Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are dangerous to recycle, as they pose a fire hazard when cut and contain various chemical hazards. If recycled safely, LIBs provide rich secondary source for metals such lithium cobalt, while reducing the environmental impact of end-of-life LIBs. Discharging spent in 5 wt.% NaCl electrolyte at room temperature enables their safe dismantling. A sludge was observed form during LIB discharging, with composition 34.9 Fe, 35 O, 17.7 Al, 6.2 C, 4.2 Na. The average...

Microplastics are accumulated in coastal regions due to human activity. Although limited data from beach surveys show an increase microplastics marine habitats, continuous monitoring is required on loading and distribution the environment. In this study, CFD numerical simulations using VOF Airy wave models coupled with DPM were carried out investigate effects of various variables motion a simulated PET, PU, PP microplastic particles released oceanside type, size, shape two different...

This paper reports the development of a process for leaching Pt, Pd, and Rh from simulated spent auto-catalyst material using ozone hydrochloric acid in order to produce pregnant leach solution that could be fed an industrial precious metal refinery. The effects O3 mass flow, initial concentration, temperature were investigated Box–Behnken experimental design with three centre-point runs total time 6 h. Set points 3.34, 5.01, 6.68 g/h; 1.0 M, 3.0 5.0 M; 30, 60, 90 °C used temperature,...

Rare earth elements (REEs) have been identified as valuable and critical raw materials, vital for numerous technologies applications. With the increasing demand supply gap in REEs, many research studies focused on alternative sources of REEs. This study involved an elemental mineralogical characterisation discarded coal from a plant fly ash (CFA) power station South Africa REE presence. XRD results revealed that discard sample consisted mainly kaolinite, pyrite, siderite, quartz, calcite,...

Abstract This study investigated the performance of citric acid as lixiviant for cathode material from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Black mass containing 84.2 wt% MNC (LiNi 0.45 Mn 0.4 Co 0.15 O 2 ) and 15.8 LCO (LiCoO was leached at solid-to-liquid ratios 20, 50, 100 g/L. Leaching with 1.5 M acid, vol.% H , a ratio 20 g/L 95 °C extracted 90% Co, 95% Li, 94% Mn, Ni within min. At highest solid/liquid 10 °C, 84% Al, 87% 86% 96% were after 40 min, producing leach solution 0.68...

Abstract Hydrogen production via microbial photofermentation shows great promise as a method for sustainable hydrogen production; however, operating costs associated with photofermentative need to be reduced. Costs can reduced using passive circulation system like the thermosiphon photobioreactor, and by it under natural sunlight. In this study, an automated was implemented investigate effect of diurnal light cycles on productivity growth Rhodopseudomonas palustris operation controlled...

Rapidly evolving technologies have placed a challenge on engineers to become more innovative in their thinking and are driving an ever-increasing need for `complex problem' solving abilities. Educators ensure that all aspects of the curriculum adequately grasped by students, but particularly foundational knowledge concepts such as unit conversions. Enabling students understand what units represent, relationship between different systems, procedural conversion processes essential equipping...

The performance requirements of modern lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) necessitate the use a number scarce and strategically sensitive metals such as lithium cobalt. Recycling end-of-life LIBs reduces demand on primary sources these helps reduce environmental impact LIB waste. Citric acid has proven to be an effective environmentally friendly sustainable lixiviant; however, formation metal citrate complexes complicates subsequent separation processes solvent extraction. This study enhances...

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling has received continued interest in recent years due to its benefits, which include reducing the environmental impact of spent LIBs and providing a secondary source valuable metals, such as Li, Co, Ni. This paper characterized Li separation with D2EHPA from citrate media function pH identified optimal overall at 5.5. The was optimized 5.5, it concluded that 23 vol.% an O/A ratio 4 provided best separation, for 66.1% extracted 26.9% residual Mn, 6.8% 7.7% Ni...

CITATION: Snyders, C. A., et al. 2018. Investigating the behaviour of PGEs during first-stage leaching a Ni-Fe-Cu-S converter matte. Journal Southern African Institute Mining and Metallurgy, 118(4):353-360, doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2018/v118n4a4.

In the mineral processing industry, Ni-Cu-Fe-S converter matte is leached to remove base metals from a concentrate containing platinum group (PGMs). We investigated atmospheric leaching process develop better understanding of behaviour (Cu, Fe, and Ni) PGMs, in particular Ru, Ir, Rh with respect key variables, acid concentration, Cu concentration under oxidative non-oxidative conditions. With leaching, higher initial resulted Cu, Ni, Fe extractions, as well faster reaction rates. A also...

Abstract Hydrogen production via microbial photofermentation shows great promise as a method for sustainable hydrogen production; however, operating costs associated with photofermentative need to be reduced. Costs can reduced using passive circulation system like the thermosiphon photobioreactor, and by it under natural sunlight. In this study, an automated was implemented investigate effect of diurnal light cycles on productivity growth Rhodospeudomonas palustris operation controlled...