Huan Li (李欢)

Huan Li (李欢)

About Me

My research focuses on the extraction, separation, and recovery of critical, base, and precious metals from both natural mineral resources and anthropogenic solid waste streams. Driven by the global imperatives of energy transition and decarbonization, my work is dedicated to developing environmentally benign, clean, and efficient extraction metallurgy technologies and processes. The research is guided by objectives of non-toxic/low-toxicity reagents, low energy consumption, shortened process routes, minimal waste generation, and economic feasibility. This involves two key innovation directions:

  1. Upgrading traditional inorganic acid hydrometallurgy systems through method innovation and process optimisation.
  2. Developing next-generation green hydrometallurgical approaches that integrate cutting-edge sustainable technologies.

Research Interests

  • Battery and energy metals extraction & refining from primary resources (lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, gold, PGMs, etc.)
  • Sustainable recycling of metal-bearing solid waste (e-waste, solar PV modules, EV batteries, etc.)

Education

  • 2017 - 2021 Ph.D. in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering
    Curtin University
    Thesis: “Sustainable recovery of base and precious metals from waste printed circuit boards using alkaline glycine processes”

  • 2020 - 2021 Industry Mentee – Mining and Metallurgy
    Industry Mentoring Network in STEM (IMNIS), Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

  • 2016 - 2017 Ph.D. Program in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering (withdrawn)
    City University of Hong Kong

  • 2013 - 2016 M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering (by research)
    Fuzhou University
    Thesis: “Investigation of LiFePO4-based spent lithium-ion battery for the recovery of valuable metals”

  • 2009 - 2013 B.Eng. in Pharmaceutical Engineering
    North Minzu University

Academic Services

Early-Career Editor Board

Guest Editor

  • Special Issue for Minerals (IF: 2.2, JCR Q2)
  • Special Issue for Sustainability (IF: 3.3, JCR Q2)

Conference Services

  • Committee Member, 14th International Conference on Process Hydrometallurgy (Santiago, Chile)
  • Committee Member, 15th International Conference on Process Hydrometallurgy (Santiago, Chile)

As Reviewer

  • Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems (Mitacs), Canada
  • Ad hoc reviewer for about 30 academic journals

Conference Presentations

  1. Li H. (speaker), Xie W., Gu J., Yuan H., Eksteen J., Hydrometallurgical recovery of silver, aluminium and silicon from photovoltaic cells using benign reagents. International Symposium on Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability (PVRS26), 21-23 April 2026, Sydney, Australia.
  2. Li H. (speaker), Gu J., Xie W., Xie J., Yuan H., Eksteen J., Sustainable Recovery of Silver from Waste Photovoltaic Cells Using Alpha-Amino Acids. 2025 International Conference on Resource Sustainability (icRS 2025), 15-18 July 2025, Adelaide, Australia.
  3. Li H. (speaker), Oraby E., Eksteen J., Xie W., Gu J., Yuan H., Application of alkaline amino acid leaching systems in the hydrometallurgical recycling of e-waste. 17th International Symposium on East Asian Resources Recycling Technology, 1-4 November 2024, Changsha, China.
  4. Li H. (speaker), Oraby E., Eksteen J., Process Development for Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Base and Precious Metals from Waste Printed Circuit Boards. 27th ALTA Metallurgical Conference, 1-4 May 2023, Perth, Australia.
  5. Li H. (speaker), Eksteen J., Kuang G., Guo H., Overview of lithium recovery from hard rocks using fluorochemical processes: Our experiences in a decade. Lithium Battery and Energy Metals Conference, 1-2 September 2021, Perth, Australia.
  6. Li H. (speaker), Eksteen J., Ge K., Recovery of lithium from mineral resources: State-of-the-art and perspectives. International Lithium and Battery Metals Conference, 3-4 July 2019, Perth, Australia.

Publications

For a full list of my publications, please refer to my Google Scholar profile.

