FR3161803A1 - Electrochemical cell support device for recycling - Google Patents

Abstract

A support device (3) for a component (10) such as an electrochemical cell containing solid metallic lithium for recycling. The device (3) includes a housing (21) and a stop element (44) configured to prevent direct contact of the component (10) with an armature (20) of the device (3) while facilitating the extraction of the liquefied metallic lithium. Installation and extraction method related thereto. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 6

Description

Electrochemical cell support device for recycling

The present invention relates to the fields of electric mobility and electrochemical energy storage.

The invention is of particular interest in the sector of recycling valuable metals such as metallic lithium contained in so-called "all-solid" or "quasi-solid" batteries containing metallic lithium, in particular batteries known as "LMP" (registered trademark).

State of the art

Known all-solid-state batteries comprise two electrodes, one of which comprises solid metallic lithium, and a solid polymer separator fulfilling the function of electrolyte.

The increasing use of this type of battery is leading to a search for solutions to recycle the valuable metals they contain, particularly metallic lithium.

Documents WO2020/161339 and WO2023/036741 describe viable solutions for recovering solid metallic lithium in such batteries, by melting metallic lithium and extracting liquefied metallic lithium.

There is a need to optimize such solutions in order, in particular, to promote their industrialization and large-scale use while reducing the risk of fire during heat treatment.

• l’enveloppe est reliée à l’armature et agencée pour envelopper le composant,
• le dispositif forme un organe de butée agencé pour supporter le composant ainsi enveloppé,
• l’enveloppe forme une ouverture dite d’écoulement configurée pour autoriser un écoulement de lithium métallique liquéfié du composant vers un espace de collecte sous l’action de la gravité.

To this end, the invention relates to a support device for a component comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell comprising solid metallic lithium, intended to equip an installation for extracting metallic lithium from the component by melting the metallic lithium, the device comprising an armature and an enclosure and being configured to be placed in an extraction configuration in which:

• The casing is connected to the frame and arranged to enclose the component.
• The device forms a stop element arranged to support the component thus enclosed,
• the envelope forms a so-called flow opening configured to allow liquefied metallic lithium to flow from the component to a collection space under the action of gravity.

The device thus makes it possible to isolate the component during extraction and in particular to prevent direct contact between the component and the armature and, more generally, between the component and other parts of the device or installation it equips.

The invention thus makes it possible to reduce the risks of fire during extraction, in particular when heating an electrochemical cell to fuse the metallic lithium it contains, while providing a compatible support device, in particular, with industrial installations such as those described in documents WO2020/161339 and WO2023/036741.

The invention is intended to support a component which includes at least one electrochemical battery cell which may be an all-solid-state battery comprising metallic lithium, for example that known as "LMP" (registered trademark).

Without limitation, the invention is intended to recover in such an electrochemical cell a material such as metallic lithium, for the purpose of its recycling.

The casing may include a flexible material and/or an elastically deformable material and/or a material with flame-retardant or fire-resistant properties.

In a first embodiment, the envelope may include a fire-resistant fabric material, also called fire-resistant fabric, for example an aramid fabric with silicone coating, or a glass fabric with silicone coating.

In a second embodiment variant, the casing may include a silicone material, forming for example a shell.

The use of a silicone material is suitable to allow the casing to withstand the temperatures to which it is subjected during the melting of metallic lithium and to confer flame-retardant properties.

More generally, according to this second variant, the casing may include a semi-rigid shell, made of silicone and/or another material.

The term "semi-rigid" classically refers to a material exhibiting properties of rigidity and flexibility.

For example, the casing may include a "food grade" silicone.

Without limitation, the casing may include a material having a hardness of less than 50 Shore.

These embodiment variants are not limiting and may in particular be combined with each other and/or with other embodiment variants not described here.

As an example, the envelope may include both a shell and a fireproof protective fabric or net.

The casing, made with one or more of the non-limiting examples of materials mentioned above, not only reduces the risk of fire but also has properties of flexibility or elastic deformability which allow its deformation, for example under the action of swelling of the component when heated and/or under the action of a compressive force which is applied to the component using compression means external to the casing.

