Evaluating the influence of discharge depths of lithium-ion batteries on the mechanical recycling process

Abstract

During the discharge process of a lithium-ion battery different phenomena can occur, such as copper deposits or active material coating on the separator, which influence the quality of recycling. According to their depth of discharge the cell types investigated behave differently in the mechanical recycling. The product qualities of the black mass scatter regarding yield and content of impurities, which generates new challenges in terms of the required recycling rates according to EU regulations. plating on  to the different structure of the components, the contamination of the black mass increases, while the liberation of active material is reduced. The findings of this study underscore the necessity of optimizing the mechanical recycling process to ensure stability in handling phenomena associated with greater discharge depths. Not addressing these issues would lead to the introduction of impurities that coat the separator, presenting new challenges for subsequence processes such as flotation and hydrometallurgy.