CAM, pCAM, Black mass

Wastewater treatment for CAM/pCAM preparation

FE designs zero liquid discharge (ZLD) or minimal liquid discharge (MLD) units to treat aqueous effluents containing sodium sulfate, ammonia, NMC, and other impurities, which are recovered in the form of anhydrous Na2SO4 crystals, an ammonia solution (up to 15 wt%), an ammonium sulfate solution (30 to 40 wt%), and a solid cake containing NMC and impurities, respectively.

Condensates generated during evaporation and crystallization can be treated with reverse osmosis and EDI units, integrated by FE, to produce the ultrapure water required for the preparation of CAM/pCAM.

In addition to the evaporation system linked to the precursor, FE also provides wastewater treatment for effluents generated by lithium calcination furnaces, which contain both lithium and sodium sulfates in the form of hydroxide.

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Black Mass Recycling

Black mass is the active material powder obtained from spent lithium-ion batteries and its recycling plays an important role in the circular economy. The demand for batteries surges in low-carbon industries and by efficiently recycling black mass we are not only reducing waste but also reducing the reliance on raw material supply.

At FE, we offer advanced hydrometallurgical solutions to recover high-value materials from black mass. Through the crystallization of NMC (nickel, manganese, and cobalt), lithium (LHM, battery grade), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), we offer a reliable way to recover these critical resources for reuse in the battery manufacturing industry.

With in-house lab experiments we can tailor our processes depending on the composition of the black mass to provide maximum purity, optimal process and energy efficiency, and minimized capital and operational costs.