Num. Contratto:
101102316

Coordinatore: VITO - FLEMISH INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH (Belgio)

Responsabile ENEA: FORTE FEDERICA - SSPT-EC-RMP (CASACCIA)

Ruolo ENEA: PARTNER

Sito Web: https://www.era-learn.eu/network-information/networks/era-min3/eu-co-funded-era-min-joint-call-2021/advanced-crms-recycling-from-spent-lfp-batteries#:~:text=ACROBAT%20aims%20to%20recycle%20end,and%20Cu%2FAl%20fractions).

Programma Quadro: HORIZON 2020

Programma UE: ERA-MIN3 - Raw Materials for the Sustainable Development and the Circular Economy

Area Tematica: Materials

Tipo Progetto: ERANET COFUND

Descrizione:

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)

Note:

Posizione:
1758

Codice Atto:
PS6AED

Atto di approvazione ENEA:
202/2023/SSPT/USER

Unità alla stipula:
SSPT-USER-T4RM

Costo eleggibile del Progetto: 1.548.796,00

Contributo al Progetto: 1.124.296,00

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Costo eleggibile per ENEA: 245.000,00

Contributo ad ENEA: 122.500,00

Anno di stipula:
2023

Durata in mesi:
24

Data di inizio:
01-08-2022

Data di scadenza:
31-07-2024