In this study, the optimized process conditions of a scraper, which is a device used to separate glass from a solar module, are presented for structural analysis, and the actual module separation is confirmed experimentally. Because a strong load is concentrated on the scraper blade, it is necessary to derive the optimal process conditions for effective module separation while minimizing the damage to the blade. Structural analysis was performed using a finite element model (FEM) to evaluate the stress, reaction force, and strain applied to the blade recycling the waste solar modules. The optimal process conditions were determined from the structural analysis according to the angle and surface temperature of the blade. Module separation experiments were conducted by applying the elicited process conditions, and the results showed smooth module separation that enabled the recovery of high-purity tempered glass.
This paper describes the physical process used to recover silicon from a solar module, where the solar cell recovery rate (87.4 %) was determined under optimized process conditions. This physical recycling method requires a particle separation process because selective separation of the recovered materials is difficult, and the recovery rate and purity of the recovered materials can be low after the initial particle separation. In this study, the recovery rate was determined with respect to the crushing time and rotational speed of the cutter mill as well as the amplitude and separation time of the sieving machine, which were optimized to increase the Si recovery rate. In addition, an etching process was used to recover high-purity Si from the solar cells. To determine whether Ag and Al were removed from the recovered Si, XRD analysis was performed to confirm the measured Si peak and small TiO 2 peak, and ICP-MS analysis was performed to confirm the purity of the recovered Si, which was found to be of 3N grade.
In this study, a solution capable of leaching silver (Ag) from solar cells in an environmentfriendly manner was presented, and a leaching effect according to the concentration was evaluated. Generally, a nitric acid (HNO 3 ) solution is used to leach Ag. However, it often causes environmental pollution owing to its high toxicity and the nitrous oxide (NOx gas) generated during the process, thus requiring considerable development. Accordingly, Ag leaching behavior according to the concentration was confirmed by mixing sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) solutions. After this process, the optimal concentration condition was derived by confirming the Ag leaching effect through inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analyses of the leachate. Additionally, Ag removal in the recovered scrap to which the optimal concentration condition was applied was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Conclusively, as the H 2 SO 4 and H 2 O 2 mixed solution concentration increased, the Ag leaching effect tended to increase, and the optimal condition derived from the analysis reached a level capable of replacing the HNO 3 solution.
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