide.

2. The separation and extraction method according to claim 1, wherein,

in the immersion step, the polypeptide is put into water, and then the battery is put into the water.

3. The separation and extraction method according to claim 1, wherein,

in the immersion step, the polypeptide is introduced into water after the battery is introduced into the water.

4. The separation and extraction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a brine step of adding sodium chloride to the water,

wherein in the immersing step, the battery is immersed in water containing the sodium chloride.

5. The separation and extraction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

a grinding step of grinding the battery taken out of the water after the impregnation step;

a metal sorting step of sorting a metal material from the crushed storage battery; and

and a re-immersion step of immersing the sorted metal material in water containing the polypeptide.

6. The separation and extraction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the polypeptide is polyglutamic acid.

7. A mixture for battery impregnation, which contains a polypeptide in water, and impregnates a battery.

8. The battery-impregnating mixture according to claim 7,

also contains sodium chloride.

9. The battery-impregnating mixture according to claim 7 or 8,

the polypeptide is polyglutamic acid.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a separation and extraction method capable of recovering valuable substances from a storage battery, and a mixture for battery impregnation.

Background

In order to supply electric power for driving wheels to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, a battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery is mounted. If the original charge/discharge function of the battery is deteriorated due to its life or the like, the battery is recovered as a used-up product. As electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles become widespread, many used batteries have been produced (for example, patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-1916

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Various valuable materials such as lithium and nickel are contained in the secondary battery. Therefore, it is desired to recover various valuable materials from the used batteries. As a method of recovering valuable materials from a used battery, for example, a method of crushing the battery, sorting metal materials, and recovering the metal materials is given. However, when the battery is charged and crushed, electric shock may occur. Therefore, the battery for storing electricity is discharged by connecting a load such as a light bulb, and then crushed. However, in this method, it takes time to discharge the battery.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a separation and extraction method and a battery-impregnating mixture, which can recover valuable materials from a battery while discharging the battery at an early stage.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems, the separation and extraction method of the present invention includes an immersion step of immersing a storage battery in water containing a polypeptide.

In the dipping step, the polypeptide may be put into water and then the storage battery may be put into the water.

In the dipping step, the polypeptide may be put into the water after the battery is put into the water.

The separation and extraction method may further include a brine step of adding sodium chloride to the water, and the immersion step may immerse the battery in the water containing sodium chloride.

The separation and extraction method may further include: a crushing step of crushing the battery taken out of the water after the impregnation step; a metal sorting step of sorting the metal material from the crushed storage battery; and a re-immersion step of immersing the sorted metal material in water containing the polypeptide.

In addition, the polypeptide may be polyglutamic acid.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mixture for battery impregnation, which contains a polypeptide in water and impregnates a battery.

The battery-impregnating mixture may further contain sodium chloride.

In the mixture for battery impregnation, the polypeptide may be polyglutamic acid.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the valuable materials can be recovered from the storage battery while discharging the storage battery in advance.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a separation and extraction system for performing the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a change in voltage of a battery to be immersed.

Fig. 3A to 3B are diagrams showing an example of measurement results of changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing no polyglutamic acid and changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing polyglutamic acid. FIG. 3A shows the results of the measurement in a table. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the measurement results.

Fig. 4A to 4B are diagrams showing an example of measurement results of changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in the brine containing no polyglutamic acid and changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in the brine containing polyglutamic acid. FIG. 4A shows the measurement results in a table. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the measurement results.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are conceptual illustrations of the brine step to the separated extract obtaining step in the separation and extraction method. Fig. 6A shows a brine step, fig. 6B shows a separated extractant charging step, fig. 6C and 6D show a battery charging step, and fig. 6E shows a separated extract obtaining step.

FIGS. 7A to 7E are conceptual illustrations of the pulverization step to the isolated extract re-acquisition step in the isolation and extraction method. Fig. 7A shows a pulverization step, fig. 7B shows a metal separation step, fig. 7C and 7D show a re-immersion step, and fig. 7E shows a separated extract re-acquisition step.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 9A to 9E are conceptual illustrations of the brine step to the separated extract obtaining step in the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9A shows a brine step, fig. 9B shows a battery charging step, fig. 9C and 9D show a separated extract charging step, and fig. 9E shows a separated extract obtaining step.