In an embodiment in which the envelope comprises a material forming a shell or more generally a solid layer, the envelope may include one or more openings through such a shell or layer.

Such openings allow steam or gases generated by the component under the action of heat to escape.

In one embodiment, the armature comprises two parts connected to each other by a link defining at least one degree of freedom in order to be able to move the device from one to the other between said extraction configuration and a so-called opening configuration in which the component can be removed from the device or placed therein.

The envelope may also consist of several parts.

In particular, when the frame comprises two parts as defined above, the envelope can form a first part configured to be attached to one of the parts of the frame and a second part configured to be attached to the other part of the frame, so that a change in the configuration of the device, in particular between said extraction configuration and said opening configuration, results in a corresponding change in the configuration of the different parts of the envelope.

In one embodiment, the device includes means for blocking and/or locking parts of the frame to block and/or lock the device in the extraction configuration.

In one embodiment, the stop member comprises two stop elements spaced apart such that said flow opening extends between these two stop elements when the device is in the extraction configuration.

Preferably, the stop element can in particular be configured so that, when the device is in the extraction configuration, the stop elements are configured to each form a stop for a respective corner of the component.

Such a stop element allows the component to be properly supported while facilitating the flow of liquefied metallic lithium through said flow opening.

The stop element can be formed by the casing and/or by one or more parts attached to the frame.

In a first embodiment variant, the stop element comprises one or more separate parts of the casing which are fixed to the frame or formed by it.

In this first variant, it is preferred that the stop element be configured to support the component via at least one other structure, preferably via the casing.

Thus, the envelope can be arranged to extend between the stop member and the component, that is to say to be interposed between the stop member and the component, thus avoiding direct contact between the component and the stop member.

In a second embodiment, the stop element is formed by the casing.

For example, when the envelope forms a shell, the shell can form, when the device is in the extraction configuration, one or more surfaces constituting the support element.

These variants can be combined, the stop element being able to include one or more elements formed by the reinforcement and/or by one or more parts fixed to the reinforcement and one or more elements formed by the casing.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a crucible forming said collection space.

According to one variant, the crucible is formed by the envelope.

For example, when the envelope forms a shell, the shell can form the crucible.

According to a second variant, the crucible is formed by a piece separate from the envelope.

These variations can be combined; the crucible can be formed by the casing and by a separate piece. For example, the casing can form one part of the crucible, and one or more other pieces can form another part.

More generally, the crucible can thus be formed by an element of the support device or by an element not belonging to the support device as such.

In one embodiment, the device further includes means for positioning the component relative to the frame.

Such positioning means can be formed by the envelope, particularly when the envelope forms a shell, and/or by one or more separate parts of the envelope.

For example, the envelope may include shape elements such as one or more chamfers and/or one or more bosses forming such means of positioning.

In one embodiment, the device includes fastening means configured to fix the casing to the frame in a removable and/or reversible manner.

Such fastening methods make it easier to replace the component.

The invention also relates to an installation for extracting metallic lithium from a component comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell, this installation comprising a support device as defined above.

In one embodiment, the installation includes an enclosure configured to receive the support device and the component supported by the support device.

The enclosure can notably be a closed enclosure, in order to optimally control the atmosphere and/or temperature inside the enclosure.

In one embodiment, the installation includes a heating element configured to heat the component to a temperature greater than or equal to the melting point of the metallic lithium it contains.

The heating element may include, but is not limited to, one or more heating plates.

In one embodiment, the installation includes a compression element configured to exert a compressive force on the component supported by the support device.

The compression unit may include one or more compression rollers.

The installation may include a displacement element for the support device and the compression element relative to each other.

For example, the displacement element can be configured to move the support device in translation along a direction of displacement, relative to the compression element.

The direction of movement can typically be perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the compression rollers.

When the installation includes a compression element, in particular compression rollers, the installation may include means for controlling the position of the compression element, for example, for controlling the distance between the compression rollers.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method for extracting metallic lithium from a component comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell using an installation as defined above or a support device as defined above.

• placement du dispositif de support recevant le composant dans la configuration d’extraction, de sorte que le composant soit supporté par l’organe de butée et que l’ouverture d’écoulement autorise un écoulement de lithium métallique liquéfié du composant vers l’espace de collecte sous l’action de la gravité,
• chauffage du composant à une température supérieure ou égale à la température de fusion du lithium métallique solide qu’il contient.

The process of the invention preferably comprises the following steps, which are not exhaustive:

• placement of the support device receiving the component in the extraction configuration, such that the component is supported by the stop member and the flow opening allows liquefied metallic lithium to flow from the component to the collection space under the action of gravity,
• heating the component to a temperature greater than or equal to the melting point of the solid metallic lithium it contains.

The process may of course include one or more additional steps, in particular one or more steps associated with one or more optional structural features which are described above and in the rest of the document.

In particular, the process may include a step of measuring a position and/or configuration of the envelope of the support device in order to evaluate a condition of the component.

Such a measurement step, also called a "probing" step, can be implemented to assess a displacement of a part of the envelope, or a change in the configuration of the envelope which may be associated with a corresponding deformation of the envelope, for example under the action of a swelling of the component taking it from an initial uninflated state to an inflated state.

The process may include a compression step, in which said compression member is implemented to exert a compressive force on the component.

Advantageously, the compression step can be implemented based on a measurement result obtained during the probing step.

For example, in at least one iteration of an extraction phase of the process, the probing step is implemented, followed by the compression step if the measurement taken during the probing step relates to a first configuration of the envelope, and is not implemented if this measurement relates to a second configuration of the envelope. Without limitation, the first configuration may correspond to an initial rest configuration and the second configuration may correspond to a deformed configuration.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed, non-limiting description that follows.

Brief description of the figures

• laFIG. 1est une vue schématique simplifiée d’une installation conforme à l’invention destinée à extraire du lithium métallique solide d’un composant de type cellule électrochimique de batterie par fusion du lithium métallique, l’installation comprenant une enceinte équipée d’un organe de chauffage, un dispositif de support du composant, des moyens de déplacement du dispositif de support et des rouleaux de compression du composant ;
• laFIG. 2est une vue schématique simplifiée d’une cellule électrochimique de batterie ;
• laFIG. 3est une vue schématique en perspective d’une armature d’un dispositif de support conforme à l’invention, l’armature étant dans une position ouverte ;
• laFIG. 4est une vue schématique en perspective d’un dispositif de support conforme à l’invention, le dispositif comprenant l’armature de laFIG. 3ainsi qu’une enveloppe en tissu et étant dans une configuration d’extraction dans laquelle l’armature est dans une position fermée ;
• laFIG. 5est une vue schématique de face d’une partie d’un ensemble comprenant le dispositif de support de laFIG. 4, un creuset et un organe de verrouillage de l’armature en position fermée ;
• laFIG. 6est une vue schématique en perspective avec coupe transversale d’une partie de l’ensemble de laFIG. 5;
• laFIG. 7est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d’une partie d’un dispositif de support conforme à l’invention, le dispositif comprenant une enveloppe formée de deux demi-coques en silicone qui forment un logement recevant un composant, un organe de butée supportant le composant et un creuset définissant un espace de collecte ;
• laFIG. 8est une vue schématique en perspective avec coupe transversale d’une partie du dispositif de laFIG. 7.

The detailed description that follows refers to the attached drawings on which:

• there FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of an installation according to the invention intended for extracting solid metallic lithium from a battery electrochemical cell type component by melting metallic lithium, the installation comprising an enclosure equipped with a heating element, a component support device, means for moving the support device and component compression rollers;
• there FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic view of an electrochemical battery cell;
• there FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a frame of a support device according to the invention, the frame being in an open position;
• there FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a support device according to the invention, the device comprising the frame of the FIG. 3 as well as a fabric cover and being in an extraction configuration in which the frame is in a closed position;
• there FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of part of an assembly comprising the support device of the FIG. 4 , a crucible and a locking mechanism for the armature in the closed position;
• there FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view with cross-section of a part of the whole of the FIG. 5 ;
• there FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of part of a support device according to the invention, the device comprising an envelope formed of two silicone half-shells which form a housing receiving a component, a stop member supporting the component and a crucible defining a collection space;
• there FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view with cross-section of part of the device of the FIG. 7 .

