This invention consists in a process for the treatment at zero environmental impact of Wasted Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and in the recovery of ferromagnetic compounds contained in WEEE, with the needed purity grade for reintroducing them in the production cycle of permanent magnets for application to electric machines, magnetic actuators, electromagnets, sensors, etc.
Patent Status
SUBMITTED
Priority Number
102018000008043
Priority Data
10/08/2018
License
INTERNATIONAL, ITALY
Market
The global market of the compounds, over which electric and electronic devices are based, is dominated by China that occupies above 50% of the quote for what concerns both critical raw materials (Rare Earths) and production of components and devices. In particular, the market of ferromagnetic materials is growing fast, especially for energy conversion applications: above 8 G$ in 2013 with an expected growth over 50% in 2020.
Problem
Since the electric and electronic devices market is constantly growing, the market demand for Rare Earth and precious metals is equally growing and the growth is superlinear. Correspondly, the WEEE recycling is increasing in all the developed countries and therefore innovative technologies at low environmental impact are needed. In this framework, Europe is aligned for consumption of devices, but is lacking for what concerns large scale actions of recovering critical raw materials from WEEE.
Current Technology Limits
Today the methods that are applied at the industrial level for recovering Rare Earths from WEEE consist in the combustion and the attack with strong acid and bases. Both these processes are a problem for the environmental impact and because do not allow the recovery of all the critical raw materials contained in WEEE.
The environmental impact, due to both extraction and processing of the needed elements and compounds that are used for making devices, is important and extended over the territory, from atmospheric pollution to earth and water contamination.
Hydrogenation and organic acid attack are standing out among alternative solutions under study for reducing the environmental impact.
Killer Application
The technology that was patented in the framework of the RECRYME project can be immediately employed for improving existing treatment plants for the recovery of critical raw materials from WEEE, enabling the zero impact recycle of ferromagnetic compounds.
Our Technology and Solutions
In the patented process, ferromagnetic materials are selected from disassembled devices in order to be processed with the RECRYME technology, while remaining parts of the devices will follow the treatment in the preexistent plant. After a first crushing, ferromagnetic compounds will be treated with hydrogenation, cryomilling, annealing and magnetic separation. This process guarantees recovering of ferromagnetic compounds with a purity grade larger than 90% (by weight).
Advantages
The main advantages of the RECRYME technology are:
– Preselection of ferromagnetic materials in WEEE, which adds economic value to traditional treatment;
– Zero environmental impact of the process and reduced energy consumption thanks to innovative materials used in cryogenic applications;
– Recovery of strategic resources for present and future technology.
Roadmap
The RECRYME process can be integrated in any existing treatment plant. A demonstrative implant will be implemented at the Arcobaleno Cooperativa Sociale group.
TRL
Il team