Description of the symbols

40: storage battery

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Dimensions, materials, other specific numerical values, and the like shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for elements having substantially the same function and configuration to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a separation and extraction system 1 for performing the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration and the process related to the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the configuration and the process not related to the first embodiment will not be described.

In vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, for example, a battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery is mounted to supply electric power for driving wheels. The voltage of the battery is, for example, 100V or more. If the original charge/discharge function of the battery is deteriorated due to its life or the like, the battery is recovered as a used-up product. The separation and extraction system 1 is a system for recovering various valuable materials from a storage battery recovered as a used material.

The separation and extraction system includes a separation and extraction tank 10, a precipitate recovery pipe 12, a dewatering device 14, a circulation filtration device 16, a suspended matter obtaining section 18, a suspended matter recovery pipe 20, a gas recovery pipe 22, a gas recovery device 24, a gas tank 26, a pulverizer 28, a classifier 30, and a re-impregnation tank 32.

The separation and extraction tank 10 is a hollow container. The separation/extraction tank 10 contains water, sodium chloride, and polypeptide. That is, the water in the separation/extraction tank 10 contains sodium chloride and polypeptide. The water in the separation and extraction tank 10 is, for example, at room temperature. Here, the normal temperature is set to 20 ℃ ± a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is set, for example, in the range of 5 to 15 ℃.

Specifically, the polypeptide is polyglutamic acid (ポリグルタミン acid). Hereinafter, the polypeptide is explained as polyglutamic acid. In FIG. 1, sodium chloride is denoted as NaCl, and polyglutamic acid, which is an example of a polypeptide, is denoted as PG.

Here, the used battery may be collected in a state of being stored (charged). Therefore, when valuable materials are collected from a used battery, it is necessary to discharge the battery to a predetermined voltage or less to avoid electric shock from the battery. The predetermined voltage corresponds to a criterion for determining the end of discharge. The predetermined voltage may be, for example, a voltage level of the auxiliary battery (for example, 13V) or a voltage level of the dry battery (for example, 2V).

As shown in fig. 1, the used battery 40 in the separation and extraction system 1 is stored in the separation and extraction tank 10 and immersed in water in the separation and extraction tank 10. The battery 40 is housed so as to be entirely immersed in water. In addition, the battery 40 may be housed so as to be partially impregnated, and in this case, housed so as to be impregnated with terminals exposed to at least two sides of the outside. The battery 40 may be placed directly on the bottom surface of the separation and extraction tank 10, or may be placed in the separation and extraction tank 10 via a support such as a pedestal. Note that in fig. 1, the support is not shown.

An openable and closable lid 42 is provided at a vertically upper portion of the separation and extraction tank 10. When the lid 42 is opened, the battery 40 can be put into and taken out of the separation and extraction tank 10. When the lid 42 is closed, the separation and extraction tank 10 can be closed. The water, sodium chloride, and polyglutamic acid may be contained in the separation and extraction tank 10 through the lid 42, or may be contained in the separation and extraction tank 10 through another inlet.

Hereinafter, the mixture containing the polypeptide in water and impregnating the battery 40 is sometimes referred to as a battery-impregnating mixture. The battery-impregnating mixture may be composed of water containing the polypeptide and sodium chloride. The polypeptide of the battery impregnating mixture is, for example, polyglutamic acid. That is, in the separation and extraction system 1, the battery-impregnating mixture and the battery 40 are accommodated in the separation and extraction tank 10.

When the storage battery 40 is immersed in water in the separation and extraction tank 10, the terminals of the storage battery 40 are short-circuited by the water. Therefore, the battery 40 is discharged by the water.

The water in the separation/extraction tank 10 contains sodium chloride. That is, water is an aqueous solution in which sodium chloride is dissolved, that is, brine. The concentration of the brine is set to, for example, a saturated concentration. Brine has a high conductivity compared to water without dissolved sodium chloride. Therefore, the battery 40 is more quickly discharged by the water containing sodium chloride (brine).

