Method of recovering reusable metals from nickel-hydrogen rechar

Details Method of recovering reusable metals from nickel-hydrogen rechar Method of recovering reusable metals from nickel-hydrogen rechar

1994-11-30

1995-12-26

Willis, Jr., Prince

Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and

Regenerating, salvage or repair feature other than only...

204 64R, 75714, H01M 652

Patent

active

054786649

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF ART

This invention relates to a method of recovering reusable metals from nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries effective for recycling nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the demand for rechargeable batteries have been rapidly increasing as electronic products become portable. On the other hand, nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries have been improved as batteries for unpollutive electric vehicles, for which expanded future demand has attracted attention. In this way, the expanded demand for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries is expected in future since the nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries are superior in characteristics to the conventional nickel-cadmium batteries as well as causing fewer environmental problems. However, a method of recovering reusable metals from used nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries has not yet been established. This is because the recovery through the conventional chemical processing costs more than the employment of new raw materials. Therefore, development of a method of recovering reusable metals from demand-expanding nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries is desired for environmental reasons as well.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of recovering reusable metals from nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries, wherein reusable metals can be recovered from nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries efficiently with low cost, and effectively as well in the aspects of recycling and environment.


DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of recovering a reusable metal from a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery comprising; crushed material, and separating alkali, organic substances and iron from the crushed material to obtain a separated component from which at least the alkali, organic substances and iron are separated, the separated component by calcination, and with an electrolytic molten salt bath.


BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be explained in detail.
According to the present recovering method, the step (I) is first carried out, wherein nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries are crushed to obtain a crushed material, and alkali, organic substances and iron are separated from the crushed material to obtain a separated component from which at least the alkali, organic substances and iron are separated.
The nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries may be crushed by using a crusher such as a biaxial shearing-type crusher, preferably into, for example fine pieces of 5 mm or less.
The alkali may be separated from the crushed material such as by washing the crushed material.
The organic substances may be separated from the crushed material by, for example processing, by a wet gravity separation method using a commercially available wet gravity separator, the crushed material from which the alkali is separated. By the wet gravity separation method, the organic substances such as plastics, or separators may be separated.
The iron may be separated from the crushed material by, for example processing the crushed material from which the alkali and organic substances are separated by a separating process such as a magnetic separation method, a gravity separation method, or a sieve separation method. The magnetic separation may be performed, for example by an electromagnetic separator, the gravity separation may be performed, for example by a thickener or a wet cyclone, and the sieve separation may be performed, for example by a wet vibrating screen. These separating processes may be performed in combination.
In the aforementioned step (I), by separating the alkali, organic substances, and iron, a separated component from which at least the alkali, organic substances, and iron such as nickel, nickel hydroxide, and nickel-rare earth metal alloy powders are separated can be recovered from nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. Additionally, other components which are not necessary for recovery such as cobalt, alu

REFERENCES:
patent: 4762694 (1988-08-01), Maroni et al.
patent: 5173277 (1992-12-01), Montgomery et al.
Hurd et alo. Recycling of Consumer Dry Cell Batteries, Noyes Data Corporation, 1993, pp. 216-247.

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