3294 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
exhibit an improved selectivity for key critical minerals in
the LIB composition.
Direct Recycling
As an example Princeton Nu Energy, (2022) has developed
groundbreaking new technology known as low-temper-
ature plasma-assisted separation process (LPAS ™). This
process enables the sorting, purification, and repair of cath-
ode materials from aged LIBs. Beyond these functions, it
also introduces new functionality designed to significantly
enhance the performance of the cathode materials.
The outlined process as shown in Figure 5 begins with
a straightforward step of shredding the materials. This ini-
tial phase ensures that the subsequent stages of the process
are manageable and efficient. Following the shredding, the
next step involves a meticulous separation process. Various
elements including copper, aluminum, cathode, and anode
are carefully distinguished and separated. To accomplish
this, we employ the use of low temperature plasma, which
is a reliable and efficient method for this task. Once the
materials have been successfully separated, the process cul-
minates with lithiation. During this final step, we convert
the separated materials into battery-grade cathode mate-
rials. This intricate procedure ensures the production of
high-quality, reliable, and durable batteries.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the rapidly evolving EV LIB commodity sec-
tor is developing new and more efficient cathode and anode
chemistries all the time, it is small wonder the recycling
efforts appear to be lagging.
That said the EV LIB recycling operations around the
world that have made a success of recycling have done so on
the back of tried and tested mineral processing, hydromet-
allurgical and pyrometallurgical unit operations.
Areas where opportunities lie for future developments
in commercial EV battery recycling include but are not
limited to:
• Improving the ability to assess EV LIBs at EOL so
as to determine if they can be repurposed to BESS
applications in homes and factories or whether they
are indeed spent and the materials can be recovered.
• The development of new battery chemistries will cre-
ate a need for recyclers to pick the types of LIB chem-
istry they wish to deal in. This opens up opportuni-
ties for entrepreneurs to develop new and novel recy-
cling avenues for the emerging EV LIB chemistries.
• The use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) for the selec-
tive recovery of mineral species from the recycling
of EOL LIBs offers up opportunities to develop
solvents that are both economic, environmentally
Source: https://pnecycle.com/pne-novel-plasma-based-recycling-technology
Figure 5. Traditional recycling process vs. Princeton Nu Energy direct recycling process
exhibit an improved selectivity for key critical minerals in
the LIB composition.
Direct Recycling
As an example Princeton Nu Energy, (2022) has developed
groundbreaking new technology known as low-temper-
ature plasma-assisted separation process (LPAS ™). This
process enables the sorting, purification, and repair of cath-
ode materials from aged LIBs. Beyond these functions, it
also introduces new functionality designed to significantly
enhance the performance of the cathode materials.
The outlined process as shown in Figure 5 begins with
a straightforward step of shredding the materials. This ini-
tial phase ensures that the subsequent stages of the process
are manageable and efficient. Following the shredding, the
next step involves a meticulous separation process. Various
elements including copper, aluminum, cathode, and anode
are carefully distinguished and separated. To accomplish
this, we employ the use of low temperature plasma, which
is a reliable and efficient method for this task. Once the
materials have been successfully separated, the process cul-
minates with lithiation. During this final step, we convert
the separated materials into battery-grade cathode mate-
rials. This intricate procedure ensures the production of
high-quality, reliable, and durable batteries.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the rapidly evolving EV LIB commodity sec-
tor is developing new and more efficient cathode and anode
chemistries all the time, it is small wonder the recycling
efforts appear to be lagging.
That said the EV LIB recycling operations around the
world that have made a success of recycling have done so on
the back of tried and tested mineral processing, hydromet-
allurgical and pyrometallurgical unit operations.
Areas where opportunities lie for future developments
in commercial EV battery recycling include but are not
limited to:
• Improving the ability to assess EV LIBs at EOL so
as to determine if they can be repurposed to BESS
applications in homes and factories or whether they
are indeed spent and the materials can be recovered.
• The development of new battery chemistries will cre-
ate a need for recyclers to pick the types of LIB chem-
istry they wish to deal in. This opens up opportuni-
ties for entrepreneurs to develop new and novel recy-
cling avenues for the emerging EV LIB chemistries.
• The use of deep eutectic solvents (DES) for the selec-
tive recovery of mineral species from the recycling
of EOL LIBs offers up opportunities to develop
solvents that are both economic, environmentally
Source: https://pnecycle.com/pne-novel-plasma-based-recycling-technology
Figure 5. Traditional recycling process vs. Princeton Nu Energy direct recycling process