Phinix, LLC

Announcements

A circular economy for metals is vital to achieving sustainability.

The Bridge, Volume 54, No. 2 - Summer 2024, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

Technology Innovation for the Circular Economy: Recycling, Remanufacturing, Design, System Analysis and Logistics

The book documents the comprehensive discussions and findings from a conference organized by the REMADE Institute in Rochester, NY, which brought together a diverse group of U.S. and international stakeholders including researchers, engineers, technologists, and policymakers to delve into the circular economy. It spans 56 chapters across 10 parts, covering a wide array of research and practical applications within the circular economy, including system-level approaches, models, and the integration of technologies such as AI and machine learning. Key topics include advancements in mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, which represent some of the leading-edge research in these fields. Additionally, significant innovations in remanufacturing and tire remanufacturing and recycling are discussed, showcasing cutting-edge techniques in handling large volumes of end-of-use materials. The final sections of the book explore pathways to achieving net-zero emissions in materials manufacturing, emphasizing the role of industrial decarbonization in moving towards a more sustainable economic model.

Title : Removal of Iron and Manganese Impurities from Secondary Aluminum Melts Using Microstructural Engineering Techniques - M.K. Sinha, B. Mishra, J. Hiscocks, B. Davi, S.K. Das, T. Grosko and J. Pickens

(Chapter 36, Page 463)

An article on decarbonisation in the metals industry including two largest sectors - steel and aluminum published by Recycling Today. Thank you DeAnne Toto, Media Group Editorial Director, Recycling Today for including my opinion and insights.

Click to download article.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the appointment of 18 science, business, academic, and industry leaders to the Industrial Technology Innovation Advisory Committee (ITIAC) to help decarbonize America’s industrial sector.

Dr. Subodh Das is 1 of 18 members to the new ITIAC to help decarbonize America’s industrial sector.

ITIAC is a federal advisory committee whose members will report directly to the U.S. Secretary of Energy with a comprehensive strategy to accelerate the development of technologies and processes that will reduce emissions across the U.S. industrial sector and move the nation closer to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

Learn more about ITIAC and its members:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/iedo/articles/secretary-energy-appoints-new-members-federal-advisory-committee-reduce

Economic analysis of precious metal recovery from electronic waste through gas-assisted microflow extraction

The recycling of end-of-life electronic products is motivated by the enormous investment of resources in their creation and the environmental concerns associated with electronic waste (e-waste). It is envisioned that this study may establish a paradigm for making economically-informed decisions for sustainable technologies.

This paper was co-authored by Dr. Das.

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Mechanism and kinetic study of rare earth extraction from allanite by direct acid leaching

The experiment focused on recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from allanite ore through direct acid leaching. Results showed that using 1 M sulfuric acid (H2SO4) at 75°C for 2 hours extracted approximately 80% of the REEs, with temperature having a significant impact on extraction efficiency. Electron microscopy revealed that the leaching process affected the crystal structure minimally, and kinetic modeling suggested a mixed control mechanism involving both chemical reaction and diffusion.

This paper was co-authored by Dr. Das.

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Growing Aluminum Rolling Capacity in the U.S. to Boost Raw Material Demand
Article by Dr. Subodh Das, published in Light Metal Age, December 2023.

Greenfield rolling capacity expansion in the U.S. is important to the North American market, considering the growing demand from the automative and packaging sectors. The industry however, needs to work towards securing the raw material supply chain for the more than 752,000 tpy of new rolling sheet output coming online in the next few years.

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Phinix, LLC, awarded a $1.8 million (over 2 years) by REMADE

Project Lead: Phinix, LLC

Partner Organizations: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Kingston Process Metallurgy, Smelter Services Corporation, Audubon Metals, Real Alloys, Spectro Alloys Corp.

Description: This project seeks to develop processes to remove Fe and Mn from molten aluminum scrap, allowing it to be recycled more easily. As the world's largest aluminum scrap exporter, the U.S. has enormous potential to develop a circular economy for aluminum and lower aluminum products' energy and emissions profile.

For more information

LANDFILL MINING: THE UNTAPPED SOURCE FOR ALUMINUM AND ITS RELEVANCE IN THE U.S.

Why is landfill mining more relevant for the United States? Because the U.S. is one of the leading consumers of aluminum. This is a country, which produces more than one hundred billion aluminum cans per year and consumes one can per day for every American. Although our domestic recycling has improved and enabled a large market for secondary aluminum as an industrial feedstock, the overall amount of recycling is still relatively low. The U.S. has been burying aluminum cans in landfills since the time Coors launched their aluminum beer cans in 1959.

Click to download this white paper written by Dr. Subodh Das. This was published in the October 2023 edition of LIGHT METAL AGE.