PANORAMA DA RECICLAGEM DE PILHAS E BATERIAS NO BRASIL E NO MUNDO

Abstract

The large disposal of electronic waste is a problem that has been growing in recent decades, especially because many countries, such as Brazil, do not yet do it in an environmentally sound manner, generating environmental damage by contamination of environmental compartments such as soil, air and water resources. In addition to the environmental damage generated by the poor disposal of electronic waste, human exposure to the substances present in electronic waste causes serious pathologies. Batteries are part of this waste and there is a possibility of giving them new uses through recycling. The aim of this study is to conduct a bibliographic survey of the main technologies currently used for the recycling of batteries and to point out the ones that prove to be the most environmentally and economically viable. The most widely used recycling technologies in the world involve basically three stages, which consist of screening, physical treatment and metallurgical treatment. Screening consists of segregating batteries by type; physical treatment involves crushing, grinding, among others; Metallurgical treatment comprises the use of chemical and thermal processes such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. In order to achieve more efficient recycling, a combination of various technologies is recommended, as well as minimizing environmental impacts, taking care of the exposure of processing personnel and financial profitability.