Approaching major RENOVATE milestones – Achieving sustainable recycling solutions for battery waste through High Voltage Fragmentation
As we enter 2025, the RENOVATE consortium has achieved a significant technical milestone. The POLIMI team has successfully integrated and validated a novel, chemistry-neutral approach for recovering critical materials: High Voltage Fragmentation (HVF).
The HVF is a novel technology that leverages high-voltage electric discharges to fragment and delaminate battery materials without reliance on chemicals. This method supports circular economy principles by sustainably recovering key materials, including black mass (active components like lithium), electrode foils (aluminium and copper), and separators.
Diagram concept of the High Voltage Fragmentation (HVF) – test samples
The HVF process involves defining geometry, physics coupling, and configuring studies to simulate the interplay of electric, thermal, and mechanical effects. Simulations showed that higher voltages and longer pulse duration led to more extensive delamination and fragmentation, especially at material interfaces with different properties (e.g., conductivity and permittivity).
This framework provides a robust basis for HVF settings for specific applications, ensuring effective recovery and minimal material contamination. The theoretical and practical conclusions of HVF operation are integrated with the WP2 HVF physical sorting/separation and materials recovery.
Stay tuned for more advancements in the upcoming tasks!
