Cirba Solutions

Cirba Solutions

Battery Types & Safety

Batteries power the modern world. Learn how to recognize the different types you may encounter, as well as safety tips, and their recycling process.

Table of Contents

Household Batteries

These are the most common types of batteries powering devices you use everyday. Some are rechargeable, you can plug them in to charge and get multiple uses before the battery needs to be replaced. Some are non-rechargeable or single-use, once they are fully discharged, they should be recycled.

Rechargeable

Rechargeable- Sealed Lead Acid Battery
Rechargeable- Sealed Lead Acid Battery
Non-Spillable/Sealed Lead Acid

Small to medium, dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable

  • Rectangular
  • Custom sizes in hard plastic case
  • Wheelchairs
  • Scooters
  • Golf Carts
  • Ride-On Electric Toys
  • Boats
  • RVs
  • Military Aircraft
  • Portable Tools
  • Field Equipment
  • Non-spillable
  • Can cause fire if short-circuited
  • Can cause fire if punctured, damaged, improperly charged, or improperly disposed

The battery is broken apart in a shredder. The acid is collected and the rest is sent to a hammer mill where it is broken into even smaller pieces. The small battery pieces are then placed into a vat, where the lead and heavy materials fall to the bottom and the plastic (typically polypropylene) floats. At this point, the plastic pieces are scooped away and the liquids are drawn off, leaving the lead and heavy metals. Each of the materials goes into a different recycling “stream”.

Rechargeable- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery
Rechargeable- Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Battery
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)

Small dry cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable

  • Custom sizes in hard or soft plastic case
  • Small Cylinder
  • Standard AA, AAA Sizes
  • Cellphones
  • Tablets
  • Laptop Computers
  • Wireless Accessories
  • Power Tools
  • Video cameras
  • Handheld Electronics
  • Electric & Hybrid Automobiles
    • (see Hybrid Automobile section )
  • Non-spillable
  • Can cause fire if punctured, damaged, improperly charged, or improperly disposed

Mechanical separation followed by hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical treatment is used to recover the metals (nickel, iron, cobalt, lithium) and plastics of lithium batteries for reuse in new products.

Rechargeable- Nickel-Cadmium Battery
Rechargeable- Nickel-Cadmium Battery
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable

  • AAA
  • AA
  • C
  • D
  • Small-Cylinder
  • Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
  • Custom Sizes in Hard Plastic Case
  • Older Cellphones
  • Older Laptop Computers
  • Power Tools
  • Handheld Electronics
  • Toys
  • R/C Hobby Vehicles
  • Medical Equipment
  • Non-Spillable
  • Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal
  • Never incinerate – produces toxic cadmium vapors

Thermal treatment under vacuum is used to selectively recover the cadmium. A Ni-Fe alloy and plastics are also recovered.

Rechargeable- Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Rechargeable- Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
Nickel Metal Hydride

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, rechargeable

  • AAA
  • AA
  • C
  • D
  • 9 volt
  • 12 volt
  • Plastic Film-Wrapped Packs of Cylindrical Cells
  • Small-Cylinder
  • Custom Sizes
  • Older Cell phones
  • Older Laptop Computers
  • Power Tools
  • Cameras
  • Handheld Electronics
  • R/C Hobby Vehicles
  • Early Hybrid Automobiles
    • (see Hybrid Automobile section)
  • Non-Spillable
  • Non-Toxic

The batteries are heated to remove the electrolyte and plastics. The remaining metals can be provided to various industries.

Non-Rechargeable

Non-Rechargeable - Alkaline & Zinc Battery
Non-Rechargeable - Alkaline & Zinc Battery
Alkaline & Zinc Carbon

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable. Zinc carbon batteries are labeled general purpose or heavy duty.

  • AAA
  • AA
  • C
  • D
  • 9-Volt
  • Button Cells
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Cameras
  • Toys
  • Watches
  • Handheld Electronics
  • Non-spillable
  • Non-toxic
  • Can leak corrosive materials with age

Can be recycled! Secondary commodities from the recycling process include:
– Zinc manganese concentrate (ZMC) used as a micronutrient in fertilizer
– Paper, plastic, brass used to strengthen concrete in road construction
– Steel used in the manufacturing of new steel based products

Non-Rechargeable- Lithium (Primary) Battery
Non-Rechargeable- Lithium (Primary) Battery
Lithium (Primary)

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.

