The University of Agder dismantles electric car batteries for reuse
Together with partners in the industry, researchers at the university are developing new methods of recycling electric vehicle batteries.
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Martin Choux is an associate professor at UiA and investigates new methods for recycling electric vehicle batteries.
“We use artificial intelligence to create an automated system. The goal is to dismantle and discharge electric batteries so that they can be reused”, says Martin Choux, associate professor at the University of Agder (UiA)
The research on electric vehicle batteries is part of the research project LIBRES (Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling) in collaboration with Hydro, Elkem Carbon Solutions, BatteriRetur and Glencore Nikkelverk. The research is funded by the Research Council for the period 2018-22.
Today, electric battery packs are dismantled manually. The process requires two people, and they must be authorised electricians with high voltage experience.
It can take up to 45 minutes to manually disassemble a pack. UiA’s ambition is to make parts of the manual dismantling process more efficient by means of robotisation.
“The method we develop takes into account that many electric car batteries will be recycled in the future. That is why we must create an efficient system. We are developing an automated and partially robotic process that can process a high volume of electric car batteries”, says Choux.
Efficient system
The system is already being tested at UiA’s mechatronics lab. Halfway through the project period, the researcher is optimistic.
“The challenge with electric vehicles is that car manufacturers use different types of batteries. All car batteries are different and must be dismantled in different ways”, says Choux.
Car manufacturers are also constantly developing their own batteries.
“Our goal is a system where robots help dismantle several types of electric car batteries, quickly and safely”, says Choux.
Electric batteries are different
An electric battery is not like any flashlight battery or a regular car battery. The electric battery consists of cells, modules and a battery pack.
A battery pack usually consists of 10-15 modules and each module consists of several battery cells.
“Assembly of the battery is done in the same way every time. But when disassembling, you never know exactly what condition the battery is in. Therefore, you need a flexible disassembly method for batteries that work or are partially damaged”, says Choux.
Avoid short circuits and explosions
Using artificial intelligence, the new system will find all the parts of the battery. The robot will then be instructed about the order in which to dismantle the parts. The artificial intelligence controls the robot arms so that they choose the right tool during the process.
UiA has invested in an advanced 3D camera worth NOK 200,000 to monitor the battery parts. The camera provides the artificial intelligence with accurate measurements.
These are some of the things the artificial intelligence must learn:
- recognise different battery types from different car brands
- detect whether the battery is dirty, deformed or damaged
- keep a certain pace in the disassembly process
- avoid short circuit, explosion and fire (safety)
“Electric batteries can short circuit, there are high voltages involved and the batteries can explode or catch fire. They can also leak gas, and a chemical reaction can occur between moisture and oxygen that generates toxic hydrofluoric acid”, says Choux.
The goal is for the system to be used by the industry partners. Norsk Hydro has already started the company Hydro Volt in Fredrikstad. The business idea is to recycle used electric vehicle batteries for the production of new battery cells.
“In ten years’ time, around 250,000 electric batteries will be recycled every year in Norway alone. The industry will need safe and efficient systems to manage that”, says Choux.
UiA’s projects related to electric batteries and recycling
LIBRES (Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling), 2018-2022: The research project develops a system for automated disassembly and discharging of electric batteries. Partners are Norsk Hydro, Batteriretur, Elkem Carbon, Glencore Nikkelverk and UiA. The research has already led Norsk Hydro to launch the new company Hydro Volt, which plans to recycle electric batteries.
Graphite recycling: The pilot project has carried out testing of automatic disassembly of electric batteries to recycle the graphite. The project was a collaboration between the Eyde Cluster, Elkem Carbon and UiA and was funded by the regional research fund RFF Agder. One consequence of the project is that Elkem Carbon is considering recycling technology for graphite in connection with the pilot factory which is now under construction at Elkem Fiskå in Kristiansand.
Reuse of electric batteries: Preliminary project on reuse of electric batteries carried out in collaboration between UiA, BatteriRetur, Alternative Energy and the Eyde Cluster. The project is funded by the research fund RFF Agder.
BATMAN: The BATtery MANagement project (BATMAN) is a multi-year research project on the framework on and value chain of electric batteries, and opportunities for the industry in Norway. The project is funded by the Research Council. The School of Business and Law at UiA collaborates with Glencore Nikkelverk, Hydro, Elkem and Agder Energi among others. The Eyde Cluster is the project manager and research partners are NTNU, the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) and the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI).