Postgraduate Diploma in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery
Online 800-hour postgraduate diploma in hydrometallurgical recycling and cathode recovery. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Directive 2008/98/EC on the waste framework and HSC Chemistry. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe lithium-ion battery recycling routes.
Design pretreatment processes and black mass production.
Optimise the leaching of cathode materials.
Apply metal purification and separation techniques.
Recover battery-grade products.
Evaluate the direct recycling of cathodes.
Size a recycling plant using economic and environmental criteria.
Who it's for
- Hydrometallurgical process engineer who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- Process chemist who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- Recycling plant engineer who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- Environmental manager who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- R&D engineer in recycling who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- Analytical laboratory technician who wants to specialise in Hydrometallurgical Recycling and Cathode Recovery.
- Graduates in engineering or science looking to enter battery recycling.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
- Directive 2008/98/EC on the waste framework
- Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions
- ADR
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 REACH
- ISO 14040
- ISO 14044
8 modules · 800 h
1.1End-of-life vehicle battery flows1.2Composition of NMC, NCA and LFP cells1.3Economic value of recoverable metals1.4EU recycling efficiency targets1.5Pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and direct routes1.6Collection and transport of used batteries1.7Preliminary diagnosis and classification1.8Safety risks in handling1.9Producer obligations in collection1.10Workshop: value balance of a 60 kWh pack
2.1Safe discharge of batteries and modules2.2Manual and automated dismantling2.3Shredding in an inert atmosphere2.4Magnetic and density separation2.5Screening and black mass production2.6Thermal removal of the PVDF binder2.7Electrolyte recovery2.8Chemical characterisation of black mass2.9Control of copper and aluminium impurities2.10Practical: black mass characterisation by ICP
3.1Acid leaching with sulphuric acid3.2Role of hydrogen peroxide as a reducing agent3.3Kinetics and leaching variables3.4Organic acids as an alternative3.5Leaching of LFP cathodes3.6Extraction yields by metal3.7Leaching reactor design3.8Gas and foam management3.9Filtration of graphite residue3.10Laboratory: leaching of NMC with H2SO4 and H2O2
4.1Precipitation of iron and aluminium4.2Copper cementation4.3Solvent extraction with Cyanex 2724.4Separation of cobalt and nickel4.5Selective ion-exchange resins4.6pH control at each stage4.7Speciation diagrams4.8Reagent management4.9Purity required for batteries4.10Case study: purification flow diagram
5.1Crystallisation of nickel sulphate5.2Crystallisation of cobalt sulphate5.3Precipitation of lithium carbonate5.4Production of lithium hydroxide5.5Co-precipitation of precursors5.6Battery-grade specifications5.7Graphite recovery5.8Wastewater treatment5.9Valorisation of by-products5.10Practical: lithium carbonate yield calculation
6.1Principle of direct recycling6.2Separation of the active material6.3Hydrothermal re-lithiation of degraded cathodes6.4Solid-state re-lithiation6.5Upcycling of older chemistries6.6Characterisation of regenerated cathodes6.7Energy and economic advantages6.8Limitations at industrial scale6.9Research lines and pilot projects6.10Case study: LFP regeneration
7.1Hydrometallurgical plant design7.2Mass and energy balances7.3Operating costs7.4Life cycle assessment7.5Water consumption and water footprint7.6Integrated environmental permit for the plant7.7Industrial safety and fire prevention7.8Existing plants in Europe7.9Business models7.10Workshop: mass balance for 10,000 t per year
8.1Definition of raw material8.2Process flow diagram8.3Material balance8.4Equipment selection8.5Effluent management8.6Economic viability of the process8.7Environmental impact and life cycle8.8Start-up schedule8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus, METSIM, OLI Studio, SimaPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies cover real procedures for designing black mass leaching processes, purifying nickel and cobalt solutions and economically evaluating recycling plants. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe lithium-ion battery recycling routes.
Design pretreatment processes and black mass production.
Optimise the leaching of cathode materials.
Apply metal purification and separation techniques.
Recover battery-grade products.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses HSC Chemistry, Aspen Plus, METSIM, OLI Studio and SimaPro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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