Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide Batteries

Properties of Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide Batteries

Battery name NCA(LiNiCoAlO2)
composition CO:4.5-6.0, NI:32.0-38.0, LI:2.8-3.6, MN:Nil
Volt (V) 3.7-4.2
Energies Density (w/kg) 60
Power Density( w/kg) High
Capacity (mah) 2800-3500
Life cycles 300-500
Thermal Stability Moderate
Key element Lihtium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum
Application Evs,aerospace,Grid storage

Description

  • General Description
  • Application
  • Features & Benefits
  • Safety Information

General Description

General Description

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA or LiNixCoyAlzO₂) is a high-energy cell used in electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The cathode contains lithium, nickel, cobalt, and aluminum. During charging, lithium ions leave the cathode and move through the electrolyte to the anode, where they are stored. At the same time, electrons travel through the external circuit to maintain balance. When the batteries are used, the lithium ions return to the cathode and reinsert into the structure. The nickel and cobalt shift between oxidation states to support the redox reaction.

Application

Application

NCA batteries have high energy density and long lifespan. The batteries also have fast charging capability, which is useful in:

  • Electric vehicles like Tesla cars
  • Power tools like drills, saws
  • High-performance electronics

Features & Benefits

Features & Benefits

NCA offers energy densities between 180–200 mAh/g and high operating voltages (typically 3.6–3.7 V), which is much higher than other cells like LCO or LFP. Aluminum present in the battery adds thermal stability to the battery while nickel increases capacity, which leads to faster charge cycles and long runtime.

Safety Information

Safety Information

NCA batteries are efficient, but sensitive to overcharging and thermal stress. It is essential to use proper Battery Management Systems (BMS) to reduce risks like thermal runaway, especially when functioning under high temperatures or mechanical damage. It is recommended to handle the batteries with care and always use certified chargers. The batteries should be disposed of according to battery recycling guidelines to avoid environmental harm and safety issues.

Lithium-ion Batteries Recycling Process

Advanced mechanical and hydrometallurgical process implementation enabling demanufacturing
from waste batteries to battery-grade material

1

Battery Sorting

Battery Sorting

We accumulate Lithium-ion batteries from various sources and categorize them based on chemical properties (e.g., NMC, LFP, LCO, etc.), size, form factor (pouch, cylindrical, prismatic), and state of health. Sorting out these batteries helps us to carry uniform feedstock for downstream processes and safety during handling.

2

Battery dismantling

Battery dismantling

The process involves both mechanical and manual methods to dismantle battery packs/modules into cells. The components like aluminum/copper foils, plastic casing, and electronics (BMS) are separated. It is a critical step for isolating the electrochemical cells from structural and electronic components.

3

Battery discharging

Battery discharging

In this process, the residual charge in cells is neutralized using controlled discharging protocols or chemical methods. It is essential to prevent short circuits, thermal runaway, or fire hazards during processing.

4

Mechanical extraction

Mechanical extraction

During the mechanical extraction, battery cells go through shredding, crushing, and sieving in an inert or controlled environment to prevent thermal incidents. The process separates materials into:

  • Black Mass (cathode/anode active material)
  • Metallic fractions (aluminum, copper)
  • Non-metallic fractions (plastics, separators)
5

Black Mass leaching(Hydrometallurgy)

Black Mass leaching(Hydrometallurgy)

The black mass leaching is a hydrometallurgical process that involves extracting valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese compounds. The process involves dissolving the black in an aqueous solution, commonly using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.

Recovering Critical Materials and Bringing Clean, Renewed Energy

With cutting-edge facilities and industrial-scale, low-CO2 processes, we extract a higher yield and purity from the end-of-life batteries and recover valuable materials.

