A Quantitative Analysis on the Effect of Process Parameters in the Recovery of Lithium (as Lithium Carbonate) from Mixed Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (libs) by Hydrometallurgical Process

Student: Chibuike Innocent OKORIE (Project, 2025)
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State

Abstract

This study quantitatively analyzes how key process parameters affect lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using hydrometallurgy. It aims to optimize recovery by examining variables like leaching temperature (50–80°C), acid concentration (1.5–3.0 M sulfuric and citric acid mix), solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio (1:10), oxidant (2M H2O2), and leaching time. The process involves leaching mixed spent cathode powder with the acid mixture, followed by precipitation to extract Li as Li2CO3. Optimal extraction efficiency of 95.20% (3.593g Li2CO3) was achieved with 2.5M acid, 70°C, S/L ratio of 10g/100mL, 2M H2O2, and 90 minutes leaching time. Results show all parameters— temperature, time, acid concentration, S/L ratio, and oxidant significantly impact Li2CO3 recovery efficiency

Keywords
process lithium quantitative analysis effect parameters recovery carbonate mixed spent
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