News
Can 3D printing solve the numbering-up challenge of microfluidic reactors?
The potential of microfluidic reactors, small capillary channels, to intensify mass transfer processes has been proven extensively over the last decades. In essence, liquid-liquid processes can be conducted 10—100 times faster with 1—10% of the
Solvometallurgical Process for the Recovery of Copper from Chrysocolla
Within the H2020 MSCA-ETN SULTAN project (https://etn-sultan.eu/), VITO and KU Leuven researchers developed a novel and straightforward solvometallurgical process to extract and recover copper from copper mineral chrysocolla.
Fluorine-free organic electrolytes for the stable electrodeposition of neodymium
The rare-earth element neodymium, which is becoming increasingly important for the green energy transition, was successfully electrodeposited at ambient temperatures from fluorine-free organic electrolytes.
Expert X-ray diffraction
The Department of Chemistry (part of KU Leuven’s Science and Technology Group) is looking for an expert in X-ray diffraction. Responsibilities You keep the X-ray machines operational and supervise their correct use: You take
Recycling lithium from pyrometallurgically-processed spent Li-ion batteries
In a new paper by HiTemp researchers of the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals, a chlorination process was developed to recycle lithium as LiCl, starting from the slag that is obtained when processing End-of-Life LIBs in a pyrometallurgical process.
Trends Talk with Peter Tom Jones about Europe’s critical raw materials conundrum
A European mine to EV value chain? Pipe dream or a resounding “yes, we can!”. Find out in this Trends Talk with Peter Tom Jones (26 August 2023, Kanaal Z). A 30-minute hard-talk interview about our dangerous reliance on China.
Quantification of alloying elements in steel targets
After ranking among the top three teams in the LIBS 2022 regression contest, held at the LIBS 2022 conference in Bari, Italy, the team of the Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) research group of KU Leuven
The recovery of non-rare-earth constituents of permanent magnets
KU Leuven (Belgium) & Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovenia) researchers have demonstrated that non-REE constituents of permanent magnets, like Cu and Fe, can be recovered from ethanolic solutions by anion exchange (EU ERA-MIN ANTISOLVO).
Open PhD position at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN)
SIM² KU Leuven is offering a new PhD position in the field of solvent extraction of medical isotopes (through SCK CEN). We are looking for a candidate to start an exciting PhD with as title:
Future and Emerging Supplementary Cementitious Materials
SIM² – KU Leuven geologist Ruben Snellings, together Prannoy Suraneni (U Miami) and Jørgen Skibsted (U Aarhus) have reviewed the latest advances in research and development of new supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). New SCMs are
Effect of Linz-Donawitz slag addition on the hot stage slag mineralogy
SIM² KU Leuven – HITEMP researchers, studied the influence of LD slag addition on the copper slag Zn fuming process.
Molecular thermodynamic model for solvent extraction of mineral acids by TBP
In the framework of the HE ENICON projects, SOLVOMET/SIM² KU Leuven researchers Lommelen & Binnemans developed a molecular thermodynamic model for the solvent extraction of minerals acids using TBP.
Sustainable and Comprehensive Utilisation of Copper Slag
KU Leuven researchers together with members of Aurubis AG critically reviewed the topic of sustainable and comprehensive utilisation of copper slag. The paper was published in Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.
Testimonials for Ionic liquids & deep-eutectic solvents “dead-end street paper”
Binnemans & Jones published a new position paper in JSM: “Ionic Liquids and Deep-Eutectic Solvents in Extractive Metallurgy: Mismatch Between Academic Research and Industrial Applicability”. Here we publish some testimonials.
Numerical study of fluid flow and mixing in the AOD process
SIM² KU Leuven – HITEMP researchers, studied the fluid flow and mixing in the Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) process. The results have been published in ISIJ international.
An updated reactive fraction model to simulate the Zn slag fuming process
SIM² KU Leuven – HITEMP researchers applied an updated reactive fraction model to study the Zn slag fuming process. The results have been published in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B.
Process flowsheet development for selective As removal and Pb & Sb recovery
SIM² KU Leuven – HITEMP researchers developed a new process flowsheet for selective arsenic removal, and lead and antimony recovery from lead softening slag.
Koen Binnemans is awarded a second ERC Advanced Grant: CIRMET
Koen Binnemans was awarded a second ERC Advanced Grant for his CIRMET project: Circular Hydrometallurgy for Energy-Transition. SIM² provides a sneak preview of what you can expect in CIRMET in this open-hearted interview.
Virtual ENICON exhibition within “Energy Futures” exhibition organised by Aalto
ENICON project presented in a virtual exhibition organised within “Energy Futures: Critical minerals, climate neutrality and transition pathways” exhibition organised by Aalto University
ENICON, member of the Cluster Hub for Production of Raw Materials for Batteries
ENICON project is a founding member of the Cluster Hub for Production of Raw Materials for Batteries from European Resources https://www.materialsforbatterieshub.eu
Deep learning regression for quantitative LIBS analysis of aluminium scrap
The Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) research group (SIM2 – KU Leuven) developed a Deep Learning regression method for the quantitative analysis of aluminium post-consumer scrap using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The work is published in Spectrochimica Acta Part B.
Cement and Concrete: From the Romans to Mars (Special Issue in Elements)
SIM² KU Leuven geologists Prof. Jan Elsen and Prof. Ruben Snellings are proud to announce the publication of the Elements Special Issue “Cement and Concrete: From the Romans to Mars”.
Classification of aluminium scrap by LIBS and RGB/D image fusion
KU Leuven’s LCE research group (SIM² KU Leuven) has demonstrated how data fusion of LIBS spectra and color (RGB) and Depth (D) images can improve the sorting of post-consumer aluminium scrap into commercially-interesting fractions.
Ben Gilliams: “Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy are like yin and yang”
Following a 25-year VP-level career at Umicore, Ben Gilliams has decided to make a remarkable career switch. On January 9, Ben started as Senior Valorisation Director at SOLVOMET ISC, one of SIM² KU Leuven’s innovation flagships.
The Twelve Principles of Circular Hydrometalllurgy
The SOLVOMET Group is delighted to announce the publication of its long-awaited position paper “The Twelve Principles of Circular Hydrometalllurgy” in the Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.
Top submerged lance gas injection technology for metal production & recycling
SIM² KU Leuven researchers and their co-authors published a review on the fundamental flow physics of top-submerged lance (TSL) gas injection technology/process in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B.
Purification of Ge(IV) in milliflow reactors
SIM2 KU Leuven researchers demonstrated that the dilution of the ionic liquid [A336][HSO4] improves the hydrodynamics and the mass-transfer performance of the purification of Ge(IV) by solvent extraction in milliflow reactors.
Disclosure of SOLVOMET’s process for converting LiCl into battery-grade LiOH·H2O
In May 2020 the SOLVOMET Group filed the patent application “Method for producing battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate” that became public in November 2021. The second part of the patented flowsheet is now fully disclosed in JSM.
Antimony recovery from Sb-rich slag by top blowing nitrogen in molten slag bath
SIM² KU Leuven – HiTemp researchers studied the antimony recovery from antimony-rich slag by top-blowing nitrogen into a molten slag bath. The results have been published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
“(Re)mining extractive waste – Perspectives for the EU?” (15-11-2022, Brussels)
On November 15, 20222, the closing event for NEMO was organised as a Satellite Event of the 7th EU Raw Materials week. The key outcomes of the project were presented. All presentations are now available.