ENERGY-EFFICIENT METALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR LI-ION BATTERY PROCESSING

Abstract

The invention relates to a two-step melting process for recovering Ni and Co from batteries and other sources. This process comprises the following steps: - Determining the oxidation level (Ox) of the battery-containing smelting material; - Oxidizing the smelting material by injecting O2 gas into a hot cylinder to reach the determined oxidation level (Ox); and - Melting and reducing the resulting slag using a heat source and reducing agent. This process is more energy-efficient than a one-step melting process and yields a higher purity alloy with cleaner finished slag.