CMI researchers from Idaho National Laboratory and the University of Arizona conducted the research for this highlight.
Achievement
Completed study comparing three methods of dissolving metal content from lithium-ion battery (LIB) black mass.
Significance
- Dissolving black mass is a chemically intensive step driving new options, which lower impact
- Peroxide-based leaching (PBL), EC-Leach (ECL) and SO2 (SBL) were compared.
Details and impact
- PBL showed highest impact for all categories
- ECL and SBL showed very similar impacts across all categories; ECL has lower ecotoxicity due to copper capture
- ECL has additional potential to reduce impact if powered with low carbon energy sources.
Hub Target Addressed
Recovery and conversion of critical minerals into high value refined products.