Recycling lithium batteries

Abstract

The first part of this chapter describes the expected evolution of the electric vehicles in the automobile market and the related production of the battery (mainly lithium) needed to power their electric engine. The content will be then addressed to the description and the evaluation of the processes presently in progress to recycle these batteries with particular attention to the economical, safe, and legislative aspects. These lithium battery recycling technologies are examined in terms of their operational steps, including sorting, separation, leaching, and thermal treatment. Also the historical aspect is here considered by describing a lithium battery recycling process proposed back in the year 2000 but still of actual relevance. Finally, the most recent developments are reported by discussing a recent European project aimed to the recycling of lithium and nickel metal hydride batteries with the recovery of their valuable parts.