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http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteries http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteri... covers issues with the various

by Zenst 11y ago

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteries http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteri... covers issues with the various battery types and reclamation.

jseliger 11y ago
Interesting but not detailed. It says: Lithium-ion: Li-ion is reasonably harmless but spent packs should be disposed of properly. This is done less to retrieve valuable metals as with lead acid, but for environmental reasons, especially with the growing volume used in consumer products. Li-ion contains harmful elements that are at the toxicity level of electronic devices. At what price does recovering LI make sense? Must recycling be done with lead acid? Are there other ways in the works? How much energy does recycling LI take, versus mining it?
- manarth 11y ago
  I think the meaning of the reference to "Lead acid" is this: This is done less to retrieve valuable metals (which is the reason for recycling lead acid batteries), but for environmental reasons…"
- chorizo 11y ago
  http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_... Most Li-ion batteries also contain Cobalt, which is a somewhat toxic heavy metal. Layers of solid cobalt oxide used in the batteries could dissolve and leach out into the soil and ground water if large amounts of Li-ion batteries are disposed of in landfills. I do not have a source for this, but given the relative abundance of lithium and ease of purifying salt deposits, it will be a long time before recycling lithium from spent Li-ion batteries would be cost effective. Lead isn't rare at all, but large lead acid batteries are easy to recycle. The lead mostly stays on the battery plates and isn't mixed in with other metals. Besides, there are laws that make disposing of lead more expensive than recycling it.
  - semi-extrinsic 11y ago
    > cobalt oxide used in the batteries could dissolve and leach out into the soil and ground water ... were it not for the fact that cobalt oxide is insoluble in water.

by Zenst 11y ago

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteries http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteri... covers issues with the various battery types and reclamation.

jseliger 11y ago

Interesting but not detailed. It says: Lithium-ion: Li-ion is reasonably harmless but spent packs should be disposed of properly. This is done less to retrieve valuable metals as with lead acid, but for environmental reasons, especially with the growing volume used in consumer products. Li-ion contains harmful elements that are at the toxicity level of electronic devices. At what price does recovering LI make sense? Must recycling be done with lead acid? Are there other ways in the works? How much energy does recycling LI take, versus mining it?

manarth 11y ago
I think the meaning of the reference to "Lead acid" is this: This is done less to retrieve valuable metals (which is the reason for recycling lead acid batteries), but for environmental reasons…"
chorizo 11y ago
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_... Most Li-ion batteries also contain Cobalt, which is a somewhat toxic heavy metal. Layers of solid cobalt oxide used in the batteries could dissolve and leach out into the soil and ground water if large amounts of Li-ion batteries are disposed of in landfills. I do not have a source for this, but given the relative abundance of lithium and ease of purifying salt deposits, it will be a long time before recycling lithium from spent Li-ion batteries would be cost effective. Lead isn't rare at all, but large lead acid batteries are easy to recycle. The lead mostly stays on the battery plates and isn't mixed in with other metals. Besides, there are laws that make disposing of lead more expensive than recycling it.
- semi-extrinsic 11y ago
  > cobalt oxide used in the batteries could dissolve and leach out into the soil and ground water ... were it not for the fact that cobalt oxide is insoluble in water.