The hydrometallurgical process for black mass refers to the method used to extract valuable metals from the black mass produced during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, especially those used in electric vehicles (EVs).
Black mass is the mixture of metals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, that remains after the mechanical shredding of battery cells. In the hydrometallurgical process, chemical solutions (typically acids or bases) are used to dissolve and separate the metals in black mass.
Black Mass Hydrometallurgical Process Steps
1. Leaching: The black mass is first treated with acidic or alkaline solutions to dissolve the metals into the liquid phase. Common leaching agents include sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
2. Separation and Purification: After leaching, the solution contains dissolved metals that need to be separated. This is typically done using solvent extraction or precipitation techniques, where chemicals are added to selectively separate different metals.
3. Metal Recovery: The final step involves recovering the valuable metals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, from the solution. This is often done through processes like electrowinning (where metals are deposited onto electrodes) or precipitation (where solid metal compounds are formed and filtered out).
This process is environmentally cleaner compared to traditional pyrometallurgical methods (which involve high-temperature smelting), and it allows for better recovery rates of valuable metals, making it a promising option for sustainable battery recycling.
