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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Merging Recycling Methods for Spent Lithium Ion Batteries

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  • Zhiwen Zhou

    (Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China
    Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

  • Yiming Lai

    (Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China
    Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

  • Qin Peng

    (Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China
    Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

  • Jun Li

    (Key Laboratory of Low-Grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044, China
    Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China)

Abstract

An urgent demand for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is expected in the forthcoming years due to the rapid growth of electrical vehicles (EV). To address these issues, various technologies such as the pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical method, as well as the newly developed in-situ roasting reduction (in-situ RR) method were proposed in recent studies. This article firstly provides a brief review on these emerging approaches. Based on the overview, a life cycle impact of these methods for recovering major component from one functional unit (FU) of 1 t spent EV LIBs was estimated. Our results showed that in-situ RR exhibited the lowest energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 4833 MJ FU −1 and 1525 kg CO 2 -eq FU −1 , respectively, which only accounts for ~23% and ~64% of those for the hydrometallurgical method with citric acid leaching. The H 2 O 2 production in the regeneration phase mainly contributed the overall impact for in-situ RR. The transportation distance for spent EV LIBs created a great hurdle to the reduction of the life cycle impact if the feedstock was transported by a 3.5–7.5 t lorry. We therefore suggest further optimization of the spatial distribution of the recycling facilities and reduction in the utilization of chemicals.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiwen Zhou & Yiming Lai & Qin Peng & Jun Li, 2021. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Merging Recycling Methods for Spent Lithium Ion Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:19:p:6263-:d:648340
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leonard Kurz & Simeon Forster & Ralf Wörner & Frederik Reichert, 2022. "Environmental Impacts of Specific Recyclates in European Battery Regulatory-Compliant Lithium-Ion Cell Manufacturing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Ren, Zhijun & Li, Huajie & Yan, Wenyi & Lv, Weiguang & Zhang, Guangming & Lv, Longyi & Sun, Li & Sun, Zhi & Gao, Wenfang, 2023. "Comprehensive evaluation on production and recycling of lithium-ion batteries: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).

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