  • Black mass
  • MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate)
  • Lithium
  • Cobalt
  • Nickel
  • Manganese
  • Graphite
  • Copper
  • Aluminium

Black mass

Black mass is a term used to describe the concentrated powdery substance obtained by recycling scrap batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. It contains valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are critical for producing new batteries and other electronic components. Extracting black mass is an eco-friendly solution to address the growing problem of e-waste while reducing the need for mining raw materials. This process not only helps conserve natural resources but also supports a circular economy by enabling the reuse of finite materials.

MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate)

Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) is an intermediate compound rich in nickel. It is produced through the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores. MHP is obtained by precipitating nickel using chemical agents under specific conditions, such as temperature, pH, concentration, and reaction time. MHP typically contains both nickel and cobalt and serves as a precursor material for battery-grade cathode synthesis. It has higher specific capacity and longer cycling stability, and is widely used in lithium-ion batteries like NMC111.

Lithium

Lithium is a fundamental element in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to portable electronics. As the world shifts toward clean energy solutions, the demand for lithium has surged. Recycling lithium from used batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the environmental impact of mining, and ensures a more sustainable supply of this critical metal for future battery technologies. Efficient recycling methods also help mitigate the risks of lithium shortages in the face of growing global demand.

Cobalt

Cobalt is an essential metal for increasing the energy density and longevity of lithium-ion batteries. It is primarily used in cathodes to enhance battery performance, particularly in EVs and renewable energy storage systems. However, cobalt mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to its extraction in conflict zones and its energy-intensive mining process. Recycling cobalt from spent batteries can address these issues by reducing reliance on newly mined cobalt, promoting sustainable practices, and lowering the environmental footprint of battery production.

Nickel

Nickel is widely used in battery cathodes to improve energy storage capacity and extend battery life, particularly in high-performance electric vehicles. Nickel-rich batteries are gaining popularity for their efficiency in storing and delivering power. Recycling nickel is critical to reducing the environmental toll of mining, which can be energy-intensive and harmful to ecosystems. Reusing nickel in the battery supply chain helps mitigate resource depletion, lowers carbon emissions, and ensures that nickel is available for future advancements in clean energy storage solutions.

Manganese

Manganese is crucial in stabilizing the structure of battery cathodes and optimizing battery life. It plays a key role in the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in medium- and high-power applications like EVs. As demand for such batteries increases, recycling manganese helps reduce the need for new mining operations, which often have negative environmental and social impacts. By recovering manganese from used batteries, we can lower the ecological cost of battery production while supporting the transition to renewable energy.

Graphite

Graphite is a vital component in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries, where it stores and releases electrical energy during charge and discharge cycles. The growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions has increased the need for high-quality graphite. Since the extraction and processing of natural graphite can be environmentally taxing, recycling graphite from spent batteries reduces the need for mining and supports a circular economy. Recycled graphite can be reused in new batteries, cutting down on waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with battery production.

Copper

Copper is a key conductor in battery systems, facilitating the efficient transfer of electricity between cells and components. Copper is used extensively in battery wiring, connectors, and current collectors. As the demand for EVs and renewable energy storage solutions rises, recycling copper is essential for reducing mining waste and energy use. Copper recycling not only conserves natural resources but also helps lower the environmental impact of producing new copper, ensuring a sustainable supply for future energy storage technologies.

Aluminium

Aluminium is used in battery casings, current collectors, and other components due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. In addition to its structural role, aluminium also helps improve the safety and efficiency of battery systems. Recycling aluminium is highly energy-efficient compared to primary production, significantly lowering its environmental impact. By recovering and reusing aluminium from old batteries, we reduce energy consumption and conserve valuable resources, while supporting the circular economy in the growing battery industry.

Recovering Critical Materials and Bringing Clean, Renewed Energy

With cutting-edge facilities and industrial-scale, low-CO2 processes, we extract a higher yield and purity from the end-of-life batteries and recover valuable materials.

Black mass

Black mass

Black mass is a term used to describe the concentrated powdery substance obtained by recycling scrap batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. It contains valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are critical for producing new batteries and other electronic components. Extracting black mass is an eco-friendly solution to address the growing problem of e-waste while reducing the need for mining raw materials. This process not only helps conserve natural resources but also supports a circular economy by enabling the reuse of finite materials.

MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate)

MHP (Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate)

Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) is an intermediate compound rich in nickel. It is produced through the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores. MHP is obtained by precipitating nickel using chemical agents under specific conditions, such as temperature, pH, concentration, and reaction time. MHP typically contains both nickel and cobalt and serves as a precursor material for battery-grade cathode synthesis. It has higher specific capacity and longer cycling stability, and is widely used in lithium-ion batteries like NMC111.

Lithium

Lithium

Lithium is a fundamental element in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to portable electronics. As the world shifts toward clean energy solutions, the demand for lithium has surged. Recycling lithium from used batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the environmental impact of mining, and ensures a more sustainable supply of this critical metal for future battery technologies. Efficient recycling methods also help mitigate the risks of lithium shortages in the face of growing global demand.

Cobalt

Cobalt

Cobalt is an essential metal for increasing the energy density and longevity of lithium-ion batteries. It is primarily used in cathodes to enhance battery performance, particularly in EVs and renewable energy storage systems. However, cobalt mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to its extraction in conflict zones and its energy-intensive mining process. Recycling cobalt from spent batteries can address these issues by reducing reliance on newly mined cobalt, promoting sustainable practices, and lowering the environmental footprint of battery production.

Nickel

Nickel

Nickel is widely used in battery cathodes to improve energy storage capacity and extend battery life, particularly in high-performance electric vehicles. Nickel-rich batteries are gaining popularity for their efficiency in storing and delivering power. Recycling nickel is critical to reducing the environmental toll of mining, which can be energy-intensive and harmful to ecosystems. Reusing nickel in the battery supply chain helps mitigate resource depletion, lowers carbon emissions, and ensures that nickel is available for future advancements in clean energy storage solutions.

Manganese

Manganese

Manganese is crucial in stabilizing the structure of battery cathodes and optimizing battery life. It plays a key role in the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in medium- and high-power applications like EVs. As demand for such batteries increases, recycling manganese helps reduce the need for new mining operations, which often have negative environmental and social impacts. By recovering manganese from used batteries, we can lower the ecological cost of battery production while supporting the transition to renewable energy.

Graphite

Graphite

Graphite is a vital component in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries, where it stores and releases electrical energy during charge and discharge cycles. The growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions has increased the need for high-quality graphite. Since the extraction and processing of natural graphite can be environmentally taxing, recycling graphite from spent batteries reduces the need for mining and supports a circular economy. Recycled graphite can be reused in new batteries, cutting down on waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with battery production.

Copper

Copper

Copper is a key conductor in battery systems, facilitating the efficient transfer of electricity between cells and components. Copper is used extensively in battery wiring, connectors, and current collectors. As the demand for EVs and renewable energy storage solutions rises, recycling copper is essential for reducing mining waste and energy use. Copper recycling not only conserves natural resources but also helps lower the environmental impact of producing new copper, ensuring a sustainable supply for future energy storage technologies.

Aluminium

Aluminium

Aluminium is used in battery casings, current collectors, and other components due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. In addition to its structural role, aluminium also helps improve the safety and efficiency of battery systems. Recycling aluminium is highly energy-efficient compared to primary production, significantly lowering its environmental impact. By recovering and reusing aluminium from old batteries, we reduce energy consumption and conserve valuable resources, while supporting the circular economy in the growing battery industry.

Doing our part for a cleaner planet.

Transitioning to a sustainable future requires the responsible use of our valuable and finite resources.

Through our focus on battery recycling, we aim to minimize environmental impact and foster a sustainable future, keeping our people and planet in mind. This approach allows us to keep the well-being of both nature and communities at the forefront of our operations.

Through our efforts, we seek to drive meaningful change and create a world where future generations can thrive in harmony with their environment. It all starts with Nav Prakriti.

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