Greatbatch Enterprises, Inc.

Arthur J Bossert

David J Kautz

Sidney Cohen

Henry G Kautz

William V Zajac, Jr

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. Liquid is withdrawn from the tank, filtered to remove solids and then returned. A portion of the returned liquid is supplied to the hammermill, an another portion is passed through a heat exchanger for cooling and then returned to the tank.

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Clarence, NY, United States of America

Arthur J Bossert