Recovery of Cobalt from Discarded Li-ion Batteries of Mobile Phone

Development of technique for dissolution of metals from discarded lithium ion battries (LIBs) to effectively recover cobalt as in salt/metal from.  

The Process is used to leach out-70-80% cobalt along with other metals in 60 min at elevated temperature. The processing of Leach liquor generated was further carried out through solvent extraction, precipitation, crystallization/electro-winning techniques to recover cobalt as salt/ metal. The recovered cobalt metal is used in manufacturing permanent magnets, alloys, electroplating,etc. Salts of cobalt are used to produce colours in paints, porcelain, glass, pottery and enamels. In medical field the radioactive cobalt-60 is used for the treatment of Cancer and also to irradiate food to preserve it.

• About 1 to 10 L of acidic effluent is generated to recover acid                                  
• The solid waste containing other metals is treated for its recovery as value added product.