Recovering lithium cobalt oxide, aluminium, and copper from spent lithium-ion battery via attrition scrubbing

Abstract

Highlights Attrition scrubbing is effective in selectively concentrating LiCoO2. Attrition scrubbing improves liberation efficiency from 34% to 77%. Attrition produces a precursor for hydrometallurgical processes. Electrostatic separator is used to recover copper and aluminium. AbstractIn this manuscript, the results show that the single-stage liberation by using a cutting mill is sub-optimum. From the analysis, that the size fraction of < 850 µ m only recovers 43.7 wt% LiCoO2. With the recovery of 9.0 wt% aluminium and 10.6 wt% copper the remainder of the copper being in the > 850 µ m size fraction. The low recovery of LiCoO2 is caused by the particles that are still adhering on to the surface of the aluminium current collector. This lack of liberation prompted the use of attrition scrubbing as a secondary stage of mechanical treatment. 2.5 min Attrition scrubbing improves the selective liberation of cobalt towards aluminium and copper by 36.6 % and 42.6 % respectively. Attrition induces abrasion and it is shown to liberate the LiCoO2 particles. Results show a minimum of 80 wt% LiCoO2 particles can be recovered in the size fraction of < 38 µ m with 7.0 wt% aluminium 2 and 6.1 wt% copper recovery, making attrition scrubbing a suitable second stage mechanical treatment for the recovery of LiCoO2.

Recycling of Lithium‐Ion Batteries—Current State of the Art, Circular Economy, and Next Generation Recycling

“…[108] A flowchart for black mass recovery was proposed by Widijatmoko. [109,110] Cells were shredded and sieving was applied to separate the components into different size fractions. An attrition scrubbing technology was used to liberate fine black mass from coarse foils.…”

Worth from Waste: Utilizing a Graphite-Rich Fraction from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries as Alternative Reductant in Nickel Slag Cleaning

“…In order for the European recycling operators to meet the target recoveries outlined by the new Batteries Regulation, research concerning the mechanical preprocessing of battery waste is also necessary [1]. Currently, one substantial challenge in LIB recycling is selectively separating the electrode components into a fraction of their own prior to the chemical separation, in a manner that allows for a high throughput and recovery [13]. Since the electrode materials are considerably finer than the other LIB components, sieving is commonly applied to concentrate the electrodes in the underflow, while the current collector foils (Cu/Al) and other metallic components are mainly separated in the overflow.…”

Assessment of recycling methods and processes for lithium-ion batteries

“…This fraction was then milled with a centrifugal mill with a 0.25mm grid followed by subsequent sieving whereby the cathode recovery size fraction was <850μm. The results indicate that 43.7% wt, 8.8% wt and 10.3% wt of LiCoO 2 , Al and Co were recovered respectively ( Widijatmoko et al., 2020a ). The results still demonstrated low LiCoO 2 recovery thus, attrition scrubbing has been proposed as a second-stage liberation technique and is introduced in this paper as an advanced recovery technique.…”

“…Attrition scrubbing is conventionally used in glass, mineral and water treatment industries to remove adhering sludge ( Cole et al., 1981 ; Valchev et al., 2011 ) and has recently been introduced as a secondary liberation technique to enhance single-stage liberation performed with a cutting mill in lithium recovery from spent LIBs. Single-stage liberation has resulted in the recovery of 43.7 wt % LiCoO 2 in the size fraction of <850 mm as well as 10.6 wt % and 9.0 wt % Cu and Al respectively in the size fraction >850mm ( Widijatmoko et al., 2020a ). The low recovery and lack of liberation is a result of the particles remaining adhered to the Al current collector therefore attrition scrubbing has been found to be an efficient solution.…”