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a change in voltage of the immersed battery 40. The chain line a10 shows the transition of the voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing no sodium chloride. The solid line a12 shows the transition of the voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing sodium chloride.

As shown by a chain line a10 in fig. 2, the voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water not containing sodium chloride can be set to a predetermined voltage (voltage considered to be the end of discharge) or less for about 48 hours, although it depends on the amount of the stored electricity. On the other hand, as shown by a solid line a12 in fig. 2, the voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing sodium chloride can be set to a predetermined voltage (voltage considered to be the end of discharge) or less within 24 hours, although it depends on the amount of electricity stored.

In both the case of immersing the battery 40 in water and the case of immersing the battery 40 in brine, the voltage of the separation and extraction tank 10 at the time of immersing the battery 40 is very low. Therefore, even if a person touches the separation and extraction tank 10 when the battery 40 is immersed, no electric shock occurs. That is, the battery 40 can be safely discharged.

Returning to fig. 1, if the battery 40 is immersed in water, the water penetrates into the battery 40 from the gap of the housing of the battery 40. Then, various constituent substances in the battery 40 such as lithium are precipitated in the water. The precipitate precipitated in water is suspended in water or precipitated in water depending on the kind thereof. The precipitate may contain a substance ionized by water, or may contain a substance newly formed by a hydrolysis reaction with water.

As described above, the water in the separation and extraction tank 10 contains polyglutamic acid. Polyglutamic acid has the function of agglutinating impurities in water. Therefore, if the battery 40 is immersed in water containing polyglutamic acid, the polyglutamic acid traps the precipitate precipitated in the water from the battery 40. The polyglutamic acid is precipitated together with the precipitate by collecting the precipitate. Therefore, even if the precipitate or the ionized precipitate is suspended in water, the polyglutamic acid can be trapped and precipitated.

Hereinafter, the precipitated substance is sometimes referred to as a precipitate. The precipitate contains not only a substance precipitated by being trapped by polyglutamic acid but also a substance directly precipitated without being trapped by polyglutamic acid. In addition, in FIG. 1, the precipitates are indicated by hatching.

In addition, sodium chloride contained in water does not interfere with the trapping and precipitation of precipitates by polyglutamic acid contained together with sodium chloride.

In addition, the precipitates from the battery 40 immersed in water are concentrated and precipitated in a short time within a predetermined time from the start of immersion of the battery 40. Then, if a predetermined time has elapsed, the precipitation of the precipitate is substantially completed. The predetermined time depends on the type or size of the battery 40, but is, for example, about 10 hours. The battery 40, after the discharge is completed and the precipitation of the precipitate is substantially completed, is taken out from the separation/extraction tank 10.

In addition, the polyglutamic acid (PG) does not hinder the discharge of the battery 40 by water. Fig. 3A to 3B are diagrams showing an example of measurement results of changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing no polyglutamic acid and changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in water containing polyglutamic acid. FIG. 3A shows the results of the measurement in a table. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the measurement results. In fig. 3A and 3B, 0 hour of the elapsed time represents the time when the battery 40 starts to be immersed. The elapsed time indicates a time from the start of the immersion of the battery 40. In fig. 3A and 3B, the battery 40 immersed in water containing no polyglutamic acid may be referred to as sample a, and the battery 40 immersed in water containing polyglutamic acid may be referred to as sample B. In fig. 3B, square marks indicate measurement results of a measurement site X of sample a, and a cross mark indicates measurement results of a measurement site Y different from measurement site X in sample a. The circle marks indicate the measurement results of the measurement site X of the sample B, and the triangle marks indicate the measurement results of the measurement site Y of the sample B.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the measurement site X, Y of sample a and the measurement site X, Y of sample B both have the following trends: if about 3 to 4 hours have elapsed from the start of the impregnation, the voltage of the battery 40 starts to decrease, and the voltage decreases with the passage of time. In both of the measurement site X, Y of sample A and the measurement site X, Y of sample B, the voltage of the battery 40 was reduced to 20V or less after 8 hours had passed from the start of immersion.

