Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ReSoURCE (Refractory Sorting Using Revolutionising Classification Equipment)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-06-01 bis 2023-11-30
Circular economy will be one of the main drivers to significantly reduce CO2 in the refractory industry, as the energy-intensive primary raw material production has by far the highest impact on the product's carbon footprint. So far, automated sorting solutions could not consolidate in refractory recycling because the development is extremely complex and requires combination of different sensor technologies. The ReSoURCE project will innovate the full process chain of refractory recycling with an AI-supported multi sensor sorting equipment as its core technology. Combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, hyper spectral imaging with optimized pre-processing and automated ejection will lay the foundation to set a new state of the art for refractory sorting starting of particle sizes down to below 1 mm. The continuous monitoring of the economic and ecologic benefits by techno-economic and life cycle assessment will ensure the green and digital transformation of the refractory recycling value chain. Reaching the ReSoURCE objectives will lead to massive annual CO2 reductions (up to 800 kilo tonnes) and energy savings (up to 760 GWh) in the European Union. Naturally usage of secondary raw materials is related to a reduction of extractive processing in the raw material mines (reduction of 1 million ton). Simultaneously, it will give access to currently unexploited raw material sources within the European, therewith strengthening EUs resilience by fostering refractory material autarky, particularly as some of the refractory base materials are listed on the EU's critical raw material list (bauxite, graphite). The two demonstrators to be build in course of the ReSoURCE project, will ensure the straight-forward exploitation and implementation of this revolutionising recycling process chain in the European industry.
Scientific analysis and technical development highlights
WP1: Achieved comprehensive feedstock identification and standardization in sampling and sorting, coupled with in-depth industry analysis, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of automated refractory recycling.
WP2: Successful completion of the base-line assessments and interim reports for both LCA and TEA
WP3: A comprehensive waste characterization was conducted, which offered insights into the leaching behavior and chemical-mineralogical composition, particularly when considered in conjunction with grain size.
WP4: Maximizing fractions that are amenable to processing by sensor-based sorting was validated with comparing conventional and alternate comminution technologies.
WP5: Work on all individual components has begun and initial successes include the completion of the Demo A & Demo B lasers, a first test setup for the HSI and a first optical spectrometer combination.
WP6: Experimental investigations for characterization of the data streams from the individual sensors with real sample material.
WP7: Successful initial experiments on direct sorting methods for 0-5 mm refractory leftovers as pretreatment before recycling.
WP8: The requirements for Demo B have been compiled with an initial prototype design, in addition Demo A is currently under construction.
WP1: Achieved comprehensive feedstock identification and standardization in sampling and sorting, coupled with in-depth industry analysis, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of automated refractory recycling.
WP2: Successful completion of the base-line assessments and interim reports for both LCA and TEA
WP3: A comprehensive waste characterization was conducted, which offered insights into the leaching behavior and chemical-mineralogical composition, particularly when considered in conjunction with grain size.
WP4: Maximizing fractions that are amenable to processing by sensor-based sorting was validated with comparing conventional and alternate comminution technologies.
WP5: Work on all individual components has begun and initial successes include the completion of the Demo A & Demo B lasers, a first test setup for the HSI and a first optical spectrometer combination.
WP6: Experimental investigations for characterization of the data streams from the individual sensors with real sample material.
WP7: Successful initial experiments on direct sorting methods for 0-5 mm refractory leftovers as pretreatment before recycling.
WP8: The requirements for Demo B have been compiled with an initial prototype design, in addition Demo A is currently under construction.
The ReSoURCE project is in its initial phase and the work results mainly focus on setting the ground for the development of the two demonstrators due at a later stage. Most of the analysis results of the recycled refractory material are to be used exclusively by the consortium, anyhow their appliance in developing the individual components as mentioned in the achievements will be presented as the project evolves.