Nowadays, recycling technology is at the crossroads. In developed countries, recycling technologies have been implemented to recover those elements and materials, which represent the main mass of waste and have a business model. However, we are lacking technologies to address the essential and often rare elements of a modern society, which still become dissipated in the waste streams. Such rare elements typically provide a special functionality to a product; they are contained in batteries, capacitors, magnets, electronic circuits, sensors and functional composite structures in general. Pyrometallurgical processes for the recovery of metals are a significant sink for a large number of these elements. Since these processes traditionally aim at the quality, yield and economic importance of the main metal phase, all non-functional elements and those which effect the material quality are forced to migrate to the slag phase. The latter consists of oxides, phosphates, carbonates and sulphides of metals and metalloids. Thus, the slag becomes the carrier of a broad number of valuable elements. The concentration of these elements is low and therefore they are dissipated and integrated into the inorganic matrix after solidification. A common application of a slag, which contributes formally to a recycling rate, is as a filler, binder or geopolymer in construction, removing the contained critical elements entirely from any material cycle.
The priority program 2315 “Engineered Artificial Minerals (EnAM) – a geo-metallurgical tool to recycle critical elements from waste streams” addresses the slag phase as an important source for critical technology elements. When the slag solidifies, it either forms a homogeneous amorphous structure or generates crystals. These crystals are be seen as artificial minerals (EnAM), ores respectively and their generation is investigated to concentrate diluted elements by orders of magnitude. SPP 2315 looks at Li, Ta or Cr containing slag systems. The formation of EnAM itself depends on the thermodynamics of the complex multi-component slag system and the processing conditions of the melt, e.g., the temperature profile and gradient during solidification.
Identifying and characterising an EnAM system is only the first step in the processing route in SPP 2315. The EnAM crystal has to be crystallised to a sufficient size and purity and then mechanically liberated from the remaining, sometimes partially amorphous, solid matrix. Finally, mechanical separation of the EnAM particles results in a new artificial ore concentrate. As slag processing has so far been a waste treatment process, there is a lack of strategies and process laws. SPP 2315 is therefore dedicated to the development of appropriate comminution laws and flotation strategies for EnAM.
In summary, the SPP 2315 works on holistic separation and concentration concepts, which will allow to keep more elements in the material circle in the future.
Information
- Summer School 2025: May 12-16, 2025 - TU Braunschweig
- Annual meeting: January 15-16, 2025 - ParkHotel Kolpinghaus Fulda
- Colloquium for the 2. funding period: June 6, 2024 - Lindner Hotel & Sports Academy in Frankfurt
- Summer School 2024: May 14-16, 2024 - Uni Bremen
- Proposal deadline for the 2. funding period: February 14, 2024
- Start of first funding period: summer 2021
Successful meeting of the SPP2315 in Fulda!
Project owners as well as scientific staff participating in the priority programme SPP 2315 met in Fulda to present their research results from the first funding period of the SPP 2315 and at the same time to give an outlook on the second funding period. Together with 18 projects from various disciplines, we strengthened our vision: The recovery of scarce elements by designing Engineered Artificial Minerals (EnAMs) in slags of pyrometallurgical processes as secondary raw materials.
The priority programme is directly coordinated by TU Bergakademie Freiberg under the leadership of Prof. Peuker. Part of the coordination group is also RWTH Aachen under Prof. Friedrich, TU Clausthal under Prof. Fittschen and Technische Hochschule Nürnberg under Prof. Breitung-Faes.
Particularly exciting were discussions on the progress made in EnAM development and the results of the mechanical processing of the slag. Finally, Prof Peuker gave an inspiring closing speech on the topic of data management, which supports and further promotes the management of results and active exchange within the SPP. Many thanks to all participants for this enriching meeting - we look forward to the next steps! 🚀
#SPP2315 #EngineeredArtificialMinerals #InterdisciplinaryResearch #TUFreiberg #ScientificCollaboration #DataManagement #EnAM #DFG #slags #recycling
The colloquium for the second funding period took place in Frankfurt on June 6, 2024. The funding will be extended to 18 subprojects.
