Safety concerns in battery technology
The battery market is changing. Since the introduction of lead-acid and zinc-carbon cells over a century ago, new and more complicated chemistries are being adopted for their improved energy density, efficiency and longevity. But this comes at a price.
More batteries means a greater need for responsible recycling. And more powerful, energy dense batteries such as lithium-ion means more risk of electric shock, fires, and even explosions due to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. For example, (think about the many viral videos of e-cigarettes and smart phones suddenly catching fire or exploding, often harming the user and nearby observers). Next to that, there is also an increasing amount of fires in the waste sector caused by batteries that are not sorted correctly.
What is thermal runway?
Thermal runaway occurs when an increase in temperature in a system has a knock-on effect, changing the conditions so as to further increase temperature, creating a positive feedback loop that heats the system up to a dangerous level. In the case of lithium-ion batteries, this can occur as a result of thermal failure, mechanical failure, a short circuit – either inside or outside of the battery – or as a result of misuse. High temperatures lead to the exothermic decomposition of cell materials. Eventually the cell begins to generate heat faster than it can dissipate it, causing the internal temperature to rise exponentially and any remaining electrochemical energy contained within the battery to be rapidly or instantly released into the surroundings.
Solving thermal runaway
Thermal runaway is unique to lithium-ion cells, but lithium-ion is the fastest growing battery technology in the world, used in everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. While new legislation and battery practices are already being put into place to help combat this danger, the real solution is innovating lithium technology to remove the possibility of thermal runaway entirely.
Recapturing heavy metals
A range of battery technologies contain valuable materials that need to be correctly handled and recycled to decrease our environmental impact. While mercury, once common in household batteries, has been almost entirely eliminated, there are other heavy and precious metals that still require safe treatment and recycling. For example:
- Lead and sulphuric acid
- Nickel
- Cadmium
- Corrosive electrolytes
- Plastic polymer covers used in battery construction
These all pose a danger to our environment when not disposed of correctly. Furthermore, recycling them means we don’t have to mine new materials from the earth. Luckily, government legislation is being updated around the world to regulate these materials by introducing recycling targets, but more on that below.
Spreading awareness
It’s important that used batteries are dropped off for recycling and not thrown into general waste streams, ending up in landfills where they could harm us and our environment. That’s why organisations like Bebat carry out awareness campaigns and marketing initiatives to educate the public and motivate them to recycle their batteries through their local recycling partner. We have the technology and resources to effectively treat any and all hazardous battery waste.
Record recycling numbers
Bebat is already achieving record recycling numbers, helping to make Belgium the best battery recycler per capita in the world. More information on recycling numbers in Europe can be found here.
