Nicd Nimh
For Everyone：Recycling your Battery
Over 75 million Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries were sold in the US during the year 2000. Market predictions indicate that the demand of NiCd batteries will rise six percent per year until 2003. The demand for other chemistries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Ion (Li‑ion) is increasing at a more rapid pace. Where will the mountains of batteries (Dell Latitude D810 battery) go when spent? The answer is recycling.
The lead acid battery has led the way in recycling. The automotive industry should be given credit in organizing ways to dispose of old car batteries. In the USA, 98 percent of all lead acid batteries are recycled. Compared to aluminum cans (65 percent), newspaper (59 percent) and glass bottles (37 percent), lead acid batteries (Latitude D820 battery) are reclaimed very efficiently, due in part to legislation.
Only one in six households in North America recycle small rechargeable batteries. Homeowners have the lowest return ratios, but this should improve once more recycling repositories become available and better environmental awareness is emphasized ( APPLE A1175 battery).
The NiCd battery is one of the more hazardous batteries in terms of disposal. If used in landfills, the cadmium will eventually dissolve itself and the toxic substance will seep into the water supply, causing serious health problems. Our oceans are already beginning to show traces of cadmium (along with aspirin, penicillin and antidepressants) but the source of the contamination is unknown. Under no circumstances can batteries be incinerated as this can cause them to explode.
Although NiMH batteries are considered environmentally friendly, this chemistry is also being recycled. The main derivative is nickel, which is considered semi-toxic. NiMH also contains an electrolyte that, in large amounts, is hazardous to the environment.
If no disposal service is available in an area, individual NiMH batteries can be discarded with other household wastes. If ten or more batteries are accumulated, the user should consider disposing the batteries in a secure waste landfill.
Lithium (metal) batteries contain no toxic metals, however, there is the possibility of fire if metallic lithium is exposed to moisture while the cells are corroding. Most lithium batteries are non-rechargeable and are used by defense organizations. Cameras and other commercial products also use primary lithium batteries. For proper disposal, these batteries . must be fully discharged in order to consume all metallic lithium content. Li‑ion batteries (rechargeable), on the other hand, do not contain metallic lithium and the disposal problem does not exist. Most lithium systems contain toxic and flammable electrolyte, however.
In 1994, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) was founded to promote the recycling of rechargeable batteries in North America. RBRC is a non-profit organization that collects batteries from consumers and businesses and sends them to Inmetco and Toxco for recycling. Inmetco specializes in recycling NiCd, but also accepts NiMH and lead-based batteries. Toxco, focuses on lithium metal and Li‑ion system. Currently only intended to recycle NiCd batteries, RBRC will expand the program to include also NiMH, Li‑ion and SLA batteries .
Programs to recycle spent batteries have been in place in Europe and Asia for many years. Sony and Sumitomo Metal in Japan have developed a technology to recycle cobalt and other precious metals from Li‑ion batteries. The rest of Asia is progressing at a slower rate. Some movements in recycling spent batteries.are starting in Taiwan and China, but no significant infrastructure exists.
Battery recycling plants require batteries to be sorted according to chemistries. Some sorting is done prior to the battery arriving at the recycling plants. NiCd, NiMH, Li‑ion and lead acid are often placed in designated boxes at the collection point. Sorting batteries must be done manually, an operation that adds to the cost of recycling.
If a steady stream of sorted batteries were available at no charge, recycling would be feasible with little cost to the user. The logistics of collection, transportation and labor to sort the batteries make recycling expensive.
The recycling process starts by removing the combustible material, such as plastics and insulation using a gas fired thermal oxidizer. Gases from the thermal oxidizer are sent to the plant’s scrubber where they are neutralized to remove pollutants. The process leaves the clean, naked cells, which contain valuable metal content .
The cells are then chopped into small pieces, which are heated until the metal liquefies. Non-metallic substances are burned off; leaving a black slag on top that is removed with a slag arm. The different alloys settle according to their weights and are skimmed off like cream from raw milk.
Cadmium is relatively light and vaporizes easily at high temperatures. In a process that appears like a pan boiling over, a fan blows the cadmium vapor into a large tube, which is cooled with water mist. This causes the vapors to condense. A 99.95 percent purity level of cadmium can be achieved using this method.
Some recyclers do not separate the metals on site but pour the liquid metals directly into what the industry refers to as ‘pigs’ (65 pounds) or ‘hogs’ (2000 pounds). The pigs and hogs are then shipped to metal recovery plants. Here, the material is used to produce nickel, chromium and iron re-melt alloy for the manufacturing of stainless steel and other high end products.
Current battery recycling methods requires a high amount of energy. It takes six to ten times the amount of energy to reclaim metals from recycled batteries than it would through other means. A new process is being explored, which may be more energy and cost effective. One method is dissolving the batteries with a reagent solution. The spent reagent is recycled without forming any atmospheric, liquid or solid wastes.
