Scientists at University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have found a way of repurposing batteries as fertilizer. At this stage their method only applies to used lithium-ion phosphate batteries. Although there are enough of these in the pipeline to keep them busy for a long time.
They, and the world for that matter, are bracing themselves for a virtual avalanche of used lithium-ion phosphate batteries from electric cars. Repurposing batteries as fertilizer could be part of the solution, but would they do it?
Repurposing Lithium-Ion Phosphate Batteries As Fertilizer
Professor Deyang Qu of University of Wisconsin, was concerned there was no really affordable way to recycle these electric vehicle batteries, The current method for disposing them is costly too. The recovered lithium metal is the only really cost-effective benefit.
Meanwhile, the United States continues importing large quantities of phosphate fertilizer for agriculture. We can imagine Professor Deyang Qu scratching his head, and thinking‘this simply does not make sense’.
His colleagues at the University have already found a way to recover lithium from spent lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, using electrochemistry. This process substituted potassium for the lithium.
The phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen that remained after this process were all key ingredients in fertilizer. All that was needed was some brainstorming by Professor Deyang Qu and graduate student Soad Shahid.
There Are Two Options To Deal With This waste
There are two options to deal with this waste, says the Professor. Either the battery manufacturer must pay to dispose of it, or the government. Unless … we can use the minerals to manufacture fertilizer.
If we can begin repurposing batteries as fertilizer, the Professor continues, then we could create a ready supply of fertilizer ingredients. His next step is to do market research, and find a manufacturer to work with.
More Information
Cost Effectively Recycling LFP Batteries
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Particles
