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Applying Circular Thermoeconomics for Sustainable Metal Recovery in PCB Recycling

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  • Jorge Torrubia

    (Research Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency of Aragón (Energaia), University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
    Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • César Torres

    (Research Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency of Aragón (Energaia), University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Alicia Valero

    (Research Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency of Aragón (Energaia), University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Antonio Valero

    (Research Institute for Energy and Resource Efficiency of Aragón (Energaia), University of Zaragoza, Campus Río Ebro, Mariano Esquillor Gómez, 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Ashak Mahmud Parvez

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Mohsin Sajjad

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Felipe García Paz

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf e.V. (HZDR), Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

Abstract

The momentum of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is driving increased demand for certain specific metals. These include copper, silver, gold, and platinum group metals (PGMs), which have important applications in renewable energies, green hydrogen, and electronic products. However, the continuous extraction of these metals is leading to a rapid decline in their ore grades and, consequently, increasing the environmental impact of extraction. Hence, obtaining metals from secondary sources, such as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), has become imperative for both environmental sustainability and ensuring their availability. To evaluate the sustainability of the process, this paper proposes using an exergy approach, which enables appropriate allocation among co-products, as well as the assessment of exergy losses and the use of non-renewable resources. As a case study, this paper analyzes the recycling process of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) by disaggregating the exergy cost into renewable and non-renewable sources, employing different exergy-based cost allocation methods for the mentioned metals. It further considers the complete life cycle of metals using the Circular Thermoeconomics methodology. The results show that, when considering the entire life cycle, between 47% and 53% of the non-renewable exergy is destroyed during recycling. Therefore, delaying recycling as much as possible would be the most desirable option for minimizing the use of non-renewable resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Torrubia & César Torres & Alicia Valero & Antonio Valero & Ashak Mahmud Parvez & Mohsin Sajjad & Felipe García Paz, 2024. "Applying Circular Thermoeconomics for Sustainable Metal Recovery in PCB Recycling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:19:p:4973-:d:1492436
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castro, M.B.G. & Remmerswaal, J.A.M. & Brezet, J.C. & Reuter, M.A., 2007. "Exergy losses during recycling and the resource efficiency of product systems," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 219-233.
    2. Valero, Alicia & Valero, Antonio & Stanek, Wojciech, 2018. "Assessing the exergy degradation of the natural capital: From Szargut's updated reference environment to the new thermoecological-cost methodology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1140-1149.
    3. Yu, Jinglei & Williams, Eric & Ju, Meiting, 2010. "Analysis of material and energy consumption of mobile phones in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 4135-4141, August.
    4. Valero, Alicia & Domínguez, Adriana & Valero, Antonio, 2015. "Exergy cost allocation of by-products in the mining and metallurgical industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 128-142.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sergey A. Glazyrin & Yelaman K. Aibuldinov & Eldar E. Kopishev & Mikhail G. Zhumagulov & Zarina A. Bimurzina, 2024. "Analysis of the Composition and Properties of Municipal Solid Waste from Various Cities in Kazakhstan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Alessandro Lima & Jorge Torrubia & Alicia Valero & Antonio Valero, 2025. "Non-Renewable and Renewable Exergy Costs of Water Electrolysis in Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-24, March.

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