  • Button Cells
  • AAA
  • AA
  • 9-Volt
  • Small-Cylinder
  • Custom Sizes
  • Watches
  • Cameras
  • Handheld Electronics
  • Tire-Pressure Sensors
  • Alarms
  • Memory Backup
  • High-Temperature Applications
  • Pacemakers
  • Remote Car Locks
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Non-spillable
  • Can cause fire if short-circuited, punctured, damaged, improperly charged, or improperly disposed

High temperature metal reclamation (HTMR) is used to recover the metals.

Non-Rechargeable- Mercury Battery
Non-Rechargeable- Mercury Battery
Mercury

Outdated type of small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable. Outlawed for public use by The Battery Act of 1996. May still be used by the military.

  • AA
  • 9-Volt
  • Small-Cylinder
  • Button Cells
  • Custom Sizes
  • Cameras
  • Medical Devices
  • Military
  • Non-spillable
  • Toxic
  • Never incinerate – produces highly toxic vapors

Heavy metals are recovered through a controlled-temperature process.

Non-Rechargeable- Silver Oxide Battery
Non-Rechargeable- Silver Oxide Battery
Silver Oxide

Small to large dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.

  • Button cells
  • High- Voltage Small-Cylinder
  • Large Custom Sizes
  • Watches
  • Hearing Aids
  • Cameras
  • Torpedoes
  • Aircraft
  • Non-Spillable
  • Non-Toxic

Metals are recovered through a controlled-temperature process.

Non-Rechargeable- Zinc Air Battery
Non-Rechargeable- Zinc Air Battery
Zinc Air

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable.

  • Button cells,
  • 9-Volt
  • Custom Sizes
  • Hearing Aids
  • Watches
  • Non-Spillable
  • Non-Toxic

Zinc-air batteries are recycled in the same way as alkaline batteries or by the high temperature metal reclamation (HTMR) method.

Industrial Batteries

While the everyday battery user may never run into these batteries, they exist to power the heavy duty applications like machinery, railroad and backup power for data centers, utilities, or telecommunications. 

Industrial Batteries- Absolyte
Industrial Batteries- Absolyte
Absolyte

Large, lead acid & cadmium, vented (VRLA), rechargeable

  • Rectangular in steel racks
  • Telecommunication Systems
  • Railroad Switchgear & Signals
  • Solar Arrays
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply
  • Non-spillable
  • Lead and cadmium are toxic heavy metals
  • Contains acid electrolyte that is corrosive if spilled

The battery is broken apart in a hammer mill, a machine that hammers the battery into pieces. The broken battery pieces are then placed into a vat, where the lead and heavy materials fall to the bottom and the plastic floats. At this point, the polypropylene pieces are scooped away and the liquids are drawn off, leaving the lead and heavy metals. Each of the materials goes into a different recycling “stream”.

Industrial Batteries- Large Flooded Cell
Industrial Batteries- Large Flooded Cell
Large Flooded Cell

Small dry-cell batteries, sealed, non-rechargeable

  • Hard case, rectangular
  • Stationary Power
  • Telecommunication Systems
  • Utility Systems
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply
  • Spillable
  • Lead is a toxic heavy metal
  • Contains large quantity of acid electrolyte, electrolyte corrosive if spilled
  • Extremely heavy

The battery is broken apart in a hammer mill, a machine that hammers the battery into pieces. The broken battery pieces are then placed into a vat, where the lead and heavy materials fall to the bottom and the plastic floats. At this point, the polypropylene pieces are scooped away and the liquids are drawn off, leaving the lead and heavy metals. Each of the materials goes into a different recycling “stream”.

Industrial Batteries- Nickel Iron
Industrial Batteries- Nickel Iron
Nickel Iron

Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable, very long lasting

  • Metal Case, Rectangular
  • Railroad Signals
  • Mining Operations
  • Declining in use compared to Lead Acid batteries
  • Spillable
  • Non-toxic

The battery is broken apart in a hammer mill, a machine that hammers the battery into pieces. The broken battery pieces are then placed into a vat, where the lead and heavy materials fall to the bottom and the plastic floats. At this point, the polypropylene pieces are scooped away and the liquids are drawn off, leaving the lead and heavy metals. Each of the materials goes into a different recycling “stream”.

