1,721,065 research outputs found
Quantifying urban mines in Europe and related implications for the metal-energy-climate change nexus
No full textUrban mining: analisi delle riserve in uso e delle implicazioni ambientali associate al recupero di metalli essenziali nel settore energetico
Full text linkPotentials for carbon emission savings from recovery of metal losses due to dissipation and inefficient recycling
No full textLa gestione dei veicoli a fine vita per il recupero di materia ed energia
No full textRiciclare veicoli che stanno terminando il loro ciclo di vita (ELV) è un problema che richiede l'adozione di tecnologie mirate a un recupero quantitativo di materia ed energia dagli ELV. Questa è una filiera che coinvolge mediamente il 90% di questi veicoli. In Europa ne sono prodotti circa 10 milioni di tonnellate. In Italia sono presenti circa 20 impianti di frantumazione degli autoveicoli con taglia uguale o superiore a 3000 CV, in particolare concentrati al nord, che alimentano l'industria siderurgica con circa 1 Mt di ferro da rottame. Un interessante caso di studio è un impianto in provincia di Bologna
The Reuse of Municipal Solid Waste Fly Ash as Flame Retardant Filler: A Preliminary Study
Full text linkThe growing increase in the production of municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) ashes has led to the research of new possibilities to reuse these by-products. This work aims to use MSW fly ash (FA) as a flame retardant filler. The FA was stabilized according to a simple stabilization process involving the mixing of only different ashes: bottom ash (BA), flue gas desulphurization (FGD) residues and coal fly ash (CFA). Stabilized FA, calcite and commercial flame retardants were compared as additives in an epoxy resin or polypropylene (PP) matrix. The self-extinguish performance of fillers was evaluated by fire resistance tests: the vertical burning test (UL94-V) and glow wire test (GWT) at 750 °C and 850 °C. A life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluation was also performed to estimate the reduction in environmental impact related to the production of the flame retardant with stabilized FA. The results show that this new filler is a promising alternative to traditional flame retardant. The ignition time of composites with calcite was lower than the corresponding sample with FA. From an environmental point of view, the replacement of calcite in an epoxy resin matrix or commercial flame retardant in a PP matrix with stabilized FA allows for a reduction in the impact of about 24.1% and 49.5%, respectively
Measuring the contemporary dissipation rates of metals during use
No full textDissipative uses of elements have come under increased scrutiny due to eco-toxicological effects
of heavy metals in the environment and long-term sustainability of metal supply. Despite that, a
comprehensive approach on elemental dissipation has not been proposed yet and very little
attention has been paid to the loss of elements by design with any potential of recovery at end-oflife.
In this study we categorized the main material streams of elements in use depending on
rationales of dissipation and a model has been developed for measuring the contemporary
dissipation rates for fifty-five elements. Inherently dissipative uses affect fewer than a dozen of
elements (including mercury and arsenic), but the spectrum of elements dissipated increases
rapidly if applications from which they are currently unrecoverable are considered. In many cases
the dissipation rates are higher than 50%: among others, specialty metals (e.g., thallium, indium,
and gallium) and some heavy rare earths are representative of modern technology and their loss
gives a measure of how unsustainable is the contemporary use of materials and products. The
outcomes provide guidance to industry and academy to identify pathways for reducing material
losses and support the research for substitutes and technical developments for increasing
elements recovery at end-of-life
Exploring mass and economic potentials of rare earth elements recycling from electric vehicles at end-of-life
Full text linkRare earth elements (REEs) are fundamental for various modern technologies and industrial applications. One significant application of REEs is in the production of neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are key components in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and electronic devices. These applications play a crucial role in driving the ecological and digital transition, highlighting the significance of REEs as strategic materials. With the dominance of very few countries in the REEs global supply and the rising of EVs demand, several concerns regarding resource availability, supply chain security, and price volatility have heightened the importance of efficient NdFeB magnet recycling, especially in Europe. This study assessed the elemental recycling potential of REEs from EV components through collaboration with authorized treatment facilities and metal recyclers in Italy. The study focused on three representative electric vehicles: a compact car, a van, and a hybrid vehicle. NdFeB magnets were found in various components, including the electric drive motor, air conditioning system, electric power steering, alternator, and electric gear box. The content of NdFeB magnets and REEs inside these components has been determined and economic feasibility of their recycling has been estimated by considering the intrinsic value of the raw materials contained. Despite being preliminary results, the economic value of REEs and Cu recoverable attested a promising potential for recycling, while the direct dismantling of magnets from the engine proves economically unviable for the studied components. Therefore, the study emphasizes the need for the development of specific recycling processes such as demagnetization and mechanical processing of the motors. The study also analysed the dismantling times of the target components from the vehicle and their relative economic impact on the potential for recovery
Advantages and drawbacks of life cycle assessment application to the pharmaceuticals: a short critical literature review
Full text linkPharmaceuticals are among the most challenging products to assess by life cycle assessment (LCA). The main drawback highlighted by LCA practitioners is the lack of inventory data, both regarding the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) precursors (upstream) and the details concerning the downstream phases (use and end of life). A short critical review of pharma-LCAs found in the literature is here proposed, with discussion of several tools and models used to predict the environmental impacts derived from the life cycle of pharmaceuticals, emphasizing current strengths and weaknesses, and exploring the possibilities for improvements. The case of antibiotics is selected as a representative class of pharmaceuticals, due to their massive use worldwide and the growing related issue of antimicrobial resistance enrichment, which is generally not included in most of LCAs. Also, we comment on drafting product category rules (PCRs) in the relevant field to develop standard methodologies and enhance the comparability of the studies, ultimately advocating collaboration with companies and improving inventory data quality and availability for the whole value chain of products
Shedding Light on the Anthropogenic Europium Cycle in the EU–28. Marking Product Turnover and Energy Progress in the Lighting Sector
Full text linkPhase-out strategies for incandescent bulbs in favor of advanced energy-efficiency lighting systems such as fluorescent lamps and solid-state technology have considerably reduced the energy use for lighting, but have also resulted in dependence on many critical materials like rare earth elements and shifted the attention to sustainable use and recovery of resources. In this work, a dynamic material flow model was developed to analyze the socio-economic metabolism of europium in the EU–28. The analysis shows that europium marked product turnover and progress in lighting efficiency, with this element being employed both in traditional and novel lighting technology to provide luminescence. The results also demonstrate that the current anthropogenic reserve could constitute an attractive source of secondary europium with substantial potentials for environmental benefits. However, nonexistent recycling and market forces hinder strategies for material circularity. In particular, the transition from fluorescent lamps to solid-state technology is quickly decreasing the demand for europium. This trend adds further constraints to the creation of a sustainable recycling industry for europium, with primary sources that might remain the preferable route to supply phosphors to future lighting systems
- …
