Application of Falcon centrifuge in the recycling of electrode materials from spent lithium ion batteries

Spent lithium-ion batteries contain metals, LiCoO2, graphite and other substances that can cause environmental pollution in the case of random disposal. Thus recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries is important. In this study, components in spent lithium-ion batteries are fully dissociated by crushing and screening in the first step. LiCoO2 and graphite particles are enriched in −0.25 mm products. Density and particle size of LiCoO2 particles are larger than those of graphite based on the analysis of physical property. Subsequently, the separation effect is obtained by adjusting the rotating speed and water counter pressure of Falcon centrifuge as well as particle size. Composition of sorted products and optimal sorting conditions are determined by calculation of roasting test and scanning electron microscope. Optimum conditions are as follows: water counter pressure at 0.025 MPa, rotation frequency at 50.00 Hz. Best grade and recovery efficiency of LiCoO2 are 84.87% and 83.14%, respectively. The result also indicates when the particle size ranges between 0.045 mm and 0.09 mm, the sorting performance reaches the best effect.