Lead
Process

Pyrometallurgical Lead Recycling Comparison

Adding a VDU to the pyrometallurgical process can bring the following benefits:

Recovery of tin: without a VDU the recycler will either get little or no value for the tin as it ends up in the slag and drosses. The need for tin recovery is trending higher as more tin is being used in batteries due to enhanced grid life, better casting properties, maintenance free batteries (more tin), reduced Sb content due to environment, less gassing, better deep cycle applications.
Reduced emissions: instead of a rigorous sequence of separation and refining steps in kettles, we use a closed system and reduce steps.
Higher purity: the Pb-Sb alloys are more pure and more easily controlled with a VDU.
Reduced slag production: VDUs won’t produce as much metal oxide slags and impurities due to the effective lower temperatures.

Comparison of conventional lead-acid battery recycling processes with and without a Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU).

Hydrometallurgical Lead Recycling Comparison

Adding a VDU to the hydrometallurgical process can bring the following benefits:

Elimination of reduction furnace: as lead is recovered via electrowinning to directly produce metallic lead.
Recovery of tin: the VDU refines and separates the alloying elements, simplifying the overall process. Arsenic can also be collected.
Reduced emissions: instead of a rigorous sequence of separation and refining steps in kettles, we use a closed system and reduce steps.
Higher purity: the Pb-Sb alloys are purer and more easily controlled with a VDU.
Reduced slag production: VDUs won’t produce as much metal oxide slag and impurities due to the effective lower temperatures.