Research Results
Rare-earth recycling needs market intervention (Nature Reviews Materials)
SIM2 KU Leuven’s Koen Binnemans and Peter Tom Jones published a Comment article “Rare-earth recycling needs market intervention” in Nature Reviews Materials (IF = 75). The paper was co-authored by magnet expert Paul McGuiness.
Oxidative dissolution of metals in organic solvents: a critical review
SOLVOMET/SIM² researchers have published a critical review paper in the high-impact journal “Chemical Reviews” on the oxidative dissolution of metals in organic solvents, which can offer a solution when aqueous systems fail.
Milliflow reactors for non-equilibrium SX applications with ionic liquids
SIM² KU Leuven – SOLVOMET researchers have studied millifluidic devices for the non-equilibrium solvent extraction separation of metal ions. The work has been published in the journal Separation and Purification Technology.
Understanding the maximum recycled content of future electric vehicle batteries
In the framework of the SiDrive H2020 project, LCE/SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a dynamic model to forecast the flow of vehicle batteries through the different lifecycle stages. The work was published in Waste Management.
Resource Recovery through Enhanced Landfill Mining: A Review
Researchers from the Montanuniversität Leoben and SIM² KU Leuven have published a review paper on the academic output that was generated within the EU ETN NEW-MINE project on Resource Recovery from Enhanced Landfill Mining.
Are radiological properties a limiting factor when trying to valorise bauxite residue?
In a new Journal of Cleaner Production paper, SIM² KU Leuven & University of Tartu investigated the presence of natural radionuclides in bauxite residue subjected to a neutralisation-leaching process and smelting-leaching process.
How to recover and purify platinum-group metals from spent autocatalysts?
SOLVOMET/SIM2 KU Leuven researchers developed three methods to recover & purify Pd, Pt and Rh from spent autocatalysts. This work, which was performed in EU PLATIRUS, is featured in journal Johnson Matthey Technology Review.
Design considerations for photocatalytic structured reactors
ProcESS/SIM² KU Leuven researchers investigated the optimal design of translucent photocatalytic structures for the development of small & large-scale photocatalytic reactors. The work was published in Chem. Eng. J.
Production of calcium carbonate by simultaneous CO2 capture and mineralisation
ProcESS/SIM² KU Leuven researchers precipitated high-quality calcium carbonate (PCC) from synthetic Ca-rich solutions, which resemble the chemical composition of leachates obtained from leaching BOF slags with diluted HCl.
What is the value of the ‘Social License to Operate’ concept (for resource extraction)?
Researchers from Wageningen University and SIM² KU Leuven reviewed recent SLO-literature and concluded that the way how SLO is conceptualised and often implemented in practice, does little to enhance the legitimacy of resource extraction.
Can historic Zn–Pb mine waste (Plombières, Belgium) be a source of valuable metals?
Within the framework of the MSCA-ETN SULTAN project SIM² KU Leuven researchers have characterised the historic Zn-Pb mine waste from the tailings pond located at Plombières, East Belgium. The work was published in Minerals.
First Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) on the production of SmCo5 magnets
SIM² KU Leuven, University of Leiden & University of Birmingham researchers carried out the first Life Cycle Inventory on the production of SmCo5 and compared it with NdFeB. The latter represents the more sustainable option.
Removal of Cd, Zn and Mn from Dilute Aqueous Solutions by Foam Separation
SOLVOMET/SIM2 KU Leuven researchers developed a process to remove trace concentrations of Cd, Zn and Mn from simulated diluted mine waters via foam separation. The work was published in the Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.
Enhanced separation of neodymium and dysprosium using non-aqueous solvent extraction
SOLVOMET/SIM² researchers have enhanced the separation of neodymium and dysprosium by replacing the aqueous phase in their solvent extraction process largely by a green solvent. The work was published in ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng.
Is data the new gold? A case study for repair data
In collaboration with TU Berlin, the SIM² KU Leuven Lifecycle Engineering (LCE) research group published a study that provides key knowledge on potential opportunities and limits of repair data for specific repair applications.
Raman spectroscopy solves mapping problem for lithium-phosphates in pegmatites
SIM² KU Leuven geologists Fernando Araujo, Niels Hulsbosch and Philippe Muchez have succeeded in mapping the lithium-bearing ore minerals montebrasite-amblygonite in pegmatites using Raman spectroscopy.
The influence of end-of-life regulation on vehicle material circularity: a comparison
The SIM² KU Leuven Lifecycle Engineering (LCE) research group, the Australian National University and the University of Tokyo have compared the influence of ELV legislation on vehicle material circularity performance.
Understanding the crystallisation of cassiterite & spodumene mineralised pegmatites
SIM² KU Leuven geologists Hulsboch and Muchez were able to assess the impact of fluid immiscibility on the fractionation and precipitation of lithium, tantalum and tin in pegmatites from Rwanda. The work was published in Lithos.
Trace elements leaching from Pb-Zn mine waste (Plombières) & environmental implications
In the framework of ETN SULTAN, SIM² KU Leuven researchers have assessed the chemical and mineralogical characterisation of sulphidic mine waste to understand the environmental & health risks of the metals within the mine waste.
Using deep learning & X-Ray images to improve battery removal and recycling
Researchers from the Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) research group (SIM² KU Leuven) used X-Ray images of WEEE and applied a deep neural network to automatically detect the location of batteries to improve removal and recycling.
Selective leaching of lead from matte and slag of lead smelter plants using EDTA
SOLVOMET/SIM² KU Leuven researchers have developed a process, using EDTA as lixiviant, to selectively leach lead from matte and slag residues originating from lead smelter plants. The work was published in RSC Advances.
Has SIM² KU Leuven brought us a step closer to rechargeable magnesium batteries?
SIM² KU Leuven researchers have developed a process to deposit and strip magnesium metal from molten mixtures of solvate ionic liquids (SILs) and tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl) at 80 °C for use in rechargeable Mg batteries.
Solvometallurgical process for the recovery of rare-earth elements from Nd–Fe–B magnets
SOLVOMET/SIM² KU Leuven researchers have developed a process to recycle NdFeB magnets in a water-free process at T > 100 °C to intensify the leaching and change the distribution ratio of REE/iron of typical aqueous SX processes.
Evaluating product repairability: a case study for washing machines
The lifecycle engineering (LCE) research group (SIM² KU Leuven) and the European Commission DG Joint Research Centre (Seville) have recently developed two methods to assess the repairability of energy and resource related products.
