battery identification and classification
DESCRIPTION
Battery Identification and Classification. James Neely 2013 NAHMMA Northwest Regional Conference . Topics. Standardized marking Which batteries classify as hazardous/dangerous waste Age of batteries Mercury content from old/counterfeit batteries Lithium coin vs alkaline button cells. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
BATTERY IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION
James Neely2013 NAHMMA Northwest Regional Conference
• Standardized marking• Which batteries classify as
hazardous/dangerous waste• Age of batteries• Mercury content from
old/counterfeit batteries• Lithium coin vs alkaline button
cells
TOPICS
• The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) develops standards that contain standard marking requirements for batteries
• From IEC 60086-1:
STANDARDS
Most battery types will start with a two-letter code as developed by the IECPrimary Batteries
STANDARD NOMENCLATURE
Rechargeable Batteries
Letter Code ChemistryR* Carbon zincBR, CR, FR LithiumLR AlkalinePR, ZR Zinc airSR Silver oxide
Letter Code ChemistryHR Nickel metal
hydrideKR Nickel cadmium
*The R is common in all types and means cylindrical. The Carbon Zinc types contain only the R as they are referred to as the no-letter-system batteries.
Classification
Battery type Appearance Hazardous waste?
Alkaline May be cylindrical or button Not if low- mercury
Carbon Zinc Cylindrical No Mercuric-oxide button
Mercuric-oxide button batteries are not easily distinguished from other button batteries. Banned 1996. Yes
Silver-oxide button
Silver-oxide button batteries are difficult to distinguish from mercuric-oxide buttons. Yes
Zinc-air button Button No* Lithium May be cylindrical or button. Yes *May contain added mercury at low levels
Reputable batteries made after 1992/1993 are mercury free
How to tell? Batteries with metal labels (except 9V)
will be pre-1990 Batteries with green trees or other
environmental marking will be mercury free
More than 99% of batteries in the waste stream today are mercury free
Best if used-by dates Typically 5-7 years
MERCURY CONTENT / BATTERY AGE
Metal Label Plastic Label
Best if Used By
Date
The graph below represents the mercury content of batteries in parts per million in the waste stream as sampled at four US locations.
The weighted average for 2011 is 27.3 ppm.
MERCURY REDUCTION
• Counterfeits and Knockoffs are a concern but less so in North America
• They can contain mercury or be mislabeled (carbon zinc batteries posing as alkaline)
COUNTERFEITS
• 90% or more of lithium coin cells will be 20 mm or greater in diameter, while other chemistries tend to be smaller
• The best bet is the refer the CR/BR marking (lithium) vs the LR, PR or SR marking for the button types
• Nearly all button types will be 11.6 mm in diameter or less
LITHIUM COIN VS. BUTTON CELLS
ButtonLithium Coin
Mercury Free Button Batteries
• Alkaline types (including button cells) can get hot when sorted but do not pose a fire hazard
• Lithium batteries, due to risk of short circuit, can get hot and pose a risk of fire, especially coin cells
• Mixed cells (alkaline and lithium) can pose a fire hazard due to short circuit of the lithium types but the risk is substantially less than with exclusively lithium types
HAZARDS OF SORTED BATTERIES
Sorting is Half the Cost of Managing Batteries