Disposal and Recycling of Used Lead Acid Batteries

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Disposal and Recycling of Used Lead Acid
Batteries

• Sophie van den Berg
• Consultant Solid Waste Management and Recycling

Partner in Development
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Contents of this presentation

• Examples of solar energy systems using lead acid
  batteries
• What are lead acid batteries?
• Why recycle lead acid batteries?
• Health and environmental impact
• How are lead acid batteries recycled?
• Present situation in Africa
• Urgent need for environmentally sound recycling
  routes in Africa

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Examples of solar energy systems using lead acid
batteries
Solar lantern (Philips)
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Solar Home System in Burkina Faso (FRES)
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Solar power plant in Mali (FRES)
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What are lead acid batteries?

1. Plastic container
2. Lead plates
3. Plate separators
4. Acid electrolyte
5. Lead terminals

Why recycle lead acid batteries?

• Reduces energy consumption
• Conserves natural resources

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Health and environmental impacts

• Lead causes
• Reduced IQ
• Anemia
• Nerve disorders
• Kidney damage
• Muscle joint pain
• Loss of memory
• Seizures
• Birth defects
• DEATH

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Health and environmental impacts

• The acid
• is extremely corrosive
• is a good carrier for dissolved and suspended
  lead
• can contaminate soil and water sources

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How to recycle batteries?

• Collection of the batteries
• Drainage of the electrolyte
• Crushing and separation
• Recycling of plastic
• Smelting and refining
• Effective control of fumes and gases
• Proper treatment of effluent (neutralization of
  electrolyte)
• Occupational health

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FRYS METAL in South Africa
Environment ISO 14001 Health and safety
OHSAS 18001 Quality ISO 9001
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Collection and storage
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Battery breaking and separation
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Recycling of plastic cases
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Smelting and refining
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Pollution control measures
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Occupational health
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Products
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Present situation in Africa
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Draining of batteries in Ghana
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