Produção à medida de metais estratégicos do grupo da platina com elevada qualidade a partir de catalisadores de automóveis através de uma abordagem circular

The research project's objectives are comprehensive and ambitious, aiming to address critical challenges in recycling PGMs from end-of-life automobile catalytic converters while pushing the boundaries of current methodologies. Current limitations in PGM recovery include inefficient extraction processes, high energy consumption, and environmental impact associated with conventional pyrometallurgical methods, difficulty in separating PGMs from other metals, dependence on primary PGM resources, which are finite and often located in geopolitically unstable regions, and lack of sustainable and economically viable recycling methods to meet the growing demand for PGMs for new greener technologies. Considering the necessity to tackle these limitations, the outlined objectives and challenges of this proposal are: 1. Increasing the yield of the PGM extraction: Developing a microwave-assisted leaching process using mildly acidic chloride solutions will maximise the PGM recovery and reduce reagents and energy. 2. Industrial Implementation of Microwave-Assisted Leaching: The use of microwave-assisted leaching for PGM extraction is an approach seldom industrially implemented, offering the potential, simplicity and opportunity for higher efficiencies when compared to traditional methods. 3. Effective Separation of the PGMs: Implementing a solid-liquid extraction technique in continuous-mode chromatographic separation using strongly basic anion exchange resins will allow the separation of all the individual PGMs and will be a break throughout the described inefficient separation methodologies. 4. Continuous-Mode Chromatographic Separation and Parameter Optimisation through AI: Implementing continuous-mode adsorption and elution using Artificial Intelligence optimisation of experimental conditions is a cutting-edge approach that will tackle the challenge of maximising efficiency and purity in the PGMs separation process while minimising costs, being a pioneer strategy in the field. 5. Closing the Loop: Pioneer a holistic approach to reuse all the waste and tertiary residues will be performed in this proposal. The solid residues, the recovery of REEs from the raffinate, addressing the challenge of developing a comprehensive recycling strategy, minimising waste, and maximising resources by simultaneously maximising the target metals recovery whilst minimising the consumption of reagents, energy and time of the overall process will be considered. 6. Environmental Impact Assessment: Including a life-cycle assessment reflects a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that the recycling approach is technically feasible, with a low environmental impact and environmentally sustainable. 7. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: This proposal crosses and explores different areas of knowledge (chemistry, materials, engineering and artificial intelligence), with multidisciplinarity crucial for providing an effective solution for the recovery and recycling of automotive catalysts in line with the defined objectives. In conclusion, the project's objectives address critical challenges in PGM recycling and demonstrate ambition and innovation, pushing the boundaries of current methodologies and integrating novel concepts and interdisciplinary approaches.