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Zhang B, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Wang Z. Aluminum saving and CO 2 emission reduction from waste recycling of China's rooftop photovoltaics under carbon neutrality strategy. iScience 2024; 27:110669. [PMID: 39381745 PMCID: PMC11459014 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Rooftop photovoltaics (RPVs) are crucial for decarbonizing the power sector and achieving carbon neutrality, with expected future capacity increases. The growth of RPVs necessitates substantial aluminum (Al) resources, contributing significantly to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Al production. Given China's bauxite shortage, recycling Al from waste RPV panels presents an effective solution to enhance resource security and mitigate CO2 emissions. We developed a framework to project waste RPV quantities and assess the recycling potential of Al and its impact on CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2060. Our findings indicate potential waste flows of 95-221 million tonnes (Mt) and recycled Al ranging from 5 to 28 Mt, with a primary Al supply gap of 25-43 Mt. Recycling could reduce CO2 emissions by 35-207 Mt over the period. This research underscores the importance of Al resource security and sustainable RPV industry development in China's pursuit of carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- School of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Digital Economy and Policy Intelligentization Key Laboratory of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Tangshan Research Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, Hebei 063099, China
| | - Yingnan Zhang
- School of Management, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Digital Economy and Policy Intelligentization Key Laboratory of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuantao Yang
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zhaohua Wang
- Digital Economy and Policy Intelligentization Key Laboratory of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
- Tangshan Research Institute, Beijing Institute of Technology, Hebei 063099, China
- School of Economics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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Yuan X, Xu Z. Life cycle assessment of decommissioned silicon photovoltaic module recycling using different technological configurations in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 370:122476. [PMID: 39276657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
The intricate encapsulation structure and material composition of photovoltaic modules necessitate full materials recycling involving multiple stages and different technological configurations, thereby increasing environmental burden of recycling process. Consequently, environmental impact assessments are imperative. However, previous studies primarily focused on a single technology or compared different technologies within a specific recycling stage, overlooking various technological configurations and thus engendering incomprehensive assessment. Hence, we employ a comparative life-cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental performance of six recycling alternatives with different technological configurations for silicon photovoltaic waste in China, which encompasses five recycling stages and glass/silicon remanufacturing processes. Results shows thermal delamination reduces the normalized environmental impact by 8.73% and 4.62% compared with mechanical and chemical delamination, respectively; electrolysis for metals extraction carries 35.72%-36.35% higher environmental benefits than precipitation. Additionally, introducing silicon/glass remanufacturing provides an additional 6.27%-11.55% environmental benefits. Therefore, integrating disassembly, thermal delamination, leaching & etching, electrolysis, and remanufacturing exhibits the best environmental performance, with -4796 kg CO2-eq/tonne carbon emission and -46400 MJ/tonne energy demand. Environmental hotspots analysis identifies key contributors to environmental impact and benefits. Further sensitivity analysis highlights the importance of enhancing silver and copper recovery efficiency. Finally, targeted strategies are proposed for green recycling routes of photovoltaic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehong Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China.
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Niu B, E S, Song Q, Xu Z, Han B, Qin Y. Physicochemical reactions in e-waste recycling. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:569-586. [PMID: 38862738 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00616-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is becoming a global concern owing to its immense quantity, hazardous character and the potential loss of valuable metals. The many processes involved in e-waste recycling stem from a mixture of physicochemical reactions, and understanding the principles of these reactions can lead to more efficient recycling methods. In this Review, we discuss the principles behind photochemistry, thermochemistry, mechanochemistry, electrochemistry and sonochemistry for metal recovery, polymer decomposition and pollutant elimination from e-waste. We also discuss how these processes induce or improve reaction rates, selectivity and controllability of e-waste recycling based on thermodynamics and kinetics, free radicals, chemical bond energy, electrical potential regulation and more. Lastly, key factors, limitations and suggestions for improvements of these physicochemical reactions for e-waste recycling are highlighted, wherein we also indicate possible research directions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Niu
- Key Laboratory of Farmland Ecological Environment of Hebei Province, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China.
