Analysis of a more sustainable method for recycling waste lead batteries: Surface renewal promotes desulfurization agent regeneration. (1st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Yang; Huang, Peizhen; Cao, Jing; Zhang, Junfeng; Huang, Yan; Chen, Biao
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 137(2022)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 328
• Publication Date: 2022-01-01
• Subjects: Lead paste pre-desulfurization -- Sodium-calcium -- Surface renewal -- Mass transfer -- Sodium hydroxide regeneration; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: Propose a new sodium-calcium double-alkali lead paste pre-desulfurization process. Propose a sodium hydroxide recycling route based on Na + transfer. Adopt the surface update strengthens the alkali-making reaction. Abstract: The traditional sodium desulfurization process for waste lead-acid batteries is beneficial to the environment; however, it is limited by poor economic viability as the cost of desulfurizer is much higher than the value of desulfurization by-products. This study proposes a new closed-loop pre-desulfurization process for lead paste, which consumes only lime as the indirect desulfurizer, produces sodium sulfate as a by-product, and regenerates sodium hydroxide as the direct desulfurizer. The concentration of prepared sodium hydroxide reached 2.57 mol/L when the reaction was conducted at room temperature for 2.0 h, with a sodium oxalate: calcium oxide molar ratio of 1:1.3, a CaO: water mass ratio of 1:6, and magnetic stirring at 600 rpm. Cost estimation and economic analyses were also conducted. The cost of lead paste generated by this new pre-desulfurization process was 37.62 dollars/ton lower than traditional high-temperature smelting, and 44.42 dollars/ton lower than direct sodium pre-desulfurization. Thus, this process provides a practical and feasible clean recycling method for waste lead-acid batteries with significant environmental and economic benefits.