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Material Flux through an Innovative Recycling Process Treating Different Types of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels: Demonstration at Pilot Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Flavia Carla dos Santos Martins Padoan

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Pier Giorgio Schiavi

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Gianmaria Belardi

    (Department of Physics, Tor Vergata University of Rome, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy)

  • Pietro Altimari

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Antonio Rubino

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Francesca Pagnanelli

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

A quantitative assessment of the material flux emerging from a pilot plant for the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic panel waste was reported. The process included the manual dismantling of aluminum frames, mechanical treatment for size reduction, and the physical treatment of the milled materials for the release of coarse glass from the encapsulant polymer. Demonstration activities were performed using 1 ton of Si-, 1 ton of CdTe-, and 1 ton of CIGS-based photovoltaic panels (investigated separately), confirming the ability of the process to treat different photovoltaic technologies. The characterization of the input materials was performed and compared with previous literature data. The major bottleneck in the definition of an effective process option for the treatment of different panel technologies was emphasized by the high heterogeneity reported. Mass balances for the proposed process were derived by the recovered material flow. It was highlighted that in processes based on mechanical treatments, producing predominantly coarse fractions allows for the facile separation of most of the valuable components. In this perspective, the present work offers further insights into the design of recycling process to reach increased profitability/sustainability, especially considering the distributions of valuable metals in the process products.

Suggested Citation

  • Flavia Carla dos Santos Martins Padoan & Pier Giorgio Schiavi & Gianmaria Belardi & Pietro Altimari & Antonio Rubino & Francesca Pagnanelli, 2021. "Material Flux through an Innovative Recycling Process Treating Different Types of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels: Demonstration at Pilot Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5534-:d:629170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chantana, Jakapan & Kamei, Aika & Minemoto, Takashi, 2017. "Influences of environmental factors on Si-based photovoltaic modules after longtime outdoor exposure by multiple regression analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 10-15.
    2. Paiano, Annarita, 2015. "Photovoltaic waste assessment in Italy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 99-112.
    3. Antonio Rubino & Giuseppe Granata & Emanuela Moscardini & Ludovica Baldassari & Pietro Altimari & Luigi Toro & Francesca Pagnanelli, 2020. "Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
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    1. Iliana Papamichael & Irene Voukkali & Mejdi Jeguirim & Nikolaos Argirusis & Salah Jellali & Georgia Sourkouni & Christos Argirusis & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2022. "End-of-Life Management and Recycling on PV Solar Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-5, September.

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