Researchers at Rice University describe a new recycling method called FJH-ClO (flash Joule heating-chlorination and oxidation). The team replaces long chemical treatments with short bursts of heat and controlled gases.
In the first step, they heat battery material with chlorine gas. This breaks the compounds that hold lithium and other metals. In the second step, they heat the material shortly in air so most metals form oxides. Lithium remains as a chloride and can be removed with water. Tests show the process recovers valuable materials with high purity and uses about half as much energy and far fewer chemicals.
Difficult words
- technique — A way of doing something, often in a skilled manner.
- recycling — The process of turning old materials into new products.
- process — A series of actions taken to achieve something.FJH-ClO
- separates — To divide or keep something apart.
- alternative — A different option or choice.
- valuable — Something that has a lot of worth or importance.
- growing — Becoming larger or increasing in amount.
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Discussion questions
- Why is recycling batteries important?
- What are the benefits of using electric vehicles?
- How can new recycling techniques improve the environment?
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