Recovery of lithium from the batteries via enhanced chemical transformations using waste carbon and water leaching

Research Project, 2021

Purpose and goal
The aim of this project is to utilize a carbon present in the Li-ion battery waste for the chemical transformation of lithium compounds. The main objectives of the project are: 1. Maximize Li transformation from its salts and oxides present in the battery waste to lithium carbonate. 2. Minimize waste generation via utilization C recovered from the batteries lower production of solid residues. 3. Recover Li via water leaching prior mineral acid leaching and recovery of heavy metals (usually Li loss in those steps is around 15%). 4. Purify Li to battery grade: 99.95% via novel extractant.

Expected results and effects
Li recovery will be increased from current 1% to 95%. Number of stages for the production will decrease as well as chemical and energy consumptions. More simple recovery will decrease OPEX and final Li price. Li will be recycled from the waste more efficiently and purity will be sufficient for its reuse in the batteries enhancing thus the circularity. The outcome will improve the knowledge in the primary lithium production and secondary lithium production and contribute to PhD student training.

Planned approach and implementation
Project is divided into 4 work packages. WP1, Project coordination, (M0-6), WP2: Lithium chemical transformation via carbothermic reduction, (M0-M2). Thermal pre-treatment of the samples via pyrolysis and qualitative and quantitative determination of lithium transformation to lithium carbonate will be performed. WP3: Selective recovery of lithium via leaching with carbonated water (M1-M4). Leaching of lithium with carbonated water, determination of the impurities leaching behavior. WP4: Solvent extraction for product purification (M4-M6).