Lead Oxide Composition via Low-Temperature Salt Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of recycling lead for lead-acid batteries are energy-intensive, typically involving high-temperature smelting processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the conversion of organic lead salts, such as lead citrate, into PbOPbCO3, followed by heating in an inert atmosphere to produce alpha lead (II) oxide, and controlling the production of beta lead (II) oxide and red lead through specific gas mixtures and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional smelting methods are used to recycle lead, then lead can be recovered for battery production, but energy consumption is excessively high due to high-temperature processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature smelting to low-temperature processing (below 100°C) by using chemical reagents (citric acid and hydrogen peroxide) to convert lead sulfate directly into lead oxide, thereby dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical smelting system with a chemical reaction system using citric acid and hydrogen peroxide to achieve lead oxide formation at low temperatures, substituting high-energy physical processes with low-energy chemical processes
2Manufacturing precision
If high-temperature smelting is used to produce lead oxide, then lead oxide can be obtained, but the crystal structure control and purity are difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in chemical composition (adding citric acid and hydrogen peroxide) and temperature (maintaining below 100°C) to control the formation of specific crystal structures (alpha-PbO and beta-PbO) while achieving high purity (98-99%), replacing high-energy thermal control with low-energy chemical control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces citric acid and hydrogen peroxide as intermediary substances that facilitate the conversion of lead sulfate to lead oxide, enabling precise control over crystal structure formation and purity without requiring high temperatures
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional recycling processes are used, then lead can be recovered, but the process requires high temperatures and complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically changes the temperature parameter from conventional high-temperature smelting to low-temperature processing (below 100°C) through chemical reagent-based conversion, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing equipment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex high-temperature smelting system with a simple chemical reaction system using readily available reagents (citric acid and hydrogen peroxide), making the process easier to manufacture and implement
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 method reduces energy consumption and enables the production of high-purity lead oxides, including alpha lead (II) oxide with up to 98 wt% purity, and tailored compositions of beta and red lead oxides, suitable for battery production.
Implementation Method 1
converting an organic lead salt into PbOPbCO3
Implementation Method 2
heating said PbOPbCO3 in a substantially inert atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
heating said PbOPbCO3
Data Source
AI summary
A composition is provided comprising one or more of alpha lead oxide, beta lead oxide, metallic lead. Pb2O3 and Pb3O4, the composition comprising particles comprising sub-particles, the sub-particles having a mean greatest dimension of from 10 to 300 nm. Methods of making such a composition are also described.