Recovery of lithium and other metals from lithium cells and batteries involves leaching cell and battery comminution products with hydrochloric acid and selective precipitation of heavy metal hydroxides from obtained separated solution

摘要

Recovery of Li from Li cells and batteries, which also contain heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Ni and Co) and/or Mn, involves comminution, leaching out most of the metal species with HCl, separating the insoluble phase, selective alkaline precipitation of insoluble heavy metal and/or hydroxides, and recovery of a insoluble fraction containing heavy metals and a solution containing Li. Any organic material is removed from the comminuted material, preferably by pyrolysis at a temperature below the vaporization temperature of Li, preferably around 550 deg C, before proceeding with the process. The molar concentration of the HCl leaching solution is 0.1N-6N, preferably 2N-4N. Selective alkaline precipitation of heavy metal hydroxides and/or Mn is carried out at a pH of 8-12, preferably around 9.5. The final solution containing mostly LiCl and also substantial amounts divalent metal chlorides, especially CaCl2, is enriched in LiCl by electrodialysis using a membrane able to separate monovalent cations from divalent ions.