Comminution
Comminution /ˌkɒmɪˈnjuːʃ(ə)n/ (noun) - the process of reducing a material, to minute particles or fragments.
In other words - breaking things into small pieces. There are several machines that can perform this process, such as a shredder, a hammer mill, a grinder, an ultrasonic vibrator, etc. Each one gives slightly different results, such as the final output particle size and the way in which the materials are broken apart (cut, ground, sheared, or hammered).
Comminution methods
Some machines are built to dismantle input materials without breaking individual components apart, while others produce a very fine powder at the end of processing, each particle being less than a millimetre wide. Comminution frees all the different materials from one another so that they can be separated in the next steps.
Often the mixture that results from a comminution process is referred to as black mass.
Input: Charged or discharged batteries
Output:
- Batteries either dismantled
- Batteries (more commonly) in powder / particle form
Drainage
Depending on the battery type, different liquids may be present that require removal. Some batteries or modules contain separate coolant circuits, which are usually drained during the dismantling phase. Other liquids, such as electrolytes present within the black mass, are typically solvent-based and are removed through evaporation, thermal treatment, or washing. Each method has its advantages and is chosen based on the battery chemistry and recycling process. Drainage may occur either before or after comminution, depending on the specific process.
Input: Discharged batteries (before comminution) or battery particles (after comminution)
Outputs:
- Liquid battery content such as acid in the case of lead-acid batteries.
- Dried battery parts / particles (to next step)
