Lithium ion battery recycling hydrometallurgy

Is hydrometallurgical recycling a suitable method for spent lithium-ion batteries?

The hydrometallurgical process is considered to be the most suitable method for the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries. The current status of hydrometallurgical recycling technologies of spent lithium-ion batteries is reviewed in this paper.

Can lithium-ion batteries be recycled?

A series of hydrometallurgical procedures including pretreatment of the spent lithium-ion batteries, leaching process and separation of valuable metals from leaching solution are introduced in detail, and their advantages and problems are analyzed. Finally, the prospects and direction of the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries are put forward.

Why is hydrometallurgy important in the recycling of batteries?

However, since non-noble metals such as aluminum and lithium are slagged in this process, further refining steps, for example, through hydrometallurgy, are required to achieve high recycling efficiencies. [71, 72, 246] Hydrometallurgy will therefore play a particularly important role in the recycling of the batteries of the future.

What is the process of lithium ion battery recycling?

In this perspective, the overall process of lithium ion battery recycling, especially the recent advances of hydrometallurgical methods, are summarized, focusing on the leaching, separation, and purification processes.

Does accurec recycle lithium ion batteries?

Accurec (Germany) operates a LIB recycling process that includes thermal, mechanical, pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy steps (Fig. S6 †). The recycling plant treats 3000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually.

What is a hydrometallurgical recycling process?

In Europe, hydrometallurgical processes are used for instance in Sweden, where the battery producer Northvolt AB integrates a hydrometallurgical recycling process in the production cycle in order to secure the raw material supply and to decrease the environmental impact of battery production.