In this way, the voltage of the battery 40 (sample B) immersed in the water (water + PG) containing polyglutamic acid is reduced in the same manner as the battery 40 (sample a) immersed in the water (water) not containing polyglutamic acid, so that the polyglutamic acid does not hinder the discharge of the battery 40 by the water.

In addition, the polyglutamic acid (PG) does not hinder the discharge of the battery 40 due to the water (brine) containing sodium chloride (NaCl), even if it is contained in the water (brine) containing sodium chloride (NaCl). Fig. 4A to 4B are diagrams showing an example of measurement results of changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in the brine containing no polyglutamic acid and changes in voltage of the battery 40 immersed in the brine containing polyglutamic acid. FIG. 4A shows the measurement results in a table. FIG. 4B is a graph showing the measurement results. In fig. 4A and 4B, 0 hour of the elapsed time represents the time when the battery 40 starts to be immersed. The elapsed time indicates a time from the start of the immersion of the battery 40. In fig. 4A and 4B, the battery 40 immersed in the saline solution not containing polyglutamic acid may be referred to as sample C, and the battery 40 immersed in the saline solution containing polyglutamic acid may be referred to as sample D. In fig. 4B, the square marks indicate the measurement results of the measurement site X of the sample C, and the cross marks indicate the measurement results of the measurement site Y different from the measurement site X in the sample C. The circle mark indicates the measurement result of the measurement site X of the sample D, and the triangle mark indicates the measurement result of the measurement site Y of the sample D.

As shown in fig. 4A and 4B, although there is a difference in initial voltage of the battery 40 between the sample C and the sample D, if 1 hour passes from the start of immersion, the voltage of the battery 40 suddenly drops to 3V or less in both the measurement site X, Y of the sample C and the measurement site X, Y of the sample D. The measurement site X, Y of sample C and the measurement site X, Y of sample D both had the following trends: if 1 hour or more has elapsed from the start of immersion, the voltage decreases with the passage of time. In addition, in both of the measurement site X, Y of sample C and the measurement site X, Y of sample D, the voltage of the battery 40 decreased to 1.0V or less after 8 hours had passed from the start of immersion.

In this way, since the voltage of the battery 40 (sample D) immersed in the saline solution containing polyglutamic acid (water + NaCl + PG) is lowered in the same manner as the battery 40 (sample C) immersed in the saline solution not containing polyglutamic acid (water + NaCl), the polyglutamic acid does not hinder the discharge of the battery 40 by the saline water.

Referring back to fig. 1, a sediment recovery pipe 12 is connected to a vertically lower portion of the separation and extraction tank 10. The precipitate recovery pipe 12 is connected to a dewatering device 14. The precipitate generated in the separation and extraction tank 10 is sent to a dewatering device 14 through a precipitate recovery pipe 12.

The circulation filter device 16 is connected to the separation and extraction tank 10 at a position vertically above the sediment. The circulation filter device 16 includes, for example, a feed pump and a filter. The water inlet pump of the circulating filter device 16 obtains the water in the separating and extracting tank 10 which is vertically above the sediment. The water contains polyglutamic acid and precipitate. As described above, polyglutamic acid traps and precipitates. However, when the collected precipitates do not aggregate to a specific gravity of the extent of precipitation, the collected precipitates may be suspended in water without precipitating. The filter of the circulation filtration device 16 separates precipitates captured by the polyglutamic acid from the obtained water. Thereby, the obtained water is filtered. The filtered water is returned to the separation and extraction tank 10. Hereinafter, the precipitate and polyglutamic acid separated by the circulation filtration device 16 may be referred to as filtration residue.

Further, a sediment collection pipe 12 is connected to the circulation filter device 16. The filtered residue is sent to the dewatering device 14 through the precipitate recovery pipe 12.

The suspended matter obtaining portion 18 is set to be located at the water surface in the separation and extraction tank 10. The suspended matter obtaining portion 18 is connected to a suspended matter recovery pipe 20. A suspended matter recovery pipe 20 is connected to the dewatering device 14. The suspended matter obtaining portion 18 attracts the precipitated matter suspended on the water surface. The attracted precipitate is sent to the dewatering device 14 through the suspended matter collecting tube 20.

