Method for increasing recycled manganese content

1. A process for recycling batteries, comprising:

a) separating active materials contained within battery cases from the battery cases, wherein the active materials comprise fine electrode powders of manganese oxides; and

b) extracting residual zinc and potassium compounds from the fine electrode powders to obtain a purified manganese oxide product;

wherein waste solution previously generated in the course of recycling batteries is used to extract the residual zinc and potassium compounds in part b);

and wherein the waste solution has been treated to remove zinc by the addition of NaOH.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein part b) is performed in an aqueous solution or aqueous slurry at a pH of less than or about 1.5.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein part a) is carried out using a water spray to obtain a slurry of the fine electrode powders and pieces of the battery cases.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the separation in part a) comprises sieving the active materials and the battery cases through a screen to separate the active materials from the battery cases.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein during part a) the active materials are present in the form of an aqueous slurry having a pH of greater than 8.

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the purified manganese oxide product from part b) is roasted at 350-400° C. to remove substantially all volatile or corrosive impurities or traces of mercury prior to calcinating the purified manganese oxide product at 850° C. or higher.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein part b) is performed using a liquid to solid ratio from about 12:1 to about 14:1.

8. The process of claim 2 , wherein the aqueous solution or aqueous slurry comprises sulfuric acid.