WO2025193811A1 - Systems and methods for recovering electrolyte from alkaline batteries - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery includes contacting at least one cell component of a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction. The extract fraction comprises electrolyte in the DME. The electrolyte comprises at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte. The method also separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction. The method further includes removing the DME from the extract fraction and recovering the electrolyte from the extract fraction. Also disclosed is a system for recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTROLYTE FROM PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims priority to the United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No.63/564,190, filed March 12, 2024, for “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECOVERING ELECTROLYTE FROM ALKALINE BATTERY CELLS,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT This invention was made with government support under Contract No. DE-AC07- 05-ID14517 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for recovering organic and inorganic electrolytes from alkaline batteries. BACKGROUND As the global demand for electrification of transportation and clean energy technologies grows, the need for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions becomes increasingly crucial. Alkaline batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) have become central for this transition to clean energy due to their low self-discharge rate and long shelf life. The recycling technologies for alkaline batteries are primarily focused on the recovery of metals (e.g., copper, manganese, cobalt, and nickel) contained in the electrode component of the alkaline batteries. At present, the recycling technologies for alkaline batteries rely on disassembly of the batteries into components, followed by hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processing to recover the transition metals contained in the electrode component of the alkaline batteries. The recovery of transition metals is prioritized at the expense of recovering electrolytes of the alkaline batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common alkaline battery types, prevalent for powering everything from electronic consumer products to electronic vehicles, because of their high energy density and light weight. The electrolyte represents about 10% to 15% by weight based on a total weight of the lithium-ion battery, and about 20% of the raw material cost for the production of lithium-ion battery. While the electrolyte contains a valuable fraction of the lithium inventory, it is also an environmentally hazardous component of the lithium-ion battery. The electrolyte of the lithium-ion battery is generally a mixture of lithium-containing salts dissolved in organic solvents (e.g., ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate). A solvent-based treatment utilizing a combination of acetonitrile and sub-critical carbon dioxide has been reported for extraction of the electrolyte from a lithium-ion battery. However, the extract composition contains mainly the organic solvents and the decomposition products of the electrolyte, along with only trace amounts of electrolyte (e.g., lithium hexafluorophosphate). DISCLOSURE In the first aspect of the disclosure, a method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery is disclosed. The method includes contacting at least one cell component of a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction. The extract fraction comprises electrolyte in the DME. The electrolyte comprises at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte. The method also separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction. The method further includes removing the DME from the extract fraction and recovering the electrolyte from the extract fraction. In the second aspect of the disclosure, another method of recovering at least one electrolyte from an alkaline battery is disclosed. The method includes contacting a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction. The extract fraction comprises an electrolyte component of the deconstructed alkaline battery dissolved in the DME. The electrolyte component comprises the electrolyte and at least one electrolyte solvent. The method includes separating the extract fraction from the insoluble fraction and removing the DME from the extract fraction. The method also includes contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the removed DME an additional extract fraction. The method further includes recovering the electrolyte from the additional extract fraction. In the third aspect of the disclosure, a system for recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery is disclosed. The system includes an alkaline battery source configured to contain one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries therein. The system also includes a dimethyl ether (DME) source configured to contain DME therein. The system further includes an extraction apparatus configured to receive the one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries from the alkaline battery source and to receive the DME from the DME source. The extraction apparatus is further configured to contact the DME and the one or more deconstructed alkaline battery to produce an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction. The extract fraction comprises the electrolyte dissolved in the DME. The electrolyte comprises at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte. The extraction apparatus is further configured to separate the DME from the extract fraction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.1 is a simplified schematic view of a system for recovering an electrolyte from alkaline battery, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; FIG.2 is a block diagram of a method of recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; FIG.3 is the ¹H-NMR spectrum of the electrolyte component recovered from the lithium-ion battery by the method described in EXAMPLE 1; and FIG.4 is the ¹⁹F-NMR spectrum of the electrolyte component recovered from the lithium-ion battery by the method described in EXAMPLE 1. