	US 12,438,209 B2
	Recovery of nickel and cobalt from black mass
Ryohei Yagi, Olen (BE); and Lennart Scheunis, Olen (BE)
Assigned to UMICORE, Brussels (BE)
Filed by Umicore, Brussels (BE)
Filed on Jul. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/815,982.
Application 17/815,982 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/743,507, filed on May 13, 2022, granted, now 11,661,638.
Claims priority of application No. PCT/EP2022/063010 (WO), filed on May 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0369667 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 10/54 (2006.01); C22B 1/00 (2006.01); C22B 7/00 (2006.01); C22B 7/04 (2006.01); C22B 23/02 (2006.01); H01M 10/0525 (2010.01)

CPC H01M 10/54 (2013.01) [C22B 1/005 (2013.01); C22B 7/004 (2013.01); C22B 7/04 (2013.01); H01M 10/0525 (2013.01); C22B 23/028 (2013.01)]

26 Claims

1. Process for the recovery of Ni and Co from Li-ion batteries or their waste, comprising the steps:

providing a furnace lined with magnesia-bearing refractory bricks;

providing a charge comprising slag formers and Li-ion batteries or their waste, wherein the content of Al in the charge is less than 8%; and,

smelting the charge in reducing conditions, thereby obtaining an alloy containing the major part of the Ni and Co, and a Li-containing slag, wherein the slag has a percent composition by weight according to:

25%<MnO<70%;

Al₂O₃+0.5 MnO<45%

SiO₂>5%;

Li₂O>1%;

MnO+Li₂O+Al₂O₃+CaO+SiO₂+FeO+MgO+P₂O₅>90%; and,

wherein (CaO+2 Li₂O+0.4 MnO)/SiO₂≥2.0.