Editors: | F. Kongoli, H. Dodds, M. Mauntz, T. Turna, V. Kumar, K. Aifantis |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2018 |
Pages: | 170 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-987820-98-0 |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
The recycling of lead-acid batteries (LABs) is currently an energy intensive, inefficient and polluting procedure. An alternative hydrometallurgical recycling route using citric acid(1)(2) has been proven to effectively and efficiently facilitate the extraction of lead from discarded LAB paste material to form an intermediate that can be further processed to be potentially reused again in new LABs.
This citric acid route has been extensively trialled in the laboratory at the University of Cambridge and has recently been through several concurrent iterative experimental trials at a pre-pilot scale at Aurelius Environmental Ltd in Tipton, UK.
The procedure of scaling up any process from the laboratory to pilot and, if successful, to full commercial scale is a journey that is well trodden. The current review paper will seek to describe some of the challenges and successes that has thus far been encountered in scaling up this promising recycling route.
As the author, associates and collaborators attempt to translate what has been shown in the laboratory to a pre-pilot scale, the ultimate aim is to transition to a full pilot scale and beyond in the near future. The progress and future aims of this nascent technology will be outlined and discussed in order to inform and educate a wider audience of this exciting and sustainable recycling method.