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Physical Separation and Beneficiation of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panel Materials: Utilizing Temperature Swings and Particle Shape

  • Recycling Silicon and Silicon Compounds
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Abstract

One of the technical challenges with the recovery of valuable materials from end-of-life (EOL) photovoltaic (PV) modules for recycling is the liberation and separation of the materials. We present a potential method to liberate and separate shredded EOL PV panels for the recovery of Si wafer particles. The backing material is removed by submersion in liquid nitrogen, while the encapsulant is removed by pyrolysis. After pyrolysis, separation of the liberated particles (i.e., Si wafer and glass) is carried out by using particle size and shape with mechanical screening. Using this robust approach, a Si wafer grade of 86% and a recovery of 88% were achieved.

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Acknowledgments

YRS and PB would like to acknowledge support provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy, Sunshot Initiative. This publication was developed under an appointment to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Research Participation Program, administered for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). ORISE is managed by ORAU under DOE contract number DESC0014664. This document has not been formally reviewed by DOE. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of DOE, or ORAU/ORISE. DOE and ORAU/ORISE do not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

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  1. Materials Science & Engineering Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Pamela Bogust & York R. Smith

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  1. Pamela Bogust
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  2. York R. Smith
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Correspondence to York R. Smith.

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Bogust, P., Smith, Y.R. Physical Separation and Beneficiation of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panel Materials: Utilizing Temperature Swings and Particle Shape. JOM 72, 2615–2623 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04197-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04197-2

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