STUDY ON RECOVERY OF VALUABLE METALS IN SPENT LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES BY Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-Fe2O3 SLAG SYSTEM

This study investigated the recovery behavior of valuable metals (Co, Ni, Cu and Mn) in spent lithium ion-batteries based on Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-Fe2O3 slag system via DC submerged arc smelting process. The valuable metals were recovered by 93.9% at the 1250 degrees C for 30 min on the 20Al(2)O(3)-40SiO(2)-20CaO-20Fe(2)O(3) (mass%) slag system. From the analysis of the slag by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, it was considered that Fe2O3 and Al2O3 acted as basic oxides to depolymerize SiO4 and AlO4 under the addition of critical 20 mass% Fe2O3 in 20Al(2)O(3)-40SiO(2)-CaO-Fe2O3 (CaO + Fe2O3 = 40 mass%). In addition, it was observed that the addition of Fe2O3 ranging between 20 and 30 mass% lowers the melting point of the slag system. Keywords: Spent lithium-ion battery, Smelting, Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-Fe2O3, Recovery, Slag