1. Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si
- Author
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Antonio Rubino, Giuseppe Granata, Francesca Pagnanelli, Pietro Altimari, Emanuela Moscardini, Luigi Toro, and Ludovica Baldassari
- Subjects
Control and Optimization ,Materials science ,020209 energy ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,02 engineering and technology ,lcsh:Technology ,polymers recycling ,SuperPro Designer ,end of life photovoltaic panels ,Recovery rate ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Process simulation ,Engineering (miscellaneous) ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,metals recycling ,process simulation ,Waste management ,lcsh:T ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Photovoltaic system ,Process (computing) ,Pilot scale ,Techno economic ,Polymer ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,chemistry ,0210 nano-technology ,Tonne ,Energy (miscellaneous) - Abstract
Photovoltaic panels were included in EU Directive as WEEE (Wastes of Electric and Electronic Equipment) requiring the implementation of dedicated collection schemes and end-of-life treatment ensuring targets in terms of recycling rate (80%) and recovery rate (85%). Photovoltaic panels are mainly made up of high-quality solar glass (70&ndash, 90%), but also metals are present in the frames (Al), the cell (Si), and metallic contacts (Cu and Ag). According to the panel composition, about $72 per 100 kg of panels can be recovered by entirely recycling the panel metal content. The PhotoLife process for the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic panels was demonstrated at pilot scale to recycle high value glass, Al and Cu scraps. A process upgrade is here reported allowing for polymer separation and Ag and Si recycling. By this advanced PhotoLife process, 82% recycling rate, 94% recovery rate, and 75% recoverable value were attained. Simulations demonstrated the economic feasibility of the process at processing capacity of 30,000 metric ton/y of end-of-life photovoltaic panels.
- Published
- 2020
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