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Circular Economy Development Centre
A circular economy helps ensure sustainable growth over time through the optimisation of resources, a reduction in the consumption of raw materials, the recovery of waste and recycling.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Circular Economy Development Centre supports the scale-up of technologies and processes that improve the recovery and reuse of materials, including critical minerals, to benefit markets that will be essential in a future low carbon, resource constrained economy.
The Centre develops innovative processes for industrial symbiosis, material valorisation, and supply chain sustainability.
These innovative processes are supported by material processing, process simulation, numerical modelling (Finite Element Analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), discrete event simulation (DES), life cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon footprinting expertise.
ACTIVITIES
The Circular Economy Development Centre enables the scale up development pathway and de-risking for pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes.
The Centre also provides de-risking and small batch demonstration of pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, pyrolysis, materials separation processes, next generation cements.
Research, development and activities supported through the Circular Economy Development Centre include:
- Development of zero-carbon cements and geopolymers
- Development of new and innovative material recovery processes
- Development of new innovative processes and existing process optimisation
- Identification of environmentally friendly processes for material valorisation
- Investigations and promotion of industrial symbiosis
- Development of scrap optimisation processes and technologies
- Investigation into industrial digitalisation and applicable process such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and advanced data analytics developments
The Circular Economy Development Centre is supported by our Advanced Materials Characterisation Centre to provide materials characterisation analysis and feedback linked directly with specific projects.
The Centre builds on the Institute’s core expertise, capabilities, and existing assets, and integrates activities to support industries transitioning to a circular economy through the scaling up and implementation of industrial decarbonisation initiatives, the development of advanced materials, optimisation of industrial processes, and the integration of digital technologies.
Hydrometallurgy
Laboratory to pilot scale equipment to refine, develop and scale up low energy, greener chemical extraction and recovery processes for important raw materials including battery materials and rare earth elements.
Mechanical Processing
Versatile pilot scale crushing, grinding and separation equipment (sub-tonne scale).
Pyrolysis
Industrial pilot scale rotary pyrolysis kiln for scaling up the recovery of valuable fuels from waste materials.
Pyrometallurgy
Pilot scale top-blown rotary converter for high temperature smelting, refining, separation and recovery of metals and metal oxides.
Modelling and Simulation
Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis, Discrete Event Mapping, and Generative AI to model components, processes and optimisation of new industrial opportunities.
Life Cycle Assessment, Carbon Footprint and Environmental Product Declaration
The institute has expertise in conducting Life Cycle Assessment, Carbon Footprint and in type III Environmental Product Declaration in compliance with ISO 14040/14044, ISO 14067 and ISO 14025.
Sustainable cements and aggregates
Modelling, generating, heat treating and testing new lower CO2 cements and concretes from recycled inputs.
CONTACT
To find out more about the Circular Economy Development Centre or to make an enquiry, please email [email protected]
