Recovery of technical LiCO from dust obtained after pyrometallurgical processing of Li-ion battery masses on a quarter-technological scale.

The increasing use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) necessitates the development of efficient recycling methods to manage the resulting waste stream, which includes various components such as electrode materials, electrolytes, plastics and steel. This paper examines innovative recycling processes, with a focus on hydrometallurgical techniques initiated by high-temperature reductive combustion of Li-ion masses. This thermal pretreatment transforms key chemical compounds contained in the battery mass into three products: alloy, slag and dust. The paper presents experimental results indicating that dust collected in bag filters during pyrometallurgical processing of LIBs contains significant lithium and fluorine content. By optimizing acid leaching parameters, selective lithium recovery is possible in the form of technical grade LiCO with a purity of 99%. These studies indicate a promising path to increase lithium recovery efficiency while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of individual recycling operations. Overall, the research highlights the critical role of adaptive recycling strategies in addressing the challenges posed by evolving battery technologies and waste management. Interestingly, the research also addresses the potential transition to non-lithium battery technologies, such as sodium-ion and zinc-ion cells, which could significantly change the recycling landscape and reduce the need for lithium recovery from lithium-ion batteries waste.