Thermodynamics and its Applications to Waste Valorization and Indium Recovery

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This research program proposes to use the established knowledge base and further expand it by the development of improved/new thermodynamic and kinetic data for applications to full conversion of industrial wastes and end-of-life products to valuable commodities. Leaching residues from the primary zinc production and transparent conducting films in electronic devices are not only hazardous but also contain rare metals including indium, strategic for transformation to green technology and technoeconomic development. In addition, considering Canada's target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the aim is to contribute to development of carbon neutral recycling processes, based on clean energy sources such as hydrogen. This will be a promising approach considering Canada as one of the largest hydrogen producers in the world. Nevertheless, diversity of generated wastes in terms of chemistry and phase constituents creates a need for different processing variables, making an experimental method very costly and time consuming. Hence, a knowledge-based approach including coupled methodical experimental design and simulation is proposed in this program. In this context, there is a need for reliable thermodynamic and kinetic data to produce products of high quality and metal value from recycling of wastes. Moreover, recycling routes developed based on hydrogen as reducing agent are different in terms of chemical, physical and thermal properties from those based on fossil fuels. However, such data is inadequate or missing for indium-containing systems. Therefore, this research program will aim to fill in the current fundamental gap. In a series of projects, a thermodynamic database will be developed for the indium-containing systems, and the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions between these systems and hydrogen will be studied. The generated data will be utilized to design economically viable and environmentally friendly recycling routes for the two waste streams. The knowledge and expertise gained from this program will not only contribute to secure the Canada position in critical materials supply chain but also empower the Canadian metallurgical industry with tools to fight against climate change and energy scarcity. In addition, the scientific community will benefit from the newly generated thermodynamic and kinetic data. The generated knowledge will form the ground for other research projects and innovations in the field and can be generalized to other applications. Beyond its scientific, technical and industrial impacts; highly qualified professionals (3 PhDs, 2 MScs, 5 undergraduate students) will be hired and trained in an equal, diverse, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment. The HQPs are expected to join, strengthen and maintain the competitiveness of the Canadian academic institutions and metallurgical industry. This program will contribute to fill in the current gender imbalance in the field of metallurgy.