2024-1.1.1-KKV_FÓKUSZ-2024-00055

Adaptive management and recovery of heterogeneous high water content liquid waste from battery technologies

Project ID number: 2024-1.1.1-KKV_FÓKUSZ-2024-00055

The automotive reform and e-transition underway is bringing with it a massive expansion of the lithium battery production chain in the country. The waste streams generated during the manufacturing process, end-of-life batteries (different types of energy storage cells) contain significant amounts of components (Mn, Co, Li, Ni) critical for the EU, not to mention the various organic solvents and electrolytes used in large quantities. Both production and end-of-life processing are accompanied by the generation of significant quantities of solid hazardous waste and waste water. The environmental impact (load) of these is very significant. The aim of our project is twofold. The exponential growth of new vehicles and various electronic devices is significantly increasing the market demand for critical components and, in particular, for lithium, which is becoming increasingly difficult to meet from conventional sources (increasing dependence on imported raw materials). In the light of the European Critical Raw Materials Act, our initiative aims to develop innovative solutions that not only comply with European legislation, but also contribute to the circular economy and reduce our dependence on raw material imports: lithium recovery from highly concentrated industrial (waste) waters as a secondary source. The technical scope focuses on the purity of the extracted product (Li), with the aim of meeting quality standards for integration into battery production and thus closing the recycling loop in a financially viable way. In addition to the hunger for raw materials, the drive to recycle used batteries and production waste in a responsible and environmentally friendly way is also a top priority: reducing the amount of hazardous waste from the various solid-liquid phases that accompany the technology, and reducing the concentration of harmful NMPs and organic carbonates in these waste streams. We are convinced that our project and these two objectives will contribute significantly to Hungary’s transition to climate neutrality and to a more resilient and self-sufficient economy. The aim of our project is to develop an efficient and economical treatment technology for the various types of process wastewater from battery production, while recovering as much of the useful materials as possible. The first step of the planned implementation will be to develop efficient and rapid test methods for the characterisation of battery process wastewater with relatively heterogeneous and variable composition requiring specific treatment. In the next step, a complex system of adaptive pre-treatment modules will be developed, from which the effluent streams are suitable for further recovery or biological disposal. In a third step, methods for recovery and biological disposal adapted to the specific material streams will be developed. Our proposal consists of several phases, including applied research and experimental development. The project will result in the development of a highly useful and unique technology/service, the significance of which will not only enhance the recognition of Palota Environment Ltd. and Bay Zoltán Nonprofit Ltd. involved in the development, but also the reputation of our country in the water industry.