SAFE DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM THIONYL CHLORIDE BATTERIES AND RECOVERY OF NICKEL & LITHIUM METALS

Abstract

Protecting the environment from pollution and contamination by various types of discharges is of great concern throughout the world. The governmental and private

enterprises are working together and I or separately to seek the best technological process for the control of pollution sources, using of a clean technology and developing more efficient waste treatment facilities. Lithium-thionyl chloride batteries are potential hazardous wastes due to the toxicity, ignitability and reactivity. Our research program task is to solve the problem of disposal of these batteries because it has a very high energy density inherent, the potential for hazardous situations does exist. Most hazards are due to interpal heating of a hermetically sealed battery. Overheating causes liquid I electrolyte to expand, increasing hydrostatic pressure inside the can, which might cause the battery to burst. Further heating can cause the Lithium anode to melt which, in twn, will react spontaneously with the electrolyte and bring about a violent reaction of the battery. First, many experiments were done to study the effect of different mineral acids on the dissolution of the metallic cover sheath of the battery.

Second, some experiments were done to study the effect of electric current on the dissolution rate at different temperatures. Third, many experiments were done to attempt separating the dissolved metals

from the leachate solution containing both Fe, Ni.

In addition, some experiments were done to separate the dissolved metal salts from the leachate solution containing Li, AI, Fe and Ni salts by adjusting the solution to a certain pH in order to separate Fe & AI and then add some chemicals after filtration of the solution to separate Ni & Li salts.