Recycling Lithium Batteries Using Membrane Technologies

MDS has developed a process using a series of proprietary acid stable membranes and process equipment to recover all the components from used or damaged lithium ion batteries. The process consists of discharging, disassembly of parts for both flat and cylindrical battery types, digestion of the batteries in a mild acid solution, then recovery of copper and aluminum strips, cobalt, lithium and the graphite. The membrane steps are UF-NF and RO—each step purifies as permeate or concentrates valuable metals and graphite. In addition, the process recovers all the water and acid used for the digestion of disassembled batteries. Because of the complete recycling of acid and water coupled with the recovery of all the components of the batteries including plastics, the process is sustainable, environment friendly and zero liquid discharge. Figure 1