Abstract
The practical implementation of robust and environmentally-responsible technologies for the recovery of energy materials from end-of-life (EoL) batteries is an essential step toward establishing a circular battery economy. Efficient EoL battery recycling can significantly reduce raw materials dependence while minimizing the battery supply chain GHG footprint. LIB recycling flowsheets proposed to date generally rely on conventional hydrometallurgical flowsheets that focus on the production of intermediate products and/or their refining into high-purity “battery” chemicals (e.g. Ni, Co, Mn sulphates, LiOH).
In this paper, we present results of bench-scale tests that chiefly focused on the optimization of process conditions during hydrometallurgical processing of black mass (BM) feedstock. Specifically, the effect process parameters during Reductive Acid Leach (RAL) was examined. All RAL tests were carried out at a high initial BM slurry density of 15-20 wt. % to mimic industrial conditions. The effect of reductant type (SO2, H2O2, and SMBS) and dosage on metals dissolution extend was examined. The paper also describes a recently commissioned hydrometallurgical mini-pilot facility for small-scale testing and optimization of BM recycling flowsheets at the NRC-Ottawa.