Chapter 15 - Recovery and Recycling of Lead-Acid Batteries

Abstract

This chapter discusses the recovery and recycling of lead-acid batteries. The collection and recycling of lead–acid batteries has been an age old practice because of their value as a major source of lead units. This has led to highly developed operations, whereby batteries are collected, sorted, and delivered to the secondary smelter for recovery of the lead and other materials of value. Total recovery and recycling of the lead–acid battery are relatively straightforward as batteries are easily retrieved from most of the automotive and industrial applications in which they are used. Recovery of the lead and other components from the battery is uncomplicated because batteries are easily broken and divided into their various fractions. If a suitable combination of materials is chosen during design and construction of the battery, almost complete recovery and re-use of materials are possible at the expense of only a relatively modest amount of energy. There are two methods used for the recovery of lead from battery paste, grid material, and other lead components: pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical. Pyrometallurgical systems, commonly referred to as smelting, are the dominant methods used in the recovery of both primary and secondary lead throughout the world, with only a very small tonnage recovered by various hydrometallurgical methods.