Systems and methods for closed-loop recycling of a liquid component of a leaching mixture when recycling lead from spent lead-acid batteries

摘要

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for recycling lead-acid batteries, and more specifically, relates to purifying and recycling the lead content from lead-acid batteries. A system includes a reactor that receives and mixes a lead-bearing material waste, a carboxylate source, and a recycled liquid component to form a leaching mixture yielding a lead salt precipitate. The system also includes a phase separation device coupled to the reactor, wherein the phase separation device isolates the lead salt precipitate from a liquid component of the leaching mixture. The system further includes a closed-loop liquid recycling system coupled to the phase separation device and to the reactor, wherein the closed-loop liquid recycling system receives the liquid component isolated by the phase separation device and recycles a substantial portion of the received liquid component back to the reactor as the recycled liquid component.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
forming a leaching mixture comprising a lead-bearing material, a carboxylate source, and a recycled liquid component, wherein the leaching mixture generates a lead carboxylate precipitate as the carboxylate source reacts with the lead-bearing material in the leaching mixture, wherein the carboxylate source comprises citric acid, a salt of citric acid, or a combination thereof; isolating a liquid component from the lead carboxylate precipitate of the leaching mixture; purifying at least a portion of the isolated liquid component, wherein purifying comprises removing at least a portion of one or more sulfates from the portion of the isolated liquid component; and recycling the portion of the isolated liquid component back into the leaching mixture as the recycled liquid component after purification.