2026

  1. Xie, W., Li, H., Wu, B., Xie, J., Gu, J., Peng, H., Yuan, H., Chen, Y. Recycling of crystalline‑silicon photovoltaic modules in China: Policies, technologies and prospects. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2026, 64: 37-55.
  2. Liu, Z., Gu J., Li H., Liu G., Wu Y., Tian S., Yang J., Yuan H., Chen Y. Nucleation of battery-grade Li2CO3 driven by nanobubbles for spent battery recycling. Small, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202512703.
  3. Li, H. China’s emerging wave of PV end-of-life: Policies, technologies and market dynamics. PV Tech Power, 2026, 45: 22-25.
  4. Xue, J., Li, H., Xie, W., Lu, C., Wang, C., Peng, H., Gu, J., Yuan, H. and Chen, Y., 2026. From proton attack to coordination-driven leaching: Mechanistic and closed-loop insights for organic-acid recycling of retired NCM batteries. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, p.123687.
  5. Song, D.Q., Dong, S.H., Zhou, L.L., Si, Z.A., Geng, S.B., Li, H. and Guo, H., 2026. A source-reduction process via mechanical activation assisted K2SO4 roasting and closed-loop recycling of potassium salt for efficient lithium extraction from lepidolite. Chemical Engineering Journal, p.179388.

2025

  1. Li, H., Wang, L., Oraby, E., & Eksteen, J. Machine-learning-assisted optimization of glutamate leaching followed by sulfide precipitation for base metal recovery from waste printed circuit boards. Green and Smart Mining Engineering, 2025, 2: 413-426.
  2. Wang, R., Li, H., Xie, W., Xie, J., Gu, J., Wang, S., & Yuan, H. A novel method of copper leaching from waste printed circuit boards using aliphatic organic amines: A comparative study. Separation and Purification Technology, 2026, 384, 136157.
  3. Wang, C., Wang, L., Yu, H., Li, H., Ren, J., & Shon, H. K. Integrating machine learning and transfer learning for data-driven prediction of lithium and rubidium adsorption. Separation and Purification Technology, 2026, 382, 2: 135907.
  4. 谢文浩; 李欢; 谢建军; 顾菁; 袁浩然; 退役晶体硅光伏电池碱法回收工艺研究, 中南大学学报(自然科学版), 2025, 56, 8: 3560-3569.
  5. Xie, W., Li, H., Xie, J., Gu, J., Yuan, H., & Eksteen, J. Sustainable recovery of silver from crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells using non-toxic ɑ-amino acids. Separation and Purification Technology, 2026, 380, 1: 135162.
  6. Zhang, H., Dong, S., Chen, W., Shi, X., Li, H., Jin, X., Guo, H. and Long, H.; A Sustainable Hydrometallurgy Protocol of Ultrasonic-Assisted Leaching and Multi-Stage Separation for Recovery of Critical Metals from Spent NCM Lithium-Ion Batteries, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2025, 202, A: 107716.
  7. Li, H., Oraby, E., Eksteen, J., Xie, W., Gu, J. and Yuan, H.; Extraction of precious metals from waste printed circuit boards using alkaline ferricyanide solutions: An exploratory study, Minerals Engineering 2025, 222: 109144 (IF=5, JCR Q1).
  8. Li, H., Oraby, E. and Eksteen, J.; An alternative amino acid leaching of base metals from waste printed circuit boards using alkaline glutamate solutions: A comparative study with glycine, Separation and Purification Technology, 2025, 356, B: 129953 (IF=9, JCR Q1).
  9. Yang, Y., Zhang, H., Kuang, G., Li, H., Guo, H., Jin, X., Gan, M. and Long, H.; Ultrasonic-assisted alkali leaching coupled gas sorting process to separate cathode and anode materials from spent LiFePO4 batteries, Chemical Engineering and Processing-Process Intensification, 2025, 209: 110207.

2024

  1. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Application of nanofiltration for the recovery of nickel glycinates from alkaline glycine-based solutions using polyamide membranes: A technical note, Hydrometallurgy, 2024, 228: 106368 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1).

2023

  1. Elsayed Oraby; Huan Li; Zixian Deng; Jacques Eksteen; Selective extraction of Ni and Co from a pyrrhotite-rich flotation slime using an alkaline glycine-based leach system. Minerals Engineering, 2023, 203: 108330.
  2. Elsayed Oraby; Zixian Deng; Huan Li; Jacques Eksteen; Selective extraction of nickel and cobalt from disseminated sulfide flotation cleaner tailings using alkaline glycine-ammonia leaching solutions. Minerals Engineering,2023, 204: 108418.
  3. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; G. A. Bezuidenhout; Jacques Eksteen; The Leaching of Palladium from Polymetallic Oxide Ores using Alkaline Ferricyanide Solutions, Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. Rev., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1080/08827508.2023.2243013(IF=4.6, JCR Q1).

