System and methods for controlled depowering of automobile batteries

A method of controlled battery depowering, comprising:

• providing an automotive battery to be depowered disposed within a container configured to receive a fluid, the battery selected from lithium-ion, lead acid, and nickel-metal hydride batteries;
• providing a substantially non-ionic depowering medium comprising between 1 and 25 weight percent carbon conductor uniformly dispersed in a substantially non-ionic aqueous medium, the carbon conductor selected from carbon black, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof;
• supplying the depowering medium to the container such that positive and negative terminals of the battery are contacted with the depowering medium;
• and
• maintaining contact between the depowering medium and the positive and negative terminals for a period of time sufficient to depower the battery;
• wherein increases in battery temperature and evolution of H2, O2, and Cl2 are controlled during depowering.

A system for controlled battery depowering, comprising:

• a substantially non-ionic depowering medium comprising between 1 and 25 weight percent carbon conductor uniformly dispersed in a substantially non-ionic aqueous medium;
• and
• a container comprising a bottom portion and one or more fluid inlets disposed in, or proximate to, the bottom portion, the container being configured to (i) receive an automotive battery to be depowered, such battery having a body, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal;
• and to (ii) receive the depowering medium through the one or more fluid inlets such that the battery body is contacted with the depowering medium prior to the positive and negative battery terminals being contacted with the depowering medium.