Method for recovering lead from batteries

A process for the recovery of lead from scrap lead/acid batteries comprising:

• comminuting the batteries;
• using ammoniacal ammonium sulphate solution (AAS) to neutralize the sulphuric acid electrolyte from the scrap batteries and dissolve the lead sulphate from the lead compounds in the batteries;
• passing the AAS upwardly through an upwardly diverging separation/leaching column at a throughput which separates the constituents of the comminuted batteries, removing lead dioxide from the AAS;
• and electrolytically winning lead from the AAS.

A process for the recovery of lead from scrap lead/acid batteries, the batteries including non-metallic case and separator material, metallic lead, and lead compounds in the form of paste, said process comprising the steps:

• a) mechanically reducing the scrap batteries to small pieces,
• b) feeding said small pieces into a separation/leach column,
• c) passing ammoniacal sulphate solution (AAS) through said leaching column at a throughput which permits:
• i) removing metallic lead and lead alloys as sinks from the bottom of the column,
• ii) floating comminuted case and separator material u and out of the column, and
• iii) maintaining the lead compounds in suspension for lead sulphate dissolution,
• d) removing insoluble lead dioxide from the AAS downstream of the column,
• e) feeding to an electrowinning tank the AAS from which the lead dioxide has been removed, and there
• f) electrolytically winning metallic lead from the AAS, and
• g) feeding make-up liquid ammonia to the leaching column.