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Methods for recovering an electrolyte from an alkaline battery is disclosed. The method utilizes dimethyl ether to extract the electrolyte from the alkaline battery. The method incurs significantly lower energy expenditures, utilizes a much simpler process, provides a substantially increased recovery yield of the electrolyte, and generates a notably lower amount of environmental emissions compared to conventional technologies for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery. Systems for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery are also disclosed. The illustrations presented herein actual views of any systems or methods for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline batteries, but are merely the representations employed to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. The terms “comprise(s),” “comprising,” “include(s),” “including,” “having,” “has,” “contain(s),” “containing,” and variants thereof, as used herein, are open-ended transitional phrases that are meant to encompass the elements listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Where the term “comprising” is used, the disclosure also contemplates other embodiments “comprising,” “consisting of,” or “consisting essentially of” elements presented herein, whether explicitly set forth or not. The phrase “consist(s) of” or “consisting of,” as used herein, is a close-ended transitional phrase that is meant to encompass the elements listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, and to exclude any unlisted element. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded. Any numerical range recited herein includes all values from the lower value to the upper value. For example, if a concentration range is stated as 1% to 50%, it is intended those values such as 2% to 40%, 10% to 30%, or 1% to 3%, etc., are expressly enumerated in this specification. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between and including the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this disclosure. As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a pre- determined way. As used herein, the term reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, the parameter, property, or condition shall be at least greater than 50%, such as greater than about 51%, or from about 51% to about 60%, or from about 61% to about 70%, or from about 71% to about 80%, or from about 81% to about 90%. As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met. As used herein, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value. As used herein, the term “alkaline battery” includes Group I alkali metal battery, Group I alkali metal-ion battery, Group II alkaline earth metal battery, or Group II alkaline earth metal-ion battery. The alkaline battery may include, but is not limited to, a lithium metal battery, a lithium-ion metal battery, a sodium metal battery, and a sodium- ion metal battery. As used herein, the term “electrolyte” includes an organic electrolyte, an inorganic electrolyte, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term includes at least one electrolyte and at least one electrolyte solvent. As used herein, the term “electrode component” includes at least one anode and at least one cathode. As used herein, the term “deconstructed alkaline battery” means and includes an unsealed alkaline battery that its interior (e.g., cell components) is exposed, an alkaline battery that its components (e.g., an electrolyte component, an electrode component) have been taken apart and optionally reduced in size, an alkaline battery that its components have been taken apart and fractionated, or any combination thereof. As used herein, the term “cell component” or “cell components” refers to any component of the deconstructed alkaline battery including, but are not limited to, an electrolyte component, an electrode component, or a combination thereof. Generally, an alkaline battery includes an outer encasement which encloses an electrode component, an electrolyte component, and a separator. The electrode component is disposed in the electrolyte component and comprises at least one anode and at least one cathode. The separator is positioned between the anode(s) and the cathode(s) of the electrode component. The outer encasement is configured to inhibit (e.g., prevent, substantially prevent) leakage of the electrolyte component and/or any reaction/decomposition products thereof, from the alkaline battery. The outer encasement may be formed in various configurations including, but not limited to, discs, cylinders, squares, and rectangles. In some embodiments, the outer encasement includes a rigid material of construction (e.g., metals, metal alloys, lined metals, lined metal alloys, hard plastics). In additional embodiments, the outer encasement is formed of a pliable material of construction (e.g., plastic films, aluminum-coated plastic films), such as are utilized in the manufacture of pouch cells for use in some electric vehicles. The outer encasement may be formed of an electrically inert material which may also be resistant to the electrolyte component, which is corrosive, and/or any reaction/decomposition products of the electrolyte component, also potentially corrosive, contained therein. In some embodiments, internal surfaces of the outer encasement are lined with an electrically inert material which is resistant to the electrolyte component and/or any reaction/decomposition products contained therein. For the electrode component of the alkaline battery, the anode may be constructed of various materials including, but not limited to, natural graphite, synthetic graphite, lithium metal, lithium titanate, silicon, dioxide, hard carbon (e.g., for use in Na- ion batteries), and zinc. The cathode may be constructed of various materials such as, by way of example only, magnesium dioxide (MgO2) and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM). Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for use as the cathode of a lithium-ion battery include lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO2, NCM), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNi_0.8Co_0.15Al_0.05O₂, NCA), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4, LMO), and lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂, LCO). The electrolyte component of the alkaline battery may include at least one electrolyte and at least one electrolyte solvent. The electrolyte may be an organic electrolyte, an inorganic electrolyte, or a combination thereof. The electrolyte may include potassium hydroxide (KOH); sodium hydroxide (NaOH); lithium hydroxide (LiOH); lithium salts (e.g., lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄), lithium hexafluoroarsenate (LiAsF₆), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI)); sodium salts (e.g., sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF6), sodium perchlorate (NaClO4), sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF₄), sodium hexafluoroarsenate (NaAsF₆), sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI), sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (NaFSI)); or any combination thereof. The electrolyte solvent may be an organic solvent, such as a polar organic solvent. In some embodiments, such as in a lithium-ion battery, the electrolyte solvent includes an organic carbonate solvent. Non-limiting examples of the organic carbonate solvents are ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), vinylene carbonate (VC), or a combination thereof. The separator of alkaline battery may be constructed of an electrically inert material that is resistant to the electrolyte component, which is typically corrosive, and/or any reaction/decomposition products contained in the alkaline battery. In some embodiments, the separator is constructed of a synthetic polymeric resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The separator forms a physical barrier to inhibit (e.g., prevent, substantially prevent) direct contact between the anode(s) and the cathode(s) of the electrode component and to inhibit the direct flow of electrons (e-) between the anode(s) and the cathode(s). The separator may selectively allow ions (e.g., lithium ions) to pass therethrough. FIG.1 is a simplified schematic a system for recovering an electrolyte from an alkaline battery, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The alkaline battery may include a used (e.g., end of life) alkaline battery and/or an alkaline battery that exhibits performance properties below the desired specifications (e.g., a defective alkaline battery, a partially used alkaline battery). The alkaline battery may be intact or at least partially intact (e.g., deconstructed). The system 100 for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery includes an alkaline battery source 110, a dimethyl ether (DME) source 120, and an extraction apparatus 130. The alkaline battery source 110 may be a device, structure, or apparatus configured to contain one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries 115. In some embodiments, the alkaline battery source 110 includes one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries 115, wherein the outer encasements have been breached (e.g., cut, punctured) to at least partially expose the cell components enclosed therein. In additional embodiments, the alkaline battery source 110 includes one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries 115, wherein the outer encasements have been removed (e.g., partially removed, substantially removed, fully removed) to expose (e.g., partially expose, substantially expose, fully expose) the cell components enclosed therein. The deconstructed alkaline batteries 115 may include solid materials in the alkaline battery source 110. The DME source 120 may comprise a device, structure, or apparatus configured to contain DME 122 and to transfer at least a fraction of the DME 122 into the extraction apparatus 130. The DME 122 may be in a liquid state when it is transferred to and/or enters the extraction apparatus 130. The extraction apparatus 130 is configured to receive the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 from the alkaline battery source 110. When the outer encasement is completely removed from the deconstructed alkaline battery 115, at least some of the electrolyte component may be adhered to fractions of the outer encasement, in which case, the outer encasement may also be placed into the extraction apparatus 130. The extraction apparatus 130 is in fluid communication with the DME source 120 and is configured to receive the DME 122 from the DME source 120. The extraction apparatus 130 is also configured to contact the DME 122 received from the DME source 120 with the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115, which are received from the alkaline battery source 110. Unlike pyrometallurgical treatments, and some treatments, which are performed at highly elevated temperatures, the extraction apparatus 130 of the system 100 may be operated at a relatively lower temperature (e.g., from about 0°C to about 36°C) and under slightly elevated pressures (e.g., from about 202 kPa (2 atm) to about 1,010 kPa (10 atm), from about 303 kPa to about 808 kPa, from about 404 kPa to about 606 kPa, or from about 505 kPa to about 606 kPa) so as to maintain the DME 122 in the extraction apparatus 130 in a liquid state. In some embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 is operated at a pressure of from about 101 kPa to about 3,030 kPa (e.g., from about 202 kPa to about 2,020 kPa, from about 303 kPa to about 1,010 