Lipo Disposal

[scallybert]

Actually no, a discharged pack is not a safe pack at all. The liquid electrolyte they contain will hydrolyze on contact with oxygen and form HF (hydrogen fluoride) which is a very very nasty chemical indeed. On contact with the skill it will penetrate the epidermal layer and kill nerve endings, get enough of it on your skin and it will kill you. It's a similar story with the gasses they expel when punctured or when they experience an runaway thermal reaction. Please do not mess about with lipo packs, treat them with respect and dispose of them responsibly!

Isn't it contact with water that produces HF ?

Worrying as people suggest disposing of them in water..!

[brin]

I was told salted water.Does the salt neutralize the electrolyte

[Skipper Billy]

Here's a guided tour of my salt water lipo disposal facility - billions of litres available for anyone that wants some.... ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4h9MeuTZ24

[MartynGT4]

Isn't it contact with water that produces HF ?

Worrying as people suggest disposing of them in water..!

Apologies, I believe you are correct, it is the presence of moisture that causes the organic electrolyte to hydrolyze and form HF. The danger is likely to be much higher if the electrolyte comes into contact with your skin, which obviously contains moisture. Either way, the organic electrolyte these packs contain is not nice and should be treated with respect. My friend is an doctor in electrochemistry who specialises in battery technology, I will get his advice re the safest method of disposal and get back to you all.

[brin]

Martyn that would be great as we all would like to know for sure the correct way to dispose of them.thanks

Apologies, I believe you are correct, it is the presence of moisture that causes the organic electrolyte to hydrolyze and form HF. The danger is likely to be much higher if the electrolyte comes into contact with your skin, which obviously contains moisture. Either way, the organic electrolyte these packs contain is not nice and should be treated with respect. My friend is an doctor in electrochemistry who specialises in battery technology, I will get his advice re the safest method of disposal and get back to you all.

[Toolman]

I think that shops that sell batteries have to have facilities to dispose of them.
I would suggest discharging them with a resister across the terminals for few days & try taking them to say your nearest Halfords.

Tim.

[scallybert]

If you're at home, the council recycling facilities seem the obvious choice.

What's far more of an issue are packs damaged at the field.

The pack is compromised. You don't want it in your car/etc like that.

Assuming you can transport it, I'm not sure how to dispose of it.

[p4ddy]

I do like the send them to MacDonalds idea