A Step into the Future: Recycling of Lithium Ion Batteries

In 2010 the average cost of a lithium-ion battery was above $1,100 per kWh. This price has steadily fallen to $137 per kWh and is projected to reach less than $100 per kWh in 2023. With a massive decrease in cost came an increased demand and use. It is projected electric vehicles will continue entering the market at an exponential rate, replacing gasoline power vehicles. These vehicles will be powered by lithium-ion batteries which will reach their end of life usability after a few years. More than 99% are NOT being recycled and are available for recycling. The goal of this project is to design a recycling facility that is capable of efficient battery decasing and has a high yield recovery of cathode metals. A secondary goal of this project is to design a facility that has a low environmental impact and produces low emissions of wastewater and gas emissions. Currently, cathode materials are mined using unsustainable practices. Cobalt, found in most lithium-ion batteries, is currently mined by using child labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Human rights groups have been raising attention to this issue for years but the demand for cobalt will not cease as we continue to transition to lithium-ion battery-powered transportation methods. The recycling plant proposed in this project can supplement cobalt supplies by reusing old batteries to extract precious metals from the cathode materials to be reused in batteries by manufacturers. In a few decades, the recycling process will be an important part of the lithium-ion battery supply chain.