The fundamental limits of recycling : from minerals processing to computer aided design of automobiles and other consumer goods
Date
2006-12
Authors
Reuter, Markus Andreas
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
My applied engineering research and industrial application work of the past 20 years is
presented in this dissertation. It is the conjecture of my work that only if thorough first
principles knowledge of the depth of process metallurgy and recycling is available, can
meaningful first principles environmental models be developed. These models can then
evaluate technology, provide well argued and first principles environmental information
to our tax paying consumer society as well as to legislators and environmentalists. Only
through this path can one estimate the limits of recycling and its technology, hence
evaluate the true boundaries of sustainability.
My work with students has presently culminated in the detailed modelling and simulation
of recycling systems for post-consumer goods. Notably the models are finding an
application in the prediction of legally required recycling rates for automobiles. The
models provide first principles arguments for less stringent EU recycling legislation and
the integration of the first principles models in computer aided design tools of the
automotive industry as part of a large EU 6th Framework (project managed by
Volkswagen and the other European car producers). Presently these models are also
being converted to model the Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) as well
as water recycling systems respectively, both for industry in The Netherlands.
This unique rigorous integration of systems engineering, reactor technology and process
control theory is the basis of all my work to describe recycling systems as dynamic
feedback control loops. My large body of acquired industrial knowledge renders these
models practical and can hence be used by the automotive and recycling industries.
The origins of this work may be found in the various cited publications and reports to
industry by myself (due to my close association with industry as well as industrial
experience) over the past 20 years as well as the work of my students, covering topics
such as:
• system optimization models for flotation, mineral beneficiation and recycling
systems and applying these for design for recycling and argue for better/improved
first-principles based legislation,
• industrial measurement, modelling and simulation of industrial extractive process
pyrometallurgical reactors as well waste incinerators and recycling plants,
• various activities in other areas such as hydrometallurgy, clean and new
breakthrough technology, and
• process control of industrial metallurgical reactors by among others the application
of artificial intelligence techniques.
All the ideas of the last years have been worked out with students and have been
summarized in our book: “The Metrics of Material and Metal Ecology, Harmonizing the
resource, technology and environmental cycles”.
Description
Thesis (PhD (Process Engineering)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.
Keywords
Recycling (Waste, etc.), Recycling industry, Metal ecology, Automotive industry, Industrial ecology, Dissertations -- Process engineering, Theses -- Process engineering