Rotary thermal oxidizer for battery recycling and process
AssigneeThe International Metals Reclamation Company, Inc.
InventorsVictor Henry Aiken, Russell R. Bleakney, Richard H. Hanewald, Ahmed Vahed, Anthony Edward Moline Warner
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Abstract
A rotary thermal oxidizer removes polymeric and other non-metal components of exhausted batteries and cells leaving value-metals, such as cadmium, nickel, and iron behind for subsequent processing. By preheating the sweep gas to a temperature above the auto-ignition temperature of the polymers, prior to their introduction into the oxidizer, and controlling the oxygen content within the oxidizer the risks of explosion and fire associated with the pyrometallurgical recycling of the cells is substantially reduced.
Claims25
A rotary thermal oxidizer for removing polymeric materials and other non-metal values from cells and batteries, the oxidizer comprising a rotating shell, a plurality of shell heaters, an input source of sweep gas connected to the oxidizer, an air preheater associated with the input source of sweep gas, a product discharge connected to the oxidizer, a material feeder affixed to the oxidizer, and a product gas off-take connected to the oxidizer.
The rotary thermal oxidizer including a source of water adapted to be introduced into the interior of the rotating shell.
A process for removing polymeric and non-metallic components from energy cells, the process comprising:
- a) introducing the cells to a heatable rotating shell,
- b) preheating air above the auto-ignition temperature of the polymeric components,
- c) introducing the preheated air into the shell as a sweep gas,
- d) maintaining the internal temperature of the shell above the auto-ignition temperature of the polymeric components,
- e) causing the energy cells to traverse the rotating shell for a period of time sufficient to volatize the polymeric components,
- f) venting the gases generated by the combustion of the volatilized polymeric components from the shell, and
- g) discharging treated solids from the shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.