Method for Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries with the Extraction of Valuable Components

Abstract

Introduction. Due to the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries, it has become a pressing issue to find an environmentally friendly and safe way to dispose of old batteries. The life cycle of these batteries is shorter than that of the equipment they power, which leads to a growing amount of waste. This waste poses a serious problem for disposal and can have harmful effects on the environment. At the same time, recycling spent lithium-ion batteries offers a solution. By extracting valuable components we can return these components to the production process and create a closed-loop system. In this regard, the aim of this study is to investigate the methods of recycling lithium-ion batteries and to analyze the proposed method for their disposal, which involves extracting valuable components such as Li2CO3, while introducing the principles of a closed-loop economy into the production process.Materials and Methods. The methods of systematizing scientific literature on lithium-ion battery recycling were used. The “Mpr_Dipl” software was used to select the most promising method, which includes direct decision-making, paired comparison, and weighted sum methods. A technological process for lithium-ion batteries processing was developed using the COMPASS-3D software.Results. As a result of the analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of each lithium-ion recycling method were highlighted. A hydrochemical method was selected using the multi-criteria decision-making method. A five-stage process for lithium ion battery processing with lithium carbonate extraction was developed, including grinding, separation, filtration, precipitation, and wet Li2CO3 capture. The material balance for the developed method was calculated.Discussion and Conclusion. The developed recycling system ensures safe recycling of used lithium-ion batteries with minimal negative environmental impact and maximum recovery of valuable components. These results can be used to optimize the recycling process and maximize the extraction of valuable materials from spent lithium-ion batteries for further sale as lithium carbonate, thereby generating additional revenue