• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.3-18
• /
• 2019

Due to the increasing demand for clean energy, the consumption of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is expected to grow steadily. Therefore, stable supply of lithium is becoming an important issue globally. Commercially, most of lithium is produced from the brine and minerals viz., spodumene, although various processes/technologies have been developed to recover lithium from other resources such as low grade ores, clays, seawaters and waste lithium ion batteries. In particular, commercialization of such recycling technologies for end-of-life LIBs being generated from various sources including mobile phones and electric vehicles(EVs), has a great potential. This review presents the commercial processes and also the emerging technologies for exploiting minerals and brines, besides that of newly developed lithium-recovery-processes for the waste LIBs. In addition, the future lithium-supply is discussed from the technical point of view. Amongst the emerging processes being developed for lithium recovery from low-grade ores, focus is mostly on the pyro-cum-hydrometallurgical based approaches, though only a few of such approaches have matured. Because of low recycling rate (<1%) of lithium globally compared to the consumption of lithium ion batteries (56% of lithium produced currently), processing of secondary resources could be foresighted as the grand opportunity. Considering the carbon economy, environment, and energy concerns, the hydrometallurgical process may potentially resolve the issue.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2024

Globally, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is surging due to carbon-neutral strategies aimed at decarbonization. Consequently, the demand for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential components of EVs, is also rising, leading to an increase in the generation of spent batteries. This has prompted research into the recycling of spent batteries to recover valuable metals. In this study, we aimed to selectively leach and recover lithium from the cathode material of spent LFP batteries. To enhance the reaction surface area and reactivity, the binder in the cathode material powder was removed, and the material was subjected to heat treatment in both atmospheric and nitrogen environments across various temperature ranges. This was followed by a mechanochemical process for aqueous leaching. Initially, after heat treatment, the powder was converted into a soluble lithium compound using sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) in a mechanochemical reaction. Subsequently, aqueous leaching was performed using distilled water. This study confirmed the changes in the characteristics of the cathode material powder due to heat treatment. The final heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere resulted in a lithium leaching efficiency of approximately 100% across all temperature ranges.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.38 no.3 s.172
• /
• pp.237-245
• /
• 2005

The batch tests were performed to evaluate the applicability of the permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to in-situ treatment of groundwater with high concentration of heavy metals. The lead\chates used in this study were collected from waste rock dump of the Imgy mine, and have a low pH and high metal concentration. The acidity loading was 65kg as $CaCO_3/day$, metal loading of Fe+Al+Mn was 11.6kg/day. This type of water could be treated with biological-mediated sulfate reduction using the organic carbon mixture as a reactive media. The batch tests were carried out with five mixtures that were composed with different mixing ratios of mushroom compost, pine-tree bark, and limestone cheep. Results indicated that the PRB could reduce the acidity loading $CaCO_3/day$ to 12.3kg and reduce the metal loading to 3.3kg/day. Considering about the low pH and high metal loading, the contaminated water may be ameliorated by passing it through the buffering PRB composed with inorganic carbonate materials and then through the PRB composed with the organic carbon mixture which can induce sulfate reduction.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.194-199
• /
• 2005

The principle of vortex cyclone was applied to enhance the treatment efficiency of waste air streams containing particulate matters, phenol, and others. Adsorption, condensation, and/or coagulation could be induced at low temperature zone formed by Joule-Thomson expansion as the pressurized air and pulverized activated carbon were introduced at the tangential direction into the cyclone system applied with the coaxial funnel tube of vortex cyclone. Easily condensible vapors were adsorbed and/or condensed forcibly on coagulated or condensed materials which were formed as cores for coagulation or condensation by themselves or on pulverized activated carbons. These types of coagulation or condensation rates were rapidly promoted by increase in their diameter. The maximum removal efficiency obtained from this experiment for the removal of carbon dioxide and phenol was about 87.3 and 93.8 percent, respectively. Phenol removal efficiency was increased with the relative humidities and enhanced by pulverized activated carbon added. The Joule-Thomson coefficients were increased with the pressure of air injected in the range of the relative humidities between 10% and 50%. It is believed that the moisture, particulate matters, and the pressure of the process air introduced could control the removal efficiency of VOCs.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2023

