A study on Zn recovery from other metals in the spent mixed batteries through a sequence of hydrometallurgical processes

ABSTRACT

A study on selective separation of Zn from a leaching solution by disposal batteries including various type batteries was carried out to understand the recovery behaviour of Zn in leaching solution. Selective recovery of Zn in leaching solution including Mn, Cd, Cu ion was difficult due to its similar physicochemical behaviour. Experiment results by present leaching solution with 279 µm undersize indicated that the best condition for leaching is 1 M H₂SO₄, 250 rpm, 5 vol.% H₂O₂ and 353 K and the leaching efficient of Zn, Co and Mn is approximately 97%, respectively. The exclusive extraction behaviour of Zn by using D2EHPA is indicated that the best conditions for solvent extraction are to be 0.6 M D2EHPA diluted with kerosene, 30% saponification, 298 K, 5-min contact time and three-stage countercurrent extraction, and the O/A ratio 1, respectively. Recovery of Zn was with approximately 99.7% selectively from Mn, Co, Ni, Cd and Li. After scrubbing 5 times by pH 2 modified solution and single stripping experiment by 1.5 M H₂SO₄, the solution including Zn of 9.0 g/L can be produced.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrometallurgy
• Zn recovery
• spent mixed batteries
• recycling
• solvent extraction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the R&D Center for Valuable Recycling (Global-Top R&D Program) of the Ministry of Environment. [Project No. 2016002220001].