Abstract
Spent zinc-carbon dry cell batteries were characterized to assess the environmental impacts and also, to identify the potentials of recovering the metal values from these batteries. Different component parts of both new and spent batteries of all the five types (AAA, AA, C, D and 9V) were examined. The outer steel casings were found to be tin plated. Steel, zinc and manganese constituted 63 percent of the total weight of the battery. Average zinc and manganese contents were about 22 and 24 percent of the total weight of spent batteries. The electrolyte paste of the spent batteries contained 22 wt. percent zinc and 60 wt. percent manganese. The rest was chlorine, carbon and small amounts of iron and other impurity elements. The major phases in the fresh batteries were carbon, MnO2 and NH4Cl, while Zn(NH3)2Cl2, ZnO.Mn2O3, Mn3O2 and Mn2O4 were the prominent phases in the spent batteries. Presence of mercury and cadmium were not detected and a small percentage of lead was found in both the zinc anode and in the electrolyte paste.
Highlights
Zinc-carbon dry cell batteries are widely used in different household applications like toys, radios, recorders, watches, remote controls, cameras, torches etc
This study focuses on the determination of the nature and amount of the different metals in all the commercial types of zinc-carbon batteries so that a suitable process for the extraction of all metal values could be developed
The compositions of the electrolyte paste in both new and spent dry Characterization of Spent Household Zinc-Carbon cell batteries were determined by Rigaku X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy machine, and the phases present in the paste were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis
Summary
Zinc-carbon dry cell batteries are widely used in different household applications like toys, radios, recorders, watches, remote controls, cameras, torches etc. The development of a suitable method for the recovery of value metals from spent dry cell batteries can decrease the amount of wastes to be disposed and reduce the disposal and treatment problems. Detailed information on the exact nature and content of metal values and other component parts are useful for the development of a suitable process for the disposal or the utilization of the spent dry cell batteries. This study focuses on the determination of the nature and amount of the different metals in all the commercial types of zinc-carbon batteries so that a suitable process for the extraction of all metal values could be developed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
