The application of organic solvents and thermal process for eliminating EVA resin layer from waste photovoltaic modules

Abstract

With rapidly increasing production and installation, recycling of PV modules has become the main issue. In this study, we developed the application to recover the tempered glass from panels and remove Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) from PV cells. The processes divided into two parts, organic solvents soaking and thermal treatment. In the organic solvents process, this study soaked PV modules into organic solvents to dissolve EVA resin and recover tempered glass. In the thermal treatment, this study removed EVA resin remaining on the PV cell. This study can comprehensively recover tempered glass and remove 99.97% EVA resin from PV cell. Moreover, it can contribute to not only subsequent leaching processes but also the environment and humankind health.

Separation of Valuable Metal from Waste Photovoltaic Ribbon through Extraction and Precipitation#

“…Thermal treatment for eliminating EVA resin Fig. 2 shows the TG analyst of EVA resin 6) . After heating over 500℃, the mass decline of EVA resin approach to zero.…”

Recovery of Valuable Materials from the Waste Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Cell and Ribbon

“…In our previous research, 10 cm × 10 cm PV panel was dismantled to different layers through toluene and thermal treatment [20]. The tempered glass and back sheet were first collected by immersing the panel into 90 • C toluene for an hour.…”

“…The inflated EVA resin can help separate the tempered glass and the back sheet from the cell. EVA resin was calcinated through furnace in my previous research [20], and the module was separated into two parts, PV ribbon and PV cell. In the silicon purification part, the PV cell was leached by nitric acid and potassium hydroxide continuously.…”