Patent ID: 6572782
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: C22B,H01L,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
A method for recycling CdTe/CdS thin film solar cell modules, said method comprising:a) mechanically disintegrating thin film solar cell modules into module fragments; b) exposing said module fragments to an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 300Â° C. causing a pyrolysis of adhesive material contained in the module fragments in the form of a hydrocarbon based plastics adhesive material and the gaseous decomposition products that generate during the pyrolysis are discharged; and c) exposing said module fragments freed from the adhesive means to a chlorine-containing gas atmosphere at a temperature of more than 400Â° C. causing an etching process wherein the CdCl2 and TeCl4 that are generated in the etching process are made to condense and precipitate by cooling.