Detailed description of implementation methods

There FIG. 1 schematically represents an installation 1 conforming to the invention, associated with a reference frame defining orthogonal directions D1, D2 and D3.

Installation 1 includes in this non-limiting example an enclosure 2, a support device 3, means 4 for moving the support device 3 within the enclosure 2, a compression element 5, and a heating element (not shown).

The enclosure 2 forms an internal space configured to receive the device 3 supporting a component to be treated, the means of movement 4, the compression element 5 and the heating element.

In this example, enclosure 2 is configured to be able to fill its internal space with an inert gas or to put this space under vacuum.

The enclosure 2 is further configured to be able to heat, under the action of said heating element, the component supported by the device 3 to a temperature called the processing temperature.

As a guide, the processing temperature can be between 180°C and 185°C, for example be around 180.5°C or 181.0°C (see further below).

The means of movement here include rails 4 and a control unit (not shown). The rails 4 are configured to guide the movement of the support device 3 within the enclosure 2, along a direction D1 which in this example is vertical, under the action of said control unit.

The compression element 5 in this example comprises rollers 5A and 5B spaced apart along the direction D2 and mobile in rotation around a respective axis of rotation parallel to the direction D3, the axes of rotation of rollers 5A and 5B being in the same vertical position, i.e. along D1.

Rollers 5A and 5B thus define between them a space which is chosen to allow passage of the support device 3 when it is moved along the direction D1, while exerting a compressive force on the component supported by this device 3 (see further below).

Installation 1 of the FIG. 1 is intended to extract a solid material, in this example metallic lithium, from said component to be treated, which in this example is an electrochemical cell of a so-called "all-solid" metallic lithium battery.

An electrochemical cell 10 that can be treated according to the invention is illustrated in a simplified manner in the FIG. 2 .

In a manner known per se, cell 10 comprises at least one stack of layers including a layer 11 forming a negative electrode, a layer 12 forming a positive electrode, a layer 13 forming an electrolyte, layer 13 being interposed between layers 11 and 12, and a layer 14 forming a current collector disposed on the side of the positive electrode 12.

In this non-limiting example, layer 11 comprises solid metallic lithium, layer 12 comprises a polymer-based composite, layer 13 comprises lithium salt, and layer 14 comprises aluminum.

In a classical and non-limiting way, the negative electrode 11 protrudes from the other layers of the cell 10 on the side of a first border 16 of the cell 10, while the positive electrode 12 and the collector 14 protrude from the other layers of the cell 10 on the side of a second border 17 of the cell 10, opposite to the first border 16.

Figures 3 to 6 show a support device 3 according to the invention and which can, in particular, form the support device for the installation 1 of the FIG. 1 .

In this example, device 3 is intended to support a component comprising a battery cell such as cell 10 illustrated in the FIG. 2 .

The support device 3 of figures 3 to 6 includes a frame 20, also called a "chassis", an enclosure 21 and fastening means 22A.

In this example, the 20 reinforcement is metallic.

With reference to the FIG. 3 which shows the armature 20 in a so-called open position, this is presented overall in the form of a frame in two parts 31 and 32 symmetrical with respect to an axis A1.

There FIG. 3 Figures 4 to 6 include a reference frame defining orthogonal directions D4, D5 and D6 which indicate a relative orientation of part 31 of the reinforcement 20.

Part 31 of the armature 20 will now be described with reference to the FIG. 3 .

Part 31 of the frame 20 includes two lateral beams 33 and 34, as well as two pieces 35 and 36, each having a generally U-shaped form.

The lateral beams 33 and 34 are spaced apart along the direction D6 and each extend along the direction D4.

Part 35 comprises two lateral parts 41 and 42 spaced apart along the direction D6 and each extending along the direction D4.

Part 35 also includes a cross member 43 extending along the direction D6 which is connected to a first end of each of the lateral parts 41 and 42.

For each of the lateral parts 41 and 42, the second end of this lateral part, that is to say opposite the end connected to the cross member 43, forms an element 44, 45 which extends in projection along the direction D6 towards the other lateral part.

