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Current Status and Prospect of Waste Lithium Ion Battery(LIB) Recycling Technology by Hydrometallurgical Process

습식공정에 의한 폐리튬이온전지(LIB) 재활용 기술 현황 및 전망

  • Jae-Woo Ahn (Department of Advanced Materials Sci. & Eng., Daejin University) ;
  • Yeon-Chul Cho (Department of Advanced Materials Sci. & Eng., Daejin University)
  • 안재우 (대진대학교 신소재공학과) ;
  • 조연철 (대진대학교 신소재공학과)
  • Received : 2023.07.31
  • Accepted : 2023.08.17
  • Published : 2023.08.31

Abstract

Recently, due to the rapid growth of the lithium-ion battery(LIB) industry and the significant increase in waste LIB generation, the LIB recycling business has garnered global attention. The recycling of waste LIBs holds paramount importance as it facilitates resource circulation by reusing precious and valuable metals like Mn, Co, Ni, and Li contained within batteries, thereby preventing environmental pollution. In this study, we aim to introduce a technology that utilizes a hydrometallurgical process to separate and recover Mn, Co, Ni, Li, and other materials from the black mass generated after pretreating waste LIBs. Specifically, we will analyze instances of solvent extraction technology application, which serves as the core technology in the separation process. We will elucidate efficient process design methods and provide an overview of potential future eco-friendly technologies poised to capture attention.

최근 리튬이차전지 산업의 고속 성장과 함께 폐리튬이온전지 발생량이 급증하면서 폐리튬전지 재활용 사업이 주목을 받고 있다. 폐리튬전지 재활용 기술은 코발트, 니켈, 리튬 등 전지 내 함유되어 있는 고가의 유가금속을 재사용할 수 있는 자원순환 효과와 환경오염을 방지할 수 있다는 측면에서 매우 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 폐리튬전지를 전처리한 후에 발생되는 블랙파우더로 부터 습식공정에 의한 Mn, Co, Ni, Li 등을 분리·회수하는 기술에 대해 소개하고자 한다. 특히 분리공정의 핵심이라 할 수 있는 용매추출 기술의 적용 사례를 분석하여 효율적인 공정 설계 방안에 대하여 설명하고, 아울러 향후 주목을 받을 수 있는 친환경 미래 기술의 전망에 대해서도 소개하고자 한다.

Keywords

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