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Optimization of a Lithium Ion Battery Bioleaching Process Utilizing Organic Acids Produced by Gluconobacter oxydans

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1546738· OSTI ID:1546738
 [1];  [2]
  1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Montana State Univ., Bozeman, MT (United States)
  2. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Growing our global economic and environmental focus relies, in part, on our development of a sustainable system to recycle valuable metals. This endeavor to recycle these elements falls within the scope of Idaho National Laboratories (INL) mission to pursue new sustainable energy systems that are competitive. To succeed in this endeavor in not only a low-cost but environmentally safe practice, Gluconobacter oxydans was utilized for its ability to produce a bio-lixiviant known for its critical material leaching abilities. G. oxydans is a rod-shaped, gram negative, acidophilic, and obligately aerobic organism. Unlike many other aerobic organisms, it does not completely oxidize its carbon sources to water and carbon dioxide. Instead it incompletely oxidizes its substrates to aldehydes, ketones and organic acids. Because of this metabolic pathway, it was utilized in a batch reactor setting to produce sufficient amounts of a low-pH bio-lixiviant so that leaching processes could be performed on lithium ion battery cathode powders. Some of these processes included adding different molar ratios of a redox agent to the produced bio-lixiviant, alternating concentrations of lithium ion battery cathode powders, varying leaching time, and changing the temperature each leach was performed at. From this, a biohydrometallurgy process was successfully created for the leaching of cobalt from lithium ion cathode powders This project provided a multitude of laboratory and research experiences that resulted in ample opportunity for professional and personal growth. In addition to this, the INL experience fostered the development of many personal skills and business skills to assist in future career opportunities.
Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517
OSTI ID:
1546738
Report Number(s):
INL/EXP--19-54703-Rev000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English