Lithium Recovery Process for Lithium-Sulfur Battery Recycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering lithium from lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries are inefficient and do not effectively address the need for an economic process to reclaim lithium from these batteries, particularly in large-format applications.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the shredding and precleaning of lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries, followed by dispersion in an aqueous medium with a pH≥7 to form a lithium sulfide-containing solution, and subsequent separation of lithium through thermal processing, chemical oxidation, acidic conditions, or precipitation, allowing for the recovery of lithium as various salts or compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If lithium-sulfur rechargeable batteries are shredded and dispersed in aqueous medium for lithium recovery, then lithium can be extracted from the batteries, but the process complexity increases compared to conventional battery treatment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is divided into separate components through shredding and sieving, separating housing parts, current collector parts, and active material. This segmentation enables targeted processing of lithium-containing materials while removing non-reactive components, improving lithium recovery efficiency without unnecessarily complicating the overall process
Solution Approach 2:
Lithium is extracted from the battery components by dispersing the shredded material in aqueous medium, where lithium ions are released and form a lithium sulfide-containing solution. This extraction step directly recovers lithium while separating it from other battery materials, addressing the recovery efficiency goal
2Loss of substance
If thermal processing is used to separate lithium from lithium sulfide-containing solution, then lithium can be recovered as lithium hydroxide or lithium sulfate, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal processing parameters such as temperature (100-1500°C) and atmosphere (oxidizing or reducing) are optimized to achieve lithium separation at efficient conditions. By controlling these parameters, the process achieves high lithium recovery yields while managing energy consumption through selective heating conditions and duration
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes phase transitions of lithium compounds during thermal processing to separate lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution. Temperature-controlled phase changes enable lithium to be recovered in different forms (lithium hydroxide in oxidizing atmosphere, lithium sulfate in reducing atmosphere), providing flexibility in energy utilization
3Loss of substance
If chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide or ozone is used to separate lithium, then lithium sulfate can be produced, but the process requires additional chemical reagents and processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
Strong oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone are used to accelerate the oxidation of lithium sulfide to lithium sulfate, enabling efficient lithium separation and recovery. This approach achieves high lithium recovery efficiency by utilizing powerful oxidizing agents that rapidly convert lithium sulfide to soluble lithium sulfate, which can then be easily separated and processed
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 process achieves high yields of lithium recovery, with thermal processing in the presence of oxygen at 200-500°C yielding lithium hydroxide, chemical oxidation producing lithium sulfate, carbonate precipitation forming lithium carbonate, and acidic processing resulting in lithium chloride, demonstrating effective lithium extraction and conversion into usable forms.
Implementation Method 1
remaining material comprising the lithium and the electrolyte is dispersed in an aqueous medium with a pH≥7, resulting in formation of a lithium sulfide-containing solution
Implementation Method 2
the separation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution is carried out by thermal processing, including wherein the thermal processing is carried out in a temperature range from 100 to 1500° C. in the presence of oxygen
Implementation Method 3
the thermal processing is carried out in a temperature range from 100 to 1500° C.
Implementation Method 4
the separation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution is carried out by chemical oxidation, including wherein the chemical oxidation is carried out by reaction with hydrogen peroxide, ozone or hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 5
the separation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution is carried out under acidic conditions, including wherein the acidic conditions are produced by adding sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid to the lithium sulfide-containing solution, the lithium obtained is converted into the corresponding salts
Implementation Method 6
the separation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution is carried out by precipitation, including wherein the precipitation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution is carried out by the addition of water-soluble carbonates to the lithium sulfide-containing solution
Implementation Method 7
insoluble components are removed by filtration
Implementation Method 8
the electrolyte is removed by phase separation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for recovering lithium from lithium-sulfur accumulators, wherein the accumulators are discharged, shredded, and pre-cleaned by sieves or screens to separate housing and electricity collector parts, the remaining material is dispersed in an aqueous medium, resulting in formation of a lithium sulfide containing solution from which insoluble components are removed by filtration, and the electrolyte is removed by phase separation, followed by a process for separation of the lithium from the lithium sulfide-containing solution.