Method of recovering lithium from batteries

摘要

Disclosed is a method of recovering lithium from a battery containing lithium such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The lithium-containing member of the battery is dissolved with an acidic liquid, and an alkaline material is added to the obtained lithium solution to transform a transition metal which may be dissolved in the lithium solution into a metal hydroxide precipitation, whereby the metal hydroxide precipitate is separated from the lithium solution. The lithium solution is then dried to obtain a solid containing the lithium, and the lithium is eluted from the solid with a non-aqueous solvent. Retrieving lithium from the lithium eluate is accomplished by use of a cation exchanger.