Lithium Related Media Articles, page-22030

RECYCLING OF ELECTROYLTE FROM RETIRED LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

The electrolyte recovery process usually uses vacuum pyrolysis or extraction.

The electrolyte of power batteries accounts for about 15% of the battery cost. It contains relatively rich lithium ions and has certain recycling value. The electrolyte is mainly composed of organic solvents and toxic lithium salt substances. If it is burned and decomposed only through fire treatment, the greenhouse gases, fluorine-containing smoke and large amounts of dust produced will be detrimental to the sustainable development of the environment.

Because supercritical CO2 can effectively dissolve non-polar substances and separate electrolytes from used lithium batteries, and CO2 is stable, non-toxic and cheap, it is often used in electrolyte recycling processes. From the electrolyte extracted by supercritical CO2, organic solvents, lithium salts and additives are extracted by adjusting process parameters such as pressure, temperature and extraction time, with a recovery rate of more than 90%.

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