Elements 44 and 45 of part 35, which are respectively formed by the lateral parts 41 and 42, constitute stop elements (see further below).

The lateral parts 41 and 42 of part 35 are fixed to the beams 33 and 34, respectively.

Part 36 includes two legs 51 and 52 spaced apart along direction D6 and each extending along direction D5.

Part 36 also includes a cross member 53 extending along the direction D6 which is connected to a first end of each of the legs 51 and 52.

The second end of legs 51 and 52 is fixed to beams 33 and 34, respectively.

In this example, the cross member 53 is spaced from elements 44 and 45, along direction D4, by a distance X1.

Thus, elements 44 and 45 are positioned along direction D4 between cross member 53 and cross member 43.

Part 31 of the frame 20 thus forms a generally rectangular frame having a first side formed by the cross member 43 of the part 35, a second side formed by the cross member 53 of the part 36, a third side formed by the beam 33 and the lateral part 41 of the part 35, and a fourth side formed by the beam 34 and the lateral part 42 of the part 35, the second side being opposite the first side and the fourth side being opposite the third side.

The preceding description applies by analogy to part 32 of the frame 20.

With reference to figures 3 to 6, parts 31 and 32 of the frame 20 are connected to each other by means of a pivot joint with axis A1, parallel in this example to the direction D6.

In this example, the pivot connection is formed by cooperation elements 60 respectively attached to the lateral beams 33 and 34 of each of the parts 31 and 32 of the reinforcement 20.

The cooperation elements 60 are arranged at the end of the side beams 33 and 34 at the level of which the crossbeams 43 of the parts 35 extend.

Parts 31 and 32 of the reinforcement 20 can thus be moved relative to each other by rotation around axis A1, so as to move the reinforcement 20 between the open position illustrated on the FIG. 3 and a so-called closed position which is illustrated in figures 4 to 6.

When the reinforcement 20 is in the closed position, the beams 33 and 34 of part 31 are arranged flush with the beams 33 and 34, respectively, of part 32, and the cross member 53 of part 31 extends opposite and at a distance X2 (see FIG. 6 ) of the traverse 53 of part 32.

In this example, the distance X2 is determined by the dimension along D5 of the legs 51 and 52 of the parts 36.

In the embodiment of figures 4 to 6, the envelope 21 of the device 3 is a fire-resistant fabric, for example an aramid fabric coated with silicone.

In the configuration of figures 4 to 6, the casing 21 is folded at the crossbeams 43 of the frame 20 so as to form two panels 21A and 21B and to enclose the component 10 received in the device 3 (see FIG. 6 and further below).

The envelope 21 is in this example fixed to the frame 20 using said fixing means which in this example include screws 22A.

With reference to figures 3 to 6, some of said screws, referenced 22A, pass through one end of the envelope 21 formed by its face 21A and are screwed into threaded holes 70A made in the cross member 53 of the part 31 of the reinforcement 20. Symmetrically, the other of said screws, not visible in the figures, pass through one end of the envelope 21 formed by its face 21B and are screwed into threaded holes 70B made in the cross member 53 of the part 32 of the reinforcement 20.

Figures 5 and 6 also show a crucible 23 and a locking member 24 which are assembled with the support device 3.

With reference to the configuration of figures 5 and 6, the crucible 23 of device 3 is presented in this example in the form of a generally rectangular tank arranged on one lower side of the frame 20 which is delimited by the crossbars 53.

The crucible 23 forms a cavity, also called the "collection space", which opens from the lower side of the frame 20.

More specifically, the crucible 23 includes walls that define an opening through which the cavity opens to the outside of the crucible 23 and that extend opposite the crossbeams 53 of the frame 20, the width of the cavity corresponding approximately to the distance X2 separating the crossbeams 53 from each other (see FIG. 6 ).

Regarding the locking member 24, in the example of figures 5 and 6 it comprises a part fixed to the beams 33 of the reinforcement 20 in the closed position, and a part (not visible in the figures) which is fixed in a similar way to the beams 34 of the reinforcement 20 in the closed position, so as to lock the reinforcement 20 in this position.

In this example, the locking member 24 is fixed to the frame 20 using screws.

