Abstract:
Lead Acid batteries (PbA) exemplify the cutting edge in environment stewardship and resource recovery. Currently, over 98% of all end-of-life lead acid batteries are collected and successfully recycled. An analysis of the energy balance for general smelter based recycling reveals that primary Pb production requires 7,000 - 20,000 Mj/t while secondary production 5,000 - 10,000 Mj/t. Direct recycling methodologies for the active material from PbA batteries, i.e. paste, indicate that a 10 to 30% energy requirement reduction 3,500 - 4,500 Mj/t is possible. Although in early development stages this technology is a promising route to reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the recycling of the world's dominant rechargeable battery technology.
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