Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation
Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO<sub>4</sub>, LFP) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a popular choice for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage systems. In the context of recycling, this study addresses the complex challenge of separating black mass of s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Batteries |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/9/12/589 |
| _version_ | 1797382024279883776 |
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| author | Olivier Renier Andrea Pellini Jeroen Spooren |
| author_facet | Olivier Renier Andrea Pellini Jeroen Spooren |
| author_sort | Olivier Renier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO<sub>4</sub>, LFP) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a popular choice for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage systems. In the context of recycling, this study addresses the complex challenge of separating black mass of spent LFP batteries from its main composing materials to allow for direct recycling. In this study, 71% copper and 81% aluminium foil impurities were removed by sieving black mass to <250 µm. Next, the application of froth flotation as a separation technique was explored, examining the influence of chemical agents, pre-treatment, and multi-step processes. Frother agent addition improved material recovery in the froth, while collector addition influenced the separation efficiency and enhanced graphite recovery. Pre-treatment, particularly sonication, was found to break down agglomerates and further improve separation. Multi-step flotation increased the purity of recovered fractions. The optimized process for a black mass < 250 µm, involving sonication pre-treatment and double flotation, resulted in enriched carbonaceous material (80.3 mol%) in froth fractions and high LFP concentration (81.9 mol%) in tailings fractions. The recovered spent LFP cathode material contained 37.20 wt% Fe<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>, a degradation product of LiFePO<sub>4</sub>. This research offers valuable insights for the development of efficient battery recycling methods for LFP batteries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:59:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3f37e6ace7f44e0ea4cd3c8e82b6d7af |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2313-0105 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:59:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Batteries |
| spelling | doaj.art-3f37e6ace7f44e0ea4cd3c8e82b6d7af2023-12-22T13:53:27ZengMDPI AGBatteries2313-01052023-12-0191258910.3390/batteries9120589Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth FlotationOlivier Renier0Andrea Pellini1Jeroen Spooren2Sustainable Materials Management, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, BelgiumSustainable Materials Management, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, BelgiumSustainable Materials Management, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, BelgiumOlivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO<sub>4</sub>, LFP) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a popular choice for electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storage systems. In the context of recycling, this study addresses the complex challenge of separating black mass of spent LFP batteries from its main composing materials to allow for direct recycling. In this study, 71% copper and 81% aluminium foil impurities were removed by sieving black mass to <250 µm. Next, the application of froth flotation as a separation technique was explored, examining the influence of chemical agents, pre-treatment, and multi-step processes. Frother agent addition improved material recovery in the froth, while collector addition influenced the separation efficiency and enhanced graphite recovery. Pre-treatment, particularly sonication, was found to break down agglomerates and further improve separation. Multi-step flotation increased the purity of recovered fractions. The optimized process for a black mass < 250 µm, involving sonication pre-treatment and double flotation, resulted in enriched carbonaceous material (80.3 mol%) in froth fractions and high LFP concentration (81.9 mol%) in tailings fractions. The recovered spent LFP cathode material contained 37.20 wt% Fe<sub>2</sub>P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>, a degradation product of LiFePO<sub>4</sub>. This research offers valuable insights for the development of efficient battery recycling methods for LFP batteries.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/9/12/589end-of-life Li-ion batteriesfroth flotationrecyclinggraphite recoveryblack mass separationlithium iron phosphate |
| spellingShingle | Olivier Renier Andrea Pellini Jeroen Spooren Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation Batteries end-of-life Li-ion batteries froth flotation recycling graphite recovery black mass separation lithium iron phosphate |
| title | Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation |
| title_full | Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation |
| title_fullStr | Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation |
| title_short | Advances in the Separation of Graphite from Lithium Iron Phosphate from End-of-Life Batteries Shredded Fine Fraction Using Simple Froth Flotation |
| title_sort | advances in the separation of graphite from lithium iron phosphate from end of life batteries shredded fine fraction using simple froth flotation |
| topic | end-of-life Li-ion batteries froth flotation recycling graphite recovery black mass separation lithium iron phosphate |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/9/12/589 |
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