Tobias Kopp, Chris Pichler und Jürgen AbrahamImage Credit: University of Graz
Researchers from the University of Graz in Austria say they have developed a compact system for recycling lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) that they hope will enable cost-effective and environmentally friendly recycling.
University of Graz researchers Jürgen Abraham, Tobias Kop, and Chris Pichler have formed ProtectLiB, a spin-off company that is developing their patented compact battery recycling process.
The size of an ordinary container, the recycling process allows vehicle batteries to be recycled directly onsite and, according to Kopp, “can separate lithium, cobalt and nickel from the liquid electrolytes” and can do so without heat, making the recycling process safer and significantly cheaper.
While the specifics of the recycling process are unknown, ProtectLiB describes the process on their LinkedIn page as consisting of a machine that safely shreds the batteries, a mechanical separation phase, followed by a chemical post-treatment phase which uses wastewater and acids to wash out the individual components.
Energy required for the process comes from the surpluses from other processes.
The recycling process reportedly reduces emissions by up to 70 per cent compared to mining for new raw materials and can safely recycle damaged and critically damaged batteries, while also being the only recycling process to entirely eliminate fire hazards.
A first prototype of the recycling technology is located on the campus of the University of Graz, while ProtectLiB has already secured a first unnamed customer.
“Battery prototypes for transport are being developed there,” said Kopp. “In future, the technology of ProtectLiB will enable the company to recycle these directly on site.”
While the current prototype is focused on recycling EV batteries, ProtectLiB is hoping to one day expand its process to be able to recycle batteries from mobile phones and laptops. However, as every battery has a different chemical composition, these smaller consumer batteries are initially excluded from being recycled in ProtectLiB’s prototype.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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Not that the FF industry and climate change deniers have ever given a toss about recycling anything else...but this is importrant in moving to a full life cycle economy.
Thr recycling is double the cost.
Smart people look at all things and wonder why bom in Australia lowered all the old temperatures or 1/3 of weather stations in America are decommissioned but still gestamate the temperatures
Oh dear. Did the Covid vax 5G chip destroy your brain?
FUD!
All EVs catch fire and burn.
There will NEVER be batteries left to recycle.
Not sure how many Sam's there are contributing to this site.
Some of them are sensible.
And then there's you.
If you are the same person, you need to learn that sarcasm is extremely difficult to express in print.
If you are a troll then all bets are off.
South Korea, jaguar has just sent out a do not charge in your garrage notice
Sam has been a contributor to this site for a long time. He uses a lot of sarcasm and satire and very brief responses.
Using acid as part of the recycling process would seem to negate the claimed benefits.
70% less than the extraction cost?
Easily done. A poor measure of efficiency.
I could open a 2nd hand bookshop and claim to have reduced the number of trees chopped down. Untrue and glory hunting.
Probably a bit early yet to be so critical, given we know next to nothing about the process. The acid could be citric acid from waste orange juice for all we know.
Hahaha!
I hope you're right.
If true, all of those orange farmers who destroyed their trees because of cheap imports will kick themselves.
Just another example of our govts throwing our workers and businesses under the bus, in the name of 'market forces.'
I had to look up their price as you failed again Josh.
The price is double the cost.