LAPSE:2023.28617
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.28617
Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si
Antonio Rubino, Giuseppe Granata, Emanuela Moscardini, Ludovica Baldassari, Pietro Altimari, Luigi Toro, Francesca Pagnanelli
April 12, 2023
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 (70−90%), 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.
Keywords
end of life photovoltaic panels, metals recycling, polymers recycling, process simulation, SuperPro Designer
Suggested Citation
Rubino A, Granata G, Moscardini E, Baldassari L, Altimari P, Toro L, Pagnanelli F. Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si. (2023). LAPSE:2023.28617
Author Affiliations
Rubino A: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy [ORCID]
Granata G: Intelligen, Inc., 2326 Morse Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, USA [ORCID]
Moscardini E: Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy
Baldassari L: Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy
Altimari P: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy
Toro L: Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy
Pagnanelli F: Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
13
Issue
24
Article Number
E6690
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-12-18
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
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Original Submission
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PII: en13246690, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.28617
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doi:10.3390/en13246690
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Apr 12, 2023
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