Hefei Hengli has overcome the core bottleneck of lithium battery recycling with its "high-value precision control" pyrolysis technology

As we all know, high-temperature pyrolysis is a crucial step in achieving cost reduction and efficiency enhancement in lithium battery recycling production lines. Hefei Hengli Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Hengli Equipment"), leveraging its over three decades of deep experience in the field of electrothermal equipment and profound involvement in lithium battery equipment, has achieved comprehensive evolution of the pyrolysis system by addressing the challenges of material arching, seal failure, and equipment corrosion in lithium battery recycling, relying on its extensive engineering experience.

1. A specialized mechanism for digital and intelligent simulation and collaboration to solve the problem of arching and blockage

After being heated, the binder in the battery scrap material softens, which can easily lead to material agglomeration and bridging, causing feed blockage and seriously affecting the output quality.

Hengli Equipment has successfully overcome this stubborn problem by adopting a dual strategy of "special mechanism + digital simulation": equipping the feed inlet with a specially designed auxiliary mechanism to dynamically break up the arching material and achieve stable feeding. At the same time, digital discrete element simulation technology is introduced to deeply analyze the movement patterns of the unloading layer on the surface of the material bed and the retention layer on the cylinder wall, based on which the guiding structure, furnace tube inclination, and rotational speed are optimized. Through precise regulation combining simulation and empirical evidence, it ensures that the pyrolysis time of the material in the furnace is highly consistent, achieving high uniformity in pyrolysis quality while ensuring continuous and stable production of the production line.

II. PPM-level oxygen content control for high yield and intrinsic safety

The sealing level of the pyrolysis furnace is crucial to production efficiency. Any oxygen leakage can not only cause metal oxidation and product degradation but also potentially trigger thermal runaway, posing safety hazards.

Hengli Equipment has established a multi-layered sealing and protection system, enabling PPM-level control of oxygen content within the furnace. This has significantly improved metal recovery rates while substantially reducing heat loss and atmosphere consumption, achieving a high degree of unity between production safety and low operational consumption.

III. System-level composite anti-corrosion design to extend the lifespan of furnace tubes

The hydrofluoric acid produced by the thermal decomposition of the electrolyte is highly corrosive, leading to frequent damage to the tubes of traditional pyrolysis rotary kilns and extremely high maintenance costs.

Hengli Equipment has established a systematic defense line for fluorine reduction at the source, environmental suppression, and material upgrading: Firstly, the linkage of the preceding low-temperature drying system removes most of the electrolyte, achieving fluorine reduction at the source; secondly, relying on multiple sealing systems to maintain an oxygen-poor and water-poor environment, suppressing corrosion reactions; finally, using explosive cladding technology, special materials are firmly attached to the substrate, enhancing corrosion resistance while also considering manufacturing economy. Actual measurements show that this solution can extend the lifespan of furnace tubes by more than three times, significantly reducing the enterprise's total lifecycle operating costs.

4. Conclusion

As industry competition intensifies, the stability and cost-effectiveness of equipment have become crucial for lithium battery recycling enterprises to maintain stable production and enhance efficiency.

Hengli Equipment provides systematic solutions encompassing material balance, precise atmosphere control, and long-term corrosion resistance, assisting customers in building a safe and efficient production system and gaining an advantage in the industry reshuffle.