Understanding “Batteries per Day” in Real Terms
The daily capacity of a lithium battery recycling line is usually measured in tons per day, not in the number of batteries, because lithium batteries vary enormously in size, chemistry, and weight. A single phone battery might weigh 40–60 grams, while an e-bike pack can weigh several kilograms, and an EV module can weigh tens of kilograms. For that reason, when someone asks “How many lithium batteries can a line process per day?”, the most accurate answer starts with the line’s throughput (for example, 500 kg/day, 2 tons/day, or 10 tons/day) and then converts that mass into an estimated battery count based on the specific feedstock mix.
Typical Throughput Ranges for Recycling Lines
Small, semi-automated lines that focus on pre-treatment—discharging, dismantling, shredding, and sorting—often process around 0.5–2 tons per day under stable conditions. Mid-size industrial lines may reach 3–10 tons per day, especially when the input is relatively uniform, such as consistent e-bike packs or production scrap from battery factories. Large, fully integrated facilities can go beyond that, but the “per day” number depends heavily on how many hours the plant runs, how often it stops for maintenance, and how strict the safety checks are for mixed or damaged batteries.
Converting Tons per Day into Battery Counts
To estimate “batteries per day,” divide the line’s daily tonnage by the average battery weight. For example, a 2-ton/day (2,000 kg/day) pre-treatment line processing mostly smartphone batteries at 50 grams each could theoretically handle about 40,000 units per day (2,000 ÷ 0.05). The same line processing laptop batteries at 300 grams each would handle about 6,600 units per day. If the input is e-bike batteries averaging 3 kg each, capacity becomes roughly 650 packs per day. For EV modules averaging 25 kg each, that drops to about 80 modules per day. These are simplified calculations, but they illustrate why battery type matters more than the headline tonnage.
What Limits Daily Processing Capacity
In practice, the limiting steps are often safe discharging, sorting by chemistry (LFP vs NMC, for instance), and handling damaged or swollen units. Mixed streams slow everything down because operators must separate materials and remove contaminants like steel casings, plastics, and wiring harnesses. Moisture control and dust collection can also reduce speed, since the line must maintain safe oxygen levels and prevent thermal events during shredding.
How to Get a Reliable Capacity Estimate
To get a realistic “batteries per day” figure, define your feedstock (phone cells, mixed consumer packs, e-bike packs, EV modules, or factory scrap), list the average unit weight, and confirm the planned operating schedule (8, 16, or 24 hours). With those details, equipment suppliers can provide a credible range rather than a single optimistic number, and you can size staffing, storage, and downstream refining accordingly. Visiting: https://www.solutionsforewaste.com/product/lithium-battery-recycling-machine-price/
Leave a Reply