Inventors:
William V. Zajac - Clarence NY
Henry G. Kautz - Clarence NY
David J. Kautz - Williamsville NY
Arthur J. Bossert - Clarence NY
Sidney Cohen - Grand Island NY
Assignee:
Greatbatch Enterprises, Inc. - Clarence NY
International Classification:
H01M 650, H01M 1042, C01D 1500, C01G 2100
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for treating articles such as batteries in a manner permitting safe disposal thereof, each of the articles comprising a casing having reactive material therein, wherein the article casing is opened to allow access to the interior thereof, fluid is introduced to the interior of the opened casing, and any evolved gas is removed. The steps of opening the casing, introducing fluid and removing gas are performed simultaneously in a reaction vessel which is supplied with the fluid and which is in communication with gas collecting and scrubbing means. The reaction vessel preferably comprises a deluged hammermill and a tank. The hammermill is supplied with articles by a remotely fed conveyor and which discharges into a tank, fluid is supplied to the hammermill and to the tank, and the gas collecting and scrubbing means is in communication with both the hammermill and tank. The fluid preferably is water or an alkaline neutralizing solution. The gas scrubbing means can include a first stage for removing acid gases and a second stage serving as a demister.