Battery Powder Leaching Sequence for Cobalt Nickel Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for leaching metals from lithium ion battery waste face challenges in achieving sufficient leaching of cobalt and nickel while preventing the dissolution of copper, which complicates the separation and recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple leaching steps, where the first leaching step terminates before copper dissolution, and the second leaching step continues until copper is dissolved, allowing for the efficient leaching of cobalt and nickel while separating copper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the leaching time is extended to improve the leaching rate of cobalt and nickel, then the leaching rate of cobalt and nickel is improved, but copper begins to be dissolved which complicates separation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the leaching process into multiple sequential leaching steps with different termination conditions. In the first leaching step, leaching is terminated before copper dissolution begins, while in subsequent steps, leaching continues after copper dissolution starts. This segmentation allows selective leaching of cobalt and nickel in early steps while permitting copper dissolution in later steps, resolving the contradiction between improving leaching rate and preventing harmful copper dissolution.
2Ease of operation
If the leaching is terminated before copper begins to be dissolved to enable easy copper removal, then copper can be easily separated by solid-liquid separation, but the leaching rate of cobalt and nickel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting initial leaching steps that terminate before copper dissolution, thereby preparing a leached solution with high cobalt and nickel content but minimal copper contamination. This preliminary leaching establishes a foundation for easy copper separation. Subsequent leaching steps then continue after copper dissolution begins to further improve cobalt and nickel extraction, while the copper can still be removed through solid-liquid separation of the resulting leached residue.
3Productivity
If multiple leaching steps are implemented to improve cobalt and nickel leaching, then the leaching rate of cobalt and nickel is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the termination conditions of different leaching steps rather than changing physical equipment or adding complex apparatus. The first leaching step terminates before copper dissolution (ORP < 0 mV), while subsequent steps terminate after copper dissolution begins (ORP ≥ 0 mV). This simple parameter change in termination timing allows multiple leaching steps to be implemented without significantly increasing process complexity, as the same leaching equipment and reagents are used throughout.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the leaching rate of cobalt and nickel while facilitating the easy removal of copper, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the metal recovery process.
Implementation Method 1
battery powder is brought into contact with an acidic leaching solution to dissolve in the acidic leaching solution metals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum and iron
Implementation Method 2
the copper can be in a solid state at the end of the leaching, and this can lead to easy separation and removal of the solid copper from the leaching solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for leaching at least one metal in battery powder containing at least copper and one or more of cobalt and nickel, the method including a leaching process repeating multiple times, wherein the leaching process includes: a first leaching step of leaching at least one metal in the battery powder in an acidic leaching solution, terminating the leaching before the copper begins to be dissolved, and removing a leached residue from the resulting leached solution; and a second leaching step of leaching at least one metal in the leached residue of the first leaching step in an acidic leaching solution, and terminating the leaching after the copper begins to be dissolved to obtain a leached solution, wherein the leached solution obtained in the second leaching step of the leaching process is used as an acidic leaching solution in a first leaching step of a leaching process followed by said leaching process, and wherein a leached residue is removed from a leached solution in a second leaching step of at least one leaching process.