Effect of Chlorinating Agents on Lithium Recovery and Product Purity from Lithium-ion Battery (LIB) Recycling Slags via Chlorination Roasting Process
Jung Ho Heo, Peter Tom Jones, Muxing Guo, Bart Blanpain
Abstract
With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) markets, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has skyrocketed, highlighting the importance of securing a sustainable supply of lithium. This study explores chlorination roasting as a method for recovering lithium from Li-containing slag, which is a promising alternative lithium source obtained from pyrometallurgical LIB recycling process. We investigate the efficiency of chlorination roasting in producing technical grade (TG) lithium chloride (LiCl) from the slag and quantitatively analyze the impurity behavior during the process. Different chlorinating agents, including CaCl2, NaCl, and PVC, are evaluated for their effectiveness in lithium recovery and purity. The results indicate that CaCl2 is the most effective in achieving high lithium recovery and LiCl purity, at approximately 90%. This offers a promising solution for sustainable lithium production. This research would highlight the importance of developing efficient recycling methods to meet the growing demand for lithium in EV and ESS applications.