Recovery of Lithium from dust generated in pyrometallurgical treatment of Li- ion batteries

Purpose and goal

The pre-study aims a hydrometallurgical method for recovery of Li and other metals in dust generated in pyrometallurgical processing of Li-ion batteries. Li-compounds in dust formed under conditions corresponding to pyrolysis or steel smelting should identified and suitable leaching methods selected. Conditions as temperature, pH, amount of reagent, etc. was determined via thermodynamic calculations, in experiments leaching yields of 65-94% were achieved. There are potential for improvement via optimization and possible to apply used methods for purification.

Expected results and effects

New knowledge on the transfer of elements in “black mass”, especially Li, to the gas in pyrometallurgical processes has been achieved. Investigated leaching methods show good results and opportunities for improvement. Knowledge of the methods can be used in upcoming project on battery recycling and for the purification of Li products from primary and secondary production of Li-compounds. The preliminary study´s results will be published and can be used for further development of new project ideas including a project to scale up the investigated methods.

Planned approach and implementation

Melting experiments with "black mass" have been carried out aiming to generate dust for characterization. Leaching was performed on synthetic compounds similar to those found in the formed dust, due to that the amounts of collected dust were too low. Factsage was used for thermodynamic calculations regarding pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods, both for planning and evaluation/analysis. Characterization and analysis also involved XRD together with chemical analysis