Analysis of the recycling of energy storage batteries

How does recycling impact the life cycle of power batteries?

Indeed, the recycling of power batteries plays a substantial role in the environmental footprint of the life cycle. LCA results from Yoo et al. confirmed that the lifecycle GHG emissions of NCM811 produced from recycled materials were 40–48% lower than those produced from raw cathode active materials.

Does battery reuse reduce life cycle environmental impacts?

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is important for evaluating the environmental impacts of LIBs throughout their lifecycle, from production to end-of-life (EOL) management. The prevailing consensus is that battery reuse reduces life cycle environmental impacts compared to immediate recycling 31, while there is a study presenting contrasting evidence 32.

Can recycling reduce the effects and costs of battery recycling?

To understand how recycling may be able to decrease the effects and costs of battery recycling, the materials used in batteries and their costs should be defined, and the cost of new materials and recycled materials compared. Mining and refining of virgin materials and recycling used materials for batteries exact environmental costs.

What are the reuse and recycling pathways of lithium-ion batteries?

Fig. 1: Reuse and recycling pathways considering economic and environmental functions. Our method encompasses the system boundaries of the lithium-ion battery life cycle, namely, cradle-to-grave, incorporating new battery production, first use, refurbishment, reuse, and end-of-life (EOL) stages.

What are the environmental benefits of recycling battery components?

The recovered battery components contained copper, aluminum, lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese metals, among which the recycling of copper foil possessed the highest contribution ratio of −91.82%. It certainly alleviated the pressure of mineral resource shortage, thus producing greater positive environmental benefits.

What are the applications of battery recycling?

Applications in the reuse phase include energy storage systems (ESSs), communication base stations (CBSs), and low-speed vehicles (LSVs). When the batteries are subjected to the EOL stage, pretreatment and three recycling technologies are considered, including hydrometallurgical, direct, and pyrometallurgical recycling.