Abstract: A process of recovering metals from waste lithium ion/Ni—H/Ni—Cd batteries, wherein the waste batteries are calcined and sieved to generate an ash containing metals and metal oxides. The process includes subjecting the ash to a first dissolution etching treatment, a first filtration treatment to obtain a filtrate containing Cd ions which are crystallized as cadmium sulfate, a second dissolution etching treatment for the filtered solid, and a second filtration treatment to obtain a second filtrate. Fe+3, Al+3 and rare earth metal ions in the second filtrate are precipitated as hydroxides by adding a base to the second filtrate. The remaining solution was extracted and counter-extracted to obtain aqueous solutions of Co and Ni ions, which were subjected separately to a electrolysis to deposit Co and Ni metals. Li ions in the residue solution from the electrolysis of Ni was precipitated as carbonate by adding a soluble carbonate salt.

Abstract: Two concentration techniques, adsorption and electrodialysis, are combined to enrich lithium ions in brine from a level of several ppm to about 1.5%. At beginning brine is subjected to an adsorption, so that Li content is increased to 1200-1500 ppm, followed by two stages of electrodialysis in series to increase Li ions to about 1.5%. Li depleted solution from the second stage of electrodialysis having a Li content of 1200-1500 ppm is recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted water from the first stage of electrodialysis is subjected to a residue recovery electrodialysis to form a Li enriched solution of 1200-1500 ppm, which is also recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted solution from the residue recovery electrodialysis is recycled as a feed of the adsorption, so as to sufficiently recover Li ions from brine.

Abstract: Two concentration techniques, adsorption and electrodialysis, are combined to enrich lithium ions in brine from a level of several ppm to about 1.5%. At beginning brine is subjected to an adsorption, so that Li content is increased to 1200-1500 ppm, followed by two stages of electrodialysis in series to increase Li ions to about 1.5%. Li depleted solution from the second stage of electrodialysis having a Li content of 1200-1500 ppm is recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted water from the first stage of electrodialysis is subjected to a residue recovery electrodialysis to form a Li enriched solution of 1200-1500 ppm, which is also recycled to the first stage of electrodialysis as a feed. Li depleted solution from the residue recovery electrodialysis is recycled as a feed of the adsorption, so as to sufficiently recover Li ions from brine.

Abstract: A process of recovering metals from waste lithium ion batteries, wherein the waste batteries are calcined and sieved to generate an ash containing metals and metal oxides. The invented process includes subjecting the ash to a dissolution etching treatment, and a filtration treatment, and separately using a membrane electrolysis method to separate out metal copper and cobalt, wherein the acid generated on the cathode side in the electrolysis process can be recovered through a diffusion dialysis treatment. After electrolysis, the solution rich in lithium ion, after precipitating the metal impurities by adjusting the pH value, can be added with a carbonate ion to form a lithium carbonate.