RECOVERY OF POTASSIUM FROM SPENT ALKALINE BATTERIES USING WATER

Abstract

Spent alkaline batteries represent a growing solid-waste concern in Ghana and across Africa, yet they contain recoverable secondary resources. This study investigates the hydrometallurgical recovery of potassium from spent alkaline batteries using water as a leachant — a green approach that avoids the use of harsh acids or bases. Batteries were dismantled, the cathode and anode materials separated, and water leaching experiments conducted at varying solid-to-liquid ratios, temperatures, and contact times. The leachate was characterized by ICP-OES to determine potassium concentration and recovery efficiency. Preliminary results demonstrate that water leaching is a viable, low-cost method for potassium extraction, with recovery rates exceeding 80% under optimized conditions. The recovered potassium-bearing solution may be further processed for fertilizer applications or chemical synthesis, contributing to circular economy principles in battery waste management.