Influence of Deep-Discharge Rate on Recycle Process of High Energy Density Traction Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion traction batteries are increasingly use in transportation such as electric vehicles and buses. In order to reduce the life cycle cost of traction battery, material recycling is a technical route that must be considered. Deep-discharge is one of the necessary steps in the process of battery disassembly and material recycle, but the thermal stability and internal material changes caused by deep discharge will affect the subsequent recycle processes. In this paper, we study the influence of deep-discharge rate on recycle process of a commercial traction battery with LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode and graphite anode. Combine with multi-analysis methods, the evolution of an electrode structure under different deep-discharge current densities is systematically studied. The results show that the deep-discharge current density will have different effects on the internal structure of the battery and will affect its thermal safety.