Improved Solar Cell Recycling

Efficient and automated system for recycling used solar cell modules by thermal decomposition to extract valuable materials like glass, cells, and ribbon wire. The system uses a collection tool like a net to hold the module during thermal decomposition. After decomposition, a conveyor collects the decomposed module, a separate conveyor collects the glass, a unit collects other materials, and a final conveyor collects the used net. This allows efficient extraction and reuse of the net.

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System for recycling and reusing solar panels using AI and automated testing to optimize the process. The system involves collecting data on factors like module type, history, power, and predicted material values to determine the best recycling path for each panel. It uses AI models to analyze images of the panels to classify them for reuse, refurbishment, recycling, or disposal. The system also employs automated cleaning techniques to remove dirt from panels before recycling to improve material recovery.

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Automated system for dismantling and separating solar panels into recyclable components. The system has two stages. First, a frame disassembly system removes the aluminum frame from the panel to create a stack of components. Then, a disassembly system heats the stack to melt the adhesive between the glass, wafer, and backplane layers. A handling device removes the top layer to expose the remaining adhesive, which is scraped off. The layers are separated and recycled.

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A recycling method for photovoltaic modules that enables efficient separation and recovery of materials. The method involves preheating the module to break the adhesion between the glass and encapsulation film, followed by controlled crumbling of the battery component in an anaerobic environment. The resulting solid and gaseous fractions are then separated and processed to recover valuable materials such as silicon, carbon black, and metals. The method enables rapid and cost-effective recycling of photovoltaic modules, reducing waste and enabling the recovery of valuable materials.

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A method for recycling photovoltaic modules, comprising multiple successive separation events to recover high-purity materials. The method includes pre-processing the module into a shredded material, followed by electrostatic separation to produce a silicon-rich fraction. The silicon fraction is then subjected to leaching with nitric acid to extract metals such as silver, copper, tin, and lead. The leachate is then treated using various separation techniques, including precipitation, filtration, and electrolysis, to produce high-purity metal concentrates. The recovered materials can be reused to manufacture new photovoltaic modules, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimizing waste.

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Recycling used thin film solar modules to recover valuable materials like cadmium and selenium by delaminating the modules to separate the internal layers. The delamination is achieved by applying energy like heat or shear force to separate the bottom glass layer with the thin film layers from the top glass layer. This allows purification and recovery of elements like cadmium from the bottom layer. The top layer with the polymer encapsulant can be recycled separately. The delamination process avoids exposing the internal layers during recycling to preserve their integrity for reuse.

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Device for separating glass and silicon wafers from photovoltaic modules in a way that minimizes damage and improves recovery value. The device uses a tank with a heated water bath, a movable plate with floating blocks, and a blade. The plate is lowered into the water with the module, softening the adhesive. The plate is then lifted while the floating blocks counterbalance, enlarging the gap between glass and wafer. The blade can then cut the adhesive. This allows clean separation of glass and silicon without crushing or wiping.

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A method and system for recycling solar panels, comprising mechanical disassembly and processing of photovoltaic panels to recover valuable materials such as aluminum, copper, silver, silicon, and glass, while minimizing environmental impact and generating economic benefits. The system employs a mechanical recycling process that separates and processes the various components of the solar panel, including the metal frame, glass, and polymer layers, to produce high-quality recyclates suitable for reuse in various applications.

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A recycling device for solar panels that enables efficient and environmentally friendly disassembly and material recovery. The device physically separates the solar panel's layers, including the back plate, cover glass, and silicon plates, without the need for chemical or thermal processes. This approach eliminates liquid chemical waste and energy waste associated with traditional recycling methods, while also preventing damage to the panel's components. The device's compact design enables recycling of individual solar panels, rather than requiring the entire solar cell module to be processed.

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A method for generating a recycling record of a solar panel, comprising: (1) obtaining dismantling data of the solar panel through a dismantling equipment; (2) processing the dismantling data to obtain a recycling result; and (3) storing the recycling result in a blockchain. The recycling result includes images and weights of the solar panel components, as well as the amount of carbon emissions generated during the dismantling process.

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A solar cell module recycling system and method that enables efficient collection of valuable materials from thermally decomposed modules. The system employs a collection tool that captures glass and other materials from the decomposed module while rotating on a conveyor belt. The tool is then collected and reused, eliminating the need for manual removal of materials. The system can handle both intact and crushed glass modules, and is designed to recover glass, cells, and ribbon wire for recycling.

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Method and apparatus for processing solar panels to recover constituent materials, comprising: frame removal using force applied to specific points of the frame without breaking the cover sheet; back sheet removal using a peel blade to cut and lift the back sheet from the laminated structure; and thermal processing of the remaining laminated structure to decompose the encapsulant and release the photovoltaic material, all without damaging the cover sheet.

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A method for recycling solar panels that involves delaminating the glass cover, silicon wafers, and plastic backing using a green solvent that weakens the adhesive without fully dissolving it. The delaminated material stream is then separated into glass, plastic backing, and a concentrated metals stream. The metals stream is further processed through electrostatic separation to produce an insulator material stream and an electrically conducting material stream, from which silicon, copper, and silver can be recovered.

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Apparatus and method for recovering recyclable components from photovoltaic modules, comprising a loading station, frame removal station, PV module dismantling station, furnace station, component separation station, and etching station. The apparatus processes PV modules with intact or shattered glass panels, recovering valuable materials such as aluminum frames, copper cables, silver, and silicon wafers through a series of mechanical and thermal processing steps.

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A method for recovering glass from used solar modules through a combination of heating and mechanical stress. The process involves removing components such as junction boxes and cables, then applying heat to the encapsulant to reduce adhesion forces. The heated module is then subjected to mechanical stress, such as bending, to detach the glass from the laminate. The resulting glass cullets can be collected and recycled.

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Apparatus and method for on-site dismantling of photovoltaic modules, comprising a frame removal station, a PV module dismantling station, and a solar cell separation station, all connected by conveyor elements. The apparatus receives a PV module, separates the frame, then the junction box and back support, and finally the encapsulated solar cells, recovering each component. The apparatus is mountable on a vehicle for on-site dismantling operations.

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A method for recycling solar panels that automatically determines whether a panel's history data exists in a database. If no history data is found, the system removes and recycles the base layer and solar cells according to predefined parameters, recycles the cover layer as a whole, and stores the removal process data as new history data for future reference.

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A method for recycling solar panels that involves processing the panels to create a mixture of conductive and non-conductive particles, subjecting the mixture to an electric field, and separating the conductive particles from the non-conductive particles using electrostatic separation. The method enables the recovery of valuable materials from decommissioned solar panels, including metals and semiconductors, while avoiding landfill disposal.

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A portable solar panel regeneration device for indoor and outdoor use that enables regeneration of degraded silicon photovoltaic modules without disassembly. The device uses a handheld regeneration tool to apply high-intensity illumination and controlled temperature to the module, achieving optimal regeneration conditions for various silicon module types. The device can be used to prevent performance degradation of new modules in the factory and recover performance of degraded modules in the field, extending their lifespan and reducing the cost of ownership.

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A movable solar module disassembling apparatus and system for efficient replacement and recycling of solar panels. The apparatus comprises a mobile container with a frame separation unit that separates the frame from the module body, and a disassembling unit that scrapes and separates the stacked film from the glass plate. The system includes an assistant apparatus with a power unit, crushing unit, and loading unit for processing the separated components.

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