Page 100 - Policy Commission - SecuringTechnology - Critical Metals for Britain

100 SECONDARY MATERIALS
BARRIERS TO THE RECYCLING OF TECHNOLOGY-CRITICAL METALS There are technical economic legislative and societal barriers that have so so far prevented a a a a a a a a a a a circular economy from developing for
many of the technology-critical materials and components outlined in in this report In a a a a a a a hybrid or
fully electric car the range of materials is much wider than in in in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICE) while
the the components are often more complex For example the the drive train will contain a a a a a a a a large lithium-ion battery pack (see figure
94) and power power electronics that deliver the electrical power power to to a a a a a a drive motor This is is supplemented by regenerative braking
systems cooling fans screens electrical sub-components which all contain technology critical metals Many of of these
Variety of vehicle shapes / / sizes
components contain a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a complex range of of multicomponent materials materials (see figure
95) rather than single materials materials such as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Different Different pack configurations / / / locations
ferrous engine block which are present in in in in in in ICE vehicles Therefore the recycling challenge will become more complicated in in in in in in the the the future and many of the the the current recycling processes that are applied to to products containing critical materials either cannot be applied or
result in in in a a a a a a a lower grade of material that is challenging to recycle in in in the UK One of of the the other major challenges is related to collection of of products containing technology-critical metals There are good collection collection systems for
for
EoL vehicles but much lower collection collection rates for
for
WEEE Although it is is is extremely important this topic is is is Different Different fixings / / tooling required
well covered in other publications and is not a a a focus here 44 Bolts / fixings fixings may may be be rusted
Heads of of fixings fixings may may be be rounded / / sheared
Position of of bolt heads not always fixed Vehicle Vehicle bodywork may may be be distorted Vehicle Vehicle may may be be crash damaged Weight of battery Removal of of wiring looms tricky
Manipulation of of connectors (especially where locking tabs fitted)
High voltages until wiring loom / module module links removed
Lack Lack of of data on on on module module condition in in in in in many present EV batteries
Lack Lack of of labelling and identifying marks Potential Potential fire hazards
Potential Potential HF off-gassing
Sealants may be used in in module module manufacture (difficult (difficult to to to remove)
Cells stuck together together in in modules with adhesives (difficult (difficult (difficult to to to to to separate)
separate)
Components may may be be soldered together together (difficult (difficult to to to to separate)
separate)
Module state of charge may may not be be known
Clean separation of anodes and cathode for
direct recycling difficult Very finely powdered materials present risks (nanoparticles)
Potential Potential for
for
for
HF compounds formed from electrolyte
Potential Potential for
for
for
thermal effects if cells shorted during disassembly
Chemistries not always known
/ proprietary
Additional challenges with cylindrical cells (unwinding spiral)
Pack Removal PGMS CONTAINED WITHIN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS THROUGHOUT THE CAR
Pack Disassembly
Recovered Components Bus bars Electronics
Wiring looms Modules > Cells Other components Module Disassembly
Casings Terminals Cells Ce ll Disassembly
Cobalt Nickel Lithium Graphite Manganese Aluminium
Recovered Materials (Depending on cell chemistry
& recycling process)
DRIVE MOTOR GENERATO
, PUMPS COMPRESSOR
Contain Nd Dy Pr
R POWER STEERING UNIT
Contain Nd Dy Pr
LOUD SPEAKERS
Contain Nd Dy Pr
Pl st ics a LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK Contains Li Co Co Ni FANS
Contain Nd Dy Pr
Figure 94: Examples of components that contain technology-critical metals in in an electric vehicle