Pyrolysis-based separation mechanism for waste crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules by a two-stage heating treatment

Heating treatment is the mainstream method to separate the modules in the waste photovoltaic (PV) module recycling process, which has not been studied thoroughly. In the present study, a two-stage heating treatment was conducted to separate the waste crystalline silicon solar panels. The TPT backing material could be recovered integrally by heating at 150 °C for 5 min, which was conducive to further recycling and regeneration. The poly(ethylene-co-vinyl) acetate (EVA) binder was removed by the pyrolysis process at the temperature of 500 °C; acetic acid and several hydrocarbon compounds were the main products of the pyrolysis process. Analysis showed that the pyrolysis of the EVA binder could be divided into two stages: deacetylation process (acetic acid formation) and long chain scission with radical reactions (hydrocarbon formation). Furthermore, the pyrolysis kinetics and pyrolysis mechanisms were studied based on the experimental data and sufficient theoretical foundation. Acetic acid was generated by the deacetylation process through a six-member cyclic transition state, and several hydrocarbon compounds were generated through a series of long chain scissions, free radical migrations and Diels–Alder cycloadditions. In this study, undamaged TPT backing materials, glass and silicon wafers were obtained, which could be recycled by further treatment. This study could perfect the process of waste crystalline silicon solar panel recycling and provide a fundamental basis for recycling the waste crystalline silicon solar panels in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner.