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Regeneration of used batteries via electrode–electrolyte interphase dissolution

96 points · 23 comments · dgellow

  1. burnt-resistor · · focus · HN ↗
    This isn't really a viable technology because it requires careful invasive chemical injection into risky cell chemistries. Generally, liquid electrolyte and plastic separator NMC, LFP, and LiPo should be banned for all but hobby uses when far safer solid state cells with ceramic separators exist such as those offered by ProLogium. NMC are extremely dangerous under deflagration, and LFP create huge amounts of colorless and odorless hydrogen gas that has already blown up many improperly engineered buildings that used them and assumed they were "safe". Real solid state electrolyte chemistries tend to have much slower passivation growth than liquid chemistries.
    1. Tade0 · · focus · HN ↗
      > and LFP create huge amounts of colorless and odorless hydrogen gas

      Lead-acid batteries do that while being charged, so it's an engineering problem to solve, not some insurmountable challenge.

      1. SoftTalker · · focus · HN ↗
        I'd think that the hydrogen, being much lighter than air, will accumulate at the highest point in the room. Just be sure you have a vent there?
        1. rcostin2k2 · · focus · HN ↗
          An so, soon you'll be able to put a hydrogen cell into the system ...
        2. Tade0 · · focus · HN ↗
          Maybe. GP's comment about LFP is highly strange to me, as this type of batteries already passes the puncture test.

          Li-poly, which are in just about every electronic device, on the other hand...

          1. burnt-resistor · · focus · HN ↗
            Most LFP cells deflagrate under puncture releasing invisible copious hydrogen gas that may or may not ignite.

            <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;07BS6QY3wI8" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;07BS6QY3wI8

            <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pdfs.semanticscholar.org&#x2F;f9f4&#x2F;681cf6d36adc72ae643555e198ca78df1caa.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;pdfs.semanticscholar.org&#x2F;f9f4&#x2F;681cf6d36adc72ae643555...

            LiPo packs are rarely used in consumer electronics, they&#x27;re mostly used in toys and drones as individual pouch packs. NMC is the most common battery chemistry used in consumer electronics. You might be confused because NMC is available in packaging including prismatic, pouch, and cylindrical configurations.

        3. burnt-resistor · · focus · HN ↗
          No, that&#x27;s improper flammable gas management. Constant igniters need to be close enough to all cells to be effective in preventing the creation of a confined space bomb.

          <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;6LbBryib8yY" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;6LbBryib8yY

          <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;JWBt6nv8U58" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;youtu.be&#x2F;JWBt6nv8U58

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