Lithium Replenishment in Recycled Battery Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-based energy-storage devices, such as lithium batteries, often end up in waste streams due to failure or obsolescence, leading to environmental concerns and a need for effective recycling and refurbishment strategies that preserve and enhance the value of electrode materials.

Innovation Solution

A method for recycling lithium-deficient electrode materials involves harvesting them from waste streams, passivating reactive materials, and replenishing lithium through solid-state, hydrothermal, or reductive processes to restore their functionality, allowing for the refurbishment of energy-storage devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If lithium-based energy-storage devices are discarded after failure or obsolescence, then environmental waste increases, but the value of electrode materials is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloss of electrode material valueVSAvoidenvironmental waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting spent lithium batteries from waste streams, extracting valuable electrode materials, and refurbishing them for reuse. This process recovers lithium and other materials that would otherwise be lost, converting waste into valuable resources while reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful aspect of battery waste into benefit by treating spent batteries as valuable material sources. The electrode materials that would be discarded are instead recovered, purified, and refurbished, transforming an environmental problem into an economic and ecological solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If lithium is replenished in electrode materials through chemical processes, then lithium content is restored, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium content in electrode materialVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, and reagent concentration during the lithium replenishment process. By optimizing these parameters, the patent achieves effective lithium restoration while managing process complexity through controlled chemical transformations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses intermediary substances such as lithium hydroxide solutions and other chemical mediators to facilitate lithium replenishment in electrode materials. These intermediaries enable the restoration of lithium content through controlled chemical reactions, making the complex process more manageable and selective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If electrode materials are harvested from recycling streams, then material value is preserved, but purification requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of material valueVSAvoidpurification requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating valuable electrode materials from complex battery assemblies and waste streams. Through selective extraction processes, the patent isolates lithium-containing materials from other components, enabling subsequent purification and refurbishment while preserving material value

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the battery recycling process into distinct stages: disassembly, material separation, purification, and refurbishment. This segmented approach allows for targeted purification of electrode materials, managing complexity by addressing each material type and contamination source separately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively recycles and refurbishes lithium-based energy-storage devices by replenishing lithium in deficient electrode materials, extending their useful life and reducing waste, while ensuring safety and efficiency in the recycling process.

Implementation Method 1

replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolid-state diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material through solid-state, hydrothermal, or reductive processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrothermal reaction:

Implementation Method 3

replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material through solid-state, hydrothermal, or reductive processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS9287552B2Reintroduction of lithium into recycled battery materials

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 SLOOP STEVEN E

AI summary

Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.