Browsing by Author "Peuker, Urs"

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    Open Access
    Influence of a pyrolysis at different temperatures on the mechanical recycling efficiency of Li-ion batteries
    (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 2024-12-12) Kaas, Alexandra; Wilke, Christian; Born, Jannik; Ahuis, Marco; Kwade, Arno; Peuker, Urs
    The integration of a pyrolysis stage into the mechanical recycling process of Li-ion batteries is supposed to improve the decoating of the electrodes, the recovery of valuable components and the overall quality of the products. The effectiveness of the pyrolysis process depends on the applied temperature as the various components of a Li-ion battery melt, evaporate and decompose at different temperatures. The decomposition temperature of the cathode binder is a crucial factor in the thermal mechanical recycling process. Temperatures below this threshold have a negative impact on the recovery rates, as the melting of binder and plastics reduces the efficiency of the recovery process. Conversely, higher temperatures facilitate the recovery of the cathode coating metals (Ni, Co, Li) into the black mass. The majority of the metals (92-98%) are recovered and, following hydrometallurgical treatment, can be reused for cell production, thereby closing the loop and reducing the consumption of raw materials and enhancing the sustainability of batteries. Moreover, the decomposition of the organic components, including binders and plastics, improves the quality of the products, thereby reducing the necessity and extent of further treatment.
  • Item
    Open Access
    Influence of shredder and mill settings on the material recoveries and product qualities of a two-stage mechanical recycling process of automotive lithium-ion batteries
    (Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 2025-03-12) Kaas, Alexandra; Wilke, Christian; Peuker, Urs
    For a two stage shredding and milling process the yield of black mass and the elemental recovery of critical elements Ni and Li s investigated. I can be shown that the quality of the products resulting from the mechanical recycling of lithium-ion batteries significantly depends upon the parameters employed during the shredding process. Modifications to the settings have the potential to exert a considerable impact on the particle size, liberation of composites and de-coating of electrodes. The discharge grid size employed during the first shredding step shows a significant influence on the downstream separation behaviour of the casing material and separator foil. The mill speed utilised during the second comminution step determines the separation achieved between the cathode and anode. A reduction in grid size employed during the first shredding stage results in an increase in black mass yield, although the recovery of the casing is diminished. In total Ni recovery for all setting combinations is similar, a lower recovery in the first shredding step is compensated by a higher recovery after the second comminution. It was observed that an overall increase in the mill speed above 1750 rpm resulted in elevated levels of copper contamination within the black mass. The influence of eleven distinct combinations of shredder and mill settings on the black mass yield and its composition, the recovery of the separator foil and the casing, as well as the separation behaviour of the anode and cathode, were investigated.