The 2024 Summer School took place in Bremen from May 14-16, 2024. 11 doctoral students from various institutions took part in the programme, which included workshops on Python and ontology, a poster session with presentations and discussions as well as site visits to the Leibniz-Institut für Werkstofforientierte Technologien - IWT and to the steel plant of ArcelorMittal Bremen.
The call for proposal has ended, and a total of 20 project proposals have been submitted. The colloquium will take place on June 6, 2024, at the Lindner Hotel & Sports Academy in Frankfurt.
The call for proposal for the second funding has been released. Proposals must be written in English and submitted to the DFG by February 14, 2024. Please note that proposals can only be submitted via elan, the DFG's electronic proposal processing system. If you would like to submit a proposal for a new project within the existing Priority Programme, please go to Proposal Submission - New Project - Priority Programmes and select "SPP 2315" from the current list of calls. Previous applicants can submit a proposal for the renewal of an existing project under Proposal Submission - Proposal Overview/Renewal Proposal. Kindly contact us at spp2315 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (spp2315[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de) if you have any further questions.
Coordination Office TUBAF
Susan Steinbinder
Agricolastraße 1, KKB-0035
phone: +49 (0) 3731 / 39-2695
e-mail: spp2315 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (spp2315[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Coordinator TUBAF
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs Peuker
Agricolastraße 1, KKB-1058
phone: +49 (0) 3731 / 39-2916
e-mail: urs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Coordinator DFG
Dr.-Ing. Simon Jörres
Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn
phone: +49 (0) 228 885-2971
e-mail: simon [dot] joerres [at] dfg [dot] de (simon[dot]joerres[at]dfg[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs Peuker
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mineral Processing
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Bernd Friedrich
RWTH Aachen University, IME Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling
IME Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling (rwth-aachen.de)
Prof. Dr. U. E. A. Fittschen
TU Clausthal, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry - Materials Analysis and Functional Solid Matter
Material Analysis and Functional Solid Matter (tu-clausthal.de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandra Breitung-Faes
TH Nürnberg, Fraunhofer Research Group Particle Technology and Raw Materials Innovation
Forschungsgruppe FPR – Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (th-nuernberg.de)
Materials
Several slags were produced by Institute IME Process Metallurgically and Metal Recycling in RWTH Aachen for the of central project and to also accommodate other projects. Several synthetic lithium slags and a fayalite slag have been produced. A brief overview of the slags is given in the below table. Slags are available upon request to the central project (Z1).
| Produced Slags | Amount | Input |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium Slag S1 - low Mn | 30 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with < 1% MnO |
| Lithium Slag S2 - high Mn | 30 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ±10% MnO |
| Lithium Slag S3 – 50 °C | 5 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO |
| Lithium Slag S4 – 25 °C | 5 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO |
| Lithium Slag S5 – MgO | 5 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO and 5% MgO |
| Lithium Slag S6 – scale-up of S4 | 125 kg | Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO with ± 10% MnO |
| Lithium Slag S8 – with black mass | 30 kg | Black mass + Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, MnO |
| Fayalite Slag | 300 kg | industrial fayalite slag and HDD |
Production
The first preliminary slags, Slag 1 (S2) and Slag 2 (S2), produced with different wt.% of Mn composition, depict a dendritic morphology due to uncontrolled and no-optimized cooling conditions. For Slag 3 (S3), Slag 4 (S4), and Slag 5 (S5), with ongoing development in the cooling strategy, the slags formed granular EnAM grains in some areas of the slag. S5 is produced with the addition of Mg since real slag from LIBs recycling also utilises MgO besides CaO. In this sample, we explore the influence of replacing part of the CaO with MgO in order to identify if large changes occur in the EnAM regarding the formation of LiAlO2. The temperature condition and the feed composition of slag S6 is similar to the one of S4. Later on, S8 is produced using black mass from NMC battery and with the same temperature and cooling condition like S4.
