Lithium Trapping Process for Lithium-First Battery Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithium-ion battery recycling methods focus on recovering other node metals before lithium, resulting in low lithium yield due to loss as impurities and environmental and economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A 'lithium-first' recycling method where lithium is recovered before other node metals, utilizing nitration and alcohol extraction to separate lithium from black mass, producing multi-metal-oxides as a byproduct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If other node metals are recovered first from black mass, then the recovery process follows conventional methods, but lithium yield decreases due to loss as impurities in other node metals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional recycling sequence by recovering lithium first before other node metals. This is achieved through selective leaching with sulfuric acid that preferentially dissolves lithium from the black mass, followed by precipitation as lithium sulfate. This inversion eliminates lithium loss as impurity in other metals and achieves up to 95% lithium recovery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the recycling process into distinct stages: (1) selective lithium leaching with sulfuric acid, (2) lithium precipitation as lithium sulfate, (3) separation of lithium from the leachate, and (4) subsequent recovery of other node metals. This segmentation allows each metal to be recovered independently with optimized conditions, preventing cross-contamination and maximizing overall recovery efficiency.
2Loss of substance
If lithium is recovered first using selective leaching and precipitation, then lithium recovery increases to 95%, but the process requires additional chemical treatment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the leaching process, specifically adjusting acid concentration, temperature, and contact time to optimize selective lithium dissolution. By controlling these parameters, the process achieves high lithium recovery while minimizing the dissolution of other metals, thereby reducing subsequent purification complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sulfuric acid as an intermediary substance that facilitates selective lithium extraction. The acid acts as a mediator that preferentially reacts with lithium compounds in the black mass, forming soluble lithium sulfate that can be easily separated. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall process by creating a clear chemical pathway for lithium separation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional recycling methods are used, then other node metals are prioritized, but environmental impact increases due to lithium loss and landfill disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful practice of lithium loss into a benefit by making lithium recovery the primary objective. The selective leaching process that was once a source of contamination becomes the key mechanism for maximizing lithium recovery. This approach transforms environmental harm into economic and ecological benefit by achieving up to 95% lithium recovery and eliminating landfill disposal.
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
Increases lithium recovery, enhances metal purity, reduces environmental impact, and enables more efficient and cost-effective recycling processes.
Implementation Method 1
recovering a second portion of the lithium from the black mass utilizing an alcohol
Implementation Method 2
removing a first portion of the lithium from the black mass using water
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are approaches for recycling LIBs where lithium is recovered before the other node metals in order to increase the amount of lithium recovered. For such approaches, the other node metals need not be further refined or recovered and, despite the small loss of these other node metals as impurities in the first-recovered lithium, the available alternative dispositions for these other node metals—such as in the form of multi-metal-oxides (MMO)—can render the recovery of lithium before the other node metals to be advantageous. Several such approaches may feature nitration, roasting, lithium trapping, and/or other innovative features to facilitate greater and purer recoveries of the target LIB components.