Recovery of organic electrolyte solvents from spent perforated Li-ion cells using a low-temperature vacuum-assisted distillation process
| dc.contributor.author | Tawonezvi, Tendai | |
| dc.contributor.author | Sinto, Anele | |
| dc.contributor.author | Zide, Dorcas | |
| dc.contributor.author | Bladergroen, Bernard J. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-01-15T06:44:11Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-01-15T06:44:11Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Electrolyte solvent recovery is rarely addressed in current state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling processes, even though electrolytes are flammable, toxic, and hazardous. In conventional recycling processes, electrolytes typically evaporate or decompose uncontrollably during pre-treatment steps such as shredding, leading to both safety risks and environmental damage. To overcome these limitations, we investigated a controlled electrolyte solvent recovery process using mild-temperature vacuum distillation on perforated, intact batteries rather than shredded material. This method enabled safe handling and minimised uncontrolled emissions during pre-treatment. Analysis results demonstrate a successful 84 % recovery of the major electrolyte solvents, dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and ethylene carbonate (EC), after 300 min of thermal-vacuum treatment at 110 °C and 80 mBar vacuum pressure. Decomposition products of Lithium Hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆), which include hydrogen fluoride (HF) and phosphoryl fluoride (POF₃), were not identified in the exhaust gas, and the scrubber solution remained neutral during operation. These results demonstrate that thermal treatment below 110 °C is a non-complex, feasible, and environmentally friendly process for recovering electrolyte solvents prior to metal recovery, addressing a major gap in current LiB recycling processes. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Tawonezvi, T., Sinto, A., Zide, D., Nomnqa, M. and Bladergroen, B.J., 2025. Recovery of organic electrolyte solvents from spent perforated Li-ion cells using a low-temperature vacuum-assisted distillation process. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, p.100896. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2025.100896 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10566/21705 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier B.V. | |
| dc.subject | Condensation | |
| dc.subject | Electrolyte solvent | |
| dc.subject | Lithium-ion batteries | |
| dc.subject | Recycling process | |
| dc.subject | Vacuum-thermal treatment | |
| dc.title | Recovery of organic electrolyte solvents from spent perforated Li-ion cells using a low-temperature vacuum-assisted distillation process |