The dehydration device 14 is, for example, a centrifugal separator or the like. The dewatering device 14 removes water from the obtained sediment, filter residue and suspended matter. Thereby, a powdery powder from which moisture was removed was obtained. The powder contains valuable substances such as lithium in the battery 40.

In the separation and extraction system 1, valuable materials can be separated, extracted, and recovered from the storage battery 40 in this way. Further, although the description is omitted, a conventional sorting technique suitable for each valuable substance may be applied to the powder.

Further, a gas recovery pipe 22 is connected to a vertically upper portion (e.g., a lid 42) of the separation/extraction tank 10. The gas recovery pipe 22 is connected to a gas recovery device 24. Here, if the battery 40 is immersed in water, a gas such as hydrogen fluoride is generated. The gas generated in the separation/extraction tank 10 is sent to a gas recovery device 24 through a gas recovery pipe 22. The gas recovery device 24 separates useful gas such as hydrogen fluoride from air. The gas tank 26 is connected to the gas recovery device 24. The gas tank 26 stores the gas separated by the gas recovery device 24.

The storage battery 40 taken out of the separation and extraction tank 10 is carried to the crusher 28. The crusher 28 includes, for example, a pair of rollers arranged to face each other. The crusher 28 mechanically crushes the secondary battery 40 by a pair of rollers. The crushed battery 40 is sent to the sorter 30 by a conveyor 44 or the like.

The sorter 30 sorts the pulverized secondary battery 40 into a metal material and a plastic material by, for example, a vibrating screen method or the like. The sorting method is not limited to the vibrating screen method, and may be, for example, a sorting method using a specific gravity difference.

The re-impregnation tank 32 is, for example, a vessel rotatable about a vertical axis. The re-immersion tank 32 contains water, polyglutamic acid, which is an example of polypeptide, and a metal material sorted by the sorter 30. The re-impregnation tank 32 stirs the polyglutamic acid and the metal material in the water by rotating about a vertical axis. Thereby, the remaining precipitate that is not precipitated in the separation and extraction tank 10 is precipitated from the metal material into water. If precipitates are precipitated from the metal material, the precipitated portion is trapped by the polyglutamic acid.

When the rotation of the re-immersion tank 32 is completed, the precipitate trapped by the polyglutamic acid precipitates. The precipitate and the metallic material are taken out of the water and sorted. The precipitate taken out from the re-impregnation tank 32 is dehydrated by the dehydration device 14, for example, to be made into powder.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment. As shown in fig. 5, the separation and extraction method is performed in the order of a brine step (S100), a separation extractant charging step (S110), a battery charging step (S120), and a separation extract obtaining step (S130). Thereafter, the pulverization step (S140), the metal separation step (S150), the re-impregnation step (S160), and the separated extract re-acquisition step (S170) are performed in this order, and the series of processes is completed. In the separation and extraction method, the separation extractant charging step (S110) and the battery charging step (S120) may be collectively referred to as an immersion step.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are conceptual illustrations of the brine step to the separated extract obtaining step in the separation and extraction method. Fig. 6A shows a brine step, fig. 6B shows a separated extractant charging step, fig. 6C and 6D show a battery charging step, and fig. 6E shows a separated extract obtaining step. In fig. 6A to 6E, similarly to fig. 1, sodium chloride is denoted as NaCl, and polyglutamic acid is denoted as PG.

As shown in fig. 6A, water is contained in the separation and extraction tank 10 before the brine process. In the brine step, sodium chloride is added to the water in the separation and extraction tank 10. In the brine step, sodium chloride is contained in the water in the separation/extraction tank 10.

As shown in fig. 6B, in the separation/extraction agent charging step, polyglutamic acid, which is an example of a polypeptide that functions as a separation/extraction agent, is charged into the water in the separation/extraction tank 10. When the step of introducing the separation extractant is performed, the water in the separation and extraction tank 10 contains polyglutamic acid. That is, both sodium chloride and polyglutamic acid are contained in water by performing both the brine step and the separating/extracting agent charging step.

