Lead recovery from spent lead acid battery paste by hydrometallurgical conversion and thermal degradation

Abstract

Spent lead paste is the main component in lead-acid batteries reaching end of life. It contains about 55% lead sulphate and 35% lead dioxide, as well as minor amounts of lead oxide. It is necessary to recycle spent lead paste with minimal pollution and low energy consumption instead of the conventional smelting method. In this study, a novel approach involving hydrometallurgical desulphurisation and thermal degradation is developed to recover lead as PbO products from spent lead acid batteries. First, the desulphurisation effects and phase compositions of products with different transforming agents were compared, and the optimum conditions using (NH4)2CO3 as a transforming agent were determined. And then, the thermal degradation processes of both precursors lead carbonate and lead dioxide were investigated to prepare α-PbO, Pb3O4, and β-PbO products in argon and air atmospheres, respectively. Both the desulphurisation precursors and the calcination products were characterised by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the lead oxide products were prepared, including α-PbO at 450°C in argon, Pb3O4 and β-PbO at 480°C and 620°C in air, respectively.

A Review on Recycling of Waste Lead-Acid Batteries

“…The pyrometallurgical method is widely used for the recycling of waste lead paste, and it is currently a mature technology [47]. Generally, this method involves high-temperature treatment of the spent lead paste and the addition of a reducing agent such as coke to promote the reduction reaction of the lead paste in a molten state [37,47]. The pyrometallurgical method can be further classified into one-step and two-step processes.…”

Recycling of Rechargeable Batteries: Insights from a Bibliometrics‐Based Analysis of Emerging Publishing and Research Trends

“…[42] Therefore, research on the recycling technology of LIB cathode materials was intensive, which may be related to the retired LIB cathode materials that are rich in valuable metals and have high environmental and economic benefits. [43] In addition, the number of literature on lead-acid batteries recycling ranked second [35,44] (87 articles, accounting for 9.60%), while the numbers of literature on Ni-MH batteries [45] (66 articles, accounting for 7.41%), Ni-Cd batteries [46] (45 articles, 4.97%), and mixed batteries materials (39 articles, 4.30%) were less. [47] The types and compositions of rechargeable battery recycling literature are shown in Figure 10b.…”

Batch Production of Lead Sulfate from Spent Lead–Acid Batteries via an Oxygen-Free Roasting Route: A Negative-Carbon Strategy

“…In previous studies, researchers have tried to convert SLP into lead products such as metallic lead, − organic lead compounds, , lead oxide, ,− lead chloride, , lead iodide, − and lead sulfide. − Yang et al used a combination of wet desulfurization and a roasting process to prepare lead oxide products . Liu et al reported on a vacuum chlorination process with calcium chloride as a reagent to successfully produce high-purity lead chloride products .…”

“…24−26 The global objective of decarbonization also has presented fresh challenges in the low-carbon reutilization of spent LABs. 27−29 In previous studies, researchers have tried to convert SLP into lead products such as metallic lead, 30−34 organic lead compounds, 35,36 lead oxide, 35,37−46 lead chloride, 47,48 lead iodide, 49−51 and lead sulfide. 52−54 Yang et al used a combination of wet desulfurization and a roasting process to prepare lead oxide products.…”