Vinay Kumar

Bio: Vinay Kumar is an academic researcher from Jadavpur University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Leaching (metallurgy) & Hydrometallurgy. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 59 publications receiving 1080 citations. Previous affiliations of Vinay Kumar include Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Remediation options for the treatment of electroplating and leather tanning effluent containing chromium—a review

Abstract: Chromium used in the electro plating and tanning industries causes environmental pollution through the generation of effluent. Various methods such as precipitation–flocculation coupled with pre/post-oxidation, reduction, and concentration are often employed to control environmental pollution. Though these techniques, referred to as “removal–disposal,” serve the purpose of satisfying water pollution norms, they produce solid residues containing Cr(OH)3 as the sludges, which are usually dumped as landfill. Besides the possibility of mobility of the metal as Cr(VI) by the biological and chemical oxidation, the dumping of sludges also leads to the loss of metal values exerting pressure on the corresponding primary reserves. Therefore, processes based on “recovery–reuse” are now being increasingly projected and used. In this article, streams/wastes containing chromium relevant to electroplating have been identified and the applicability of conventional and promising techniques to treat such substances have be...

A Critical Review and Analysis on the Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract: Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has attracted significant attention in recent years due to the increasing demand for corresponding critical metals/materials and growing pressure on the environmental impact of solid waste disposal. A range of investigations have been carried out for recycling spent LIBs to obtain either battery materials or individual compounds. For the effective recovery of materials to be enhanced, physical pretreatment is usually applied to obtain different streams of waste materials ensuring efficient separation for further processing. Subsequently, a metallurgical process is used to extract metals or separate impurities from a specific waste stream so that the recycled materials or compounds can be further prepared by incorporating principles of materials engineering. In this review, the current status of spent LIB recycling is summarized in light of the whole recycling process, especially focusing on the hydrometallurgy. In addition to understanding different hydromet...

Toward sustainable and systematic recycling of spent rechargeable batteries

Abstract: Ever-growing global energy needs and environmental damage have motivated the pursuit of sustainable energy sources and storage technologies. As attractive energy storage technologies to integrate renewable resources and electric transportation, rechargeable batteries, including lead–acid, nickel–metal hydride, nickel–cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries, are undergoing unprecedented rapid development. However, the intrinsic toxicity of rechargeable batteries arising from their use of toxic materials is potentially environmentally hazardous. Additionally, the massive production of batteries consumes numerous resources, some of which are scarce. It is therefore essential to consider battery recycling when developing battery systems. Here, we provide a systematic overview of rechargeable battery recycling from a sustainable perspective. We present state-of-the-art fundamental research and industrial technologies related to battery recycling, with a special focus on lithium-ion battery recycling. We introduce the concept of sustainability through a discussion of the life-cycle assessment of battery recycling. Considering the forecasted trend of a massive number of retired power batteries from the forecasted surge in electric vehicles, their repurposing and reuse are considered from economic, technical, environmental, and market perspectives. New opportunities, challenges, and future prospects for battery recycling are then summarized. A reinterpreted 3R strategy entailing redesign, reuse, and recycling is recommended for the future development of battery recycling.