A process for recovering titanium dioxide from a titanium-bearing material, the process including the steps of: leaching the titanium-bearing material in a first leaching step at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 70 to 97° C. with a first lixiviant to produce a first leach solution comprising undissolved first leach solids that include a titanium content and a first leach liquor, the first lixiviant comprising hydrochloric acid at a concentration of less than 23% w/w; separating the first leach liquor and the undissolved first leach solids; leaching the first leach solids in a second leaching step at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 60 to 80° C. with a second lixiviant in the presence of a Fe powder reductant to produce a second leach solution comprising undissolved second each solids and a second leach liquor that includes a leached titanium content and iron content, the second lixiviant comprising a mixed chloride solution comprising less than 23% w/w hydrochloric acid and an additional chloride selected from alkali metal chlorides, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, or mixtures thereof; separating the second leach liquor and the undissolved second leach solids; and thereafter separating the titanium dioxide and the iron content from the second leach liquor by precipitation, and regenerating the second lixiviant for recycle to the second leaching step.

The present disclosure concerns the production of precursor compounds for lithium battery cathodes. Batteries or their scrap are smelted in reducing conditions, thereby forming an alloy suitable for further hydrometallurgical refining, and a slag. The alloy is leached in acidic conditions, producing a Ni- and Co-bearing solution, which is refined. The refining steps are greatly simplified as most elements susceptible to interfere with the refining steps concentrate in the slag. Metals such as Co, Ni and Mn are then precipitated from the solution, forming a suitable starting product for the synthesis of new battery precursor compounds.

The present disclosure concerns the production of precursor compounds for lithium battery cathodes. Batteries or their scrap are smelted in reducing conditions, thereby forming an alloy suitable for further hydrometallurgical refining, and a slag. The alloy is leached in acidic conditions, producing a Ni- and Co-bearing solution, which is refined. The refining steps are greatly simplified as most elements susceptible to interfere with the refining steps concentrate in the slag. Metals such as Co, Ni and Mn are then precipitated from the solution, forming a suitable starting product for the synthesis of new battery precursor compounds.

Provided are a battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a preparation method for a battery-level Mn solution, the steps thereof comprising: acid dissolution (S1), alkalization to remove impurities (S2), synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), synergistic extraction (S5), and refining extraction (S6). The steps of deep ageing to remove impurities (S4) and synergistic extraction (S5) comprise: performing deep ageing on a filtrate obtained from the step of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), and after performing filtration to remove impurities, obtaining an aged filtrate; using P204 to extract the aged filtrate and obtain a loaded organic phase, and subjecting the loaded organic phase to staged back-extraction to obtain the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a Mn-containing solution. By means of the cooperation between the multiple process steps of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), and synergistic extraction (S5), the impurity content of the obtained battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution is significantly lowered, and the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution can be directly used to prepare a lithium battery ternary precursor material. At the same time, the battery-level Mn solution can also be obtained, which is favorable for large-scale applications of the process and increasing economic benefits.

Provided are a battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a preparation method for a battery-level Mn solution, the steps thereof comprising: acid dissolution (S1), alkalization to remove impurities (S2), synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), synergistic extraction (S5), and refining extraction (S6). The steps of deep ageing to remove impurities (S4) and synergistic extraction (S5) comprise: performing deep ageing on a filtrate obtained from the step of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), and after performing filtration to remove impurities, obtaining an aged filtrate; using P204 to extract the aged filtrate and obtain a loaded organic phase, and subjecting the loaded organic phase to staged back-extraction to obtain the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a Mn-containing solution. By means of the cooperation between the multiple process steps of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), and synergistic extraction (S5), the impurity content of the obtained battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution is significantly lowered, and the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution can be directly used to prepare a lithium battery ternary precursor material. At the same time, the battery-level Mn solution can also be obtained, which is favorable for large-scale applications of the process and increasing economic benefits.

A method for recycling a battery including the following steps: a) dissolution of a battery waste, for example an electrode, including lithium and a metal selected from cobalt and manganese, such that a solution to be treated containing lithium ions and metal ions is formed, b) addition of a peroxymonosulfate salt to the solution to be treated, the solution to be treated being regulated at a pH ranging from 1 to 4 when the metal is cobalt or at a pH ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 when the metal is manganese, such that the metal ions are selectively precipitated in the form of metal oxyhydroxide, c) separation of the lithium ions from the solution to be treated. Advantageously, the solution further comprises nickel ions.

A method for recycling a battery including the following steps: a) dissolution of a battery waste, for example an electrode, including lithium and a metal selected from cobalt and manganese, such that a solution to be treated containing lithium ions and metal ions is formed, b) addition of a peroxymonosulfate salt to the solution to be treated, the solution to be treated being regulated at a pH ranging from 1 to 4 when the metal is cobalt or at a pH ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 when the metal is manganese, such that the metal ions are selectively precipitated in the form of metal oxyhydroxide, c) separation of the lithium ions from the solution to be treated. Advantageously, the solution further comprises nickel ions.

An apparatus, method and system are provided to recover constituent components from single use batteries. In particular, the apparatus, method and system may be used to recover zinc and manganese in the form of sulfates from depleted commercial which in turn may be subsequently used for other applications, such as micronutrients and fertilizers.

An apparatus, method and system are provided to recover constituent components from single use batteries. In particular, the apparatus, method and system may be used to recover zinc and manganese in the form of sulfates from depleted commercial which in turn may be subsequently used for other applications, such as micronutrients and fertilizers.

Provided are a battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a preparation method for a battery-level Mn solution, the steps thereof comprising: acid dissolution (S1), alkalization to remove impurities (S2), synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), synergistic extraction (S5), and refining extraction (S6).

The steps of deep ageing to remove impurities (S4) and synergistic extraction (S5) comprise: performing deep ageing on a filtrate obtained from the step of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), and after performing filtration to remove impurities, obtaining an aged filtrate; using P204 to extract the aged filtrate and obtain a loaded organic phase, and subjecting the loaded organic phase to staged back-extraction to obtain the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution and a Mn-containing solution. By means of the cooperation between the multiple process steps of synchronous precipitation of calcium, magnesium, and lithium (S3), deep ageing to remove impurities (S4), and synergistic extraction (S5), the impurity content of the obtained battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution is significantly lowered, and the battery-level Ni—Co—Mn mixed solution can be directly used to prepare a lithium battery ternary precursor material. At the same time, the battery-level Mn solution can also be obtained, which is favorable for large-scale applications of the process and increasing economic benefits.