Sustainable Alternative to Informal Recycling of Lead-acid Batteries

铅酸电池非正式回收的可持续替代方案

• 批准号: 83896
• 金额: $ 28.08万
• 依托单位: SOLVETEQ LTD
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Feasibility Studies
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=83896
• 关键词: Sustainable; Alternative; Informal; Recycling; Lead

Solveteq is developing a sustainable and environmentally-friendly technology for recycling of lead-acid batteries (LABs), whilst significantly reducing the environmental impact of lead. Solveteq's technology will enable recycling companies worldwide to significantly reduce their operations cost and environmental footprint. The green process has the potential to transform the battery recycling industry and establish next-generation practices. Our solution replaces the most expensive, polluting and energy-intensive step in the recycling process with a low-temperature, solvent-based technology. Solveteq's vision is to significantly contribute to a safer and cleaner environment by transforming the way LABs are being recycled today. Solveteq aims to implement its technology worldwide.Our process produces lead and lead oxides, which are commodities that can be directly used in the production of new batteries. Despite the evident rise of Li-ion batteries, LABs remain the most popular power supply in the automotive industry, as they are used in both Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles and state-of-the-art Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEV, EV). LABs are also used in emerging applications such as grid energy storage. Therefore, use of LABs is not expected to decline in the near future.Our project aims to translate the academic research conducted at Imperial College London into a commercially-viable technology. We aim to test and implement our solution with established recycling companies followed by distribution of our technology to operators in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Informal recycling practices in LMICs are responsible for uncontrollable emissions of lead to the environment, exposing workers and local communities to lead pollution. Due to its toxicity, informal lead recycling in these regions is considered the most polluting industry in the world, with children being particularly affected by lead poisoning. The project is addressing this humanitarian, societal and economic issue. By deploying Solveteq's solution, we strive to provide access to cleaner energy while contributing to improved safety, health and wellbeing of impoverished communities. The project is supported by EcoBat Technologies, a world leader in the production of lead, lead alloys and the recycling of lead batteries.The scope of the 12-month project is to evaluate our proven lab-scale process on an intermediate-scale using a continuous-operation prototype designed to process and recycle 1kg/h of lead paste from used LABs into lead and lead oxides. This project represents a significant technology milestone towards commercialisation, and its success will allow the company to proceed to a 25kg/h for testing at partner's site, representing real-life operating conditions.

Solveteq正在开发一种可持续和环保的铅酸电池（LAB）回收技术，同时大大减少铅对环境的影响。Solveteq的技术将使全球回收公司能够显著降低运营成本和环境足迹。绿色工艺有可能改变电池回收行业，并建立下一代实践。我们的解决方案用低温溶剂型技术取代了回收过程中最昂贵、污染最严重、能耗最高的步骤。Solveteq的愿景是通过改变当今LAB的回收方式，为更安全、更清洁的环境做出重大贡献。Solveteq的目标是在全球范围内实施其技术。我们的工艺生产铅和铅氧化物，这是可以直接用于生产新电池的商品。尽管锂离子电池明显崛起，但LAB仍然是汽车行业最受欢迎的电源，因为它们用于内燃机（ICE）车辆和最先进的混合动力和电动汽车（HEV，EV）。LAB还用于新兴应用，如电网储能。因此，在不久的将来，LAB的使用预计不会下降。我们的项目旨在将帝国理工学院伦敦进行的学术研究转化为商业上可行的技术。我们的目标是与成熟的回收公司一起测试和实施我们的解决方案，然后将我们的技术分发给低收入和中等收入国家（LMIC）的运营商。中低收入国家的非正规回收做法导致无法控制的铅排放到环境中，使工人和当地社区面临铅污染。由于其毒性，这些地区的非正式铅回收被认为是世界上污染最严重的行业，儿童尤其受到铅中毒的影响。该项目正在解决这一人道主义、社会和经济问题。通过部署Solveteq的解决方案，我们努力提供更清洁的能源，同时为改善贫困社区的安全、健康和福祉做出贡献。该项目得到了EcoBat Technologies的支持，EcoBat Technologies是铅、铅合金生产和铅电池回收的全球领导者。该项目为期12个月，旨在使用连续运行的原型，对我们经过验证的实验室规模工艺进行中等规模的评估，该原型旨在处理和回收1 kg/h的铅膏，从废旧LAB中回收铅和铅氧化物。该项目是迈向商业化的一个重要技术里程碑，其成功将使公司能够在合作伙伴的现场进行25 kg/h的测试，代表真实的操作条件。