Life Cycle Assessment of new recycling and reuse routes for Rare Earth Element machines in hybrid/electric vehicles

Hybrid and Full Electric Vehicles (H)EVs are essential for the transition towards sustainable e-mobility. The permanent magnets in motors/generators of (H)EVs contain large quantities of rare earths, which are critical metals with the highest supply risk for Europe. As highlighted by the European Rare Earths Competency Network, recycling of rare-earth magnets from (H)EVs should receive top priority. Reclaiming of rare-earth magnet motors/generators used in (H)EVs is a major challenge because the magnets are difficult to remove from the assemblies, and are currently too impacting environmentally to be regularly recycled. Specifically, my objective is to develop a methodology for performing life cycle assessment for the entire life cycle and cost of Rare Earth Elements inside magnets and motors, which includes evaluating economical as well as environmental models in order to research cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly direct and indirect recycling routes. Objectives: To develop a methodology for performing life cycle assessment for the entire life cycle and cost of REE magnet motors/generators, including (1) the recycling and reuse routes developed in the DEMETER project and (2) possible new business models for the reuse of REE magnet motors/generators and to integrate CBA/LCC/LCA for assessing the economic and environmental sustainability of REE magnet motor/generator life cycles. Methodology: Life cycle assessment of state-of-the-art recycling processes for permanent magnets (via literature, patents, company visits) - month 6 Developing a LCA and techno-economic assessment methodology for new business models for reuse of REE magnet motors/generators (such as leasing formula) - month 12 Methodology development to incorporate the use phase, including the performance of the REE magnet motor/generators and the impact on the vehicle weight (primary and secondary effects). - month 16 Developing a methodology to cope with the sustainability assessment of multiple recycling and reuse loops - month 18 Evaluation of the product life cycles of permanent magnets for (H)EV applications with LCA, in collaboration with another PhD within DEMETER. Therefore, characterization and materials balances, energy consumption, additional resources and emissions in all phases and (recycling) processing steps are measured and calculated. - month 30 Extending the techno-economic assessment of another PhD within DEMETER with external costs in order to perform eLCCs. - month 32 Development of a fully integrated CBA/LCC/LCA framework and implementing it for REE magnet motor/generator life cycles. - month 36 Integrated assessment of all scenarios, business as usual, including existing end-of-life scenarios, new business models, new recycling and recovery routes. -month 42

Jaar van publicatie:2019

Toegankelijkheid:Open