Abstract
Increasing occurrences of waste fires that are caused by improperly discarded lithium-based portable batteries threaten the whole waste management sector in numerous countries. Studies showed that high quantities of these batteries have been found in several municipal solid waste streams in recent years in Austria. This article reveals the main influence factors on the risk of lithium-based batteries in their end-of-life and it focuses on the quantification of damages to portable batteries during waste treatment processes. Hazards are identified and analysed and potential risks in waste management systems are comprehensively assessed. In two scenarios, the results showed that the potential risks are too high to maintain a sustainable form of waste management. According to the assessment, a small fire in a collection vehicle is located in the risk graph’s yellow region (as low as reasonably practicable, ALARP), while a fully developed fire in a treatment plant has to be classified as an unacceptable risk (red region of risk graph). Finally, basic recommendations for action were made.
Highlights
Recent research showed that high amounts of portable batteries are improperly discarded in different municipal solid waste streams, such as residual household waste, lightweight packaging waste, or metal packaging waste [5]
From a holistic viewpoint, in complex systems, such as waste management systems, it is unlikely to cover all of the possible hazards that are posed by lithiumbased batteries
The degree of damage that was happening to portable batteries was investigated and compared for different waste streams
Summary
In Austria and other European countries, like Germany, France or Sweden, the occurrences of waste fires has increased enormously in the last years [1,2,3]. The subsequent monetary and infrastructural losses have reached a new peak and they are threatening the whole waste industry sector [4]. Recent research showed that high amounts of portable batteries are improperly discarded in different municipal solid waste streams, such as residual household waste, lightweight packaging waste, or metal packaging waste [5]. While there is a plethora of different electrochemical systems, the average distribution is shifting more and more towards metal lithium and lithium-ion. That shift is accompanied by increased fire hazards and other safety challenges all along the value chain in the batteries’ end-of-life
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