Characterization
The EnAM in the synthetic lithium slag is lithium aluminate (LiAlO2). XRD measurement was carried out to get mineralogical composition of the slags. X-ray computed tomography (XCT) measurement was also done EnAM structures of the slag. The correlative characterisation method combining XCT with µXRF is first applied to S3, S4 and S5. These three slags are cut vertically in the middle into half using a diamond cutter This cut provides a flat surface on the centre of the slag body because µXRF requires a horizontal surface to be applied. The initial step is to acquire elemental maps of the whole slag surface and a vertical cutting plane to quantify the slag's internal structure and determine whether it is homogenous or heterogeneous. It is crucial to have an overview of the slag to ensure that the sampling for other measurement methods, which have a much smaller field of view is representative and reflects the features of interest. After the heterogeneity or homogeneity of the slags are observed, drill cylinder samples (6 mm in diameter) are taken from each EnAM morphology to be measured by XCT.
Slag Availability
At the moment less than 5 kg of S2 with defined size fraction and ±20 kg of S1 uncrushed are available upon request. Some kilograms of S2 sample have been used by the other projects as mentioned below.
Projects Working With The Samples
- Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology
- flotation, AFM (C4)
- MLA
- TU Braunschweig
- size and shape characterization
- modelling of fracture mechanism (C14)
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- density and magnetic separation (C5)
- breakage mechanism (C12)
- Raman and XRD
- TU Berlin
- comminution modelling and liberation investigation (C10)
- TU Clausthal
- Tribocharging and electrostatic separation
- Hochschule Nürnberg
- Wet comminution and separation of the slags
- Hochschule Trier
- Selective agglomeration of EnAM
Production
One large scale of fayalite slag was produced in May 2022. 300 kg initial (industrial) fayalite slag was charged to a temperature of about 1475 °C after 4 hours of heating. Then, 18 kg of hard disk drive (HDD) were added in the liquid slag with 2 hours of holding time to homogenize the melt. The temperature reached 1550 °C before casting. The slag was then cooled down for 15 hours until the temperature reached below 100 °C. The average cooling rate of was 143 °C/h.
Characterization
XRD measurement from the sample showed that the following phases are present in the sample: fayalite, magnetite, ferrosilite, and amorphous phase. CT measurement was done for single particle sample. From this measurement, granular grain structure can be identified from the sample.
Slag Availability
At the moment ±20 kg of fayalite slags with defined size fraction and also uncrushed are available upon request. The rest of the samples are still at IME Aachen.
Projects Working With The Sample
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg
- density and magnetic separation, SEM-EDS (C5)
- XRM (Z1 and A3)
- TU Berlin
- comminution modelling and liberation investigation (C10)
Project Area Z - Central project
In the 2. funding period, the SPP will continue its central project focused on slag generation of model systems capable of providing sufficient slag material to the projects working on the downstream steps. This central project will also develop and provide 3D geo-metallurgical charac terisation of the slags and support the projects with geo-metallurgical data.
Contact:
Cindytami Rachmawatia, cindytami [dot] rachmawati [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (cindytami[dot]rachmawati[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Joao Weissb, jweiss [at] metallurgie [dot] rwth-aachen [dot] de (jweiss[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs A. Peukera, urs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Prof. Dr. Ing. Dr. h.c. Bernd Friedrichb, bfriedrich [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (bfriedrich[at]ime-aachen[dot]de)
a TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg
b RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für Metallurgische Prozesstechnik und Metallrecycling und Institut für Metallhüttenkunde und Elektrometallurgie, Intzestr. 3, 52072 Aachen
Further details on the project can be found here.
This project ended after the first funding period.
