Method and system for separating black mass from electrodes of spent lithium ion batteries

A system for recycling a spent lithium ion battery, the system comprising:

• a crusher configured to break a cell of the spent lithium ion battery into pieces;
• a first separator configured to segregate the pieces of the spent lithium ion battery into electrode pieces and a remainder of material, the electrode pieces comprise black mass, metal pieces and a binder material;
• one or more heating chambers configured to heat the electrode pieces to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time;
• a sonication chamber coupled to an ultrasound generator, the sonication chamber being configured to apply ultrasound vibrations, generated by the ultrasound generator, to a first suspension of preheated electrode pieces in a neutral liquid;
• a second separator configured to segregate the metal pieces, the binder material and the black mass;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• control a temperature in the one or more heating chambers, and
• control an ultrasound generator coupled to the sonication chamber to control application of the ultrasound vibrations.