2022

  1. Huan Li; Zixian Deng; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Amino acids as lixiviants for metals extraction from natural and secondary resources with emphasis on glycine: A literature review. Hydrometallurgy 2022, 216: 106008 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1).
  2. Huan Li; Elsayed A. Oraby; Jacques J. Eksteen; Development of an integrated glycine-based process for base and precious metals recovery from waste printed circuit boards, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2022, 187: 106631 (IF=10.9, JCR Q1).
  3. Zixian Deng; Elsayed Oraby; Huan Li; Jacques Eksteen; Extraction of Copper from Chalcopyrite Using Alkaline Glycine–Ammonia Solutions, Minerals, 2022, 12 (12): 1507.
  4. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Extraction of precious metals from waste printed circuit boards using cyanide-free alkaline glycine solution in the presence of an oxidant, Minerals Engineering, 2022, 181: 107501 (IF=5, JCR Q1).
  5. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Tanmay Mali; Extraction of Gold and Copper from Flotation Tailings Using Glycine-Ammonia Solutions in the Presence of Permanganate, Minerals, 2022, 12(5): 612.
  6. 王鹏；刘慧勇；黄海；旷戈；李欢; 基于钾明矾结晶热解的粉煤灰酸法生产氧化铝研究, 中国有色金属学报, 2022，32 (2): 509–520.

2021

  1. Hui Guo, Ge Kuang, Huan Li, W Pei, H Wang; Enhanced lithium leaching from lepidolite in continuous tubular reactor using H2SO4 + H2SiF6 as lixiviant, Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China 2021, 31 (7): 2165-2173.
  2. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Cyanide consumption minimisation and concomitant toxic effluent minimisation during precious metals extraction from waste printed circuit boards, Waste Management, 2021, 125: 87-97 (IF=7.1, JCR Q1).
  3. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Recovery of copper and the deportment of other base metals from alkaline glycine leachates derived from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), Hydrometallurgy, 2021, 199: 105540 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1).
  4. Peng Wang; Huiyong Liu; Fangyan Zheng; Yue Liu; Ge Kuang; Rongdong Deng; Huan Li; Extraction of aluminum from coal fly ash using pressurized sulfuric acid leaching with emphasis on optimization and mechanism, JOM, 2021, 73: 2643–2651.

2020

  1. Elsayed Oraby; Huan Li; Jacques Eksteen; An alkaline glycine-based leach process of base and precious metals from powdered waste printed circuit boards. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2020, 11(8): 3897-3909.
  2. Huan Li; Elsayed Oraby; Jacques Eksteen; Extraction of copper and the co-leaching behaviour of other metals from waste printed circuit boards using alkaline glycine solutions, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2020, 154: 104624 (IF=10.9, JCR Q1, cited >90 times).

2019

  1. Huan Li; Jacques Eksteen; Ge Kuang; Recovery of lithium from mineral resources: State-of-the-art and perspectives – A review, Hydrometallurgy, 2019, 189: 105129 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1, cited >220 times).

2018

  1. Huan Li; Jacques Eksteen; Elsayed Oraby; Hydrometallurgical recovery of metals from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs): Current status and perspectives: A review, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2018, 139: 122-139 (IF=10.9, JCR Q1, cited >320 times).
  2. Ge Kuang; Yu Liu; Huan Li; Shengzhou Xing; Fujie Li; Hui Guo; Extraction of lithium from β-spodumene using sodium sulfate solution, Hydrometallurgy, 2018, 177: 49-56 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1).

2017

  1. Huan Li; Shengzhou Xing; Yu Liu; Fujie Li; Hui Guo; Ge Kuang; Recovery of Lithium, Iron, and Phosphorus from Spent LiFePO4 Batteries Using Stoichiometric Sulfuric Acid Leaching System, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2017, 5(9): 8017–8024 (IF=7.3, JCR Q1, ESI TOP 1% Highly Cited paper, cited >410 times).

2016

  1. Huan Li; Ge Kuang; Song Hu; Hui Guo; Ran Jin; Rohit L. Vekariya; Removal of aluminum from leaching solution of lepidolite by adding ammonium. JOM, 2016, 68(10): 2653-2658.
  2. 旷戈；胡松；蔡洋洋；李欢; 紫金铜尾矿中明矾石直接加压酸浸. 中国有色金属学报, 2016, 26(11): 2412-2419.

2015

  1. Ge Kuang; Huan Li; Song Hu; Ran Jin; Shanjun Liu; Hui Guo; Recovery of aluminium and lithium from gypsum residue obtained in the process of lithium extraction from lepidolite. Hydrometallurgy, 2015, 157: 214-218 (IF=5.3, JCR Q1).