Ateneo - UPO

The course presents an overview on the recovery and recycling of critical materials, particularly metals, from “urban mines”. In this context, the main general key points are the management of end-of-life goods and the sustainability of the recovery and recycling processes, with a spotlight on the current directives and policies at the Italian and international level. The models and action strategies to transform current linear economy approaches into circular economy, will be discussed. In this framework, the opportunities for the re-employ of the recovered fraction as secondary raw materials and/or the valorization of the waste product for alternative applications, will be presented.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling-Aqueous Recovery Methods; Edited by F. Vegliò and I. Birloaga, Woodhead Publishing – Elsevier – 2018; ISBN: 978-0-08-102057-9 (print) ISBN: 978-0-08-102058-6 (online)
Material provided by the lecturer.
Slides of the course.

The course has the objective to let the student acquire the basic knowledge of the most important metals of applicative and industrial interest, of their chemical and physical properties, their distribution in nature and in urban mines and their environmental impact and toxicity. Another important goal is to prompt the student to develop awareness on the theme of critical resources, on the environmental and economic impact of their management and on the necessity of a green chemistry approach towards sustainable development. As for the specific objectives, the course aims at transferring basic competences on the main methods of metals employ, recovery and recycle and their re-use as secondary raw materials or as valorized waste fraction. Furthermore, the course aims at stimulating the student’s independent and critical thinking and the capability to draw conclusions on the topics presented, until reaching the ability to propose strategies and approaches of metals circular economy. The student will also develop the use of suitable communication skills and the appropriate scientific lexicon to discuss the topics of the course.

Knowledge and competences of General and Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.

In class lectures and activities based on the collegial discussion of circular economy strategies for metals, also starting from real case-studies.

ndividual or collaborative problem-solving activity in order to stimulate preparation progresses and regularly test them. This approach will also favor the development of the expected specific communication skills. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final exam consists in an oral discussion based on a written essay produced by the student on a chosen case-study among the ones presented in the course. The highest score will correspond to a demonstrated solid knowledge of the topics of the course and the ability to properly discuss them, elaborating connection concepts between the different themes, and drawing conclusions independently while using the suitable lexicon.

Introduction on critical metals. Classification, natural distribution and extraction methods. Role of critical metals in industrial and technological sectors. Environmental monitoring and regulations.
Urban mines and distribution of critical metals in waste, particularly in WEEEs.
Recovery processes. Hydro- and solvometallurgy. Steps for the treatment of secondary raw materials in the hydro-/solvo-metallurgy processes. Lixiviation methods and conventional and innovative lixiviants. Separation and concentration methods. Selective precipitation, reduction, adsorption. Methods of extraction. Metal ions or metal ions complexes in non-aqueous solvents.
Applications of coordination chemistry in the recovery of metals. Wastes and recovered materials as secondary raw materials.
Focus on the recovery processes:
-common metals: the case of Co, Zn, Ni and Cu.
-Noble metals: the case of Au, Pd and Pt.
-Rare Earths: chemical and physical properties and employ in hi-tech devices Recovery and separation methods. Valorization strategies of recovered REEs

Basic knowledge on the chemical and physical properties of metals, with particular focus on critical metals, and in their distribution in nature, environment and urban mines.
Basic knowledge about the main recovery and extraction methods, principally hydro- and solvo-metallurgical methods and the use of lixiviants.
Capability to independently analyze and discuss case studies of circular economy of metals and to propose strategies for theire recovery and valorization.
Communication skills: use of the appropriate scientific lexicon in the oral and written production.
Independent learning; capability to properly use the didactic materials for a critical study as the basis to acquire additional competences for the independent design of circular economy strategies