Current Technology, Trend, And Chances of Hybrid Treatment Methods for Battery Recycling Water Treatment:

Battery Recycling Water Treatment Projects & Solutions

Battery Recycling Water Treatment Trend And Generic Market Analysis

Lithium-ion battery recycling niche is expected to grow rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of some 23% from 2024, market analysts predict an estimated value of some $24 billion by 2032. The tremendous market growth is propelled by growing demand for large scale installation of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and household/industrial renewable energy storage systems.
Lithium-ion battery recycling is expected constant growing for rising concerns and strict environmental regulations. Battery recycling water treatment is a key part of lithium-ion battery recycling process, aim of the se process is to allow wastewater treatment, water recycling, reuse.

Which Steps Generate Wastewater Within Battery Recycling Processes

Lithium-ion battery recycling water and wastewater treatment businesses are expected to boost and grow constantly as applications of lithium-ion battery to more consumer electronics and electric vehicles, recycling of lithium-ion batteries followed by increasing amount of these batteries.


Let’s take a closer look at processes and steps are the sources of wastewater within the lithium ion battery recycling industry:

Battery disassembly
Lithium-ion batteries are discharged and disassembled to access the cells containing metals, wastewater generated from this process contain huge amount of acids, heavy metals, sodium sulfate, ammonium and other toxic chemicals. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Crushing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Lithium-ion battery cells are then crushed to expose the metals, right after battery disassembly, followed by metal recovering processes, wastewater generated within the lithium-ion battery crushing processes is a sort of secondary pollutants of the battery recycling process which contatins high amount of heavy metals and acids, black mass was left within the cells, that requires further metal extractions, for instance, hydrometallurgy.

 Hydrometallurgy                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Different metals such as lithium, lead, and cobalt could be extracted from the black mass we mentioned above, with additionals of specific chemicals. This process is called hydrometallurgy, it produces the most complex waste streams contain organic solvents and electrolytes. Refractory organic compounds increase in waste streams while recycling more lithium-ion batteries, therefore these organic pollutants must be mineralized prior to water reuse and recycling.

Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Wastewater Content

In this section, we explain the content of Lithium-ion battery recycling wastewater, there are high concentration of heavy metals and acids, as well as organic compounds:
Heavy metals such as Lithium(Li), Chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni).
Acids, mainly sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Organic compounds such as Dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), diethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, cyclohexylbenzene, and ethylene glycol

Battery Recycling Water Treatment Methods

We managed to conclude some of the treatment methods adopted within the Lithium-ion battery recycling water treatment processes:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) is an evaporation technique that treats wastewater by compressing, therefore form forced circulation evaporative crystallizer to concentrate recovered brines, and reusing the crystallized solid product produced during this process. MVR is an effective treatment method reduce major parameters such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and biological oxygen demand (BOD) from Lithium-ion battery recycling waste streams.

Chemical precipitation is a wastewater treatment method that involves adding chemical substances to the wastewater to create a chemical reaction that proven to be effective in removing pollutants, especially heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, lead, and mercury from waste streams.

Microfiltration: A method that uses porous materials to remove impurity particles from water.

Electrolysis: A method that uses electricity to reduce heavy metal ions to metal by reducing heavy metal ions by gaining electrons on the surface of cathodic electrodes, mineralize refractory organic compounds.

Activated sludge method is a biological treatment that uses microorganisms and aeration to remove organic and solid contaminants from wastewater, however sludge and effluent from the activated sludge treatment methods usually requires further treatment.

Activated carbon: A straightforward technology that uses filters to adsorb contamination.

Find Out Key points About Electro Oxidation in Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Water Treatment

Electrolysis treatment is efficient when it comes to mineralization of organic compounds,  electro oxidation is one of most advanced electrolysis treatment methods to maximum treatment efficiency toward complex organic pollutants, heavy metals, and other contaminants from the Lithium-ion battery recycling wastewater.                                                                                                                                      By adjusting voltage and solution conditions accordingly, battery recycling water treatment via electro oxidation can be optimized to selectively target specific pollutants in the wastewater, allowing for targeted removal of valuable heavy metals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Unlike traditional chemical treatment methods, electro oxidation mainly relies on the application of electric current, which means electro oxidation of Lithium-ion battery recycling wastewater, unlike conventional chemical treatment methods, does require extra chemicals additions, which could evetually minimizes secondary waste generation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  According to our previous testings electro oxidation treatment via BDD electrode and our electro oxidation wastewater treatment products could be combined with other treatment methods for different purposes and steps.

How Does Electro Oxidation Works In Lithium Battery Recycling Water Treatment

Electrode Selection & Setup: 

Based on its strong oxidizing capability to generate oxidizing agents such as hydroxyl radicals and etc, leading to efficient mineralization, and eventually lead to complete removal of organic compounds while requires minimizing chemical usage. A BDD electrode is used as the anode, while Titanium can be used as cathode.