Wet Nickel Cadmium
Wet Nickel Cadmium
Wet Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)

Small to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable, pocket-plate and sinter-plate types

  • Hard case, tall rectangular
  • Multi-cell in metal or wood cases
  • Can be stand alone cell
  • Emergency power
  • Telephone Systems
  • Solar Arrays
  • Railroad Switching Gear
  • Marine Applications
  • Aviation Applications
  • Spillable
  • Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and known carcinogen

Thermal treatment under vacuum is used to selectively recover the cadmium. A Ni-Fe alloy and plastics are also recovered.

Battery Case
Battery Case
Steel Case

Large, flooded cell batteries, lead acid, vented, rechargeable

  • Individual cells within a steel casing
  • Forklifts
  • Industrial Machinery
  • Motive Power
  • Spillable
  • Lead is a toxic heavy metal
  • Contains acid electrolyte that is corrosive if spilled

Battery is disassembled to separate the steel from the cells. The cells are then recycled like other lead acid batteries.

UPS power supply
UPS power supply
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, typically lead acid, vented (VRLA), rechargeable

  • Hard case, rectangular
  • Multi-cell in steel racks
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply
  • Stationary power
  • Non-spillable
  • Contains some acid electrolyte

The UPS units are disassembled to separate the batteries from the other recoverable materials, such as electronic scrap, metals, and plastics. The batteries are then recycled in the same way as other lead acid batteries.

Vehicle Batteries

While still very large and possibly intimidating, these less spillable and more user friendly batteries power our cars, motorcycles, boats and other motorized vehicles.

EV Battery Example Square
EV Battery Example Square
Electric Automotive

Battery from a fully electric vehicle. Large Li-ion dry cell, sealed, rechargeable.

  • Full Assembly
  • Packs
  • Cells
  • Fully Electric Vehicles
  • Micro Mobility Devices
  • High Voltage–Dangerous
  • Can cause fire if punctured, damaged, improperly charged, or improperly disposed

The batteries are disassembled into smaller units called modules. The modules are then mechanically separated and the components are recovered in the same process as small Li-ion batteries. Mechanical separation followed by hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical treatment is used to recover the metals (nickel, iron, cobalt, lithium) and plastics of lithium batteries for reuse in new products.

Hybrid Automobile
Hybrid Automobile
Hybrid Automotive

Large, dry-cell batteries, NiMH and Li-ion most common, sealed, rechargeable

  • Large pack of small cells
  • Cylinders
  • Pouches
  • Hybrid Automobiles
  • High Voltage–Dangerous
  • Can cause fire if punctured, damaged, improperly charged, or improperly disposed

The batteries are disassembled into smaller units called modules. The modules are then mechanically separated and the components are recovered in the same process as small Li-ion batteries. Mechanical separation followed by hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical treatment is used to recover the metals (nickel, iron, cobalt, lithium) and plastics of lithium batteries for reuse in new products.

Lead Acid
Lead Acid
Automotive Lead Acid

Medium to large, flooded cell batteries, vented, rechargeable

  • Hard Case, Rectangular
  • Multi-Cell
  • Automobiles
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats
  • Outdoor Power Equipment
  • Spillable
  • Lead is a toxic heavy metal
  • Contains acid electrolyte that is corrosive if spilled

With a 99% recycling rate, lead acid batteries are among the most recyclable batteries. Every part of the battery is recycled and the lead usually goes back into making new batteries.

BB Battery
BB Battery
VRLA

Medium to large, maintenance-free, vented (VRLA), rechargeable

  • Hard Case, Rectangular
  • Multi-Cell
  • Automobiles
  • Motorcycles
  • Boats
  • Wheelchairs
  • Emergency Lighting
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply
  • Non-spillable
  • Lead is a toxic heavy metal
  • Contains some acid electrolyte

With a 99% recycling rate, lead acid batteries are among the most recyclable batteries. Every part of the battery is recycled and the lead usually goes back into making new batteries.

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