Solar Panel Pyrolysis Recycling Plant in China
This article focuses on a commercial photovoltaic module recycling plant operated by one of our clients in Shaanxi and explains how pyrolysis, physical sorting, and automated conveying equipment work in tandem to recover glass, silicon wafer fragments, and metallic materials from end-of-life solar panels.
Photovoltaic Module Pyrolysis Recycling Process
This commercial PV recycling plant, located in Shaanxi, China, employs a combined solution of pyrolysis and physical sorting to separate and recover materials such as glass, silicon wafer fragments, and metal bonding wires from end-of-life crystalline silicon solar panels.
The core equipment of the entire production line includes an automatic feeding system, a pyrolysis furnace, conveying systems, screening equipment, physical separation equipment, and an exhaust gas treatment system. Each piece of equipment performs a distinct process step, with material transfer achieved through continuous conveying.
Configuration of Core Equipment and Operational Details
Automatic Feeding and Pre-treatment Equipment
An automatic feeding system is installed at the front end of the production line to convey waste photovoltaic modules into the processing area. Depending on the module structure and project configuration, junction boxes and aluminium frames may be removed beforehand to minimise the entry of extraneous materials into the pyrolysis process. Automated conveying and positioning help ensure a stable feed rate and reduce the workload associated with manual handling.
Photovoltaic Module Pyrolysis Furnace
The pyrolysis furnace is the heart of the entire system. Once the modules enter the furnace, they undergo controlled heat treatment in a low-oxygen or oxygen-free environment, causing the organic materials in the EVA film and backsheet to thermally decompose, thereby releasing the glass, silicon cells, and metal bonding strips that were originally bonded together.
The equipment must be fitted with systems for temperature control, in-furnace atmosphere control, continuous conveying and exhaust gas treatment. Pyrolysis temperature and residence time should be determined based on the module structure, encapsulation materials and production capacity requirements; a single temperature parameter cannot simply be applied across the board. For modules containing fluorinated backsheets, appropriate exhaust gas purification measures must also be put in place to address potential fluorinated gases.
Physical Sorting and Material Collection Equipment
The pyrolysed material enters a multi-stage sorting system. Vibrating screens classify the material by particle size to facilitate subsequent recovery; air classification, density separation or other physical separation equipment further separates silicon material, glass fragments and metal bonding strips based on differences in particle size, density and electrical conductivity.
The final material is conveyed via conveyors into separate collection units, forming different recovered products. A rational screening particle size and sorting sequence are more effective in controlling material contamination than simply increasing the intensity of crushing.
Equipment Features of Commercial PV Recycling Plants
This Shaanxi project adopts an automated, continuous processing approach, integrating pyrolysis and physical sorting into a single production line, making it suitable for recycling enterprises requiring stable processing of waste photovoltaic modules. Compared to a single pyrolysis furnace, a complete production line must also take into account feeding cycles, conveying capacity between equipment, finished product collection, and flue gas treatment capacity.
If you are looking for a Solar Panel Pyrolysis Recycling Plant or a complete photovoltaic module pyrolysis recycling system, please feel free to contact us for details on process flows, equipment configurations, and project proposals.
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