Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEW-MINE (EU Training Network for Resource Recovery through Enhanced Landfill Mining)

Teaser

NEW-MINE – EU Training Network for Resource Recovery Through Enhanced Landfill MiningEurope has somewhere between 150,000 and 500,000 landfill sites, with an estimated 90% of them being “non-sanitary” landfills, predating the EU Landfill Directive of 1999. These older...

Summary

NEW-MINE – EU Training Network for Resource Recovery Through Enhanced Landfill Mining
Europe has somewhere between 150,000 and 500,000 landfill sites, with an estimated 90% of them being “non-sanitary” landfills, predating the EU Landfill Directive of 1999. These older landfills tend to be filled with municipal solid waste and often lack any environmental protection technology. In order to avoid future environmental and health problems, many of these landfills will soon require expensive remediation measures. This situation might appear bleak, but it does present us with an exciting opportunity for a combined resource-recovery and remediation strategy, which will drastically reduce future remediation costs, reclaim valuable land, while at the same time unlocking valuable resources. However, the widespread adoption of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) in the EU, as envisaged by NEW-MINE, urgently requires skilled scientists, engineers, economists and policy makers who can develop cost-effective, environmentally friendly ELFM practices and regulatory frameworks. All this demands a European commitment to concerted, inter- and transdisciplinary research and innovation. NEW-MINE trains 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs) in all aspects of landfill mining, in terms of both technological innovation and multi-criteria assessments. The technological innovation follows a value-chain approach, from advanced landfill exploration, mechanical processing, hybrid plasma/solar thermochemical conversion and upcycling, while the multi-criteria assessment methods allow to compare combined resource-recovery/remediation ELFM methods with the “Do-Nothing”, “Classic remediation” and “Classic landfill mining with (co-)incineration” scenarios (See Figure 1). By training the ESRs in scientific, technical and soft skills, they become highly sought-after scientists and engineers for the rapidly emerging landfill-mining and broader raw-materials industries of Europe.

The overall project flow is shown in Figure 2. The 15 ESR topics are linked through an ELFM flowsheet, in which ESR1 is performing geophysical exploration of landfills, which are subsequently excavated and treated by different mechanical separation processes (ESR2-3-4) to produce different fractions, which are subsequently processed to recover materials (e.g. metals, building sand) and further processed to produce a refuse derived fuel (RDF) for work package 2. Work package 2 studies the conversion of the RDF to syngas, metals and slags and ashes (ESR5-9), while WP3 studies the metal/slag-ash separation and the further treatment of slags/ashes to produce inorganic polymers and/or glass ceramics (ESR10-12). Work package 4 performs an integrated assessment of the process and of ELFM as a whole (ESR13-15).

Work performed

Work package (WP) 1 studies innovative landfill exploration and mechanical processing of waste excavated from landfills. Excavations took place at two landfills and different fractions were produced through mechanical processing. A flowsheet was developed for the exploration, excavation and mechanical processing. Activities performed include electromagnetic exploration experiments to explore the spatial distribution of different waste types within landfill sites (ESR1). Study of MBT process and ballistic separation processes for the treatment of landfill material for the production of different fractions, including “pre-RDF” (ESR2). Study of sensor based sorting on ELFM materials (ESR3). Studies of the valorisation possibilities of the fine fraction (particle size 14 mm to <90 mm) present in landfills, composing commonly >50 % of the landfill content (ESR4).

WP2 studies the thermal conversion of the Refuse Derived Fuel fraction (RDF, i.e. the light fraction produced in WP1 through mechanical processing, composed of plastics, wood, etc.), for the production of synthetic gas, ashes or vitrified ashes (depending on the thermal process) and metals. The 4 PhD topics have been linked in a novel thermal conversion process for RDF. Activities involve the study of the thermal conversion of RDF through steam plasma gasification (ESR5), the purification of syngas using plasma tar cracking (ESR6) and the use of solar power combined with thermal energy storage to be able to heat the gasification agent (ESR7-8).

WP3 studies the upcycling of ashes and vitrified ashes, by-products of the gasification process of WP2. ESR9 studies the vitrification of ashes, aiming at cleaning the material from any remaining heavy metals that could jeopardize valorisation. ESR 10 studies the microwave treatment of ashes to form a precursor for inorganic polymers and/or glass ceramics. ESR11 studies the synthesis of inorganic polymers from plasmastone. A large range of synthesis conditions was studied, resulting in a binder of adequate properties. Apart from this, lightweight materials were produced using the binder. ESR12 develops glass-ceramics from the (vitrified) ash. Glass ceramics could be produced successfully with properties comparable to ceramic tiles and natural stones.

WP4 develops a multi-criteria assessment for landfill mining concepts and technologies. ESR13 develops an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and risk assessment methodology for ELFM. ESR14 develops a techno-economic assessment model for ELFM. ESR15 looks at policy and market interventions for facilitation of ELFM implementation. An integrated assessment is developed by joint-work of the three ESRs. Base scenarios have been investigated and data collection is in progress.

Final results

NEW-MINE develops and integrates cutting-edge, eco-friendly ELFM technologies to valorise Europe’s 150,000– 500,000 landfills, thereby recovering resources (materials, energy, land), while mitigating future environmental and health risks associated with landfills as well as avoiding enormous landfill-remediation costs. Technologies can spill over to other sectors (e.g. treatment of fresh waste, use of secondary raw materials in the building sector). Project results are communicated and disseminated widely (publications, policy briefs, ELFM symposium, different video’s, etc). A project video can be viewed online on Youtube on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pkGfARjPao&

NEW-MINE provides training in all aspects of ELFM, not only to ESRs but also to all consortium members and external partners (e.g. through summer school). NEW-MINE ESRs are the logical employees of industry, academia and public sector in this field. Contact with future employers is guaranteed through the presence of these actors within the consortium and in the broader ELFM network.

NEW-MINE is well embedded in/ and actively contributes to the growth of the network on ELFM. A strong link to national/E.U. initiatives ensures the long-term sustainability of the network. Continuation of the network is ensured by active participation of the NEW-MINE partners within the EURELCO consortium, the organization of International Academic Symposia on ELFM, engagement in upscaling ELFM technologies for both MSW/USW and industrial residues, organization of the second seminar on ELFM in the European Parliament (November 20, 2018 - see https://kuleuven.sim2.be/2nd-elfm-seminar-european-parliament-2011/).

To summarize, the project has already a visible impact, and in view of the expected results to come, this is expected to become even stronger.

Website & more info

More info: http://new-mine.eu/.