Contact:
Dr.-Ing. Marco Gleiss, marco [dot] gleiss [at] kit [dot] edu (marco[dot]gleiss[at]kit[dot]edu)
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie KIT, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Mechanik, Straße am Forum 8, 76131 Karlsruhe
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Dr. Orkun Furat, orkun [dot] furat [at] uni-ulm [dot] de (orkun[dot]furat[at]uni-ulm[dot]de)
Prof. Dr. Volker Schmidt, volker [dot] schmidt [at] uni-ulm [dot] de (volker[dot]schmidt[at]uni-ulm[dot]de)
Universität Ulm, Institut für Stochastik, Helmholtzstr. 18, 89069 Ulm
Project Area A - Thermodynamic modeling/ experimental screening of slag state and prediction of solidification
In the 2. phase of the SPP, Projects A should shift their focus and aim to move from the simple identification of specific potential slag systems to the quantitative analysis of these systems. Thermodynamic and predictive modelling should support strategies for the formation of desired crystalline phases based on specific characterisation methods and thermochemical data. At least in this second phase, some of the Projects A should be able to provide additional EnAM systems as new reference systems for Projects B and C.
This project ended after the first funding period.
Contact:
Danilo Alencar de Abreu, Danilo-Alencar [dot] De-Abreu [at] iww [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Danilo-Alencar[dot]De-Abreu[at]iww[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Dr. Olga Fabrichnaya, fabrich [at] ww [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (fabrich[at]ww[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaft, Gustav-Zeuner-Straße 5 (Haus Metallkunde), 09599 Freiberg
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Stephan Sandera, stephan [dot] sander [at] igt [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (stephan[dot]sander[at]igt[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Josef Slowikb, josef [dot] slowik [at] uni-jena [dot] de (josef[dot]slowik[at]uni-jena[dot]de)
J.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sindy Fuhrmanna, sindy [dot] fuhrmann [at] ikgb [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (sindy[dot]fuhrmann[at]ikgb[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lothar Wondraczekb, Lothar [dot] wondraczek [at] uni-jena [dot] de (Lothar[dot]wondraczek[at]uni-jena[dot]de)
a TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Glas und Glastechnologie, 09599 Freiberg
b Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Lehrstuhl für Glaschemie, Fraunhoferstraße 6, 07743 Jena
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contacts:
Apet Nikoyana, a [dot] nikoyan [at] iwt [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (a[dot]nikoyan[at]iwt[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de)
Dr. Wilke Dononellib, wido [at] uni-bremen [dot] de (wido[at]uni-bremen[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Lutz Mädlera, lmaedler [at] iwt [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (lmaedler[at]iwt[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lucio Colombi Ciacchib, colombi [at] hmi [dot] uni-bremen [dot] de (colombi[at]hmi[dot]uni-bremen[dot]de)
a Leibniz-Institut für Werkstofforientierte Technologien - IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359 Bremen
b Universität Bremen, Hybrid Materials Interfaces Group, Faculty of Production Engineering, Am Fallturm 1, D-28359 Bremen
Further details on the project can be found here.
Project Area B - Processing of liquid slags/ crystallisation
Projects B and C work on quantitative process properties and laws, which either experimentally/ empirically or on a simulation basis contribute to new process models. In the 2. phase of the SPP, the investigations and process models should become more generalised and consider the applicability of their correlations to more than one slag system.
