With a rapid expansion in electric vehicles, a huge amount of the spent Li-ion batteries (LIBs) could be discharged in near future. And thus, the proper handling of the spent LIBs is essential to sustainable development in the industry of electrical vehicles. Among various approaches such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and direct recycling, the hydrometallurgical manner has gained interest in recycling the spent LIBs due to its high effectiveness in recycling raw materials (e.g., lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese). However, the hydrometallurgical process not only requires the use of large amounts of acids and water resources but also produces toxic gases and wastewater leading to environmental and economic problems, considering potential economic and environmental problems. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of conventional and state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical processes to recover valuable metals from spent LIBs. First, we briefly introduce the basic principle and materials of LIBs. Then, we briefly introduce the operations and pros-and cons- of hydrometallurgical processes. Finally, this review proposes future research directions in hydrometallurgy, and its potential opportunities in the fundamental and practical challenges regarding its deployment going forward.

This research was conducted to estimate the characteristics of carbon dioxide decomposition using an inorganic sludge. The inorganic sludge was composed of high amount (66.8%) of Fe2O3. Hydrogen could be reduced with 0.247, 0.433, 0.644, and 0.749 at 350, 400, 450, and 500℃, respectively. The carbon dioxide decomposition rates at 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500℃ were 32, 52, 35, 62, 75, and 84%, respectively. High temperature led to high reduction of hydrogen and better decomposition of carbon dioxide. The specific surface area of the sludge after hydrogen reduction was higher than that after carbon dioxide decomposition. The specific surface area of the sludge was more decreased with increasing of temperature.

Neodymium(Dysprosium)-permanent magnets (Nd(Dy)-Fe-B Magnets) have necessity and potential to be recycled given their high criticality and important roles in various high-tech fields as well as the characteristics of being selectively disengaged from the assemblies in which they are used. This study focused on secondary material flow (downstream) of Nd(Dy)-Fe-B Magnets in South Korea. The quantitative information includes the primary data of each category (Emission - Collection - Disengagement - Resource Recovery - Remanufacturing) with domestic recycling situations of the magnets, which can contribute to more effective policy-making. As a result of the material flow analysis, this study provides the primary data of Nd and Dy at each stage and inhibiting factors (bottleneck) of Nd-Fe-B Magnets recycling and suggests the method for improvement of recycling of rare earth magnet.

There are a large number of the food companies in Gunsan National Industrial Complex, and the organic sludge generated in these industrial wastewater treatment plants are generally being dealt with ocean dumping methods. As this method will be prohibited from January 1, 2016, it is inevitable to select the method like the reclamation. All over the country, landfill is lacking, and become a target of public grievance since it is recognized as an abomination facility. Consequently it has problem to secure the new location. These reasons lead to increase the organic sludge disposal cost, and it needed to seek the economical and eco-friendly processing methods. This research is regarding the Solid Refuse Fuel technique which is dried and processed the organic sludge generated in Gunsan National Industrial Complex. With Solid Refuse Fuel technique, in the environmental, safety, efficiency and economical aspect, it can derive competitive production technology, promote the Solid Refuse Fuel business and finally build a nationwide network. Through this study, we can derive the optimal manufacturing process from the examination of properties of organic sludge and drying. CFBC is tested the efficiency of solid fuel by the combustion experiment. It is very significant that we develop the Solid Refuse Fuel technique with the sludge generated in food industrial waste treatment plant and derive new competitive manufacturing processes.

Ecological society and energy conservative systems has become a subject of world wide attention. To examine the technologies of such systems as resource recycling society, this study is proposed for using rainwater as energy source and water resources in urban area. Useful informations for planning of utilizing rainfall as energy source, water resources, emergency water and controlling flood are discussed with model systems in urban area. It is calculated that the rate of utilizing rainwater, amounts of utilizing rainwater, substitution rate of supply water, amounts of overflow rainwater according to rain storage tank volume. By applying the past weather data, The optimum volume of rain water storage was calculated as 200m3 which mean no benefits according to the increase of storage tank volumes. For optimum planing and control method at the model system, several running method of rainwater storage tank was calculated. The optimum operating method was the using weather data as 3hours weather forecast.