Alkaline and Zinc-Carbon Batteries. Comparative Analysis and their Recycling

The production, use and recycling of spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries has been systematically analyzed, including key economic, environmental, technical/technological and social issues. It is shown that modern technologies for waste battery recycling include mechanical separation, pyro- and hydrometallurgical technologies, as well as a biotechnological method. Mechanical separation is the first stage of battery recycling, which usually includes preliminary grinding to separate metallic components from non-metallic. Their joint use allows for the isolation/regeneration of a significant share of the basic metals used in the battery operation. However, this process generates secondary gas emissions, a large amount of wastewater and solid residues, which also require processing or disposal. The advantages/disadvantages of existing technologies and possible ways of their improving are discussed. It is shown that the unification of spent alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries processing can ensure their effective recycling due to the use of automated, robotic lines, which will significantly increase the efficiency and safety of such technology. Thermal destruction of the plastic-paper fraction extracted from battery using low-temperature pyrolysis has been studied in many research. As a result of thermal decomposition of the plastic-paper mixture, pyrolysis liquid (68.2 wt.%), pyrocarbon (23.1 wt.%) and gas mixture (8.1 wt.%) are generated. The effectiveness of hydrometallurgical technology in the processing of spent zinc-carbon batteries is analyzed. It provides the manganese cathode regeneration or generation of chemical compounds of satisfactory quality. The review largely indicates possible promising areas of research into the joint processing of alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries.