Recovery of manganese from zinc alkaline batteries by reductive acid leaching using carbohydrates as reductant

Acid leaching of manganese from the powders of exhausted zinc alkaline batteries has been studied using carbohydrates as reducing agents. A mono-saccharide (glucose) and a di-saccharide (lactose) have been tested, the second as a template of industrial wastes. Manganese leaching was complete in the presence of both carbohydrates, along with zinc. Data from the factorial test with lactose have been analysed with ANOVA. The most significant effects for manganese extraction were sulphuric acid concentration, temperature, and lactose concentration.