Increased material and energy value from WEEE
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Luleå tekniska universitet - Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | May 2013 - January 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Challenge-Driven Innovation – Stage 1 initiation |
Important results from the project
Purpose of the present pre-study (Phase A) has been to develop a full project (Phase B) which can take the idea further into demonstration and commercialisation in Phase C. A phase C project will involve a method giving increased value to waste fractions containing a combination of organic material and metals, e.g. light fractions from fragmentation and separation of WEEE. The solution will consist of innovative combinations of unit processes from energy engineering, mineral processing and process metallurgy. An application for a Phase B project will be submitted in january 2015.
Expected long term effects
Results from discussions and pre-studies has encouraged partners in the project to continue the efforts to form a phase B project. At the end of the present pre-study there were however still some crucial issues unresolved in order to plan and get approval for trials in full scale. It is the intention to continue the pre-study during 2014 in order to solve remaining issues and be able to submit an application for continuation in january 2015.
Approach and implementation
Partners in the project has been Boliden Mineral AB, Stena Technoworld AB, Vattenfall Research & Development AB, Bodens Energi AB and Luleå university of technology. In parallel to the discussions between the partners, the following pre- studies have been carried out with focus on recycling of the light fractions from upgrading of WEEE; 1/ combustion or 2/ pyrolysis/gasification, followed by upgrading and extraction of metals contained in the ash and 3/ use of the material as reductant in metallurgical processes with simultaneous recovery of metal content.