Recycling Batteries Having Basic Electrolytes

Abstract

Embodiments related to recycling alkaline batteries are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte comprises rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions and flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.

1 . A method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte, the method comprising:
 rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions; and   flooding an interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where exposing the battery to carbon dioxide causes the battery to rupture. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where rupturing the battery comprises mechanically rupturing the battery. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide includes causing the carbon dioxide to react chemically with the basic electrolyte. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where the battery comprises a hydridic solid, and where flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide includes causing the carbon dioxide to react chemically with the hydridic solid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide includes flooding the interior of the battery with one or more of liquid carbon dioxide and supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the battery to predetermined temperature and pressure for a predetermined period of time while the interior of the battery is flooded with carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising separating the battery into a plurality of cells before flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising mechanically rupturing one or more of the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide yields a solid residue, the method further comprising collecting the solid residue, allowing the solid residue to dry, and dispersing the collected, dried solid residue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide yields a solid residue, the method further comprising collecting the solid residue, and separating a first solid in the solid residue from at least a second solid in the solid residue based on a differing magnetic property of the first solid relative to the second solid. 
     
     
         12 . A battery-recycling method comprising:
 admitting to a pressure vessel one or more ruptured batteries;   admitting carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel;   bringing a temperature and pressure inside the pressure vessel to a set point temperature and pressure;   reacting a basic electrolyte of the one or more ruptured batteries with carbon dioxide to neutralize the basic electrolyte.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising maintaining the temperature and pressure at the set point temperature and pressure for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , where the set-point temperature and pressure and the predetermined period of time are sufficient to enable a disordered oxyhydroxide solid present in the specimen to convert to a more ordered oxyhydroxide solid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising releasing the carbon dioxide from the pressure vessel after the predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         16 . A battery-recycling method comprising:
 rupturing a cell of a battery under anaerobic conditions, the cell including a hydridic solid and a basic electrolyte;   flooding an interior of the ruptured cell with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber;   neutralizing the basic electrolyte while the ruptured cell is flooded with carbon dioxide;   oxidizing the hydridic solid while the ruptured cell is flooded with carbon dioxide;   converting at least some of a disordered oxyhydroxide solid present in the specimen to a more ordered oxyhydroxide solid while the ruptured cell is flooded with carbon dioxide; and   releasing the carbon dioxide from the pressure vessel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , where the carbon dioxide is maintained at a predetermined temperature and pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , where the carbon dioxide includes supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising releasing hydrogen from the pressure vessel, where the hydrogen is formed in the pressure vessel when the hydridic solid is oxidized.