Abstract
Before the disposal of lithium–cobalt batteries and lithium–manganese batteries, they must first be discharged to a voltage no greater than 0.5 V. Above 0.5 V, the batteries will catch alight and explode on being opened. Various methods of battery discharge are considered: self-discharge using a flashlight; and battery immersion in NaCl solutions of concentration 5, 10, or 15 wt %. Discharge in salt solution is associated with electrolysis. This process may be theoretically described by means of the basic principles of chloride electrolysis. The effective concentration of the salt solution in battery discharge is found to be 10 wt %. Graphs showing the discharge of LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2 batteries over time are plotted, for a motionless medium. The discharge time is decreased in reactors where mechanical mixers ensure transient or turbulent motion of the liquid (assessed on the basis of the Reynolds number ReM). By atomic-emission spectrometry, the components formed in the residue after battery discharge are determined. On the basis of the results, mixer parameters for preliminary discharge of lithium–cobalt and lithium–manganese batteries are recommended, such that subsequent battery disposal in industrial conditions poses no environmental risks.
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Funding
This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant no. 21-19-00403: Investigation of Processes of Mechanochemical Destruction of Cathode Materials during the Extraction of Cobalt and Its Compounds).
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Translated by B. Gilbert
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Nazarov, V.I., Retivov, V.M., Makarenkov, D.A. et al. Preliminary Discharge of Spent Lithium Batteries in Salt Solution for Safe Disposal. Coke Chem. 65, 564–571 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068364X22700296
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068364X22700296