kPa, from about 404 kPa to about 808 kPa, from about 404 kPa to about 606 kPa, or from about 505 kPa to about 606 kPa) and a temperature of from about 20°C to about 25°C. In some embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 is configured to receive the DME 122 from the DME source 120 in an amount sufficient to submerge (e.g., partially submerge, substantially submerge, completely submerge) the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 in the DME 122. The exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 may be contacted with the DME 122 for a predetermined extraction period. In some embodiments, the predetermined extraction period may be from about 10 seconds to about 60 minutes, from about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, or from about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes. In further embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 is configured to circulate the DME 122 into contact with the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 during at least some of (e.g., a fraction of, a majority of, substantially all of) the predetermined extraction period. In some embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 comprises at least one device, structure, or apparatus configured and operated to facilitate contact between the DME 122 and the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 (e.g., the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115). As a non-limiting example, the extraction apparatus 130 may include a spray device configured to form and direct discrete fractions (e.g., drops, aerosol) of the DME 122 to facilitate interactions between the DME 122 and the deconstructed alkaline battery 115. As another non-limiting example, the extraction apparatus 130 may comprise a bubbler apparatus (e.g., a liquid bubbler apparatus) configured and operated to form and fractions (e.g., liquid droplets) of the DME 122 to facilitate interactions between the DME 122 and the deconstructed alkaline battery 115. In some embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 may include a sonication device configured and operated to facilitate or enhance interactions between the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 and the DME 122. In some embodiments, the extraction apparatus 130 comprises one or more device, structure, or apparatus configured to facilitate contact between the DME 122 and the deconstructed alkaline battery 115, and, optionally, to allow a counterflow of the DME and the solid materials (e.g., the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115) contained within the extraction apparatus 130. The DME 122 and the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 may be combined in the extraction apparatus 130. As a result of contacting the exposed cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 with the DME 122, an extract fraction 140 may be produced in the extraction apparatus 130, along with an insoluble fraction 150. The extract fraction 140 may include any cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 that is soluble in the DME 122. The extract fraction 140 may, for instance, include an electrolyte component of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115, which is dissolved in the DME 122. In some embodiments, the extract fraction 140 includes at least some of (e.g., a fraction of, a majority of, substantially all of) the electrolyte dissolved in the DME 122. The extract fraction 140 may also include one or more electrolyte solvents (e.g., organic solvent, polar organic carbonate solvent) dissolved into the DME 122. Furthermore, the extract fraction 140 may include any reaction/decomposition products of the electrolyte component that are dissolved into the DME 122. The reaction/decomposition products of the electrolyte component may be the decomposed products associated with solid electrolyte interphase, which may include diethyl carbonate, dimethyl-2,5-dioxahexane dicarboxylate, ethylmethyl-2,5-dioxahexane dicarboxylate, diethyl-2,5-dioxahexane dicarboxylate, or any combination thereof. The insoluble fraction 150 may include any cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery 115 that is substantially not soluble in the DME 122. The insoluble fraction 150 may include the electrode component (e.g., metals in the anode, metals in the cathode), the separator component, and optionally the outer encasement component. As shown in FIG.1, the insoluble fraction 150 may be removed from the extraction apparatus 130, while the extract fraction 140 remains in the extraction apparatus 130. The discharged insoluble 150 may be subjected to various processing acts to separate desired materials from the insoluble fraction 150. As a non- limiting example, the insoluble fraction 150 may be subjected to hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processing to recover the metals (e.g., copper, manganese, cobalt, and nickel) contained in the electrode component of the alkaline battery. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.1, the extract fraction 140 remaining in the extraction apparatus 130 includes an electrolyte component 160, any reaction/decomposition products of the electrolyte component 160 (referred herein as “decomposed products 170”), and the DME. The extraction apparatus 130 may be configured to cause a change in state (e.g., liquid to gas) of the DME contained therein. The change in state of the DME 122 may be effectuated by a change in temperature, a change in pressure, or a change in both temperature and pressure within the extraction apparatus 130. Therefore, after discharging the insoluble fraction 150 from the extraction apparatus 130, the temperature and/or the pressure in the extraction apparatus 130 may be adjusted to effectuate the change in state (e.g., liquid to gas) of the DME in the extract fraction 140 that remains inside the extraction apparatus 130. In some embodiments, after discharging the insoluble fraction 150 