ACROBAT
Advanced CRMs Recycling from spent LFP Batteries
Informazioni Generali
- Coordinatore:
- VITO - FLEMISH INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH (Belgio)
- Responsabile:
- FORTE FEDERICA - SSPT-EC-RMP (CASACCIA)
- Ruolo ENEA:
- PARTNER
Programmi Europei
- Programma:
- HORIZON 2020 -> ERA-MIN3 (ERANET COFUND)
Descrizione e Attività
Descrizione Generale
Globally, olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 , LFP) batteries have gained a considerable share within the lithium ion battery (LIB) market (23-36% in 2015-2016). However, no dedicated, economically-viable, industrial-scale recycling process exists for LFP type LIBs in Europe or elsewhere. Nevertheless, LFP batteries contain three critical raw materials (CRMs), namely 0.8 wt.% lithium, 2.5 wt.% phosphorus and 16 wt.% graphite on battery cell basis. Efficient recycling of LFP LIBs is also required from an environmental point of view as the electrolyte contains toxic agents. ACROBAT aims to recycle end-of-life LFP LIBs via efficient, innovative and environmentally-friendly processes and separation techniques to recover a maximum amount of EU-CRMs as high-value products and base metals (ferrous and Cu/Al fractions). The specific ACROBAT objectives are to research, develop and validate (i) LFP-dedicated pre-treatment (i.e., shredding, mechanical separation) of EoL LFP LIBs with reduced cross-contamination; (ii) continuous, contact-free, in-line characterisation of LFP black mass; (iii) extractive recovery of electrolyte materials (i.e., conducting salts, organic solvents); (iv) recovery of graphite by froth flotation; (v) recovery of lithium as battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate by HCl-based hydro-/solvo metallurgy; and (vi) direct recycling of LFP black mass by tandem hydrometallurgy-hydrothermal synthesis. The sustainability of the ACROBAT flowsheet is evaluated by a life cycle assessment. Overall, the ACROBAT consortium (VITO, ENEA, Fraunhofer ILT, KU Leuven, Accurec) aims to recover 90% of the EU-CRMs (i.e. Li, P and graphite) and recycle LFP cathode material, graphite and electrolyte, respectively up to 5.4, 6.2 and 4.4 kt/y by 2030 in Europe. This would represent an overall value of 180 M€. ACROBAT's Industrial Advisory Board (Umicore, Aurubis, Bebat, Sorbat and Electrocycling) will catalyse the industrial valorisation of the project results.
Attività svolta da ENEA
L'ENEA studierà le possibilità di valorizzazione dell’elettrolita con l'obiettivo di recuperare il sale (LiPF6) e/o i solventi organici (dimetilcarbonato e carbonato di etilene). In particolare gli obiettivi realizzativi (coincidenti con le Task descritte nel progetto internazionale), sono elencati di seguito:
• Definizione del protocollo analitico (M1-M18)
• Sviluppo e ottimizzazione del processo di recupero (M13-M24)