| | - Shanshan E
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Qingming Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Han
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yufei Qin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Jiangxi Green Recycling Co., Ltd, Fengcheng, China
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Liu K, Wang M, Zhang Q, Dutta S, Zheng T, Valix M, Tsang DCW. Negative-carbon recycling of copper from waste as secondary resources using deep eutectic solvents. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133258. [PMID: 38113734 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Copper plays a crucial role in the low-carbon transformation of global communities with prevalent use of electric vehicles. This study proposed an environmentally friendly approach that utilizes a deep eutectic solvent (DES), choline chloride-ethylene glycol (ChCl-EG), as green solvent for the selective extraction of copper from scrap materials. With hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, the copper species from the printed circuit boards (PCBs) scraps were efficiently leached by the DES through oxidation-complexation reactions (conditions: 25 min, 20 °C, and 5 wt% H2O2). Molecular dynamics and density functional theory were performed to simulate the intricate cascade of interactions between copper species and hydrogen bond donors/acceptors of DES, providing insights into the mechanistic processes involved. Copper was selectively recovered from the DES leachate containing impurities (e.g., Pb2+, Sn2+, and Al3+) through electrodeposition via a diffusion-controlled reaction under a constant potential mode. A comprehensive life cycle assessment of the process demonstrated that the utilisation of DES in the extraction of copper from waste PCBs could result in significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (-93.6 kg CO2 eq of 1000 kg waste PCBs), thus mitigating the carbon footprint of global copper use through the proposed solvometallurgical recycling process of secondary resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiaozhi Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Shanta Dutta
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tianle Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Marjorie Valix
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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Sun H, Song Q, Xu Z. A method for using the residual energy in waste Li-ion batteries by regulating potential with the aid of overvoltage response. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2213130120. [PMID: 36972452 PMCID: PMC10083535 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213130120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The value of considerable residual energy in waste Li-ion batteries (WLIBs) is always neglected. At present, "this energy" is always wasted during the discharge process of WLIBs. However, if this energy could be reused, it would not only save a lot of energy but also avoid the discharge step of recycling of WLIBs. Unfortunately, the instability of WLIBs potential is a challenge to efficient utilization of this residual energy. Here, we propose a method that could regulate the cathode potential and current of the battery by simply adjusting the solution pH to utilize 35.08%, 88.4%, and 84.7% of the residual energy for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater, removing Cr (VI) from wastewater, and recovering copper from the solution, respectively. By taking advantage of the high internal resistance R of WLIBs and the sudden change of battery current I caused by iron passivation on the positive electrode of the battery, this method could induce the response of overvoltage η (η = IR) inside the battery at different pH levels to regulate the cathode potential µ of the battery to the three intervals. The potential ranges of the battery cathode corresponding to pH < 3.4, pH ≈ 3.4, and pH > 4 were µ > -0.47V, -0.47V < µ < -0.82V, and µ < -0.82V, respectively. This study provides a promising way and theoretical basis for the development of technologies for reusing residual energy in WLIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghuai Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingming Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, People’s Republic of China
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Lin M, Wu Y, Qin B, Cao W, Liu J, Xu Z, Ruan J. Response to the Upcoming Emerging Waste: Necessity and Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Waste Recovery in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17396-17409. [PMID: 36354075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
With the widespread photovoltaic deployment to achieve the net-zero energy goal, the resulting photovoltaic waste draws attention. In China, considerable steps have not been taken for photovoltaic waste management. The lack of relevant scientific information on photovoltaic waste brings difficulties to the establishment of photovoltaic waste regulatory systems. In this study, the necessity and feasibility of photovoltaic waste recovery were investigated. In China, the photovoltaic waste stream was quantified as 48.67-60.78 million t in 2050. In photovoltaic waste, indium, selenium, cadmium, and gallium were in high risk, judging by the metal criticality analysis, which meant that their recovery was significant to alleviate the resource shortage. The full recovery method was proved to reduce the environmental burdens most. For cost and benefit analysis, the net present value/size was -1.02 $/kg according to the current industrial status. However, it can be profitable with the recovery of silver. This study provides scientific and comprehensive information for photovoltaic waste management in China and is expected to promote the sustainable development of photovoltaic industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yusen Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Baojia Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijian Cao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Junhong Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Jujun Ruan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, People's Republic of China
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