from the extraction apparatus 130, the temperature inside the extraction apparatus 130 is increased and/or the pressure inside the extraction apparatus 130 is decreased to cause the change in state of the DME from liquid DME to gaseous DME 125. Following the change in state, the gaseous DME may be separated from the extract fraction 140 and recovered from the extraction apparatus 130. The gaseous DME 125 may be recycled back to the DME source 120 and reused for the recovery of the electrolyte from the alkaline battery, e.g., after subjecting the gaseous DME 125 to a condensation process to change the state of DME from a gas (e.g., gaseous DME) to a liquid (e.g., liquid DME 122). After recovering the DME 125 from the extraction apparatus 130, the electrolyte component 160 and the decomposed products 170 may be removed from the extraction apparatus 130. The electrolyte component 160 may comprise at least one electrolyte 180 and at least one electrolyte solvent. The electrolyte 180 may subsequently be separated (e.g., isolated) from the electrolyte component 160. The isolated electrolyte 180 may be utilized in the manufacture of new alkaline batteries with minimal, if any, further processing. The electrolyte solvent(s) in the electrolyte component 160 may be subjected to further processing prior to final disposition (e.g., reuse, disposal). The decomposed products 170, of which the majority are state, may be subjected to further processing prior to being disposed from the system 100. FIG.2 presents a block diagram of a method for recovering an electrolyte from an alkaline battery, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The method 200 for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery includes contacting (210) one or more exposed cell component (e.g., an exposed electrolyte component) of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME. The components of the deconstructed alkaline battery may include an unsealed alkaline battery having its interior (e.g., cell components) exposed, an alkaline battery having its components (e.g., an electrolyte component, an electrode component) taken apart and optionally reduced in size, an alkaline battery having its components taken apart and fractionated, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the outer encasement of the alkaline battery is breached (e.g., cut, punctured) prior to contacting the exposed (e.g., partially exposed, substantially exposed, fully exposed) cell components (e.g., an electrolyte component, an electrode component) of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME. In some embodiments, the outer encasement of the alkaline battery is removed (e.g., partially removed, substantially removed, fully removed) prior to contacting the exposed (e.g., partially exposed, substantially exposed, fully exposed) cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME. The one or more exposed cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery may be contacted with DME at a temperature (e.g., from about 0°C to about 36°C) and a slightly elevated pressure (e.g., from about 202 kPa to about 1,010 kPa, from about 303 kPa to about 808 kPa, from about 404 kPa to about 606 kPa, or from about 505 kPa to about 606 kPa), to maintain the DME in a liquid state. The one or more exposed cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery may be contacted with the DME for from about 10 seconds to about 60 minutes, from about 2 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, or from about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes. Upon contacting the one or more exposed cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME, an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction are formed. The insoluble fraction may include any cell components of the deconstructed alkaline battery that are not soluble in the DME. The extract fraction may include at least a fraction of (e.g., a majority of, of) the electrolyte component initially present in the alkaline battery cell that is soluble in the DME, and optionally any decomposed products of the electrolyte component that are soluble in the DME. With continued reference to FIG.2, the method 200 includes separating 220 the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction. The insoluble fraction and extract fraction may be recovered by conventional techniques, such as using a centrifuge, distillation column, gravimetric separation unit, or filtration unit. Optionally, the method 200 may include recovering 230 any material of interest (e.g., metals initially presented in the electrode component of the alkaline battery) from the insoluble fraction. The method 200 includes removing 240 the DME from the extract fraction. This may be effectuated by a change (e.g., increase) in the temperature and/or a change (e.g., decrease) in the pressure of the extract fraction, resulting in a change of state of the DME from a liquid state to a gas state. The gaseous DME is then separated and recovered from the extract fraction. The method 200 includes returning (250) the DME for reuse. The DME may be reused for contact with the deconstructed alkaline battery to form a further extract fraction, wherein a concentration (e.g., weight percentage) of the electrolyte component in the further extract fraction is higher than a concentration (e.g., weight percentage) of the electrolyte component in the extract fraction. The returning (250) of DME for reuse may be repeated more than one time until the desired concentration (e.g., weight percentage) of the electrolyte component in the further extract fraction is achieved. Thereafter, the DME is removed from the further extract fraction. In some embodiments, the further extract fraction comprises a majority of the electrolyte that was initially present in the deconstructed alkaline battery. In additional embodiments, the further extract fraction comprises substantially all of the electrolyte that was initially present in the deconstructed