Who pays for the recycling of batteries in bulk? Participating countries impose their own rules in making recycling feasible. In North America, some recycling plants bill on weight. The rates vary according to chemistry. Systems that yield high metal retrieval rates are priced lower than those that produce less valuable metals.
The highest recycling fees apply to NiCd and Li‑ion batteries because the demand for cadmium is low and Li‑ion batteries contain little retrievable metal. The recycling cost of alkaline is 33 percent lower than that of NiCd and Li‑ion because the alkaline cell contains iron. The NiMH battery yields the best return. Recycling NiMH produces enough nickel to pay for the process.
Not all countries base the cost of recycling on the battery chemistry; some put it on tonnage alone. The average cost of recycling batteries is $1,000 to $2,000US per ton. Europe hopes to achieve a cost per ton of $300US. Ideally, this would include transportation, however, moving the goods is expected to double the overall cost. For this reason, Europe is setting up several smaller processing locations in strategic geographic locations.
Significant subsidies are sill required from manufacturers, agencies and governments to support the battery recycling programs. These subsidies are in the form of a tax added to each manufactured cell. RBRC is financed by such a scheme.
Summary
Proper disposal of batteries is a growing concern, especially with NiCd. In spite of the move to environmentally friendlier chemistries such as NiMH and Li-ion, the NiCd battery continues to fill an important market niche. Many applications do not run satisfactorily with newer battery systems. Portable equipment that must rely on the durable and forgiving power source of the classic NiCd are power tools, biomedical devices and two-way radios.
Rechargeable batteries produce far less waste than the non-rechargeable variety because they can be reused hundreds of time. In terms of preserving the environment, switching to rechargeables makes common sense. The most durable rechargeable battery is the NiCd, a chemistry that is also the least friendly if carelessly discarded.
About the Author
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EZ-Peak NiCad / NiMH Charger with Traxxas Connector $32.48 The EZ-Peak is equally at home on the bench with AC power, or in the field with a DC power source. A Traxxas High- Current Connector is installed for use with Traxxas Power Cell battery packs and other NiCd and NiMH packs with Traxxas connectors (an adapter (#3062) is sold separately for use with Molex/Tamiya-style connectors…. |
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Tenergy Universal Smart Charger for NiMH/NiCd Battery Packs (6V – 12V) Perfect for RC or Airsoft Battery Packs — NEW! $21.49 Features and Benefits * Universal for any NiMH /NiCd battery packs 6V – 12V (5-10 Cells Pack) |
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7.2V Tenergy 3000mAh Flat NiMH High Power Battery Packs with Tamiya Connectors for RC Cars $16.99 Features and Benefits * High Capacity High Power Nickel Metal Hydride Battery Pack for RC cars. |
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Watt’s Up RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer WU100 Version 2 — SALE! $54.00 # Specifications: # Voltage 0-60 V, resolution 0.01 V. That’s a 14 cell series li-poly pack! # Current 0-100 A peak, 50 A continuous, resolution 0.01 A # Charge 0-65 Ah, resolution 0.001 Ah. That’s ~32 Amps for two hours! # Power 0-6500 W, resolution 0.1 W. That’s ~8.7 Horsepower! # Energy 0-6500 Wh, resolution 0.1 Wh. # Operates from 4.0-60 V, 0 V with optional receiver battery pack # 16 x 2 STN… |
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GTMax 6pcs – Black Rubberized Hard Case + LCD Screen Protector + Car Charger + Travel Charger + Micro USB Data Cable + Stylus for AT&T Samsung GALAXY S2 / SII I9100 Attain $5.30 Micro-USB USB Data Cable with Driver CD-ROMIn order for your data cable to perform above functions, you must obtain the required software independently.CD-ROM only contains USB driver; program software & technical support not included.Micro-USB Car Charger Vehicle Power Adapter (500mA)Input: 12-24V.Output: 5V / 500mA.Vehicle Lighter Adaptor.Can Charge Ni-Mh, Ni-cd and Li-Ion Battery.Plug never hea… |
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Rapid Car Charger + Home Travel Charger (110-240v) with IC Chip for Apple Iphone 3G 2nd Generation, Ipod Nano 4th 2nd Generation, IPod Touch $1.45 Power Package contains a Rapid Car Charger, a home travel charger (110-240v) with IC Chip and is compatible with the Apple Iphone 3G 2nd Generation, Ipod Nano 4th 2nd Generation, IPod Touch 2ND Generation… |
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Rapid Car Charger with IC Chip for Sprint, Alltel HTC Touch Diamond (CDMA) Smartphone $0.01 Rapid Car Charger with IC Chip for Sprint, Alltel HTC Touch Diamond (CDMA) Smartphone… |
