Wet crushing of batteries is a key pre-treatment technology in the recycling of used lithium batteries, which realizes safe and efficient battery dismantling through physical crushing combined with liquid media (e.g., water or chemical solutions), and is especially suitable for the treatment of charged batteries, avoiding the risk of explosion in the traditional dry crushing method. The following is the core information and innovation points of the technology:
I. Process flow of wet crushing battery
Pre-treatment and crushing
Salt water discharge: some processes will discharge the battery with salt water before crushing to ensure safety.
Charged crushing: Adopting spray cooling technology (e.g. water or ice-water mixture), multi-stage crushing of charged batteries is carried out directly without prolonged discharging, which significantly shortens the processing cycle (e.g. patented equipment of Grimmie and Hunan Jiangye Electromechanical).
Multi-stage crushing: Through multi-stage cutting (e.g. primary crushing, secondary crushing) by roller set or crusher, the batteries are gradually broken down into fine fragments and separated from metallic and non-metallic materials with screening equipment (e.g. tumbler screen).
Solid-liquid separation and subsequent treatment
Spraying and cooling: During the crushing process, the spraying system continuously sprays liquid to prevent combustion or explosion caused by high temperature, and at the same time inhibit the spread of dust.
Solid-liquid separation: the crushed mixture is separated from the solid-liquid by filter plate or belt filter, the solid fragments go into the metallurgical recycling link, and the liquid is recycled after treatment.
Second, the core technology advantage
High safety
Wet environment effectively reduces the risk of short-circuit or thermal runaway of the battery, supports charged crushing, and avoids the time-consuming problem of traditional discharging process.
Efficiency Improvement: For example, Jiangxi Mingxin's “Efficient Battery Discharging” is the most effective way to reduce the risk of short or thermal runaway of battery.
For example, Jiangxi Mingxin's “four-stage physical crushing method” can separate black powder, copper and aluminum powder, with a black powder recovery rate of 99%, reducing the subsequent wet metallurgical costs.
Environmental protection
Wastewater is treated and discharged according to standards, solid waste is disposed of according to environmental standards, reducing electrolyte volatilization and dust pollution.
Third, key equipment innovation
Spray Crusher
The equipment has a built-in shower head and ice-making system, spraying ice-water mixture to reduce temperature and integrating solid-liquid separation module.
Tumbler Screening System
Adopting vibration-damping and stabilizing design, it efficiently screens metal particles and non-metal impurities to enhance the purity of recycled materials.
