Germany To Build Thermal Cracking Solar Energy Recycling Equipment Can Process 50,000 Photovoltaic Modules Per Year
Sep 07, 2018
Photovoltaic modules have their longevity. Therefore, while the government is vigorously developing solar photovoltaic power generation, it must also carry out relevant recycling mechanisms to avoid the tens of thousands of tons of solar photovoltaic retreats that cannot be properly handled after many years. To alleviate this problem, the German manufacturer GeltzUmwelt-Technologie has successfully developed solar energy recovery test equipment through thermal cracking technology, and it is estimated that it can process 50,000 photovoltaic modules per year.
Germany has been committed to the development of renewable energy for many years. The proportion of green energy power generation has increased from 6.3% in 2000 to 30% in 2014. In 2018, it has set a record for 100% renewable energy supply in the country. Among them, Sun Optoelectronics is the most Cost-effective electricity, the minimum cost per kilowatt hour is only 1.30 yuan, which is a very popular green energy option.
It is only a day when PV modules are always damaged and retired. If we promote solar energy development from 2000, we will face the first wave of solar retreat after 2020. Therefore, it is imperative to deploy recycling plants and formulate relevant regulations.
Most of the silicon crystal components are made of 65-75% glass, 10-15% aluminum frame, 10% plastic and 3-5% silicon crystal, and also contain metal components such as zinc, silver and copper, although most materials can be used. Recycling, but the general recycling center only processes glass and aluminum frames.
Geltz Umwelt-Technologie management assistant FabianGeltz also added that PV modules have been tightly integrated with polymers, panel parts are difficult to separate and individual recycling, and there are no technical solutions to separate and recycle high-value materials.
The team believes that 'destroying the polymer layer' is the key to the recycling process. So they used a pyrolysis process to try to melt the unwanted polymer layer, separate the glass from the panel, and separate the fine material through a sieve and air classifier, and finally successfully recover aluminum, glass, silver, copper. , tin and silicon.
Taking into account the exhaust gases generated during the operation of the equipment, the team also uses a thermal afterburner (also known as afterburner) and a cooling system with a gas scrubber to make the solar panels from power generation to recycling. '.' Geltz said that these materials are expected to become the source of future metal raw materials.
The team estimates that the new equipment can process 50,000 PV modules per year and recycle 95% of the materials. The research also pointed out that the thermal cracking process can process 1 metric ton of waste PV modules per cycle, which helps solve the challenge of being too difficult to recycle.
The solar recycling plant has its construction necessity. The International Renewable Energy Organization (IRENA) previously estimated that the market value of recycled materials in 2030 can reach 450 million US dollars, and the output value will exceed 15 billion US dollars by 2050. IRENA also estimates that global solar photovoltaic waste will increase from 250,000 tons at the end of 2016 to more than 5 million tons in 2050, when the amount of waste will be as much as the new solar photovoltaic devices.
Many countries are now aware of the problem of decommissioning solar panels. The EU has set up a PV Cycle for recycling in 2007. France has also successfully built the first solar energy recycling plant in Europe. The US Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and the Japan Solar Photoelectric Association (JPEA) also Recycling of waste modules in the ground has been promoted. Displaying recycled PV modules is not only beneficial to the environment, but also promotes another solar business opportunity.
