About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Recycling and Environmental Technologies
|
| Presentation Title |
Toward Closed-Loop Hydrometallurgy for Under-Recycled Wastes: Strategies for Wastewater Reuse |
| Author(s) |
Jong-Won Choi, Mooki Bae, Sookyung Kim, Hyunji Jo, Hyunju Lee |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jong-Won Choi |
| Abstract Scope |
The recycling of under-recycled wastes with low economic value and limited recovery infrastructure has become increasingly important for sustainable materials management. Although hydrometallurgical processes effectively extract lithium, they often generate significant wastewater, limiting environmental and economic viability. This study highlights recent advances in closed-loop hydrometallurgy with an emphasis on wastewater reuse strategies for low-value battery materials. Lixiviant systems, comprising inorganic acids, salt-based oxidizers, alkaline solutions, and organic media, are classified by their compatibility with wastewater regeneration. Process-level techno-economic simulations show that reusing leachates from the second cycle onward can lower operating costs and deliver net-positive profit within four to five reuse cycles, especially in regions with favorable electricity and labor conditions. However, challenges such as impurity buildup, reagent degradation, and limited multi-cycle validation persist. This review identifies current limitations and proposes future directions for advancing closed-loop hydrometallurgical recycling in line with green chemistry and circular economy principles. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, |