A novel procedure for the separation and enrichment of metal oxides and graphite in electrode materials of spent lithium-ion batteries through hydrothermal treatment followed by liquid–liquid–powder extraction method and its benefit evaluation for metal recovery

Information from the abstract

This study proposed a novel procedure for the separation and enrichment of metal oxides and graphite in electrode materials of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Firstly, hydrothermal treatment was applied to remove the organic binder. Subsequently, liquid–liquid–powder extraction method was applied to separate the metal oxides and graphite. Finally, metal leaching experiments were conducted on the electrode materials, both with and without undergoing the proposed separation procedure to evaluate its economic benefit. Under the optimal conditions of hydrothermal treatment—hydrothermal temperature of 220 °C, hydrothermal duration of 1 h, and hydrothermal liquid-solid ratio of 5 mL/g, and those of liquid–liquid–powder extraction method—the dosage of kerosene of 15 mL as the oil phase, solid concentration of 1 g/80 mL in water phase, and water pH level of 9, the grade of metal oxides recovered from the water phase increased from the initial 64.59% to 88.43%, with a recovery of 96.59%; the grade of graphite recovered from the oil phase increased from the initial 35.41% to 92.53%, with a recovery of 76.96%. In addition, the grade of the recovered metal oxides reached 96.92% at a higher kerosene dosage of 25 mL with a less recovery of 60.83%. The overall treatment costs of metal recovery through H 2 SO 4 leaching after undergoing the proposed separation procedure were 48.7% reduced compared to those through H 2 SO 4 leaching directly, and the wastewater generation was 48% decreased. Furthermore, kerosene could be recycled for reuse which further reduced the treatment costs to 81.3% since second round.

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Related topics: Extraction and Separation Processes · Recycling and Waste Management Techniques · Metal Extraction and Bioleaching