Upscaling tools for energy efficient recovery of Ni, Co and Mn recovery from battery electrodes

Lithium-ion Batteries are an enabler for electrification of transport leading to an increasing demand.

Energy efficient techniques for simultaneous recovery of Ni, Co and Mn from batteries include antisolvent crystallization and call also for process integration and heat-optimization of large scale reactors. Scaling up this successful process calls for controlling the separation quality as well as integrating energy flows to recover the antisolvent. This project forges the knowledge and tools for up-scaling and testing virtually industrial precipitation reactors using predictive simulations.

Experiments will derive and validate a crystallization model that will be combined with a flow simulation tool. This model will be used to design and simulate a larger reactor and increase the understanding of scale effects on crystal size and purity. The work is performed in close collaboration with Northvolt and will focus on cases of high relevance for industry.