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Abstract
The aim of this presentation is to introduce a new perspective on material recovery. In the context of the circular economy, it makes more sense to recover materials and simultaneously transform them into useful products, rather than striving for primary raw materials. This shift in perspective is crucial as it aligns with the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection. Rather than adhering to the traditional 'end of pipe' approaches. This new philosophy embraces the 'cradle to cradle' concept, emphasizing the continuous lifecycle of materials.
In my project, I conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis of 1st and 2nd generation photovoltaic modules using the SimaPro software. The environmental impact of delamination processes was studied using gas chromatography with various detectors. For material recovery, the focus was on recovering silver using conductive materials such as polyaniline and polypyrrole, comparing the results with electrodeposition. Additionally, preliminary studies on the recovery of Cd and Te from CdTe modules were conducted. The project also explored the recycling of Li-ion batteries and the use of materials from silicon modules in the production of electrode materials for use in batteries.
The main findings highlight the importance of rethinking the recycling process to focus on material recovery and transformation into useful products. This approach not only supports sustainable development but also emphasizes the ongoing advancements in this field. The shift from raw material recovery to the utilization of recovered materials demonstrates a significant step forward in addressing the environmental impact of photovoltaic waste.
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Brief Bio
Dr. Anna Kuczynska-Lazewska graduated with a degree in Chemistry and Environmental Protection Technology from the Faculty of Chemistry at Gdańsk University of Technology. She undertook a three-month internship at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock. She pursued her doctoral studies at the same institution, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Apparatus (now the Department of Energy Conversion and Storage), where she defended her PhD thesis on 'Recycling of 1st and 2nd generation photovoltaic modules' in 2018. After earning her doctorate, she was employed as an assistant in the same department, and in 2022 she spent five months as a Visiting Fellow at the University of New South Wales. Her scientific activity includes semiconductor materials, photocatalysis, material recycling, hydrometallurgy, life cycle analysis, and renewable energy sources, particularly photovoltaics. She has substantial experience in metal recovery from photovoltaic waste from 1st and 2nd generation PV modules. She teaches courses on thermodynamics, life cycle analysis, building physics, and the physical and chemical principles of energy generation. Her one of the achievements is the organization of the national Interdisciplinary Academic Conference on Environmental Protection, and her receiving the MINIATURA grant titled 'Comparative LCA analysis of recycling methods for photovoltaic modules made of CdTe - preliminary studies' from the Polish National Science Centre in 2023.