Here, an example is given in which the step of introducing the separating/extracting agent is performed after the brine step. However, the brine step may be performed at least before the battery charging step, may be performed after the separating/extracting agent charging step, or may be performed simultaneously with the separating/extracting agent charging step. In addition, the brine step may be omitted.

As shown in fig. 6C, in the battery charging step, the battery 40 is charged into the water after the separating and extracting agent charging step. That is, in the immersion step including the separation extractant charging step and the storage battery charging step, the storage battery 40 is immersed in water containing at least polyglutamic acid as an example of the polypeptide. Here, since the brine step is performed before the battery charging step, if the battery charging step is performed, the battery 40 is immersed in water containing both polyglutamic acid and sodium chloride, which are examples of polypeptides.

As shown in fig. 6D, when the battery loading step is performed to immerse the battery 40, the battery 40 is discharged with water containing sodium chloride. When the battery loading step is performed to immerse the battery 40, precipitates precipitate from the battery 40 into water, and the precipitates are collected by the polyglutamic acid and precipitated. In FIG. 6D, the precipitate is indicated by hatching.

After a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the battery charging step, the extract separation and acquisition step is performed. The predetermined time is set based on the discharge end time of the battery 40 and the precipitation end time of the precipitates. That is, after the battery 40 is considered to be sufficiently discharged and the precipitate is sufficiently precipitated, the extract separation and acquisition step is performed.

As shown in fig. 6E, in the separated extract obtaining step, the separated extract, i.e., the precipitate, is taken out from the water in the separation and extraction tank 10. In FIG. 6E, the precipitate (isolated extract) taken out of the water is indicated by hatching. Specifically, the precipitate is taken out through the precipitate recovery pipe 12. In the separated extract obtaining step, the battery 40 is taken out from the water in the separation/extraction tank 10. Specifically, the lid 42 is opened to take out the battery 40.

FIGS. 7A to 7E are conceptual illustrations of the pulverization step to the isolated extract re-acquisition step in the isolation and extraction method. Fig. 7A shows a pulverization step, fig. 7B shows a metal separation step, fig. 7C and 7D show a re-immersion step, and fig. 7E shows a separated extract re-acquisition step. In fig. 7A to 7E, the polyglutamic acid is denoted by PG as in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 7A, in the grinding step, the battery 40 taken out from the water after the immersion step is ground. In the crushing process, for example, in the crusher 28, the battery 40 is crushed by sandwiching the battery between a pair of rollers 46 rotating in opposite directions. The pulverized battery 40 is changed into powder.

As shown in fig. 7B, in the metal sorting step, the pulverized powder of the storage battery 40 is sorted into a metal material and a plastic material in the sorter 30. That is, in the metal sorting step, the metal material is sorted from the battery 40 after the pulverization. In addition, the sorted plastics can be sorted by applying a sorting method suitable for each plastic, and can be sorted for each plastic.

As shown in fig. 7C, in the re-immersion step, the sorted metal material is immersed in water containing polyglutamic acid, which is an example of the polypeptide, in the re-immersion tank 32. In the re-immersion step, the metal material and the polyglutamic acid are stirred in the water in the re-immersion tank 32 for a predetermined time. In the re-immersion step, precipitates precipitate from the metal material into water and the precipitates are captured by the polyglutamic acid when the metal material is immersed. In addition, by stirring the metal material and polyglutamic acid in water, precipitation of precipitates from the metal material is promoted, and the precipitates are easily trapped by the polyglutamic acid.

As shown in fig. 7D, in the re-immersion step, precipitates trapped by polyglutamic acid precipitate at the end of stirring. In FIG. 7D, the precipitate is indicated by hatching.

In the re-immersion step, an example of stirring is given. However, in the re-immersion step, stirring may be omitted.

As shown in fig. 7E, in the separated extract recovering step, the separated extract to be separated and extracted, i.e., the precipitate, is taken out from the water in the re-immersion tank 32. In FIG. 7E, the precipitate (isolated extract) taken out of the water is indicated by hatching. Dehydrating the precipitate, and making into powder.