alkaline battery. Still referring to FIG.2, the method 200 also includes separating (260) the electrolyte component from the extract fraction and/or the further extract fraction. The electrolyte component may comprise the electrolyte (e.g., an organic electrolyte and/or an inorganic electrolyte), as well as the electrolyte solvent, initially presented in the deconstructed alkaline battery. In some embodiments, the electrolyte component is substantially free of any decomposed products. In some embodiments, the electrolyte component comprises substantially all of the electrolyte initially present in the deconstructed alkaline battery. In some the electrolyte component comprises a majority of the electrolyte initially present in the deconstructed alkaline battery. In some embodiments, separating 260 the electrolyte component from the further extract fraction includes producing a residual fraction substantially free of the electrolyte. The method 200 further includes recovering 270 the electrolyte from the electrolyte component. The electrolyte may be recovered by conventional techniques, such as using a centrifuge, distillation column, gravimetric separation unit, or ultrafiltration unit. The recovered electrolyte may be used in newly-produced alkaline batteries. The method for recovering the electrolyte from the alkaline battery allows the electrolyte to be recovered from the alkaline battery at a significantly higher yield (e.g., a yield of 50% to 90% by weight based on a weight of the electrolyte initially presented in the alkaline battery), while utilizing a notably simpler process, generating a lower amount of environmental emission, and incurring substantially lower energy expenditures as compared to conventional technologies for recovering electrolyte from the alkaline battery. The following examples serve to explain embodiments of the disclosure in more detail. These examples are not to be construed as being exhaustive or exclusive as to the scope of this disclosure. EXAMPLES A cycled lithium-ion battery pouch used in the study was composed of a nickel- cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathode, a graphite anode, and an electrolyte component comprising lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) and a mixture of electrolyte solvents. The electrolyte solvents are ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (EMC), fluoroethylene carbonate(FEC), and vinylene carbonate(VC). A pouch container was removed from the cycled lithium-ion battery pouch to expose the anode, the cathode, the corresponding current collectors, the separator, and the electrolyte component of the cycled lithium-ion battery. The cycled lithium-ion battery included a volume of about 4 milliliters (mL) of the electrolyte component contained therein. The components of the lithium-ion battery, including the electrolyte component, were transferred to a reaction chamber. About 75 mL of liquid DME was added to the reaction chamber to immerse the the cycled lithium-ion battery in the liquid DME. The temperature in the reaction chamber was controlled at about 20°C, and the pressure was maintained at about 505 kPa (5 atm) to about 606 kPa (6 atm). The liquid DME was recirculated in the reaction chamber for about 30 minutes. A DME-rich liquid that contained dissolved electrolyte was then drained from the reaction chamber and exposed to atmospheric pressure to off-gas the DME, leaving a recovered extract. The characterization of the electrolyte recovered through DME extraction in the reaction chamber, as described above, indicated recovery of a significant fraction of intact electrolyte components. Atomic absorption spectroscopy of the recovered extract measured 4.07 grams per liter (g/L) of lithium. Furthermore, the recovered electrolyte was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. FIG.3 presents the results obtained for the ¹H NMR spectroscopy, which showed the presence of the electrolyte solvents (EC, EMC, FEC, and VC), along with the decomposed products of the electrolyte component. FIG.4 presents the results obtained for the ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, which showed the existence of the PF6 anion of LiPF6 salt and confirmed the presence of the FEC additive. It is believed that the successful extraction of electrolyte using liquefied DME was enabled by the exceptionally low surface tension of DME, which displaced the electrolyte contained in the pores of the electrodes. Specifically, water has a high surface tension of 72 millinewtons per meter (mN.m^-1) and although organic solvents have a lower surface tension (e.g., acetone at 24 mN.m^-1), DME has a surface tension of only 12 mN.m^-1. For comparison, the electrolyte solvents used in the alkaline battery cell have comparably higher surface tensions (e.g., DMC at 32 mN.m^-1, EMC at 29 mN.m^-1, EC and DMC at 40 mN.m^-1, EC and EMC at 35 mN.m^-1) and were expected to remain adhered within electrode structures, absent the DME extraction. The DME extraction of electrolyte was also believed to be enabled by the relatively high solubility of polar aprotic electrolyte solvents (e.g., EC and DMC) and their associated inorganic and organic salts in DME. The results of DME extraction of the cycled lithium-ion battery pouch, as measured by the extracted electrolyte mass and lithium concentration, suggested a recovery of about 50% to about 90% by weight of the electrolyte by weight based on a weight of the electrolyte initially presented in the alkaline battery, as well as lithium contained therein. The results further indicated that the DME extraction of electrolyte from the spent lithium-ion battery electrolyte (including both organic salt(s) and inorganic salt(s) of the electrolyte), as well as solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) components. Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are set forth below. Embodiment 1. A method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the method comprising: contacting at least one cell component of a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising the electrolyte in the DME, the electrolyte comprising at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte; separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction; removing the DME from the extract fraction; and recovering the electrolyte from the extract fraction. Embodiment 2. The method according to Embodiment 1, further comprising removing at least a fraction of an outer encasement of the alkaline battery to expose the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery. Embodiment 3. The method according to Embodiment 1, further comprising taking apart the alkaline battery to expose at least one of an electrolyte component and an electrode component of the deconstructed alkaline battery. Embodiment 4. The method according to Embodiment 3, further comprising fractioning at least one solid component of the alkaline battery to provide the deconstructed alkaline battery comprising the at least one cell component. Embodiment 5. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises dissolving the electrolyte in the DME. Embodiment 6. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction comprises forming the insoluble fraction substantially free of the electrolyte. Embodiment 7. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with liquid DME. Embodiment 8. The method to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein removing the DME from the extract fraction comprises effectuating a change in state of the DME from a liquid to a gas. Embodiment 9. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, further comprising using the removed DME for an additional contact with the extract fraction. Embodiment 10. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the DME with the deconstructed alkaline battery obtained from Group I alkali metal battery, Group I alkali metal-ion battery, Group II alkaline earth metal battery, or Group II alkaline earth metal-ion battery. Embodiment 11. The method according to any one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the DME with the deconstructed alkaline battery obtained from lithium metal battery, lithium-ion metal battery, sodium metal battery, or sodium-ion metal battery. Embodiment 12. A method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the method comprising: contacting a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising an electrolyte component of the deconstructed alkaline battery dissolved in the DME, the electrolyte component comprising the electrolyte and at least one electrolyte solvent; separating the extract fraction from the insoluble fraction; removing the DME from the extract fraction; contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the removed DME to form an additional extract fraction; and recovering the electrolyte from the additional extract fraction. Embodiment 13. The method according to Embodiment 12, wherein recovering the electrolyte from the additional extract fraction comprises: recovering the electrolyte component from the additional extract fraction; and isolating the electrolyte from the electrolyte component. Embodiment 14. The method according to Embodiment 13, wherein recovering the electrolyte component from the further extract fraction comprises recovering the electrolyte component substantially free of decomposition products of the electrolyte component, reaction products of the electrolyte component, or both. Embodiment 15. The method to any one of Embodiments 12 through 14, wherein contacting the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting at least one of an exposed electrolyte component and an exposed electrode component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME. Embodiment 16. The method according to any one of Embodiments 12 through 15, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction is repeated until the further extract fraction contains a desired concentration of the electrolyte. Embodiment 17. The method according to any one of Embodiments 12 through 16, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction comprises forming the further extract fraction containing substantially all of the electrolyte initially presented in the deconstruction alkaline battery. Embodiment 18. The method according to any one of Embodiments 12 through 17, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction comprises forming the further extract fraction containing a majority of the electrolyte initially presented in the deconstruction alkaline battery. Embodiment 19. A system for recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the system comprising: an alkaline battery source configured to contain one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries therein; a dimethyl ether (DME) source configured to contain DME therein; and an extraction apparatus configured to receive the one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries from the alkaline battery source and to receive the DME from the DME source, the extraction apparatus further configured to contact the DME and the one or more deconstructed alkaline battery to produce an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising the electrolyte dissolved in the DME, the electrolyte comprising at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte, the extraction apparatus further configured to separate the DME from the extract fraction. Embodiment 20. The system according to Embodiment 19, wherein the extraction apparatus is configured to cause a change in state of the DME contained therein from liquid DME to gaseous DME, after the insoluble fraction is removed from the extraction apparatus, to separate the DME from the extract fraction. While the disclosure is modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, the disclosure is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the following appended claims and their legal equivalent. For example, elements and features disclosed in relation to one embodiment may be combined with elements and features disclosed in relation to other embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

