IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,416,065
Granted Patent B2
US 12,416,065 · App. 18/302,038 · Granted Sep 16, 2025

Recovery of nickel and cobalt from Li-ion batteries or their waste

Inventors: Ryohei Yagi (Olen, BE); Lennart Scheunis (Olen, BE)
Assignee: UMICORE
C22B23/02C22B7/001C22B7/004C22B7/04C22B23/021C22B23/06H01M4/525H01M10/0525H01M10/54
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,416,065
App. No.
18/302,038
Granted
Sep 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention lies in the field of pyrometallurgy and discloses a process and a slag suitable for the recovery of Ni and Co from Li-ion batteries or their waste. The slag composition is defined according to: 10%<MnO<40%; (CaO+1.5*Li 2 O)/Al 2 O 3 >0.3; CaO+0.8*MnO+0.8*Li 2 O<60%; (CaO+2*Li 2 O+0.4*MnO)/SiO 2 ≥2.0; Li 2 O≥1%; and, Al 2 O 3 +SiO 2 +CaO+Li 2 O+MnO+FeO+MgO>85%. This composition is particularly adapted to limit or avoid the corrosion of furnaces lined with magnesia-bearing refractory bricks.

Claims (13)

1. Li-containing metallurgical slag having a percent composition by weight according to:

10%<MnO<40%;

(CaO+1.5*Li 2 O)/Al 2 O 3 >0.3;

CaO+0.8*MnO+0.8*Li 2 O<60%;

(CaO+2*Li 2 O+0.4*MnO)/SiO 2 ≥2.0;

Li 2 O≥1%; and,

Al 2 O 3 +SiO 2 +CaO+Li 2 O+MnO+FeO+MgO>85%.

2. Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 , wherein said slag has a green color.

3. Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 , wherein the content of MnO in the slag is greater than 10% and less than or equal to 30%.

4. Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 , wherein the content of CaO in the slag is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 50%.

5. Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 , wherein the content of Al 2 O 3 in the slag is less than or equal to 50%.

6. Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 , wherein the content of Fe in the slag is less than or equal to 25%.

7. A slag former in a pyrometallurgical recycling process comprising the Li-containing metallurgical slag according to claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2023
From: YAGI, RYOHEI; SCHEUNIS, LENNART
To: UMICORE
Reel/Frame 063352/0739 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 21176046 · May 26, 2021 · regional
Continuity (2)
Division 17743507 · May 13, 2022
Related Publication 20230250511A1 · Aug 10, 2023
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