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Der Kreislauf der Platinmetalle - Recycling von Katalysatoren
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Due to the efficient and (almost) zero emission operation of fuel cells, they are particularly attractive for application in the transportation sector and in stationary power conversion. For an environmental evaluation of new technologies, however, an investigation of the complete life-cycle is necessary to ensure that no environmental aspect is neglected. In this “cradle-to-grave approach”, not only the use phase, but also the supply of the fuel and the production and disposal/recycling of the vehicle or power plant have to be considered. The appropriate instrument for this task is life-cycle assessment (LCA).
Low temperature Fuel Cells like PEMFC, DMFC or PAFC comprise significant amounts of the precious metals platinum (Pt) and ruthenium (Ru), required as catalysts for the conversion of reactive gases into electric power. Recent studies show that the available reserves of platinum are sufficient to meet the needs for the upcoming fuel cell industry [1,2]. Precious metal prices are sensitive to increasing market demands. This requires an adequate, reliable supply and affordable prices of platinum and ruthenium. Taking into account the relatively high precious metal loading needed for an automotive fuel cell, this only can be achieved, if efficient and environmentally sound technologies exist for the recycling of precious metal from fuel cell components.
Platinum Group Metals (PGM) are used in many industrial applications and the total PGM demand has risen steadily in the past decades. Cumulatively up to 2002, some 8000 t of PGM have been used in total globally, approximately 80% of which were utilised from 1980 onwards only. Due to their high value, recycling of PGM is practised on a broad scale and a significant part of the global PGM supply today is derived from secondary sources. Some recent publications project high future secondary supplies e.g. from spent automotive catalysts or from electronic scrap [1]. Nevertheless, when the PGM application segments and their relevant lifecycles are examined closely, it becomes evident that, in some areas, lifecycle efficiencies are not as high as often assumed. This paper analyses the recycling loops of some main PGM-applications and elaborates, why in some areas lifecycle efficiencies are fairly high whereas in other fields, significant losses still occur.
Katalysatoren für die Abgasreinigung von Kraftfahrzeugen enthalten die Edelmetalle Platin (Pt), Rhodium (Rh) und teilweise auch Palladium (Pd). Der Wert dieser Metalle macht den "Kat" zu einem der wenigen Autokomponenten, für die ein Recycling schon aus rein ökonomischen Gründen sinnvoll ist und auch bereits erfolgreich praktiziert wird. Die zurückgewonnenen Edelmetalle werden z.B. erneut für die Produktion von Katalysatoren eingesetzt.
Automotive catalysts today make almost 50 % of the global demand for the Platinum Group Metals (PGM); cumulative, some 2500 t of those metals have been used. Driving factor for a sharp demand increase from the parly 1990s has been Europe, and the biggest part of these PGMs is still on the road. In Germany e.g., meanwhile 90 % of the car fleet is equipped with catalysts, and the following years will show all over Europe an increasing amount of catalyst cars being scrapped. Recycling of the catalysts and the PGMs contained therein potentially offers a valuable source for future PGM supply. However, in today’s practice, more than 50 % of the theoretical potential is lost due to system leaks (e.g. scrap-car exports out of Europe) and inadequate operating of the recycling chain. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting a research project “Materials flow of Platinum Group Metals”, in which automotive catalysts play a major role. This project is jointly conducted by Öko-Institut and Umicore, which in August 2003 took over the former Degussa precious metals business from the OM Group. Umicore operates Europe’s largest refinery to recover PGMs from autocatalysts. The article explains interim results of the research project, describes the market potential and the recycling chain, and makes proposals how to optimize the overall recycling efficiency.
Catalytic converters for the purification of automotive exhaust emissions carry The precious metals platinum, rhodium, and palladium. Due to the value of these metals recycling is economically viable and material cycling is already practised successfully The recovered precious metals are re-used in the production of new catalysts without any decrease in quality. Considering the recent price development for platinum group metals, the presentation analyses the implication of auto catalysts on the precious metals markets and elaborates the importance of catalyst recycling. Focus is laid on the European situation. The development of recycling volume, the collection logistics established, the technical treatment for recovery, and recycling-economics are described, as well as the environmental impact.
Different kinds of catalysts are used in chemical processes to accelerate their reactions. One of the most important and well-known examples is the conversion of the pollutants generated by the combustion of fuel to non-toxic products. The significance, supply situation and the recovery processes of the precious metals used as catalysts — platinum, rhodium and palladium (hereafter referred to as PGM) — are described. The pyrometallurgical treatment of spent automotive exhaust catalysts is explained. The newly developed Degussa-process and its first results obtained are mentioned. The problems of logistics are discussed, and a brief view into the future of automotive exhaust catalysts is given.
Edles aus dem Kat, Volkswagen Magazin
- P Ponke
P. Ponke: Edles aus dem Kat, Volkswagen Magazin, Okt. 2000, S.16-19.
ARGE): 1. Monitorbericht zur umweltgerechten Entsorgung von Altfahrzeugen, Kap. 6.2 Altautoaufkommen (der Bundesregierung vorgelegt am 31
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Altauto
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Altauto (ARGE): 1. Monitorbericht zur umweltgerechten
Entsorgung von Altfahrzeugen, Kap. 6.2 Altautoaufkommen (der Bundesregierung vorgelegt am 31.3.2000).
Scrap palladium seen flooding market by
- C Black
C. Black: Scrap palladium seen flooding market by 2008, Reuters 27.2.2003.