Recovering metal values hydrometallurgically from spent dry battery cells

Abstract

A hydro-pyrometallurgical method was used to recover metal values from spent dry battery cells. Water soluble ingredients were filtered, and solid residue was sorted by magnetic separation and water flotation. Parameters affecting the efficiency and quality of the end products, such as time, temperature, pH, and stoichiometric ratio of the leaching solutions were studied. Metallic parts, carbon rods and paper were safely recovered and pure NH4Cl, MnO2 and ZnCl2 salts were obtained. Maximum recovery efficiencies reached 93% for Mn and 99.5% for Zn and NH4.