In this study, two phases were conducted to investigate the direct injection of gaseous CO₂ into cement mortar. The aim was to advance carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology by harnessing industrial waste CO₂ from the domestic ready-mixed concrete industry. In the first phase, the factors influencing the physical properties of cement mortar when using gaseous CO₂ were identified. This included a review of materials to achieve physical properties comparable to a reference formulation. As a result of this phase, it was confirmed that traditional approaches, such as adjusting the water-to-cement ratio, had limitations in achieving the desired physical properties. Consequently, the second phase focused on the optimization of CO₂-injected mortar. This involved studying the CO₂ application and mixing method for cement mortar. Changes in properties were observed when gaseous CO₂ was injected into the mortar. The optimal injection quantity and time to enhance the compressive strength of mortar were determinded. As a result, this study indicated that an extra mixing time exceeding 120 seconds was necessary, compared to conventional mortar. The optimal CO₂ injection rate was identified as 0.1 to 0.2 % by weight of cement, taking both flowability and compressive strength performance into account. Increasing the CO₂ injection time did not further enhance strength. For this approach to be employed as a CCUS technology, additional studies are required, including a microstructural analysis evaluating the amount of immobilized CO₂.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.529-533
• /
• 2023

The fundamental electrochemical properties and adsorption capabilities of the carbonized product derived from coffee grounds, a prevalent form of lignocellulose abundantly generated in our daily lives, have been extensively investigated. The structure and morphology of the resultant carbonized product, obtained through a carbonization process conducted at a relatively low temperature of 600 ℃, were meticulously examined using a scanning electron microscope. Raman spectroscopy measurements yielded a relative crystallinity (D/G ratio) of the carbon product of 0.64. Electrical measurements revealed a linear ohmic relationship within the carbonized product. Furthermore, the viability of utilizing this carbonized material as an anode in lithium-ion batteries was evaluated through half-cell charge/discharge experiments, demonstrating an initial specific capacity of 520 mAh/g. Additionally, the adsorption performance of the carbon material towards a representative dye molecule was assessed via UV spectroscopy analyses. Supplementary experiments corroborated the material's ability to adsorb a distinct model molecule characterized by differing surface polarity, achieved through surface modification. This article presents pivotal findings that hold substantial implications for forthcoming research endeavors centered around the recycling of lignocellulose waste.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2019

Recently, the use of lithium ion battery(LIB) has increased. As a result, the price of lithium and the amount spent lithium on ion battery has increased. For this reason, research on recycling lithium in waste LIBs has been conducted1). In this study, the effect of roasting for the selective lithium leaching from the spent LIBs is studied. Chemical transformation is required for selective lithium leaching in NCM LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂) of the spent LIBs. The carbon in the waste EV cell powder reacts with the oxygen of the oxide at high temperature. After roasting at 550 ~ 850 ℃ in the Air/N₂ atmosphere, the chemical transformation is analysed by XRD. The heat treated powders are leached at a ratio of 1:10 in D.I water for ICP analysis. As a result of XRD analysis, Li₂CO₃ peak is observed at 700 ℃. After the heat treatment at 850 ℃, a peak of Li₂O was confirmed because Li₂CO₃ is decomposed into Li₂O and CO₂ over 723 ℃. The produced Li₂O reacted with Al at high temperature to form LiAlO₂, which does not leach in D.I water, leading to a decrease in lithium leaching ratio. As a result of lithium leaching in water after heat treatment, lithium leaching ratio was the highest after heat treatment at 700 ℃. After the solid-liquid separation, over 45 % of lithium leaching was confirmed by ICP analysis. After evaporation of the leached solution, peak of Li₂CO₃ was detected by XRD.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.132-139
• /
• 2019

