Designing of a Decentralized Pretreatment Line for EOL-LIBs Based on Recent Literature of LIB Recycling for Black Mass

Abstract

The search for global CO2 net zero requires adapting transport vehicles to an electrification system for electric vehicles. In addition, the consumption of electric devices, and consequently batteries, has risen over the years. In order to achieve a circular economy, the spent batteries must be recycled. In this review, the recent literature about Lithium-ion Battery (LIB) recycling was thoroughly examined to propose a decentralized line where different types of LIBs can be pretreated. Different treatment possibilities and segments to include in a common line were identified and discussed. Crushing, density separation, drying, second crushing step, heating with CaO, vibro-sieving, washing and flotation-based separation were distinguished as the best segments to include in the mentioned order. As the conclusion, a new design that can be incorporated in an industrial pretreatment line before metallurgical steps is proposed for recycling of LIBs.