Spent lend acid batteries are a rich source for the production of secondary
lead. Pyrometallurgical operation currently practised exploiting this reso
urce produces a lot of emission of oxides of sulphur and lead particulates
causing atmospheric pollution. This paper examines an alternative approach
for the extraction of lead avoiding environmental hazards. Lead in the comp
ound form is not amenable for recycling to a large extent. This investigati
on is concerned particularly with recovery of lead from non-metallic portio
n of the spent battery plates viz. lead sulphate and lead dioxide of active
material. Lead was extracted as fluoborate and aspects like desulphurisati
on, reduction and leaching were examined for maximum recovery. Finally lead
was electrowon from the lead fluoborate solution.