Optimization of metals extraction from spent lithium-ion batteries by sulphuric acid and sodium metabisulphite through a techno-economic evaluation

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 228; pp. 140 - 148
• Main Authors: Vieceli, Nathália, Nogueira, Carlos A., Pereira, Manuel F.C., Durão, Fernando O., Guimarães, Carlos, Margarido, Fernanda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2018
• Subjects: Acid leaching; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Economic evaluation; Electric Power Supplies; Electrodes; Lithium - chemistry; Lithium-ion batteries; Metals - chemistry; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Optimization; Recycling - methods; Sulfites; Sulfuric Acids - chemistry; Temperature; X-Ray Diffraction; Lithium-ion batteries; Acid leaching; Optimization; Economic evaluation
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.085

The main factors that affect the extraction of metals from spent lithium-ion batteries by acid leaching using H2SO4, and sodium metabisulphite, were evaluated and optimized through a set of experiments, framed by a techno-economic approach. The maximum value of the profit response was obtained with the highest possible values of acid concentration (2.5 M) and time (2 h), a liquid/solid ratio of 5 L/kg, and the lowest possible value of temperature (40 °C). After leaching, the electrodes active material contained in the metals decreased, while it was still significant in the graphite, as observed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry and x-ray powder diffraction. Even though the performed economic evaluation was a summarized outline it can be considered suitable to compare different leaching conditions and to determine the possible best combinations of factors that can optimize the profit response. •Innovative economic approach to optimize the leaching of spent LIBs is presented.•Modelling of the leaching process of LIBs.•Low temperature (40ºC) associated with other conditions lead to optimized results.