Recycling of used lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)
Recovery of metals for economic benefits
Recovery of excess lixiviant & by-product
Preventing environmental pollution
- A complete process for recycling of cathode of used LIBs.
- The hydrometallurgical process involves environmentally benign lixiviant (acetic acid) for leaching of metals, which are subsequently separated through sequential precipitation method with recovery of excess lixiviant and by-product.
- Room temperature leaching (no external heating), as compared to high temperature leaching in most of the reports.
- Recovery of individual metallic components in pure form by precipitation methods only (most of the reports use solvent extraction method for recovery of Co & Ni).
- The process does not include any solvent extraction step, avoiding possible fire hazard, which is very prone for recycler industries.
- Excess lixiviant (acetic acid) is recovered, which is rarely reported.
- The by-product (sodium acetate) was recovered at the end without any left-out liquor, claiming a zero-discharge process, rarely reported.
1 kg cathode powder scale
We are in touch with few recycling companies who have shown interest. After the patent is filed, we will go for process demonstration. This may not be a very profitable business but considering the scarcity lithium and cobalt in our country and to prevent environmental hazard, there is a greater scope.
The process is environmentally benign with a zero-discharge process.
Used LIBs, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium sulphide, dimethylglyoxime, sodium hydroxide.
Dismantling unit (shredder, crusher, grinder, separator & dust collector), Hastelloy/Glass reactor, Basket centrifuge, Nutsche filter, dryer etc.
Depends on types of cathode material. For a particular type of battery easy to do. For mixed batteries the techno-economics depend on the composition of the cathode material; Computed and would be made available on request based on the used battery study
Know-how of hydrometallurgical process for sequential separation; Demonstration of the process; Generic process equipment needed for pilot scale can be given; Technical specification for battery dismantling unit can be provided though not in our work or demo scope.