Of course, the frame 20 can be locked or held in the closed position by other means, preferably reversible fastening means such as hooks or locks.

Figures 4 to 6 show device 3 in an extraction configuration receiving a component 10, in this example a cell such as the one illustrated in the FIG. 2 .

In extraction configuration, the frame 20 is in the closed position and the direction D4 is vertical or substantially vertical, so that the crucible 23 and the crossbeams 53 of the frame 20 are located at the bottom of the device 3 and the crossbeams 43 of the frame 20 are located at the top of the device 3.

In the configuration of figures 4 to 6, the envelope 21 extends around the component 10 which rests on the stop elements 44 and 45 of the frame 20.

In this example, the stop elements 44 and 45 are configured to pinch the envelope 21 laterally.

More specifically, a lateral part of the envelope 21, located on one side along the direction D6, is sandwiched between element 44 of part 31 of the reinforcement 20 and element 44 of part 32 of the reinforcement 20. Another lateral part of the envelope 21, located on the opposite side along the direction D6, is sandwiched between element 45 of part 31 of the reinforcement 20 and element 45 of part 32 of the reinforcement 20.

The component 10 rests on the stop elements 44 and 45 by two of its corners. In this example, the component 10 is arranged so that said first edge 16 is oriented downwards and so that said corners are formed by the layer 11 of metallic lithium (cf. FIG. 2 ). Thus, one of these corners of component 10 rests on the double stop element 44, that is to say on the element 44 formed by the part 31 of the reinforcement 20 and on the element 44 formed by the part 32 of the reinforcement 20. The other of said corners of component 10 rests on the double stop element 45, that is to say on the element 45 formed by the part 31 of the reinforcement 20 and on the element 45 formed by the part 32 of the reinforcement 20.

In this example, the envelope 21 is configured to extend between component 10 and stop elements 44 and 45, thus avoiding direct contact between component 10 and these stop elements 44 and 45.

In extraction configuration, the envelope 21 thus forms a pocket in which the component 10 extends, as well as an opening O1 called a flow opening through which the internal volume of this pocket opens into the collection space.

In this example, the flow opening O1 is delimited by the end parts of the casing 21 which are fixed to the cross members 53 of the frame 20 (see FIG. 6 ).

The flow opening O1 extends along the direction D6 between on the one hand the stop elements 44 and on the other hand the stop elements 45 and, along the direction D5, between the cross members 53.

With reference to the FIG. 6 , taking into account on the one hand the distance X2 along D5 between the cross members 53 to which the casing 21 is fixed – X2 being greater than the thickness of the component 10 – and, on the other hand, the distance X1 along D4 between the cross members 53 and the stop elements 44 and 45 (see FIG. 3 ), the distance between the panels 21A and 21B increases from top to bottom, forming a flare of the internal volume of the envelope 21 between the component 10 and the flow opening O1.

Thus, in the extraction configuration, component 10 is housed, encapsulated, within the casing 21, resting under the action of gravity on the abutment elements 44 and 45 of the frame 20, which extends around component 10 without direct contact with it. The flow opening O1 formed by the casing 21 allows the internal volume of the casing 21 to open onto the collection space formed by the crucible 23, which extends below component 10.

A non-limiting example of the implementation of device 3 in Figures 3 to 6, enabling the extraction of solid metallic lithium present in an all-solid-state battery electrochemical cell such as the cell illustrated in Figure 3, will now be described. FIG. 2 .

In this example, device 3 is implemented within installation 1 of the FIG. 1 .

From the open position of the armature 20 shown in the FIG. 3 , the envelope 21 is arranged on the frame 20 so that the panel 21A extends over the part 31 of the frame 20 and the panel 21B extends over the part 32 of the frame 20.

By way of exception, the casing 21 can in particular be arranged so that the end of the panel 21A intended to be penetrated by the screws 22A extends over the cross member 53 on the side along the direction D5 oriented upwards. FIG. 3 and so that the lateral parts of panel 21A intended to be pinched between elements 44 and 45 of the reinforcement 20 extend respectively over elements 44 and 45 of part 31 of the reinforcement 20 on the side along the downward direction D5 of the FIG. 3 .

The screws 22A can then be screwed into the threaded holes 70A so as to fix the panel 21A of the envelope 21 to the cross member 53 of the part 31 of the frame 20.

The panel 21B of the envelope 21 can be fixed symmetrically to the cross member 53 of the part 32 of the frame 20, by screwing the other screws into the threaded holes 70B.

The frame 20 in the open position and the envelope 21 thus pre-assembled are in a so-called open configuration.

From such an opening configuration, component 10 is placed in envelope 21 so that pan 21A extends from one side of component 10 in the direction D5.

The frame 20 can then be moved from the open position to the closed position, by rotating part 32 relative to part 31 around axis A1, so as to enclose the lateral parts of the envelope 21 between elements 44 on one side and between elements 45 on the other, as described above.

In this example, the pre-assembled sub-assembly comprising the frame 20, the casing 21 and the component 10 is assembled with the crucible 23 and the frame 20 is locked in the closed position using the locking member 24.

The assembly thus formed is placed in enclosure 2 of installation 1.

With reference to the FIG. 1 , the support device 3 is in this example mounted on the rails 4, in extraction configuration, so that the component 10 received in the device 3 is supported by the stop member formed by the elements 44 and 45 and that the flow opening O1 allows a flow, under the action of gravity, of liquefied metallic lithium from the component 10 towards the collection space formed by the crucible 23.

When device 3 is in extraction configuration in enclosure 2 of installation 1, the directions D4, D5 and D6 of the reference frame in figures 3 to 6 are respectively parallel to the directions D1, D2 and D3 of the reference frame of the FIG. 1 .

In this example, the heating element of enclosure 2 is implemented so that device 3 and component 10 which it supports reach a processing temperature of around 180.5°C or 181.0°C, in order to melt the metallic lithium present in component 10.

The liquefied metallic lithium can thus flow through the flow opening O1 of the casing 21 into the collection space formed by the crucible 23, under the action of gravity.

In this example, the extraction of metallic lithium is improved by moving device 3 along rails 4, passing device 3 and the component 10 it supports between rollers 5A and 5B which are configured to exert a compressive force on component 10, via the casing 21.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the preceding examples. In particular, the support device 3 may have a different architecture and/or materials than those described above with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

As an example, the support device 3 can be made according to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, which is described below only in terms of its main differences from the embodiment in Figures 3 to 6. The entire preceding description applies by analogy to the embodiment in Figures 7 and 8.

With reference to figures 7 and 8, the envelope 21 of the device 3 comprises in this non-limiting example two silicone half-shells 21A and 21B forming the stop element for the component 10 and the crucible 23.

Figures 7 and 8 show a lateral part of the envelope 21 located on one side of the device 3 along the direction D6, it being understood that the lateral part of the envelope 21 located on the other side of the device 3 along the direction D6 is identical, the envelope 21 having a symmetry with respect to a plane orthogonal to D6.

Parts 21A and 21B of the envelope 21 of device 3 in figures 7 and 8 are also symmetrical with respect to each other, the envelope 21 therefore also exhibits symmetry with respect to a plane orthogonal to D5.

The following description refers to the lateral part of the envelope 21 visible in figures 7 and 8 and applies by analogy to the other lateral part of the envelope 21.

In this example, each of the parts 21A and 21B of the envelope 21 forms a surface 101A/101B oblique to the directions D4 and D6, in other words a surface with a slope which in particular helps to promote the flow of liquefied metallic lithium.

Surfaces 101A and 101B form the stop element on which the corners of component 10 rest.

Thus, the embodiment of figures 7 and 8 differs from that of figures 3 to 6 in that the stop member is formed not by elements distinct from the envelope 21 but by the envelope 21 itself.

In addition, each of the parts 21A and 21B of the envelope 21 of the device 3 in Figures 7 and 8 includes a lower part 102A/102B forming a half-chamber.

The envelope 21 is configured so that, when the device 3 is in extraction configuration, the half-chambers made up of parts 102A and 102B together form said collection space.

Thus, the embodiment of figures 7 and 8 also differs from that of figures 3 to 6 in that the crucible 23 is formed not by a part distinct from the envelope 21 but by the envelope 21 itself, in this case by the lower parts 102A and 102B.