In the separated extract recovery step, the metal material is taken out from the water in the re-immersion tank 32. The extracted metal materials are sorted by applying a sorting method appropriate for each metal material, and may be sorted for each metal material.

As described above, the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment includes an immersion step of immersing the battery 40 in water containing a polypeptide. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, valuable substances contained in the battery 40 can be precipitated in water and collected. In the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, by immersing the battery 40 in water, the battery 40 can be easily and quickly discharged without preventing the collection of the precipitates from the battery 40.

Therefore, according to the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, it is possible to discharge the battery 40 in advance while recovering valuable substances from the battery 40. In addition, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, the discharge of the battery 40 and the recovery of valuable substances can be performed simultaneously. In addition, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, electric shock due to the battery 40 can be avoided. In addition, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, the facility for discharging the battery 40 and collecting valuable materials can be simplified.

In the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the polypeptide is put into water, and then a battery is put into the water. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the collection of the precipitates from the battery 40 and the discharge of the battery can be performed simultaneously from the time when the battery 40 starts to be immersed. As a result, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, the recovery of valuable substances in the battery 40 can be further terminated early.

In the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the battery 40 is immersed in water containing sodium chloride. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the discharge of the battery 40 can be terminated earlier without preventing the collection of the precipitates from the battery 40.

In the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the storage battery 40 after the impregnation step is pulverized, and the metal material sorted from the pulverized storage battery 40 is impregnated with water containing the polypeptide. This corresponds to the collection of the precipitates from the battery 40 being performed again. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment, valuable materials can be more reliably collected from the battery 40.

In the separation and extraction method according to the first embodiment, the deposits from the battery 40 are collected as precipitates, the gas generated from the battery 40 is collected by the gas collection device 24, and the battery 40 after the deposits are precipitated is crushed, sorted, and re-immersed and collected, whereby all valuable substances of the battery 40 can be collected.

The battery-impregnating mixture according to the first embodiment is a mixture in which a polypeptide is contained in water, and the battery 40 is impregnated. Therefore, according to the battery-impregnating mixture of the first embodiment, as in the separation and extraction method described above, the valuable substances can be recovered from the battery 40 while discharging the battery 40 at an early stage.

The battery-impregnating mixture according to the first embodiment further contains sodium chloride. Therefore, the discharge of the battery 40 can be terminated further early.

(second embodiment)

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment. As shown in fig. 8, in the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment, the battery charging step (S210) is performed after the brine step (S100), the separation extractant charging step (S220) is performed after the battery charging step (S210), and the separation extract obtaining step (S130) is performed after the separation extractant charging step (S220). That is, the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment is different from the separation and extraction method of the first embodiment in that the order of the battery charging step (S210) and the separation and extraction agent charging step (S220) is reversed. Hereinafter, the steps common to the first embodiment will not be described, and the different steps will be described in detail. In the second embodiment, the battery charging step (S210) and the separating/extracting agent charging step (S220) may be collectively referred to as a soaking step.

FIGS. 9A to 9E are conceptual illustrations of the brine step to the separated extract obtaining step in the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9A shows a brine step, fig. 9B shows a battery charging step, fig. 9C and 9D show a separated extract charging step, and fig. 9E shows a separated extract obtaining step.

As shown in fig. 9A, in the brine step, sodium chloride is put into the water in the separation and extraction tank 10. In the brine step, sodium chloride is contained in the water in the separation/extraction tank 10.

As shown in fig. 9B, in the battery charging step after the brine step, the battery 40 is charged into water containing sodium chloride. When the battery loading step is performed to immerse the battery 40, the battery 40 is discharged with water containing sodium chloride. In addition, when the battery loading step is performed to immerse the battery 40, the precipitate is precipitated from the battery 40 into water.

As shown in fig. 9C, in the separating and extracting agent charging step after the battery charging step, in a state where the battery 40 is immersed in water containing sodium chloride, polyglutamic acid, which is an example of polypeptide, is charged into the water. That is, in the second embodiment, the polypeptide is introduced after the battery 40 is introduced into the water. When the step of introducing the separating/extracting agent is performed, the water contains polyglutamic acid in addition to sodium chloride.

