A pre-study on dust explosion risks for LIB Recycling

Growing number of LIBs in various applications present a serious waste-management challenge at the end-of-life (EoL). Safe operation at the battery recycling plants is crucial for the battery manufacturers to comply with the upcoming EU regulations. However, there is limited knowledge about dust explosion risks at the battery recycling plants.

SafeDust ReLIB aimed at (i) summarizing the available knowledge regarding the dust explosion safety at Lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycling plants, (ii) identifying the knowledge gaps in dust explosion risks at battery recycling plants, and (iii) proposing new research ideas which ensure a safe recycling of LIB.

In the short term, the safety knowledge regarding the dust explosion risks at the battery recycling plants was increased. New research proposals were formulated to improve combustible dust safety at the battery recycling plants. In the long term, the results of this project would lead to reduced incidents, economic loss, and improved work environment. It in term would lead to a cost- and resource-effective battery recycling process.

A video of black mass dust explosion.

Presentation of SafeDust ReLIB project (black mass dust explosion in battery recycling).

Final report (in Swedish).

Huang C., Lipatnikov, A., Lövström, C., Smajovic, N., Andersson, L., & Ismail, A. (2024). Experimental investigation of dust explosions with a focus on black mass in battery recycling. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 105526.