Currently, the mainstream technologies for recycling and processing photovoltaic panels mainly include physical dismantling and chemical pyrolysis.
1. Physical disassembly method
The physical dismantling method primarily achieves effective separation of materials such as metals and plastics from photovoltaic panels through mechanical crushing and sorting purification.
This method first utilizes professional frame-dismantling machines, glass-removing machines, and other equipment to remove the junction boxes, aluminum frames, and glass from photovoltaic panels. Next, the remaining cell parts are processed through multiple crushing equipment such as dual-shaft shredders, knife-type crushers, and disc mills, and then undergo three-stage sorting through rotary vibrating screens, airflow sorters, and electrostatic sorters, ultimately yielding products such as silicon powder, copper, and plastic. The entire crushing and sorting process is equipped with dust removal devices, effectively preventing dust pollution.
II. Chemical pyrolysis method
Chemical pyrolysis utilizes high-temperature pyrolysis reactions to chemically decompose the polymer materials within photovoltaic panels.
The specific process is as follows: Place the photovoltaic panels, with the aluminum frames removed, into a pyrolysis furnace. Under oxygen-free, atmospheric pressure, and high temperature conditions, organic components decompose into gases and liquids, which are condensed to produce fuel oil and combustible gas. The remaining inorganic substances are converted into solid residues. These residues undergo three processes: airflow separation, electrostatic separation, and magnetic separation, to separate out glass, copper wires, silicon wafers, and carbon black. The entire pyrolysis and separation process is also equipped with an environmental protection treatment system to ensure compliance with environmental production requirements.
In terms of process characteristics, energy consumption, and environmental protection, there are significant differences between the two methods: the physical dismantling process is more refined, with relatively lower energy consumption and less environmental pressure. The chemical pyrolysis method has stricter requirements for equipment and exhaust gas treatment systems, and the cost is relatively higher; whereas the physical dismantling method yields materials with higher purity, consumes less energy, and offers a more advantageous return on investment.
