basic knowledge in mineral chemistry and physical chemistry.

 

This course addresses the problem of secondary resources, i.e. recycling and urban mining. It discusses in a technical way the process of chemical extraction of metallic elements from two important streams which are electrical and electronic devices (WEEE) and waste batteries (laptops, cars).

Important aspects of metal recycling and the main thermal (pyrometallurgy) or wet (hydrometallurgy) technologies currently used for the recovery of metals/elements, as well as emerging technologies and industrial risks will be covered as well as life cycle analysis.

The course will be taught simultaneously online and in person at Chimie Paristech (in Paris 5e).

 

·          WEEE and their chemical content: What are the chemical elements present in WEEE? Is it worth recycling ? How can we get waste ? Brief description of the collection and sorting processes

 

·         Thermal methods (pyrometallurgy):

a little bit of thermodynamics, roasting, purification, refining, examples of a heat treatment plant

 

·         Solution chemistry (hydrometallurgy)

The main concepts of solubility, complexation, precipitation separation, adsorption, extraction

 

·         Emergent recycling methods and responsible recycling: Chemical risks inherent to treatment (heavy metals, toxic volatile compounds, fires); effluent treatment in processes; carbon and energy balance of recycling. This will be the main object of the students team work.

 

·         Some examples of metal recovery from academics.

For students that need to validate the ATHENS-Week (ECTS) there will be an examination on the last day. 

This will consist in a short oral presentation to validate their presence at the sessions.

Sunday, 15 November :

10:00 a.m: Optional 5 km run along the banks of the Seine - Free

2:30 to 3:30 p.m: Guided, in-depth tour of the Louvre Museum in a small group, led by a member of Chimie ParisTech - Free

Late afternoon: Guided tours of Paris by group - 

During ATHENS Week:

Lunchtime : Visit to the Collège de France, a prestigious French academic institution — TBC - Free

Evening : Proposed Erasmus+-style social evening or organised with the Chimie ParisTech Students’ Union — TBC