Systems and methods for selectively separating and separately processing portions of lead-acid batteries
First Claim
1. A lead-acid battery processing system, comprising:
- an imaging system configured to perform imaging of a lead-acid battery using penetrating radiation and perform image analysis to determine a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery, wherein the penetrating radiation comprises X-rays, gamma rays, or beta radiation; and
a battery breaking device configured to break the lead-acid battery at the determined break point and separate the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content, for separate processing of the first and second portions of the lead-acid battery.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for recycling lead-acid batteries, and more specifically, relates to systems and methods for selectively separating and separately processing portions of lead-acid batteries to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A lead-acid battery processing system includes an imaging system configured to perform imaging of a lead-acid battery and perform image analysis to determine a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery. The system also includes a battery breaking device configured to break the lead-acid battery at the determined break point and separate the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content, for separate processing of the first and second portions of the lead-acid battery.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A lead-acid battery processing system, comprising:
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an imaging system configured to perform imaging of a lead-acid battery using penetrating radiation and perform image analysis to determine a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery, wherein the penetrating radiation comprises X-rays, gamma rays, or beta radiation; and a battery breaking device configured to break the lead-acid battery at the determined break point and separate the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content, for separate processing of the first and second portions of the lead-acid battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for selectively breaking and separately processing portions of a lead-acid battery, comprising:
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determining, using a battery imaging system, a break point that divides top lead from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery, wherein the battery imaging system images the lead-acid battery using X-rays, gamma rays, or beta radiation; and breaking the lead-acid battery at the determined break point using a battery breaking device; and separating the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, and a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A lead-acid battery processing system, comprising:
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a controller comprising a memory and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to control operation of the lead-acid battery processing system; an imaging system that images a lead-acid battery using X-rays, gamma rays, or beta radiation and provides the processor with image data, wherein the processor analyzes the image data to determine a break point that divides top lead of the lead-acid battery from a remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery; a battery breaking device that breaks the lead-acid battery at the break point based on control signals provided by the processor of the control system and separates the lead-acid battery into a first portion, which includes the top lead, from a second portion, which includes the remainder of the lead content of the lead-acid battery; a remelting device that receives and remelts the top lead from the first portion based on control signals provided by the processor of the controller, wherein the remelt yields a lead alloy that has similar alloying metal composition as the top lead and is suitable for use in new lead-acid batteries; and a pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical lead recovery system that receives and converts the remainder of the lead content of lead acid battery to metallic lead, lead oxide, or a combination thereof, suitable for use in new lead-acid batteries. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification