Nickel-metal hydride battery pollution degree

What is the environmental impact of nickel metal hydride batteries?

Though Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are considered to have less environmental impact than NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, the process of Nickel smelting, refining, and the production of the nickel-based liquid contained within Nickel Metal Hydride batteries has shown to cause extreme effects on the environment in Nickel mining areas.

Where do nickel metal hydride batteries come from?

The Nickel mined and harvested for use in Nickel Metal Hydride batteries comes mainly from the Nickel deposits in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The smoke-stack used in the process of refining Nickel in this area is considered the second largest in the world and can easily be seen from satellite space imagery.

What are nickel metal hydride batteries used for?

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are used today for applications that can assist in the adaptation toward carbon-neutral energy sources (i.e. hybrid vehicles and smart grids). Recovery of metals such as nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements (REEs) from discarded NiMH batteries is important for economic and/or technological reasons.

What happens if you slag a nickel hydride battery?

For example, anywhere from 10% to 20% of the total weight of nickel metal hydride batteries might be lost in the slag during the recycling of these batteries due to the presence of very reactive metals (chromium, aluminum, magnesium, vanadium, zirconium, titanium, rare earth elements) which are strong oxide formers and very difficult to reduce.

Do AA-sized NiCd batteries have a negative environmental impact?

The Effects of Recycling, Performance and Composition on the Environmental Impact Values for AA-Sized NiCd Batteries performance ranges, degree of recycling and the individual contributions made by the major battery metals. It is evident that high performance batteries have lower environment impacts than lower performance batteries.

Is nickel hydroxide an active material for rechargeable alkaline batteries?

Chemistry – A European Journal, 2008. 14(29): p. 8928-8938. Dou, S.X., J.B.D.H. Chen, and H.K. Liu, Nickel hydroxide as an active material for the positive electrode in rechargeable alkaline batteries. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 1999. 146(10): p. 3606-3612.