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Title Can bioleaching of NIB magnets be an answer to the criticality of rare earths? An ex-ante Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Cost Accounting
ID_Doc 14217
Authors Magrini, C; Jagodzinska, K
Title Can bioleaching of NIB magnets be an answer to the criticality of rare earths? An ex-ante Life Cycle Assessment and Material Flow Cost Accounting
Year 2022
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132672
Abstract The instability of rare earth elements (REEs) supply chains due to, among others, geopolitical factors brought alternative sources of REEs under the spotlight. Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is considered one of such sources. WEEE recycling is seen as a way not only to mitigate the aforementioned REEs supply risk but also to benefit the environment and society caught currently in a precarious position. Within this context, bioleaching for REEs recovery is gaining attraction, considering that, so far, this process has mainly been used to recover other elements (e.g., Cu, Ni, Zn, Al, Au, Ag). Hitherto, a few lab-scale studies on Nd, Dy, and Pr bioleaching from NIB magnets were identified in the open literature, whereas only one study attempted to perform a simplified LCA analysis of the process. Ergo, this study aims at filling this knowledge gap. For this purpose, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) were performed to assess the process' environmental and economic feasibility after scaling it up from a lab to a pilot scale. Moreover, a break-even analysis was performed to assess the competitiveness of the technology. As the bioleaching of NIB magnets is an emerging concept, this study aimed to identify future process optimisation and development directions. The process was divided into six stages (i.e., demagnetising, shredding, bacteria cultivation, bioleaching, REEs extraction, and oxidation), analysed individually and collectively. Electricity and oxalic acid consumption, together with investment costs, were identified as the main hotspots for future improvement.
Author Keywords Handling Editor; Kathleen Aviso; Rare earth elements; (REEs); Ex-ante life cycle assessment; (LCA); Waste electrical and electronic equipment; (WEEE); Circular economy; Waste management; Critical raw materials; (CRMs)
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000821845000006
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132672
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