A method for recycling lithium batteries containing the steps: (a) digesting comminuted material (10), which contains comminuted components of electrodes of lithium batteries, using concentrated sulphuric acid (12) at a digestion temperature (T.sub.A) of at least 100° C., in particular at least 140° C., so that waste gas (14) and a digestion material (16) are produced, (b) discharging the waste gas (14) and (c) wet chemical extraction of at least one metallic component of the digestion material (16).

Provided is a method for recovering lithium, for recovering lithium from a lithium ion secondary battery, the method including: a thermal treatment step of thermally treating a lithium ion secondary battery having a residual voltage higher than or equal to 80% of a rated voltage, to obtain a thermally treated product; a pulverizing step of pulverizing the thermally treated product, to obtain a pulverized product; and a lithium recovering step of recovering lithium from the pulverized product.

Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.

Various embodiments provide a leaching solution monitoring module comprising a first leaching solution distribution system interface, a flow meter in fluid communication with the first leaching solution distribution system interface, the flow meter in fluid communication a 3-way pressure regulator, and a second leaching solution distribution system interface in fluid communication with the 3-way pressure regulator.

Apparatus and methods for lithium extraction from aqueous sources are described herein. Divalent ions are removed using staged membrane separation. The aqueous source is subjected to a solvent extraction process that extracts lithium. Aqueous and organic phases of streams produced by the solvent extraction process are separated using electrical and/or gas flotation separation. The solvent is de-complexed to unload lithium. Streams produced by the de-complexing may be subjected to electrical and/or gas flotation separation. Solvent de-complexing can be performed using an electrical separator. Aqueous streams are pH adjusted for return to the environment.

Apparatus and methods for lithium extraction from aqueous sources are described herein. Divalent ions are removed using staged membrane separation. The aqueous source is subjected to a solvent extraction process that extracts lithium. Aqueous and organic phases of streams produced by the solvent extraction process are separated using electrical and/or gas flotation separation. The solvent is de-complexed to unload lithium. Streams produced by the de-complexing may be subjected to electrical and/or gas flotation separation. Solvent de-complexing can be performed using an electrical separator. Aqueous streams are pH adjusted for return to the environment.

The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

The present disclosure relates to a metal recovery process comprising a solvent extraction process. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a plant with a first and second circuit. A high-grade pregnant leach solution (“HGPLS”) is provided to the first and second circuit, and a low-grade pregnant leach solution (“LGPLS”) is provided to the second circuit. The first circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can be forwarded to a primary metal recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which can be forwarded to a secondary metal recovery process. The second circuit produces a rich electrolyte, which can also be forwarded to the primary metal recovery process. The first and second circuits are in fluid communication with each other.

A mixing arrangement for mixing two solutions, a mixer settler unit and a use. The mixing arrangement includes a mixing device arranged in the mixing space for rotating therein, the mixing device comprising at least two helical bars supported around a shaft and rising upwards from the bottom section of the mixing space. The helical bars are fixed to the shaft with support spokes. The ratio of the diameter (D) of the mixing device to the average diameter (T) of the mixing space, that is D/T, is 0.47 at most.

A mixing arrangement for mixing two solutions, a mixer settler unit and a use. The mixing arrangement includes a mixing device arranged in the mixing space for rotating therein, the mixing device comprising at least two helical bars supported around a shaft and rising upwards from the bottom section of the mixing space. The helical bars are fixed to the shaft with support spokes. The ratio of the diameter (D) of the mixing device to the average diameter (T) of the mixing space, that is D/T, is 0.47 at most.