Then, if the step of introducing the separating/extracting agent is performed, the precipitate precipitated in the water is captured by polyglutamic acid and precipitated as shown in fig. 9D. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the step of introducing the separating/extracting agent, a step of obtaining the separated/extracting agent is performed.

As shown in fig. 9E, in the separated extract obtaining step, the precipitate as the separated extract obtained by separation and extraction, and the battery 40 are taken out from the water in the separation and extraction tank 10.

In the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, the separation and extraction agent charging step may be performed after the discharge of the battery 40 is completed, or the separation and extraction agent charging step may be performed during the discharge of the battery 40.

As described above, the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment includes an immersion step of immersing the battery 40 in water containing the polypeptide. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the battery 40 can be easily and promptly discharged, and valuable substances contained in the battery 40 can be precipitated in water and collected.

Therefore, according to the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the battery 40 can be discharged in advance while valuable substances are recovered from the battery 40. In the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, electric shock due to the battery 40 can be avoided, and the facility can be simplified, as in the first embodiment. In the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, if the separation and extraction agent introduction step is performed during the discharge of the battery 40, the discharge of the battery 40 and the recovery of valuable materials can be performed simultaneously.

In the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, the polypeptide can be introduced in a state where the precipitate is sufficiently precipitated in water. Therefore, in the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, the collection of the precipitates can be terminated early.

In the separation and extraction method according to the second embodiment, the battery 40 is immersed in water containing sodium chloride, and therefore, the discharge of the battery 40 can be terminated further early.

In the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment, the re-immersion step may be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this configuration, valuable materials can be recovered from the battery 40 more reliably. In the separation and extraction method of the second embodiment, all valuable materials of the storage battery 40 can be collected as in the first embodiment.

The battery-impregnating mixture may be produced by adding polyglutamic acid, which is an example of a polypeptide, to water in which the battery 40 is impregnated. That is, the battery-impregnating mixture is not limited to the embodiment in which the battery 40 is subsequently impregnated, and may be produced in a state in which the battery 40 is impregnated.

In the embodiment in which the battery-impregnating mixture contains sodium chloride, even when the battery-impregnating mixture is produced after the battery 40 is impregnated, the water constituting the battery-impregnating mixture contains sodium chloride before the battery 40 is impregnated. This can suitably exhibit the effect of shortening the discharge time of the battery 40 by sodium chloride.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the claims and these are also understood to be within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, polyglutamic acid is given as an example of a polypeptide that functions as an extraction agent for separation. However, other polypeptides having an aggregating action may be used as the separation extractant without being limited to polyglutamic acid.

In each of the above embodiments, the temperature of the water in the separation/extraction tank 10 is set to normal temperature. However, the temperature of the water in the separation and extraction tank 10 is not limited to normal temperature. The water in the separation/extraction tank 10 may be kept at least in a liquid state, and may be higher than ordinary temperature, for example. The higher the temperature of the water in the separation/extraction tank 10 is, the more quickly the end of discharge of the battery 40 and the end of collection of the precipitates can be advanced.

In the brine step of each of the above embodiments, the brine concentration is set to a saturated concentration. However, the concentration of the brine is not limited to the concentration at which the brine becomes saturated, and may be, for example, a concentration of the order of seawater. However, the higher the concentration of sodium chloride, the more the end of the discharge of the battery 40 can be advanced.

In each of the above embodiments, the battery 40 mounted in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle is used as a target of the separation and extraction method. However, the object of the separation and extraction method is not limited to the battery 40 mounted on the vehicle, and for example, the battery 40 that operates the electronic device may be the object of the separation and extraction method. In each of the above embodiments, a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydride battery is exemplified as the battery 40 to be subjected to the separation and extraction method. However, the battery 40 to be subjected to the separation and extraction method may be another type of battery 40.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be used for a separation and extraction method capable of recovering valuable substances from a storage battery and a mixture for battery impregnation.