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2 Rapid Car Chargers with IC Chip for AT&T LG Shine CU720 $0.06 … |
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Wii Charger Stat Battery Kit (Colors may Vary) $2.23 WORKS WITH NYK87000 CHARGE STATIONPROVIDES UP TO 25 HOURS OF PLAYTIME ON 2-HOUR CHARGERUBBERIZED BATTERY COVER IN 5 CUSTOM COLORS PROVIDES SUPERIOR GRIP INCLUDES NIMH RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK & CUSTOM BATTERY COVER WITH CONTACT PASS-THROUGH POINTS TO CHARGE BATTERIES WHILE IN REMOTEUPC : 743840870173Shipping Dimensions : 8.25in X 5.75in X 1.00inEstimated Shipping Weight : 0.2858… |
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Hitech – Wii Remote and Balance Board Batteries (4 pack) and Battery Charger $28.99 Package consists of Hitech IC-34LCD Super Fast Charger and 4 pieces of AA Ni-Mh 2500mAh batteries. It also comes with a car charger that enables you to charge batteries while travelling. Charge current for AA battery is 1400mA and AAA battery is 700mA. Hitech iC-34 charger is equipped with delta V control and safety timer function. An indicator light comes on and the charger automatically switches… |
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14.4V 0.5 Driver Drill $249.92 HIT1114: Features: -(2) 3.0 Ah HXP Lithium Ion batteries for three times the life at half the weight of NiCd or NiMH batteries.-460 in / lbs of torque to drill and drive through the toughest materials with ease.-Unique 2-step speed switch lets the user select from 4 speed settings (0-200 / 400 / 850 / 1, 750 RPM) for ultimate control.-Externally replaceable carbon brush for quick and easy maintenance.-2 – piece rare earth magnet motor for durability and power.-Convenient 5 – position belt hook features an integrated LED work light.-Compact and lightweight at only 9.21” in length and 4.4 lbs.-(2) 3.0Ah Lithium Ion Batteries.-Quick Charger.-Side Handle.-Carrying Case.-Driver Bit. Specifications: -HXP batteries are backwards compatible with all Hitachi 14.4V DMR and DVF3 tools. |
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14.4V Lithium Ion Cordless Hammer Drill $269.99 HIT1115: Features: -(2) 3.0Ah HXP Lithium Ion batteries for three times the life at half the weight of NiCd and NiMH batteries.-Class leading 460 in / lbs of torque to power through the toughest jobs.-Unique 2-step speed switch lets the user select from 4 speed settings (0-200 / 400 / 850 / 1750 RPM) for ultimate control.-Externally accessible carbon brush for quick and easy maintenance.-2 – piece rare earth magnet motor for durability and power.-Convenient 5 – position belt hook features an integrated LED work light.-Compact and lightweight at only 9.84” in length and 4.6 lbs.-(2) 3.0Ah Lithium Ion Batteries.-Quick Charger.-Side Handle.-Carrying Case.-Driver Bit. Specifications: -HXP batteries are backwards compatible with all Hitachi 18V DMR and DVF3 tools. Warranty: -Industry leading Lifetime warranty. |
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18 Volt 1/2 High Performance Impact Wrench Kit DC821KA $299.99 DWT2781: Features: -Heavy-duty motor provides long life under continuous heavy use conditions .-Durable all-metal gear case and transmission provide jobsite tough durability .-Variable speed trigger and electric brake provide control for tightening and loosening fasteners .-Textured anti-slip comfort grip provides maximum comfort and control .-Heavy-duty impact mechanism delivers torque without kickback .-Replaceable brushes for increased serviceability .-Kit includes 18 Volt XRP Battery Pack (2611-1575), Heavy Duty 7.2 Volt to 18 Volt NiCd/NiMH/Li-Ion 1 hour charger (2611-1682), and heavy duty kit box .-18 volts .-1/2 drive size square with detent pin retention .-0-2,100 rpm no load speed . |
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18V 1.5Ah Lithium Ion Hammer Drill $400.71 HIT1118: Features: -Class-leading 345 in / lbs of torque to power through the toughest jobs.-(2) 1.5Ah lithium ion batteries for 3X the life at half the weight of NiCd and NiMH batteries.-22 + 2 stage clutch for high torque and precision driving.-2-Speed transmission and variable speed switch allow for ultimate speed control (0-400 RPM or 1500 RPM).-Specialized clutch settings for drilling and hammer-drilling.-Keyless 1/2” system for quick and easy bit changes.-5 – Position belt hook and integrated bit holder to keep tool and accessories conveniently accessible.-Ratcheting chuck lock for a secure hold on accessories.-Non-slip elastomer grip for increased user comfort and control.-(2) 1.5Ah Lithium Ion Batteries.-Charger.-Carrying Case.-Driver Bit. Specifications: -Compact and lightweight (only 9.37” in length and 4.2 lbs) with the feel of a 12 Volt and the powerful performance of an 18-volt.-Lithium ion batteries with backward compatibility with all Hitachi 18V DVF3, DMR, DFL and DL tools. Warranty: -Industry leading Lifetime warranty. |