Contact:
Alena Schnickmanna, alena [dot] schnickmann [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (alena[dot]schnickmann[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Florian Lourensb, florian [dot] lourens [at] ruhr-uni-bochum [dot] de (florian[dot]lourens[at]ruhr-uni-bochum[dot]de)
Thomas Schirmera, thomas [dot] schirmer [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (thomas[dot]schirmer[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Alfred Ludwigb, alfred [dot] ludwig [at] ruhr-uni-bochum [dot] de (alfred[dot]ludwig[at]ruhr-uni-bochum[dot]de)
a TU-Clausthal, Inst. F. Endlagerforschung, Fachgebiet Mineralogie, Geochemie, Salzlagerstätten, Adolph Roemerstr. 2a, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
b Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Inst. Werkstoffe, Lehrstuhl Materials Discovery and Interfaces, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Sanchita Chakrabarty, sanchita [dot] chakrabarty [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (sanchita[dot]chakrabarty[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.mont. Dr.rer.nat. Michael Fischlschweiger, michael [dot] fischlschweiger [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (michael[dot]fischlschweiger[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
TU-Clausthal, Institut für Energieverfahrenstechnik und Brennstofftechnik, Lehrstuhl für Technische Thermodynamik und Energieeffiziente Stoffbehandlung, Agricolastr. 4, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Joao Weiss, jweiss [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (jweiss[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Friedrich, bfriedrich [at] ime-aachen [dot] de (bfriedrich[at]metallurgie[dot]rwth-aachen[dot]de)
RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für Metallurgische Prozesstechnik und Metallrecycling und Institut für Metallhüttenkunde und Elektrometallurgie, Intzestr. 3, 52072 Aachen
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Sven Hampela, sven [dot] hampel [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (sven[dot]hampel[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Iyad Alabd Alhafezb, iyad [dot] alabd [dot] alhafez [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (iyad[dot]alabd[dot]alhafez[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Ursula Fittschena, ursula [dot] fittschen [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (ursula[dot]fittschen[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Nina Merkertb, nina [dot] merkert [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (nina[dot]merkert[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Thomas Schirmerc, thomas [dot] schirmer [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (thomas[dot]schirmer[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
a Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Inorganic and Analtical Chemistry, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Str. 4, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
b Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Applied Mechanics, Arnold-Sommerfeld-Str. 6, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
c Clausthal University of Technology, Institute of Disposal Research, Adolph-Roemer-Str. 2a, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Further details on the project can be found here.
Project Area C - Processing of solidified slags/ particle technology
Projects B and C work on quantitative process properties and laws, which either experimentally/ empirically or on a simulation basis contribute to new process models. In the 2. phase of the SPP, the investigations and process models should become more generalised and consider the applicability of their correlations to more than one slag system.
Contact:
Mehran Javadi, mehran [dot] javadi [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (mehran[dot]javadi[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Prof. Dr. Alfred Weber, alfred [dot] weber [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (alfred[dot]weber[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
Dr.-Ing. Annett Wolmann, annett [dot] wollmann [at] tu-clausthal [dot] de (annett[dot]wollmann[at]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
TU Clausthal, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik, Leibnizstraße 19, 38678 Clausthal Zellerfeld
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact: ^
Franziska Strube, f [dot] strube [at] hzdr [dot] de (f[dot]strube[at]hzdr[dot]de)
Dr. Martin Rudolph, m [dot] rudolph [at] hzdr [dot] de (m[dot]rudolph[at]hzdr[dot]de)
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie, Aufbereitung, Chemnitzer Str. 40 - 09599 Freiberg
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Asim Siddique, Asim [dot] Siddique1 [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Asim[dot]Siddique1[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Dr.-Ing. Thomas Leißner, Thomas [dot] Leissner [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Thomas[dot]Leissner[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Schmidt, schmidt [at] ioc [dot] tu-clausthal [dot] de (schmidt[at]ioc[dot]tu-clausthal[dot]de)
TU Clausthal, Institut für Organische Chemie, Leibnizstraße 6, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Paul Hirschberger, p [dot] hirschberger [at] tu-berlin [dot] de (p[dot]hirschberger[at]tu-berlin[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Kruggel-Emden, kruggel-emden [at] tu-berlin [dot] de (kruggel-emden[at]tu-berlin[dot]de)
TU Berlin, Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitung, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Thu Trang Võ, thu-trang [dot] vo [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (thu-trang[dot]vo[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Urs A. Peuker, urs [dot] peuker [at] mvtat [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (urs[dot]peuker[at]mvtat[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)
TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Mechanische Verfahrenstechnik und Aufbereitungstechnik, Agricolastr. 1, 09599 Freiberg
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
Lukas Büttner, lukas [dot] buettner [at] th-nuernberg [dot] de (lukas[dot]buettner[at]th-nuernberg[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandra Breitung-Faes, sandra [dot] breitung-faes [at] th-nuernberg [dot] de (sandra[dot]breitung-faes[at]th-nuernberg[dot]de)
TH Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Fraunhofer Forschungsgruppe Partikeltechnologie, Rohstoffinnovationen und Ressourceneffizienz, Innere Cramer-Klett-Str. 4-8, 90403 Nürnberg
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
M. Sc. Simon Bahnmüller, simon [dot] bahnmueller [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (simon[dot]bahnmueller[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Schilde, c [dot] schilde [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (c[dot]schilde[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arno Kwade, a [dot] kwade [at] tu-braunschweig [dot] de (a[dot]kwade[at]tu-braunschweig[dot]de)
TU Braunschweig, Institut für Partikeltechnologie iPAT, Volkmaroder Str. 5, 38104 Braunschweig.
