Development of bio-hydrometallurgical processes for the valorization of spent batteries

In this work, bio-hydrometallurgical processes have been applied starting from spent alkaline batteries. Main aim of the research was to develop a preliminary experimental work to recover selectively MnO2 and Zn from leaching and/or bioleaching solutions containing Mn and Zn, both at concentration of 10 g dm-3, by electrolysis, with the scope to apply electrochemical technologies for Zn and Mn recovery from exhaust batteries. The results have demonstrated the technical feasibility of the application of the mentioned technologies; in fact, high recoveries of manganese and zinc dissolved in solution were achieved (97.5 % MnO2 and 98 % Zn).