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Criticality and Recyclability Assessment of Car Parts—A Thermodynamic Simulation-Based Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Marta Iglesias-Émbil

    (SEAT, S.A., Autovía A-2 Km. 585, 08760 Martorell, Spain
    Sostenipra Research Group (SGR 01412), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals ICTA-UAB (MDM-2015-0552), Z Building, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Alejandro Abadías

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Alicia Valero

    (CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Guiomar Calvo

    (CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Markus Andreas Reuter

    (SMS-Group GmbH, Eduard-Schloemann-Straße 4, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany)

  • Abel Ortego

    (CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

Using a thermodynamic approach, this paper identifies the most critical parts of a car, considering their composition. A total of 11 car parts that contain valuable and scarce materials have been selected using thermodynamic rarity, an indicator that helps assess elements and minerals in exergy terms according to their relative scarcity in the crust and the energy required to extract and refine them. A recyclability analysis using a product-centric approach was then undertaken using dedicated software, HSC Chemistry. To that end, the dismantling of these car parts into three main fractions was performed. Each car part was divided into non-ferrous, steel, and aluminum flows. A general metallurgical process was developed and simulated for each flow, including all the required equipment to extract most of the minor but valuable metals. Of the 11 parts, only 7 have a recyclability potential higher than 85%. By treating these selected car parts appropriately, the raw materials’ value recovered from the car can increase by 6%. The approach used in this paper can help provide guidelines to improve the eco-design of cars and can also be applied to other sectors. Ultimately, this paper uniquely introduces simulation-based thermodynamic rarity analysis for thermodynamic based product “design for recycling”.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Iglesias-Émbil & Alejandro Abadías & Alicia Valero & Guiomar Calvo & Markus Andreas Reuter & Abel Ortego, 2022. "Criticality and Recyclability Assessment of Car Parts—A Thermodynamic Simulation-Based Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:91-:d:1010279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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