BR-102024018070-A2 - THERMAL SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT

Abstract

The present invention describes a system and equipment for thermal separation for recycling photovoltaic modules, comprising a modular furnace for continuous batch operation equipped with an innovative drawer opening and closing mechanism, whose furnace unloading can be performed automatically, enabling the use of an automated industrial conveyor belt. More specifically, the present system and equipment contemplate the stacking of multiple furnaces, enabling continuous batch operation, whose moving devices remain in low-temperature zones, with automated unloading. The equipment (1) now disclosed is composed of a furnace (2) equipped with a drawer door (3) fixed laterally to opening and tilting mechanisms (4) arranged on the sides of the furnace structure (5) (2), said opening and tilting mechanisms (4) being composed of a pneumatic arm (4.1) fixed to the structure (5) of the equipment (1) by means of a bearing (4.2) with a hinge (4.2.1).

Inventors

• GUSTAVO LUIZ ZEIDLER
• ANDRE LUIS RIBEIRO THOMAZONI
• FERNANDO ALMEIDA SANTOS
• FELIPE DETZEL KIPPER
• LORENZI MOREIRA DE FREITAS
• PAULO RODOLFO BUFFON ORTIZ
• NATÁLIA DELGADO
• MARCELO POSSAMAI ALBUQUERQUE
• RENATO RUSCHEL MACHADO
• Cleber Spode
• LEONARDO ZANETTI ROCHA
• VITOR CAMARGO NARDELLI

Assignees

• SERVIÇO NACIONAL DE APRENDIZAGEM INDUSTRIAL - SENAI.
• RECYSUN KEEPING SOLAR SUSTAINABLE LTDA

Dates

Publication Date

20260317

Application Date

20240902

Claims (6)

1. 1. THERMAL SEPARATION EQUIPMENT FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES comprising an oven (2) equipped with a drawer door (3) characterized in that the drawer door (3) is fixed laterally to opening and tilting mechanisms (4) arranged on the sides of the oven structure (5) (2), said mechanisms (4) being composed of a pneumatic arm (4.1) fixed to the structure (5) of the equipment (1) by means of a bearing (4.2) with a hinge (4.2.1) and at the end of the arm another hinge (4.2.2) fixed to the drawer door (3) by means of a rail (4.4) with a sliding structure (4.5) composed of plates (4.7), through which the drawer door (3) can move limited by stops (4.6).
2. 2. THERMAL SEPARATION EQUIPMENT FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanisms (4) are arranged externally to the furnace (2) in the structure (5) of the equipment (1).
3. 3. THERMAL SEPARATION EQUIPMENT FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES, according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder (4.1) is fixed to the base and arm of the tilting mechanism body (4.5).
4. 4. THERMAL SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES, through the equipment (1) described in claim 1, characterized by being composed of the following steps: (STEP 1) Automated insertion of the photovoltaic module inside the equipment (1); (STEP 2) Automated closing of the equipment (1) and activation of the furnace (2); (STEP 3) Automated opening and tilting of the equipment (1).
5. 5. THERMAL SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES, according to claim 4, characterized in that step 2 is carried out at a temperature of 550°C.
6. 6. THERMAL SEPARATION SYSTEM FOR RECYCLING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES, according to claim 4, characterized in that the tilting of the drawer-door (3) of step 3 is carried out until the materials separated from the photovoltaic module are completely dumped onto an industrial conveyor belt (not shown).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [01] The present invention describes a system and equipment intended for thermal separation for recycling photovoltaic modules, consisting of a modular furnace for continuous batch operation equipped with an innovative mechanism for opening and closing the drawers, whose unloading from the furnace can be carried out automatically, enabling the use of an industrial automation conveyor. [02] More specifically, the present system and equipment contemplate the stacking of multiple furnaces, enabling continuous batch operation, whose moving devices remain in low temperature zones, with automated unloading. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [03] Currently, the world's energy matrix is structured, for the most part, on the burning of fossil fuels, a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce as it is exploited, making the search for new renewable energy sources essential. [04] One renewable source currently used is photovoltaic solar energy, obtained through photovoltaic modules. This source, although an excellent option for generating renewable energy, can generate a large amount of waste if not properly treated. [05] For example, photovoltaic modules used in the direct conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect represent the largest part of the waste generated by this source. [06] In this sense, the recycling of this material is a very important issue for the use of this type of energy, and an efficient system and equipment capable of meeting this demand is desirable. [07] However, the equipment known to date for this purpose must operate mechanically or thermally at temperatures of approximately 550°C. Note that at this temperature, the moving components of the equipment involved must be reinforced and especially resistant to high temperatures, which makes them excessively expensive or of low durability. [08] Additionally, state-of-the-art systems promote the thermal separation of photovoltaic module components in a single furnace, requiring the process to be completed individually for each recycled module, preventing effective automation, either during recycling or after unloading. [09] In a search of the state of the art, we identified several documents claiming systems or equipment for thermal separation for recycling photovoltaic modules, among which the following documents stand out: [010] Document CN219504102 “SOLAR CELL PANEL FRAME DISMOUNTING DEVICE ABSTRACT” discloses a solar panel frame dismantling device, including a mounting bracket and support platform, wherein the support platform is configured below the central part of the mounting bracket, being equipped with a dismantling body between the mounting bracket and the support platform. The dismantling body in question includes a hydraulic power unit fixed to the central part of the mounting bracket and its output is vertical for downward mounting. The said equipment is equipped with the mounting panel at the output of the hydraulic power unit, its connection being fixed at the output of the hydraulic power unit, and being equipped with a spring clamped to the underside of the mounting panel and support, so that it rests on the fixed connection of one end of the spring clamped to the mounting panel, so that the pressure band with contact of the solar cell panel at the other end promotes the entire tilt around the mounting panel. [011] Note that the prior art in question has the drawbacks of operating mechanically, without the use of furnaces, which generates several additional implementation and operating costs, in addition to the need to finalize the process individually for each recycled module, preventing effective automation, either during recycling or afterwards, during unloading. [012] Document KR102428626 “RECYCLING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR CELL PANEL” discloses a solar panel recycling system including a shredder into which a solar panel is inserted and primarily forms a temporary shredder; an incineration unit configured to secondarily form shredded material by thermal deformation of the temporarily shredded material; a dust collection unit connected to the incineration unit to collect the dust generated in the fragment formation process. Between the shredder and the incineration unit, it is possible to include a feed conveyor and a recovery conveyor, respectively supplied in the incineration unit. [013] Note that the prior art in question has the drawbacks of operating at high temperatures, resulting in several additional implementation and operating costs, since its parts need to be specially designed for operation at high temperatures, and it is also necessary to finish the process individually for each recycled module, preventing effective automation, either during recycling or after unloading. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [014] The present system and equipment aims to provide a suitable means for the thermal separation and recycling of crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) module c