Recovery of nickel from the spent nickel

This study addresses the challenges associated with nickel production from traditional sources by exploring an alternative method for recovery using spent nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. The primary objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of recovering valuable metals, specifically nickel and iron, through a direct reduction process. The methodology involved the use of spent Ni-Cd batteries as feedstock, followed by pre-treatment and various reduction experiments aimed at optimizing conditions such as temperature and gas atmosphere. The pre-treatment entailed vaporizing cadmium at 1024K. Experimental results yielded Fe-Ni alloys containing approximately 75 wt% nickel and 20 wt% iron. Additionally, the investigation examined the reduction mechanisms of both nickel oxide and iron oxide, thus providing insights into the efficiency of the direct reduction process. This research contributes valuable knowledge towards sustainable recycling practices for spent batteries, addressing environmental concerns associated with traditional smelting methods. The findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing spent Ni-Cd batteries as a resource for nickel recovery, paving the way for more eco-friendly metal production methods.