Electrolysis Process: When current is applied, water molecules are oxidized at the BDD anode, generating hydroxyl radicals which readily react with organic pollutants, breaking them down into smaller, less harmful compounds, and electro oxidation were adopted to enhance biodegrability of toxic, complex wastewater streams.

Metal Ion Removal: Depending on the applied potential, metal ions present in the wastewater can also be oxidized and precipitated or deposited onto the electrode surface, allowing for their removal.

Modular Design & Up,Downstream treatment: Electro oxidation wastewater treatment products are set to be modular design to fit into different applications, and what is more, EO could be adopted into pre-treatment or post treatment.

Explore Advantages of Adopting Electro Oxidation for Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Water Treatment

industrial wastewater treatment soution

Advantages of using electrochemical oxidation for lithium-ion battery wastewater treatment: 

High Treatment Efficiency: Can achieve high removal rates for a wide range of contaminants including organic compounds, heavy metals, and complex mixtures.

 Environmentally Friendly: Minimizes chemical usage and potential for secondary pollutants. 

Flexibility: Can be adapted to treat different wastewater compositions by adjusting operating conditions. 

Challenges and considerations: Energy Consumption: Electrochemical oxidation can be energy-intensive, requiring optimization of operating parameters to minimize energy usage. Electrode Degradation: BDD electrodes can degrade over time, requiring periodic maintenance and replacement. Wastewater Pretreatment: Depending on the wastewater characteristics, pretreatment steps may be necessary to remove large particles or adjust pH before electrochemical oxidation

Revolutionizing Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Water Treatment

We Offered Comprehensive Electrolysis Solution For Chanhen Chemical Corporation Via Sustainable Wastewater Treatment System Based On Advanced Electro Oxidation Technology

Guangxi Pengyue Ecological Technology Co., Ltd,a subsidiary of Guizhou Chanhen Chemical Corporation, 002895 (SHE),a publicly listed company and pioneer of the phosphate industry, with a concept of “copper, sulfur, and phosphorus”, with a primary focus on utilizing phosphate ore as the main raw material. By consuming sulfuric acid, which is a by-product of copper electrolysis, the project effectively treats the waste acid generated during the copper electrolysis process. This innovative approach addresses the challenges faced by two major industries – copper electrolysis and the phosphorus chemical industry – and aims to achieve sustainable development for both. The production process for phosphoric acid is based on the hemi-dihydrate wet process, which is then further refined to produce high-purity phosphoric acid, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, ferric phosphate, and other valuable by-products.However, the project does encounter challenges, particularly concerning high COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), high phosphorus, and fluorine organic wastewater. The wastewater primarily contains organic phosphorus, which exhibits poor biochemical properties with a B/C ratio less than 0.06. These complexities demand effective wastewater treatment strategies to ensure environmental sustainability and the overall success of the project.

Brunp Metal Recovey & Wastewater Treatment Poject Conducted By Electro Oxidation Electrolyzers And Electrochemical Oxidation Pilot Modular System

Precious Metal Recovery & Wastewater Degradation

Brunp Recycling Technology, a recycling subsidiary of CATL, which owns large plants for battery raw materials recycling and further processing for production of new batteries.

With operations span across Guandong, Hunan and Hube Province, and then expanded to Indonesia. Brunp Recycling exstablished strategic partnerships with leading automotive companies such as Mercedes-Benz China, to initialize a power battery recycling industry chain.

Brunp have achieved an impressive 99.3% metal recovery rate for nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Additionally, CATL contribute significantly to the environment, achieving a 50% comprehensive recycling rate for used batteries in China as Brunp’s waste battery disposal capacity stands at an impressive 120,000 tons.

Evoaeo take an active role in efficient metal recovery and waste disposal process related to battery recycling and battery materials, and we join forces to build and enhance battery recycling industry.

Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Water Treatment Products Implemented Within Previous Advanced Oxidation Processes

BDD electrodes have a very high oxygen overpotential, allowing for the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals which can effectively oxidize even difficult-to-degrade organic compounds present in the wastewater.   

Boron doped diamond electrodes have demonstrated unmatched electro oxidation capability to mineralize complex organic compounds.

Portable electro oxidation wastewater treatment gears and kits ready to lab and on-site treatability and feasibility test, check our electro oxidation test module product line.

Pilot scale electro oxidation wastewater treatment equipment and systems ready to fit into existing system and optimized for large scale battery recycling wastewater treatment.

Get A Free Battery Recycling Wastewater Treatment Consultation From Us Now!

Send the specific organic compounds you aim to eliminate from your battery recycling waste water, and our consultants will offer their guidance, which may encompass:

Analyzing your water profile through engineering appraisal.
Conducting a treatability trial to outline the pilot project.
Employing optioneering techniques to pinpoint the most suitable solution.
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