Research and Development of Lithium Recovery from Used Li-ion Batteries for Fusion Reactor

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14285
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nuclear fusion studies
• Research Institution: National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (2016-2017); Japan Atomic Energy Agency (2015)
• Principal Investigator: HOSHINO Tsuyoshi 国立研究開発法人量子科学技術研究開発機構, 六ヶ所核融合研究所 ブランケット研究開発部, 上席研究員(定常) (80370469)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 核融合炉 / トリチウム / リチウム / 分離回収 / 電気透析 / イオン伝導体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fusion reactors need deuterium and tritium as their fuel. Since tritium does not exist in nature, it is necessary to produce tritium in a reactor by neutron irradiation of lithium (Li).
I have developed an innovative method for recycling Li from used Li-ion batteries using the Li ionic conductor. Only Li ions in a solution of used Li-ion batteries permeate during electrodialysis; the other ions, including Co, Al, and F, do not permeate the Li ionic conductor. Li0.29La0.57TiO3 was selected as the Li ionic conductor, and the applied dialysis voltage was 5 V. The Li recovery ratio increased with electrodialysis time.
After electrodialysis, CO2 gas was bubbled in the Li recovery water to produce lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) as a raw material for Li-ion batteries. This new method for recycling Li-ion batteries shows good energy efficiency and is easily scalable. Thus, this electrodialysis method is suitable for the recovery of Li from used Li-ion batteries.

Free Research Field

核融合炉工学