Recycling Process
Lithium Battery Recycling
Battery recycling shares similarities with the recycling of other products, but there are distinct differences when it comes to lithium batteries. Primarily, recycling of lithium batteries is a two-step endeavor, a methodology widely accepted in the industry. The first is the mechanical process, which involves physical breakdown and separation of the battery components. The second, hydrometallurgy, involves chemical processes where metals are extracted from the battery using liquid solutions. Through this dual-stage approach, valuable metals are efficiently reclaimed from spent batteries, ensuring their components are responsibly repurposed and environmental hazards are minimized.
Safe Transportation
For the safe transportation of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, we provide crucial fire hazard mitigation measures. Count on us to protect your shipments and the environment.
Battery Packaging
We assist suppliers in ensuring the safe transportation of lithium batteries. Our thorough examination of battery terminals and potential short-circuit areas minimizes fire risks. Count on our dedicated service to ensure the secure transportation of lithium battery shipments.
On-Site Logistics
Our on-site pickup service offers hassle-free convenience to our suppliers for end-of-life lithium battery collection. We make it easy for suppliers to efficiently manage the disposal of their lithium batteries, providing a seamless and eco-friendly solution.
Disassembly and Testing
Dismantling batteries requires a meticulous process to ensure safety. Disassembly involves separating cells, electronics, and other components. Without proper procedures, there is a risk of fire and electric shock to workers. Rest assured, we follow stringent safety measures to guarantee the secure and professional disassembly of batteries, prioritizing the well-being of our workers and the environment.
Battery Disassembly
Our battery disassembly process involves safe separation of cells, electronics, and components. Rigorous safety protocols prevent fire hazards and electric shock risks to our workers. We prioritize a secure and controlled disassembly method to ensure safety at every step
Cell Testing
Testing is a critical phase in our process, where we focus on thorough examination to ensure each cell's reliability. We conduct IR and capacity tests, as well as assess cell self-discharge rates to guarantee that only the highest-quality cells are selected for a second life. Our testing procedures aim to exceed industry standards, ensuring better performance and longevity.
Sorting
In our sorting process, we prioritize second-life potential. Cells meeting our visual inspection criteria proceed to further testing for enhanced quality. Rejected cells undergo pre-treatment for recycling, minimizing waste and maximizing the value of each component.
Mechanical
Mechanical processes are crucial in reducing the size of lithium batteries and facilitating the removal of anode and cathode powders from current collectors. These steps are vital for efficient recycling.
Pre-Treatments Of battery and cell
In the preliminary treatment stage of lithium battery recycling, disassembly of cells and other components is essential for efficient recycling. Furthermore, it's crucial to discharge the cell or battery before recycling. The primary reason for discharging lithium batteries is to mitigate the fire hazards associated with lithium cell chemistry. Some electrolytes and metals within the battery pose risks if not handled appropriately. Thus, this stage is vital to ensure safe recycling and prevent potential accidents or damages.
Shredding
Shredding in battery recycling transforms large metal components into smaller pieces, making valuable element extraction easier. Batteries contain graphite on the anode side, while the cathode hosts elements like cobalt, lithium, manganese, and nickel. These materials are adhered to aluminum and copper foils respectively. A thin polyethylene separator ensures these anodes and cathodes don’t touch. Post-shredding, components break down into approx. 10 to 30mm pieces. The primary objective of this mechanical process is to segregate elements: black mass (a mix of anode and cathode coated powder), aluminum, copper, plastic, and iron, streamlining subsequent stages of recycling.
Crushing
In this stage, akin to the initial shredding, materials are processed further to achieve even finer granularity. By breaking down components into minute particles, the subsequent separation becomes more efficient. This refined reduction in size aids in effectively screening and segregating materials in the ensuing phases. As a result, elements like copper, aluminum, plastic, and the black mass (anode and cathode residues) can be more distinctly isolated, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient recycling process that maximizes the recovery of valuable components.
Screening
In the screening phase, mixed materials are differentiated based on size. This vital step ensures that components of varying dimensions are effectively segregated. As a result of this meticulous process, black powder (a combination of anode and cathode residues) is separated from larger materials. Concurrently, plastic and iron fragments are distinctly isolated. Furthermore, metals like copper and aluminum, pivotal in the battery makeup, are also systematically extracted. This structured separation optimizes the recycling process, ensuring each component is ready for its subsequent treatment or reuse.
Hydrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy is widely used in the extraction and purification of metals like copper, gold, and uranium, and it's also a pivotal process in the recycling industry, especially for commodities like lithium batteries.
Leaching
Leaching is the foundational step in hydrometallurgy. It involves the dissolution of metals from solid battery waste into a liquid solvent, most commonly an acid. By soaking the shredded battery materials in the solvent, metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are released into the solution. The efficiency of leaching can vary based on factors such as temperature, concentration of the solvent, and time. Proper optimization ensures maximum metal recovery. This metal-rich solution, called the "pregnant leach solution," proceeds to purification.
Purification
Once the metals are leached, the resultant solution contains not only the desired metals but also various impurities. Purification is vital to separate these unwanted elements. Techniques include solvent extraction, where specific chemicals selectively bind with certain metals, removing them from the solution. Precipitation involves adding reagents that cause certain impurities to form solid particles, which can then be filtered out. Ion-exchange resins can attract and bind specific ions, pulling them from the solution. The goal is a purified solution, ready for metal recovery.
Metal Recovery
With a purified solution in hand, the next challenge is to extract and solidify the metals. Electrolysis or electrowinning involves passing an electric current through the solution, causing metals to deposit onto a cathode. Over time, a solid metal layer forms, which can be removed, rinsed, and processed further. Chemical precipitation uses reagents that react with dissolved metals, converting them back into solid form. These precipitates are then collected, typically through filtration. The choice between these methods depends on the specific metals present and economic considerations.
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