1,721,002 research outputs found
The Reuse of Municipal Solid Waste Fly Ash as Flame Retardant Filler: A Preliminary Study
No full textRecent improvements in salt-sssisted and microwave-assisted recovery methods for sustainable metal extraction from NCM cathodes in spent lithium-ion batteries: a review
No full textThe increasing adoption of electric vehicles has generated a pressing need for sustainable management of end-oflife lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly those utilizing nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes (NCM). This review critically examines recent advancements in recycling technologies, focusing on innovative methods such as salt-assisted roasting and microwave-assisted thermal treatments, as well as their combined applications. These approaches demonstrate promising potential to enhance the selective recovery of critical metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, while addressing environmental and economic challenges. Additionally, the review highlights sustainability assessments and identifies key gaps in the current literature, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these emerging recovery methods, this work aims to guide future research and industrial adoption, contributing to a circular economy for LIBs
Recent progress in pyrometallurgy for the recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries: A review of state-of-the-art developments
No full textPyrometallurgy is a well-known method for the efficient recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This work provides an overview of the key aspects and recent advancements in pyrometallurgical processes for LIBs recycling. The newly developed pyrometallurgical processes have the potential to be energy-efficient, especially when utilizing microwave technologies. Despite encountering certain challenges and limitations, the prospects for recovering LIBs through pyrometallurgy appear promising, especially considering the anticipated rise in the number of spent LIBs for recycling
A post-pandemic sustainable scenario: What actions can be pursued to increase the raw materials availability?
No full textOn January 30, 2020, COVID-19 outbreak, detected for the first time in Wuhan (China), was declared by WHO a Public Health Emergency. In a strongly connected world, the consequent slowdown of the Chinese economy contributed to disrupt the global supply chains of several products. In a post-pandemic scenario, the expected rapid increase in demand of critical raw materials (associated with the transition to more green energy sources), coupled with the problems that some mining activities are relegated only in certain countries and regions, must be considered in a sustainable perspective. This work analyses the literature about (critical) raw materials and COVID-19, not only to present the impact of the pandemic on their supply, but also to propose some actions that should be pursued in a post-pandemic renaissance scenario, to increase raw materials availability, with great attention to most critical ones, in the frame of circular economy principles. The post-pandemic possibilities are evaluated and suitable actions are suggested to secure the raw materials availability for the foreseen increase of investments in crucial and strategic sectors, in accord with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed actions can be summarized as policy, strategy, economy, and technology activities
A porous hybrid material for air particulate matter reduction
No full textThis chapter presents a sustainable and innovative solution to air-borne particulate matter (PM) capture in cities through a porous hybrid material called SUNSPACE: “SUstaiNable materials Synthesized from by-Product and Alginates for Clean air and better Environments.”
A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues
No full textLithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a widely used energy storage technology as they possess high energy density and are characterized by the reversible intercalation/deintercalation of Li ions between electrodes. The rapid development of LIBs has led to increased production efficiency and lower costs for manufacturers, resulting in a growing demand for batteries and their application across various industries, particularly in different types of vehicles. In order to meet the demand for LIBs while minimizing climate-impacting emissions, the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of LIBs is a critical step toward achieving a sustainable battery economy. This paper provides a comprehensive review of lithium-ion battery recycling, covering topics such as current recycling technologies, technological advancements, policy gaps, design strategies, funding for pilot projects, and a comprehensive strategy for battery recycling. Additionally, this paper emphasizes the challenges associated with developing LIB recycling and the opportunities arising from these challenges, such as the potential for innovation and the creation of a more sustainable and circular economy. The environmental implications of LIB recycling are also evaluated with methodologies able to provide a sustainability analysis of the selected technology. This paper aims to enhance the comprehension of these trade-offs and encourage discussion on determining the “best” recycling route when targets are in conflict
Analysis of the lockdown effects due to the COVID-19 on air pollution in Brescia (Lombardy)
No full textSARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted several countries, with also some differences at local levels. When lockdown restrictions were imposed, the concentrations of some air pollutants were reduced, as reported in some other cities in the world. This was often considered a positive by-product of the pandemic. However, often literature reporting the connection of air quality (AQ) and lockdown, suffers of limited and incomplete data analysis, not considering, for example, some confounding factors. This work presents a methodology, and the results of its application, to assess the impact of pandemic restrictions on AQ (in particular nitrogen oxides, NO2 and particulate matter, PM10) in spring 2020 in Brescia, located in one of the most affected areas in terms of virus diffusion and in one of the most polluted areas in Europe (Po Valley, Italy). In particular, the proposed methodology integrates data and AQ modelling simulations to distinguish between the changes in the PM10 and NO2 pollutants concentration that occurred due to the restriction measures and due to other factors, like spatial-temporal characteristics (for example the seasonality), meteorological factors, and governmental actions that were introduced in the past to improve the air quality. Results show that NO2 is strongly dependent to traffic emission. On the contrary, although the expected decrease in PM10 concentrations, the results highlight that the reduction of transport emission would not help to avoid severe air pollution, due to the other pollution sources that contribute to its origin. The results presented for the first time in this work are of particular interest because they may be used as a basis to investigate in more details the sources that can impact on the air quality in Brescia, with the aim to propose effective measures able to reduce it
Sewage sludge ash recovery as valuable raw material for chemical stabilization of leachable heavy metals
No full textHybrid materials to reduce pollution involving photocatalysis and particulate matter entrapment
No full textParticulate matter (PM) is characterized by a complex mix of inorganic and organic particles. Organic compounds are present mainly in cities due to traffic and domestic heating and can cause problems to human health. Innovative and sustainable porous materials, like SUNSPACE (“SUstaiNable materials Synthesized from by-Products and Alginates for Clean air and better Environment”), synthesized from industrial by-products (silica fume [SF] and bottom ash [BA]) and their variations were tested to photodegrade organic compounds. First, characterization and adsorption tests were performed. Moreover, another variation of porous materials was proposed by replacing 20% of powders with titanium dioxide (TiO2), well known for its catalytic proprieties. Methylene blue (MB) was used to simulate an organic pollutant. Photodegradation tests were conducted for 3 h in dark conditions, and then a UV lamp was switched on for 5 h. Materials synthesized with BA had the best performance, resulting in a photodegradation capacity of about 50%
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