Zero Added Mercury (<.025% by weight mercury): The batteries are shredded and given a slight acid bath to neutralize the electrolyte
Zero Added Mercury (<.025% by weight mercury): The batteries are shredded and given a slight acid bath to neutralize the electrolyte. This material is run through a rotary kiln to dry. At this point, carbon steel turnings are blended in at a ratio of 20-40 parts to 1 part of battery material. This blended material is pressed into bricks which are magnetic. This material is transported to a steel mill for processing. In the furnace of the steel mill, the zinc from the battery is fumed off into a vacuum baghouse for recovery and resale as zinc-oxide. The manganese dioxide becomes an alloy in the production of re-bar steel.
Unknown levels of Mercury (>.025% by weight mercury): These batteries were manufactured prior to July 1992. It's assumed by now that the bulk of this type of battery has found its way into the solid waste stream. The recommended management for these batteries is mercury retort.