The half-shells 21A and 21B of the envelope 21 of the device 3 in Figures 7 and 8 are respectively mounted on two half-frames articulated at the top on the same principle as the frame 20 of the FIG. 3 .

Thus, a relative displacement of these half-armatures with respect to each other, that is to say a displacement of the armature from the closed position to the open position, makes it possible to evacuate the collected metallic lithium from the crucible 23 formed by the envelope 21, the extraction being able to be carried out on the basis of the principles described above with reference to figures 1 to 6.

Numerous variations can be made to the embodiments described above.

For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the casing 21 may include, in addition to the half-shells 21A and 21B, a fire-resistant fabric (not shown) enveloping the half-shells 21A and 21B, in order to further reduce the risk of fire. As another example, and alternatively or in addition, the half-shells 21A and 21B may be provided with openings (not shown) to allow steam to escape during heating.

In each of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 8, the crucible 23 has a width (see dimension X2 on the FIG. 6 greater than the thickness of component 10, the lower part of the casing 21 being flared for this purpose. Such a geometry optimizes the flow, the amount of metallic lithium collected, and the overall size of the device 3. Of course, this geometry is not limiting, and in particular, the ratio between the width of the crucible 23 and the thickness of component 10 may differ from that illustrated in the figures, this ratio preferably being generally greater than or equal to 1 so as not to impede the flow.

Claims (10)

Device (3) for supporting a component (10) comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell comprising solid metallic lithium (11), intended to equip an installation (1) for extracting metallic lithium from the component (10) by melting the metallic lithium, the device (3) comprising an armature (20) and an enclosure (21) and being configured to be placed in an extraction configuration in which:

• the casing (21) is connected to the frame (20) and arranged to enclose the component (10),
• the device (3) forms a stop member (44, 45; 101A, 101B) arranged to support the component (10) thus enclosed,
• the envelope (21) forms an opening (O1) called a flow opening configured to allow a flow of liquefied metallic lithium from the component (10) towards a collection space under the action of gravity.

Device (3) according to claim 1, wherein the casing (21) comprises a flexible material and/or an elastically deformable material and/or a material having flame-retardant properties. Device (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the casing (21) comprises:

• a semi-rigid case, for example made of silicone, and/or
• a fire-resistant fabric.

Device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the armature (20) comprises two parts (31, 32) connected to each other by a link defining at least one degree of freedom in order to be able to pass the device (3) from one to the other between said extraction configuration and an opening configuration in which the component (10) can be removed from the device (3) or placed therein. Device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stop member comprises two stop elements (44, 45) spaced apart from each other such that said flow opening (O1) extends between these two stop elements (44, 45) when the device (3) is in the extraction configuration and so as to each form a stop for a respective corner of the component (10). Device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stop member is formed by the casing (21) and/or by one or more parts integral with the frame (20). Device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a crucible (23) forming said collection space, the crucible (23) being formed by the envelope (21) and/or by a part separate from the envelope (21). Installation (1) for extracting metallic lithium from a component (10) comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell, this installation (1) comprising a support device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Installation (1) according to claim 8, further comprising:

• an enclosure (2) configured to receive the support device (3) and the component (10) supported by the support device (3), and/or
• a heating element configured to heat the component (10) to a temperature greater than or equal to the melting point of the metallic lithium it contains, and/or
• a compression member (5) configured to exert a compressive force on the component (10) supported by the support device (3).

A method for extracting metallic lithium from a component (10) comprising at least one electrochemical battery cell using an installation (1) according to claim 8 or 9, comprising the following steps:

• placement of the support device (3) receiving the component (10) in the extraction configuration, such that the component (10) is supported by the stop member (44, 45; 101A, 101B) and that the flow opening (O1) allows a flow of liquefied metallic lithium from the component (10) towards the collection space under the action of gravity,
• heating the component (10) to a temperature greater than or equal to the melting point of the solid metallic lithium it contains,
• Optionally, measurement of a position and/or configuration of the envelope (21) of the support device (3) in order to evaluate a state of the component (10).