| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
REWAS 2025: Sustainable End-of-Life Management and Recycling Solutions for Batteries, Wind Turbines, and Photovoltaics
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| Presentation Title |
Recycling of Solar Wafers through Acid Leaching and Vacuum Refining. |
| Author(s) |
Elif Emil Kaya, Mona Tellebond Hassel, Gabriella Tranell |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Elif Emil Kaya |
| Abstract Scope |
Developing a sustainable raw materials supply chain is crucial for establishing an industrial ecosystem aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal, emphasizing energy conservation, and reducing environmental impacts in metal production, especially critical metals. According to the WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU), photovoltaic (PV) panels are categorized as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), requiring at least 85% collection and a minimum of 80% recycling. Recycling materials from solar panels is vital for achieving circular economy objectives and reclaiming elements like silver (Ag), lead (Pb), and silicon (Si). These metals are listed as strategic and precious by the EU comission due to their economic importance and high supply risks. This study investigates acid leaching for efficiently recovering Ag from EoL solar wafers and preparing Si for vacuum refining. Various leaching agents are investigated for this purpose, followed by vacuum refining of Si from wafers to achieve high-purity Si. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Pyrometallurgy, Extraction and Processing |