Progress in Waste Lead Paste Recycling Technology from Spent Lead-Acid Battery in China

摘要

The incorporation of lead into most consumer items such as gasoline, paints, and welding materials is generally prohibited. However, lead-acid batteries (LABs) have become popular and have emerged as a major area where lead is utilized. Appropriate recycling technologies and the safe disposal of LABs (which contain approximately 65% lead) and lead-containing waste are, therefore, vital for the sustainable development of the lead industry. This paper gives an overview of the status of the secondary lead industry from the perspective of China and summarizes the recovery technologies for waste lead paste in pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. Although the pyrometallurgical methods of lead recovery have issues of high energy consumption and a large risk of lead dust and SO2 flue gas emissions, they are still the dominant industrial technology. The full hydrometallurgical recovery process is a reasonable choice for small- and medium-sized lead-recycling enterprises, with the preparation of battery material from waste lead paste through a short process being a major goal. However, efficient methods for the development of clean and economical conversion reagents, the economic treatment of wastewater, and the disposal of the resulting byproducts are urgently needed. Pre-desulfurization-free combined electrolysis provides a new approach for the clean hydrometallurgical extraction of waste lead paste.