1. Treatment of used lead batteries, in draft Guidelines for environmentally sound management of used lead batteries
Jaromír MANHART
Regional workshop of experts to review Guidelines for environmentally sound management of used lead batteries
Slovakia, Bratislava

2. Treatment of accu definition
Treatment of used lead batteries - means recovery or disposal operations with used lead batteries, including preparation prior to recovery or disposal

3. Reason of Treating the accu I
The major use of Pb in the world is in the form of Pb-acid batteries.
Lead acid storage batteries are an essential component of the automotive industry
There are currently NO electro-chemical, economic or ENV acceptable alternatives.
So this makes the used battery recycling more important. Pb recycling saves $$, lead itself and most importantly, the environment.

4. Reason of Treating the accu II
Used battery recycling keeps all the hazardous metals in one place
The metals obtained are reused in manufacturing process to build more batteries
The plastic (PP) from outer case of battery is also recycled for further use
The battery scrap recycling saves natural resources

5. Treatment of lead accumulators
Lead accumulators shall be treated separately from all other batteries and accumulators
The treatment of Pb-accus shall recover Pb and plastics of adequate purity so that they can be recycled again
The lead content of the recovered plastics shall not exceed 500 mg/kg
The treatment shall include measures to prevent diffusive lead emissions and water pollution
Free sulphuric acid shall be recovered

6. Typical used lead batteries recovery process
„Wet technology“- the liquid electrolyte is presented

7. treatment steps for accu
…to isolate the metallic lead from the mixture…
battery breaking (TREATMENT)
lead reduction pyrometallurgical method and hydrometallurgical method (RECOVERY)
lead refining (RECOVERY)
.. pollutants potentially emitted from the treatment processes - electrolyte, dust, sulphur dioxide…

8. SCRAP AFTER 1ST TREATMENT
Breaking process = mixture of:
metallic lead
lead oxide (PbO)
lead sulfate (PbSO4)
others e.g. calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), tin (Sn) and sometimes silver (Ag)

9. wet treatment technology of lead acid accus

10. Hazards of accu treatment
ENV hazard must be taken into account
Collecting vessel must be acid-resistant, usually with special pavestone bottom and walls covered by resistant foil and stainless steel
The space around collecting vessel is monitored for leakage
The main ENV issues of the Pb industry are air and water pollution and the generation of hazardous wastes

11. FACILITIES FOR TREATMENT OF LEAD accu I
The facilities generally have their own wastewater treatment facilities and wastewater recycling is usually practised
Many wastes are reused but the major item is leach residue that has a high environmental impact
Some local aspects, like noise and smell are relevant to the industry
Due to the hazardous nature of some solid and liquid waste streams, there is also a significant risk for soil contamination

12. FACILITIES FOR TREATMENT OF LEAD accu II
There are many facilities which have implemented scrap battery recycling as part of their pollution prevention efforts.
The facility that makes the decision to implement used battery recycling will help to protect the environment and insure the compliance with environmental laws.
However, there are many benefits for facility operators of the lead battery scrap processing.

13. Steps after TREATMENT OF LEAD accu = prior to recovery I
Alternatives are used to deal with the suplhur contained in the battery materials mixture
Prior to smelting, the lead sulphate paste may be de-sulphurised by reaction with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide
Paste de-sulphurisation prior to smelting can reduce the quantity of slag produced and, depending on the smelting method used, the amount of sulphur dioxide released to the air

14. Steps after TREATMENT OF LEAD accu = prior to recovery II
Lead sulphate can be separated and sent to other treating processes
The sulphur may be fixed in the slag
….and to the RECOVERY now. 

15. Thank you for your attention
Mr. Jaromír MANHART
SGS Czech Republic, s.r.o. K Hájům 1233/2, Praha 5, Tel: , Fax: