Company Presentation - UBU · 2015. 7. 15. · Company Presentation . MONOLITHOS commercial...
Transcript of Company Presentation - UBU · 2015. 7. 15. · Company Presentation . MONOLITHOS commercial...
Iakovos V. Yakoumis
Chemical Engineer Managing Director
Company Presentation
MONOLITHOS commercial activity is the manufacturing and recycling
of automotive emission control devices
(catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, SCR, DeNOx traps)
CRMs involved: PGMs (Pt, Pd, Rh) and rare earths (Ce, La)
REGENERATION SUBSTITUTION RECYCLING
R&D Activities involving CRMs
Material to Material
Material to Technology/Process
The main objective of NEXTGENCAT project is the development of novel eco-friendly
nano-structured automotive catalysts utilizing transition metal nanoparticles
(Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Fe etc) that can partially or completely replace the PGMs (Pt, Pd, Rh).
The project (Number: 280890) is funded under the FP7 programme:
NMP.2011.2.2-4 – Novel materials for replacement of critical materials (platinum group
metals and rare earths) with total EU contribution 3,9 million Euros.
The project, started in September 2014, aims in the development of a small scale pilot
plant for the recycling of automotive catalytic converters using hydrometallurgical
process. The project is being funded under the Eco_Innovation 2013 program.
MONOLITHOS Ltd. is the solely Greek entity chosen to receive funding under this call.
MONOLITHOS Ltd. is participating in the events of CRM_InnoNet Network.
CRM_InnoNet (Critical Raw Materials Innovation Network) will drive innovation and
influence policy in the field of substitution of critical raw materials for the benefit of EU
industry.
MONOLITHOS Ltd. received an invitation to participate in the EU Cluster on Substitution
of Critical Raw Materials being organized by DGs RTD and GROW– First meeting held in
Brussels at 10 February 2015
1. Network on technology-critical elements - from environmental processes to human
health threats – TD1407
2. Interdisciplinarity in research programming and funding cycles (INTREPID) – TD1408
Clustering Activities receiving funding for the period April 2015 – April 2019
Development of nano-structured automotive catalysts
utilizing transition metal nanoparticles (mainly Cu)
Stage of Development
1. Upscaling from laboratory level to production of
bigger washcoat catalyst quantities (i.e. 2kg)
has been successfully performed
2. Coating of the novel catalyst to commercial
ceramic monoliths has been successfully
performed
Next Steps
1. Laboratory and Real-Life-Conditions Aging of
the novel catalyst
2. Homologation of the novel catalyst against Euro
Emission Standards
• Alumina, titania or their mixtures as catalytic support
• High porosity permitting gases to present two-axis
movement within the catalyst
• High coating flexibility (e.g. oxidation to take place
separately than reduction)
Experimental apparatus for the hypergnation of metals on the
catalytic membrane surface Hexagonal arrangement of fibers
Shell side
Lumen side
Cu nanoparticles
Gas flow
Stream
through pores
Gas flow
Conversions for 3 flow rates and after regeneration
with He
Adsorption prevails until 240°C (yield reduction)
Optimum conversion of ΝΟ and NOx at 400°C with yield 74.5% and 81.5% respectively
and flow rate of NO 0.5 ml/min
After regeneration with He at 440°C the conversions of ΝΟ and NOx reach the impressive
98.3% and 98.2% respectively (300°C)
1. Based on Wet Metallurgy
principle
2. No cutting/welding of the
original DPF is needed
3. Applicable to all kind of DPFs
(passenger cars, trucks,
buses, heavy duty, etc.)
4. No liquid wastes, no
emissions
5. Two years warranty for the
regenerated DPF
MAIN ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGY
1. Environmental friendly hydro-metallurgical chemistry is incorporated
using simple bespoke chemical solutions and an ultrasonic agitation
method to take the PGMs into solution.
2. 25kg of spent automotive ceramic monoliths trials showed 98,5%
recovery of Pt and Pd and 80% recovery of Rh.
3. 16 times lower energy consumption and 3,5 times lower water use
compared with commercial pyrometallurgical methods .
GOAL OF THE PROJECT
• Development of 1000kg pilot plant.
• Optimizing the process to small enough scale for SME cat de-canners to
afford to use; thus they can extract higher value from their operation.
1. 21st International Workshop of T.A.C.E.C. Programme entitled:
‘‘The opportunities for the Critical Raw Materials: how to find the new
hidden nuggets from refining recycling and recovering’’
held in Milan, December 4th, 2014 (www.federchimica.it).
Lecture title: ‘‘Critical Materials and Automotive Catalytic Converters:
From substitution to recycling’’.
2. University of Padova (5/12/2014), Seminar addressed to students and
faculty members
G. Kolliopoulos, E. Balomenos, I. Giannopoulou, I. Yakoumis, D. Panias, “Behaviour of
platinum group metals during their pyrometallurgical recovery from spent automotive
catalyst’’, OALib Journal, August 2014, doi: 10.4236