EPS (expanded polystyrene) is one of the most used building materials for insulation that is favored by its excellent heat insulation, economical efficiency and lightweight characteristics. However, EPS is vulnerable to the fire and producing large amount of toxic gases in case of fire. Therefore, ultra-lightweight geopolymer which can replace EPS is fabricated by using IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle) fused slag and Si sludge as raw materials and the possibility of replacement on ultra-lightweight geopolymer for EPS as an insulation building material was evaluated in this study. Ultra-lightweight geopolymer can be fabricated with the pulverized IGCC fused slag having low carbon content and density, compressive strength, thermal conductivity were $0.064g/cm^3$, 0.04 MPa, and 0.072 W/mK, respectively. The thermal conductivity of ultra-lightweight geopolymer is 1.5~2.0 times higher than that of EPS suggested in the KS M 3808; however, the thermal conductivity value of geopolymer is meaningful and competitive to that of EPS in the market. Therefore, ultralightweight geopolymer can be applicable to the building material for thermal insulation purpose and have an enough possibility to replace EPS in the future because it is not only much safer than EPS in case of fire but also it can be fabricate by using waste materials from the industry.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2010.06a
• /
• pp.205.1-205.1
• /
• 2010

국내에서 발생하는 생활폐기물 발열량이 최근 3,000 kcal/kg 정도를 웃돌고 있고 사업장 폐기물의 경우는 4,000~7,000 kcal/kg 정도로 높아 이러한 가연성 폐기물 들은 자원화하여 에너지원으로 사용가능하다. 폐기물 자원화 기술의 하나인 가스화 기술을 적용하면 폐기물 내의 가연분은 CO, $H_2$가 주성분인 합성가스로 전환되어 화학원료 또는 발전원료로서 활용이 가능하다. 본 연구에서는 합성가스의 다양한 활용분야 중에서도 메탄올과 CO의 합성을 통해 얻어지는 초산제조 공정에서 폐기물의 가스화를 통해 발생되는 합성가스 내의 CO를 적용하여 기존 초산제조공정에서 필요한 CO를 생산하기 위해 소모되는 고가의 납사 원료를 절감하고자 하는 방안이 검토되고 있다. 초산은 CO와 메탄올($CH_3OH$)을 금속이온계 귀금속촉매 상에서 메탄올카본닐레이션(Methanol carbonylation)반응으로부터 합성되는 것으로, 초산에스테르, 염료, 안료, 의약품 등의 원료로 사용되는 화학원료이다. 일반적으로 초산을 제조하기 위해 사용되는 CO를 생산하기 위하여 납사(Naptha)를 가스화하는 부분산화공정을 이용하거나 촉매를 사용한 Steam reforming공정을 적용하고 있는데, 가스화 및 Steam reforming의 원료가 되는 납사가 고가이고, 원유가가 상승하면 납사의 가격도 상승할 수 있고, 결국 초산제조 비용의 상승을 초래할 수 있다. 폐기물의 가스화를 통해 발생하는 합성가스 내의 CO를 활용하여 초산제조의 원료로 사용할 수 있다면 초산제조 공정에서의 CO 제조 비용 절감 및 폐기물 자원화의 효과를 동시에 달성할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구에서는 초산제조의 원료로 폐기물의 가스화를 통해 발생한 합성가스 내의 CO를 적용가능성을 검토하기 위하여 사업장 폐기물 및 사업장폐기물과 폐유, 건조슬러지 등을 혼합한 복합폐기물의 가스화를 통해 CO의 발생 특성을 분석하였다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.393-401
• /
• 2009

We isolated and identified a microorganism which was excellent for ammonia oxidation in the biological control of ammonia gas in odor producing materials from organic composting. The isolated strain was tested for growth characteristics and ammonia elimination efficiency under various conditions of temperature, pH, carbon concentration and ammonia concentration. The strain was isolated from a culture broth used in a $NO_2$ producing test with Griess-Ilosvay reagent. The results of 16S rRNA sequence from the isolated strain by using BLANST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and confirming RDP (Ribosomal Database Project II) and ERRD (The European Ribosomal RNA Database) indicate that the strain is related to Delftia sp. UV-Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UVmini-1240) was used as a microbial growth test by measuring turbidity on OD660nm and ammonia concentration was measured by Spectrophotometer (HACH, DR-4000). The optimum growth culture conditions of the ammonia oxidizer Delftia sp. were $30^{\circ}C$, pH 7, glucose concentration 1.00% and $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 0.5 g/l. Ammonia elimination efficiency was over 94% under the same conditions.