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Investigation of a Multi-Stage Integrated Technology for Processing Lithium-Cobalt Current Sources with the Production of Import-Substituting Cobalt and Lithium Compounds

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Metallurgist Aims and scope

This report analyzes various methods of disposal and processing of exhaust from complex chemical current sources, subdivided into pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and combined. The complex technology for processing lithium-cobalt current sources (LCCS), developed at the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, is described, including the stages of discharge, opening in an inert atmosphere, crushing, grinding (with mechanical activation), and leaching with extraction. The data from additional studies on the alkaline leaching process of the LCCS cathode are presented. In this case, the degree of aluminum extraction from the LCCS cathode reached 94.2%. Data on a comprehensive study of the distribution of metal components in fractions after grinding and milling in blade and ball mills were analyzed. The results showed that Co, Li compounds, and graphite are contained in powders of size 50–1000 pm, and fractions of size 1000–2500 pm contain Cu, Al compounds, and polymer particles. A fractional (staged) technology is proposed for separating valuable metal components from LCCS with water separation and leaching. The results of leaching mechanically activated powders with inorganic acids are presented. A comparative analysis of the results obtained with data from international authors on the efficiency of LCCS leaching was performed, and a mathematical description of the process kinetics was proposed. A modernized block diagram of combined mechanical processes with leaching and extraction processes was developed.

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Acknowledgements

Analytical studies were performed using the scientific equipment of the Center for Collective Usage Research Chemical Analytical Center of the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute.

Funding

The research was conducted within the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) scientific grant No. 21-19-00403, “Study of the processes of mechanochemical destruction of cathode materials during the extraction of cobalt and its compounds.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia

    V. I. Nazarov, V. M. Retivov, D. A. Makarenkov, G. R. Aflyatunova & A. P. Popov

  2. MIREA — Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russia

    V. I. Nazarov & N. A. Kuznetsova

  3. Moscow Polytechnic University, Moscow, Russia

    D. A. Makarenkov

Authors
  1. V. I. Nazarov
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  2. V. M. Retivov
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  3. D. A. Makarenkov
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  4. G. R. Aflyatunova
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  6. A. P. Popov
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Correspondence to V. I. Nazarov.

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Translated from Metallurg, Vol. 67, No. 8, pp. 108–118, August, 2023.

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Nazarov, V.I., Retivov, V.M., Makarenkov, D.A. et al. Investigation of a Multi-Stage Integrated Technology for Processing Lithium-Cobalt Current Sources with the Production of Import-Substituting Cobalt and Lithium Compounds. Metallurgist 67, 1208–1223 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11015-023-01612-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11015-023-01612-2

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