Ubaldini S., Kadukova J., Mrazikova A., Fornari P., Luptakova A., Marcincakova R., Pizzichemi P., 2014, Application of Innovative Processes for the Valorisation of Spent Alkaline Batteries, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 39, 1609-1614.
Disposal of spent batteries constituted a serious environmental problem in terms of heavy metals content when these devices are disposed off in inadequate way. Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries represent about 80 % of the market. In particular, alkaline batteries have an average content of manganese dioxide (MnO2) of 37 %, while zinc content is of 16 %. The high Mn and Zn content justifies the interest to recover the metals. The present experimental work involves the application of innovative processes, such as the utilisation of the physical-chemical method (electrolysis) and biological-chemical (bioleaching) method for Mn–Zn recovery from spent alkaline batteries. Results have demonstrated the technical feasibility of the processes.
