Green recycling assessment on typical spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs): A multi-objective assessment

Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is an efficient solution for resource supply crisis and severe environmental pollution. However, the comprehensive evaluation on resource criticality and environmental impact were neglected in the life cycle assessment (LCA). In this study, a green recycling assessment methodology was proposed associated with raw material criticality assessment, system operation elements analysis and comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA). The hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical and direct recycling process of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) were selected as 6 typical recycling processes. Under the multi-objective assessment, the green recycling grades (G) was classified into 10 grades, and the direct recycling process of NMC and LFP were the two greenest recycling processes with the G value of 9.66 and 9.58. According to the assessment results of this study, direct recycling process was the best recycling process due to the less the consumption of substance and production of waste. This research established the green recycling assessment methodology for spent LIBs, which could guide the green development of spent LIBs recycling industry.