Life Cycle Assessment of Nickel Cadmium Batteries

Rebecca Lankey, Francis McMichael, Chris Hendrickson and Lester Lave, Green Design Institute

Introduction

The use of rechargeable batteries is expected to continue growing with the increasing prevalence of laptop computers, cellular phones, and other portable electronic devices. Nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries are widely used in these applications, and they represent a large volume of toxic and hazardous materials in common use. Currently there are no adequate substitutes for the toxic and hazardous materials used in these batteries. While the management of automobile lead acid batteries is well-established, that of NiCd batteries is still in the formative stage.

Problem Statement

Currently there is little standardization of the distribution, use, collection, disposal, or recycling of rechargeable batteries. Government regulations concerning waste batteries are varied. NiCd batteries are currently one of the few types that have a commercially viable recycling process in operation. This research will investigate the current management procedures for the toxic and hazardous materials used in NiCd batteries in the various stages of life and will investigate the alternatives for managing their toxic materials. This will make possible an evaluation of the current policies and associated practices for managing these batteries.

Proposed Approach:

The assessment of the life cycle stages will primarily focus on materials management during the recycling of NiCd batteries. The life cycle analysis (LCA) will also include tracing the material flows through the materials acquisition and manufacturing processes, the application and use of batteries, and any disposal. A materials mass balance of a facility recycling NiCd batteries will be conducted. NiCd recycling will be examined by using a materials accounting or mass balance approach, following the inputs and outputs of key materials. The issues of technology, economics, and regulations relevant to current NiCd recycling processes will be examined. The feasibility of recycling large volumes of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries by the same process will also be considered. The materials management for NiCd batteries will also be compared and contrasted to that of lead acid batteries.

Application:

This study of NiCd battery management will provide a framework for future technological and policy decisions and research concerning management of the toxic materials used in batteries. A variety of empirical data sources will be used for this study, including industrial case studies, environmental reports of toxic materials (RCRA and TRI reports), and census data. Similar studies can be conducted for other rechargeable battery technologies which do not currently have well-established recycling processes, such as zinc-air, sodium-sulfur, or lithium-type batteries.

For more information contact:

Francis McMichael
Phone: (412) 268-8365

Email: fm2a@cmu.edu

Financial Support:

AT&T Foundation
Green Design Consortium
IBM Environmental Research Program
National Science Foundation