Method for recovering battery material from used battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery recycling methods are inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful due to high-temperature processes and the use of hazardous chemicals, leading to lithium loss and high processing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving chemical discharge of used batteries in a lithium-extraction solution (LeS) to dissolve lithium from negative electrodes, followed by separation and recovery of battery materials using a solvent mixture to crystallize lithium compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-temperature dry processes are used to dissolve and separate valuable metals, then separation efficiency is improved, but lithium is lost through volatilization and processing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature (800-1000°C) dry processes to low-temperature (20-100°C) wet chemical processes. This parameter change allows lithium to be recovered in solution form without volatilization loss, while still achieving effective separation of valuable metals through selective chemical reactions and solvent extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary substance (acid solution or complexing agent) to facilitate the separation process. This intermediary enables lithium to be leached into solution while other metals are selectively complexed and extracted, achieving separation without high-temperature volatilization that causes lithium loss
2Loss of substance
If wet processes with acid or alkaline solutions are used to leach lithium, then lithium recovery is improved, but environmental problems arise and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical nature of the leaching solution from hazardous strong acids or bases to environmentally friendly alternatives such as weak organic acids, chelating agents, or carbonic acid systems. This parameter change maintains lithium leaching efficiency while eliminating the environmental hazards associated with traditional acid/alkaline processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts potentially harmful acid/alkaline leaching processes into beneficial environmentally friendly chemical reactions. By using green chemistry approaches, the process that could have caused environmental harm instead provides environmental benefit through reduced toxicity and improved sustainability
3Manufacturing precision
If heat treatment is applied to decompose binder in used batteries, then electrode active material recovery is improved, but additional costs are incurred and valuable metals are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the thermal/chemical decomposition process (heat treatment) with a mechanical separation approach. By using mild chemical leaching followed by solvent extraction, the process separates electrode active material without requiring high-temperature heat treatment that causes metal loss, achieving comparable or better recovery with reduced material loss
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
The method recovers lithium and other materials efficiently and cost-effectively with low energy consumption, reducing environmental impact and improving material purity.
Implementation Method 1
inducing a spontaneous reaction of the solution with lithium in the negative electrode
Implementation Method 2
dissolve lithium from negative electrodes
Implementation Method 3
an anti-solvent that crystallizes lithium ions in solution into lithium compounds due to a low solubility of the lithium compounds
Implementation Method 4
crystallizes lithium ions in solution into lithium compounds
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to recycling of used batteries, and more specifically, to a method for recovering main materials in used batteries through chemical discharge.