Development of a metal recovery process from Li-ion battery wastes

Two stages of crushing and sieving resulted in satisfactory separation of the metal-bearing particles from the waste. Sulfuric acid leaching with hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of 15 vol.% gave a full recovery of the metals within 10 min of processing time. The leaching was carried out at a temperature of 75 °C and with an agitation of 300 rpm for a pulp concentration of 50 g/L in a batch extractor. It was also found that incineration of lithium cobalt oxide particles to remove carbon and organic binder before chemical leaching significantly reduces the leaching efficiency.