METHOD FOR RECOVERING VALUABLE METAL FROM WASTE BATTERY USING PLASMA

摘要

PURPOSE: A method is provided to recover valuable metal from a waste battery by making easy reduction of oxidized iron and manganese oxide by giving sufficient heat to a waste battery by employing plasma as a heat resource. CONSTITUTION: Nitrogen is supplied to a plasma gas supply passage(31) formed in the central of a cathode rod(3) by plasma gas. Power is supplied to the cathode rod and an anode(4). An arc is generated in an electrical contact point to convert the nitrogen gas to plasma and to melt dust. A waste battery is charged into a furnace(2) via a material charge device(1) and heated by the heat of the plasma directly. Mercury is volatilized at first and metallic mercury is recovered at a temperature range of 350-450°C in a mercury recovery device(5). Supply voltage is controlled to maintain the temperature of the furnace at a range of 1200-1400°C and to melt the waste battery. The molten ferro-manganese and slag on the bottom are removed and ladled via a ladle hole(22). Thereby, ferro-manganese is recovered from a waste battery.