Investigation of Effect of Natural Salts on Discharge Time of Remaining Voltage of Lithium-Ion Batteries during Crushing Stage

Vashadi Arani, Mohammad Reza; Razavian, Seyed Mohammad

doi:10.22044/jme.2025.16199.3132

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Department of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kashan, Kashan-Iran

10.22044/jme.2025.16199.3132

Abstract

The use of lithium-ion batteries has increased significantly in recent years due to their high energy density and the presence of valuable materials such as cobalt and nickel, making them an important source for secondary material recovery. However, recycling these batteries presents substantial safety risks, primarily from fire and explosion hazards caused by unwanted short circuits and high voltage components. These risks are especially pronounced during mechanical preparation, crushing, storage, and transportation, where damaged or improperly handled batteries can ignite or explode. To mitigate these hazards, rapid and controlled discharge of batteries before recycling is critical. Discharging using salt solutions is recognized as a simple, fast, and cost-effective method to reduce residual charge and minimize the risk of fire during subsequent handling. In this research, four different types of natural salts at various concentrations were tested, prioritizing the use of accessible, low-cost, and impure salts over pure laboratory-grade salts to enhance scalability and economic feasibility. Initial experiments involved direct immersion of batteries in salt solutions at concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight. Among the complementary processes evaluated, the use of a high-speed magnetic stirrer, iron powder, and ultrasonic operations (ultrasonic bath and probe) were found to further reduce discharge time and help achieve target voltages more quickly. Notably, ultrasonic agitation at 28 kHz was particularly effective, significantly accelerating the discharge process and enabling the batteries to reach lower voltage thresholds such as 0.5 volts in a shorter time.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Cominution

References

[1]. Ojanen, S., Lundström, M., Santasalo-Aarnio, A., & Serna-Guerrero, R. (2018). Challenging the concept of electrochemical discharge using salt solutions for lithium-ion batteries recycling. Waste management, 76, 242-249.

[2]. Clancy, R. Tesla Shares Fall after Car Fire and Rating Downgrade. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/10352809/Tesla-shares-fall-after-car-fire-and-rating-downgrade.html

[3]. Gao, W., Song, J., Cao, H., Lin, X., Zhang, X., Zheng, X., . . . Sun, Z. (2018). Selective recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries–process development and kinetics evaluation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 833-845.

[4]. Georgi-Maschler, T., Friedrich, B., Weyhe, R., Heegn, H., & Rutz, M. (2012). Development of a recycling process for Li-ion batteries. Journal of power sources, 207, 173-182.

[5]. Zhang, J., Zhang, L., Sun, F., & Wang, Z. (2018). An overview on thermal safety issues of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicle application. Ieee Access, 6, 23848-23863.

[6]. Wu, L., Zhang, F.-S., Zhang, Z.-Y., & Zhang, C.-C. (2023). Corrosion behavior and corrosion inhibition performance of spent lithium-ion battery during discharge. Separation and Purification Technology, 306, 122640.

[7]. Zhang, G., He, Y., Wang, H., Feng, Y., Xie, W., & Zhu, X. (2019). Application of mechanical crushing combined with pyrolysis-enhanced flotation technology to recover graphite and LiCoO2 from spent lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 231, 1418-1427.

[8]. Doughty, D. H., & Roth, E. P. (2012). A general discussion of Li ion battery safety. The Electrochemical Society Interface, 21(2), 37.

[9]. Makuza, B., Tian, Q., Guo, X., Chattopadhyay, K., & Yu, D. (2021). Pyrometallurgical options for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries: A comprehensive review. Journal of power sources, 491, 229622.

[10]. Karagiannopoulos, L., & Solsvik, T. (2019). Tesla boom lifts Norway’s electric car sales to record market share. Reuters Technology News, 1.

[11]. Fujita, T., Chen, H., Wang, K.-t., He, C.-l., Wang, Y.-b., Dodbiba, G., & Wei, Y.-z. (2021). Reduction, reuse and recycle of spent Li-ion batteries for automobiles: A review. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 28(2), 179-192.

[12]. Qiao, D., Wang, G., Gao, T., Wen, B., & Dai, T. (2021). Potential impact of the end-of-life batteries recycling of electric vehicles on lithium demand in China: 2010–2050. Science of the Total Environment, 764, 142835.

[13]. Sattar, R., Ilyas, S., Bhatti, H. N., & Ghaffar, A. (2019). Resource recovery of critically-rare metals by hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lithium ion batteries. Separation and Purification Technology, 209, 725-733.

[14]. Ohzuku, T., & Makimura, Y. (2001). Layered lithium insertion material of LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O₂ for lithium-ion batteries. Chemistry letters, 30(7), 642-643.

[15]. Noh, H.-J., Youn, S., Yoon, C. S., & Sun, Y.-K. (2013). Comparison of the structural and electrochemical properties of layered Li [NixCoyMnz] O₂ (x= 1/3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.85) cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Journal of power sources, 233, 121-130.

[16]. Liu, Z., Yu, Q., Zhao, Y., He, R., Xu, M., Feng, S., Mai, L. (2019). Silicon oxides: a promising family of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Chemical Society Reviews, 48(1), 285-309.

[17]. Belharouak, I., Koenig Jr, G. M., & Amine, K. (2011). Electrochemistry and safety of Li4Ti5O12 and graphite anodes paired with LiMn₂O₄ for hybrid electric vehicle Li-ion battery applications. Journal of power sources, 196(23), 10344-10350.

[18]. Choi, S., Cho, Y. G., Kim, J., Choi, N. S., Song, H. K., Wang, G., & Park, S. (2017). Mesoporous Germanium Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Battery with Exceptional Cycling Stability in Wide Temperature Range. Small, 13(13), 1603045.

[19]. Liu, J., Kopold, P., van Aken, P. A., Maier, J., & Yu, Y. (2015). Energy storage materials from nature through nanotechnology: a sustainable route from reed plants to a silicon anode for lithium‐ion batteries. Angewandte Chemie, 127(33), 9768-9772.

[20]. Wang, Q., Jiang, L., Yu, Y., & Sun, J. (2019). Progress of enhancing the safety of lithium ion battery from the electrolyte aspect. Nano Energy, 55, 93-114.

[21]. Yao, L. P., Zeng, Q., Qi, T., & Li, J. (2020). An environmentally friendly discharge technology to pretreat spent lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118820.

[22]. Zeng, X., Li, J., & Singh, N. (2014). Recycling of spent lithium-ion battery: a critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 44(10), 1129-1165.

[23]. Torabian, M. M., Jafari, M., & Bazargan, A. (2022). Discharge of lithium-ion batteries in salt solutions for safer storage, transport, and resource recovery. Waste Management & Research, 40(4), 402-409.

Journal of Mining and Environment

Investigation of Effect of Natural Salts on Discharge Time of Remaining Voltage of Lithium-Ion Batteries during Crushing Stage

References

References

Volume 16, Issue 6
September and October 2025
Pages 2005-2014

Investigation of Effect of Natural Salts on Discharge Time of Remaining Voltage of Lithium-Ion Batteries during Crushing Stage

References

References

Volume 16, Issue 6September and October 2025Pages 2005-2014

Volume 16, Issue 6
September and October 2025
Pages 2005-2014