Alternative Technology of Nickel-Cadmium Batteries Recycling

Abstract

The issue of operated-off alkaline nickel-cadmium batteries recycling is currently relevant due to a number of aspects: economic, environmental and social. It is most acute across the national corporation JSC Russian Railways. The article deals with some technological features of operated-off alkaline nickel-cadmium batteries recycling with valuable components being extracted (from the example of nickel-cadmium storage batteries of JSC "RZD" rolling equipment). The results of leaching in Trilon B synthetic oxides solution, the presence of which is possible in the raw material being processed, are presented in the study. Based on the study of leaching processes of CdO, NiO, FeO, Femet and Fe2O3 in Trilon B solution, the dependence of complexing on the pH of the solution was revealed. The experimental site of the hydrometallurgical processing of the research center (OCGP IC) in the GMO KhMC PJSC "Uralelectromed" was selected as the testing one for the technology proposed. As a raw material for the tests, a lot of negative lamellae packed in alkaline storage batteries of two different types were used. They were obtained as a result of preliminary drying and cutting at OOO Kursk factory "Accumulator". The particle size is 90% - 0.1 mm. The results obtained during the research allowed the author to formulate a hypothesis about the practical use of Trilon B for the processing of operated-off alkaline nickel-cadmium batteries with the extraction of valuable components having greater economic, environmental and social benefits compared to methods based on pyro metallurgy.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Process from a Circular Economy Perspective—A Review and Future Directions

“…Due to their terminal voltage of 1.2 V and steady discharge voltage, they quickly replaced primary zinc-carbon and alkaline batteries, which have a terminal voltage of 1.5 V, in many applications. These batteries are mainly used in portable electronic devices such as wristwatches and flashlights [10,24,25]. They have replaced primary batteries in devices such as cordless phones and toys.…”

“…When this battery is charged and discharged to the same state of charge many times, it tends to remember the point to which it was discharged before recharging. If the battery is discharged beyond this point, it experiences a sharp voltage drop as if it is fully discharged [24,26].…”