We claim: 1. A method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the method comprising: contacting at least one cell component of a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising the electrolyte in the DME, the electrolyte comprising at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte; separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction; removing the DME from the extract fraction; and recovering the electrolyte from the extract fraction. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising removing at least a fraction of an outer encasement of the alkaline battery to expose the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising taking apart the alkaline battery to expose at least one of an electrolyte component and an electrode component of the deconstructed alkaline battery. 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising fractioning at least one solid component of the alkaline battery to provide the deconstructed alkaline battery comprising the at least one cell component. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises dissolving the electrolyte in the DME. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein separating the insoluble fraction from the extract fraction comprises forming the insoluble fraction substantially free of the electrolyte. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with liquid DME. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein removing the DME from the extract fraction comprises effectuating a change in state of the DME from a liquid to a gas. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising using the removed DME for an additional contact with the extract fraction. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the DME with the deconstructed alkaline battery obtained from Group I alkali metal battery, Group I alkali metal-ion battery, Group II alkaline earth metal battery, or Group II alkaline earth metal-ion battery. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein contacting the at least one cell component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting the DME with the deconstructed alkaline battery obtained from lithium metal battery, lithium-ion metal battery, sodium metal battery, or sodium- ion metal battery. 12. A method of recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the method comprising: contacting a deconstructed alkaline battery with dimethyl ether (DME) to form an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising an electrolyte component of the deconstructed alkaline battery dissolved in the DME, the electrolyte component comprising the electrolyte and at least one electrolyte solvent; separating the extract fraction from the insoluble fraction; removing the DME from the extract contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the removed DME to form an additional extract fraction; and recovering the electrolyte from the additional extract fraction. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein recovering the electrolyte from the additional extract fraction comprises: recovering the electrolyte component from the additional extract fraction; and isolating the electrolyte from the electrolyte component. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein recovering the electrolyte component from the further extract fraction comprises recovering the electrolyte component substantially free of decomposition products of the electrolyte component, reaction products of the electrolyte component, or both. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 through 14, wherein contacting the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME comprises contacting at least one of an exposed electrolyte component and an exposed electrode component of the deconstructed alkaline battery with the DME. 16. The method according to any one of claims 12 through 15, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction is repeated until the further extract fraction contains a desired concentration of the electrolyte. 17. The method according to any one of claims 12 through 16, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction comprises forming the further extract fraction containing substantially all of the electrolyte initially presented in the deconstruction alkaline battery. 18. The method according to of claims 12 through 17, wherein contacting the extract fraction with at least one of the DME and the recovered DME to form the further extract fraction comprises forming the further extract fraction containing a majority of the electrolyte initially presented in the deconstruction alkaline battery. 19. A system for recovering electrolyte from an alkaline battery, the system comprising: an alkaline battery source configured to contain one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries therein; a dimethyl ether (DME) source configured to contain DME therein; and an extraction apparatus configured to receive the one or more deconstructed alkaline batteries from the alkaline battery source and to receive the DME from the DME source, the extraction apparatus further configured to contact the DME and the one or more deconstructed alkaline battery to produce an extract fraction and an insoluble fraction, the extract fraction comprising the electrolyte dissolved in the DME, the electrolyte comprising at least one of an organic electrolyte and an inorganic electrolyte, the extraction apparatus further configured to separate the DME from the extract fraction. 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the extraction apparatus is configured to cause a change in state of the DME contained therein from liquid DME to gaseous DME, after the insoluble fraction is removed from the extraction apparatus, to separate the DME from the extract fraction.