Method to open up electro chemical energy storage devices and thermal treatment system

Abstract

A method for breaking down electrochemical energy storage devices in conjunction with a subsequent reclamation of recyclable materials contained therein as secondary raw materials. The devices are broken down by a thermal treatment in a negative pressure environment in a process chamber to remove electrolyte and reactive substances, before the thermally treated material is subjected to downstream processing, by which the secondary raw materials are separated from one another. After introducing a batch of storage devices, in a first process step, the process chamber is evacuated with simultaneous heating of the devices to a first temperature level such that electrolytes in the devices evaporate and, due to the resulting vapor pressure, the devices are opened, wherein produced process gases containing electrolytes in the vapor phase are withdrawn from the process chamber. The devices are then heated to a second temperature level for further breakdown with a simultaneous pressure increase in the process chamber in a reducing atmosphere, before the chamber is ventilated and cooled and the broken down devices are removed, wherein the pressure increase is monitored during this second process step so that it increases continuously. Also, a thermal treatment system for removing electrolytes and reactive substances in electrochemical energy storage devices, thus for pyrolytically breaking them down.