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Project

Optimized End-Of-Life Treatment of Electric and Electronic Consumer Products

Previous research has proven that for low-end electric and electronic devices or for products with limited residual value (like audio systems and small electronics) disassembly scenarios are not economically feasible. Besides reuse scenarios, that are strongly dependent on the functional performance of the devices under consideration, systematic shredding of waste of electric and electronic products (WEEE) thus becomes the dominant end-of-life (EoL) treatment method. When not carefully optimised and combined with appropriate separation techniques,this approach is typically leading to low value, hybrid material fractions and does not fit ina cradle to cradle strategy.
Objective of the proposed PhD study is to identify suitable optimisation methods to combine a maximised recycling rate of pure material fractions(thus minimising environmental impact as quantified by means of LCA methods) with an optimised economic benefit (maximising value). In this research the available separation techniques and their potential to effectively isolate material fractions form input information. The fast evaluation of these techniques should be takeninto account when designing a robust and adjustable optimisation system. The momentary value of different material fractions (composition, purity) are complementary input data. Optimising the environmental impact and the economic return of recycling activities will involve intelligent clustering of products in batches containing either materials that can beseparated with the techniques at hand, or materials that are compatiblefor further use in hybrid fractions without significant loss of functional and monetary value. Optimising these clusters according to environmental and economic criteria is an explicit target. Besides providing methods and algorithms applicable to optimise the EoL treatment of products by recycling, the research will also contribute to updated design rules concerning the effects of combining different materials in new product development. Using up to date compatibility and separation capability databases, dynamic design advice can thus be provided.

Date:1 Sep 2010 →  18 Dec 2016
Keywords:Products, Consumer, Electronic, Electric
Disciplines:Business administration and accounting, Management
Project type:PhD project