A method for identifying recycled lithium-ion batteries must be introduced to stop fires and explosions at secondary lead smelters, Battery Council International members were told during its annual conference.
With more than 99% of lead-acid batteries recycled the danger comes when they are mixed with lithium-ion batteries and put through the plant’s crushers.
Introducing a clear labeling system was one suggestion made to delegates at the 127th conference in Savannah, U.S. by Linda Gaines, a Systems Analyst at the Centre for Transport Research at Argonne National Library Laboratory.
Gaines said the lead-acid battery recycling was a wonderful model for lithium-ion to look at, but problems occurring when the chemistries get mixed up and sent to the smelters had to be stamped out.
She said “There has been more fires than explosions and most happen in the battery breaking operation and some in transportation stage.
“It’s difficult at the recycling process to prevent cross contamination, so we should make sure labeling in Europe and the U.S is consistent.”
