Process for the separation of components of scrap storage batteries

Claim 1

A process for the separation of scrap lead storage batteries and parts thereof in three parts, namely metallic components, paste and inactive material, essentially comprising: emptying from the batteries their sulphuric acid content; then crushing the batteries into pieces of sizes between 2 and 15 cm, apart from the paste which is detached; heating the pieces and paste at 35°-50° C., while tumbling them, until the paste reaches a humidity content of 2-7%, thereby neutralizing the residual acidity of the paste; then separating and recovering the dry paste from the materials from the preceding step by dry screening said materials using a screen having openings of size in the range of 2 to 30 mm; then feeding the residual material, substantially free of paste, into a separating zone containing an aqueous suspension of the paste, and having a density from 10 to 100% greater than that of the battery containers, and a pH regulated between 7 and 10, the pH and viscosity of the suspension being regulated by addition of sulphuric acid; removing as sink the metallic components and as float the inactive material; draining and washing the sink and float respectively, and recirculating the suspension of paste at the proper density to the separating zone.