New Developments in Pb Batteries Recycling: How to Minimize Environmental Impact Reducing Production Cost

摘要

The reduction of emissions and wastes are the most important issues in secondary lead production. SO_2 emission control is the key issue, not only for air emissions, but also for slag production. In order to improve their process, Engitec Technologies has built and operated a demo unit in their lab for a new desulphurization approach, the super-desulphurization, to validate the data obtained in bench and pilot tests. The scope of this unit is a further reduction of sulphur left in the desulphurized paste as well as the reduction of the presence of lead-alkali salts which contribute to the production of slag. The super-desulphurized paste was tested in an industrial furnace to evaluate the impact this paste will have on smelting. The demo plant equipment will be used for additional future developments that require scaling-up from successful bench and pilot stages. Currently, these include the desulphurization with ammonia salts, and the Flash Process, a new electrochemical approach for the production of lead from super-desulphurized paste. This paper is mainly focused on the results of the new super-desulphurization, but will also provide an update about some new possible developments in the secondary lead production.