Further details on the project can be found here.
Contact:
M. Sc. Laura Schwan, l [dot] schwan [at] umwelt-campus [dot] de (l[dot]schwan[at]umwelt-campus[dot]de)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Bröckel, u [dot] broeckel [at] umwelt-campus [dot] de (u[dot]broeckel[at]umwelt-campus[dot]de)
FB Umweltplanung/Umwelttechnik - FR Verfahrenstechnik, Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld, Campusallee, 55768 Hoppstädten-Weiersbach
Further details on the project can be found here.
Events
The 2025 Annual Meeting took place in Fulda from January 15-16, 2025. Project owners and scientific stuff met to present their research results from the first funding period of the priority programme and at the same time to give an outlook on the second funding period. It was closed by an introduction to the importance of data management by the chair of the priority programme, Prof. Peuker.
The 2023 Annual Meeting took place in Freiberg from July 5-7, 2023. The meeting included project presentations, workshops on slag synthesis and slag analysis. It was followed by a PhD workshop "From Science to Innovation – Development of your Research Canvas" which was organised by SAXEED, a start-up network located at TUBAF, and held by Isabel Schulze and Thomas Klotz.
The Kick-Off Meeting took place in Freiberg from May 4-5, 2022.
A coordination meeting (Rundgespräch), based on the abstracts submitted beforehand, took planned from January 13-14, 2021. A total of 38 projects were presented.
Workshop series on soft-skills and strategic career planning (2024/2025)
The third round of our interactive workshop series is designed to provide valuable interdisciplinary skills that are essential for both personal and professional growth in today’s rapidly changing environment. These workshops are being organised by the coordination offices of the SPPs 2289, 2315 and 2364.
18.06.2025: Time management and self-management - TBC
21.05.2025: (Team) Meetings - TBC
16.04.2025: Post or Perish - Science Communication: Career Boost or Waste of Time?, lecturer: Dr. Theresa Schredelsker, Dr. Theresa Schredelseker – Personal Website
19.03.2025: AI in research, lecturer: Dr. Manfred Nölte, SuUB Bremen
19.02.2025: From Research to Innovation with the Business Model Canvas, lecturer: Andre Uhlmann, SAXEED
13.11.2024: Self-Efficiency and Visibility in Academic, lecturer: Annette Kolb, Coachademics
11.10.2024: How to Write a Proposal in the Academic Context, lecturer: Anja Kleefuß, DFG
18.09.2024: Corporate learning based on learning circles... guided and yet self-organized, lecturer: Barbara Wietasch, Wietsch und Partner
Workshop series on soft-skills and strategic career planning (2023/2024)
The second round of our interactive workshop series gives you the opportunity to further develop your soft skills and personal competences, which are very much essential for your future career. These workshops are being organised by the coordination offices of the SPPs 2289, 2315 and 2364.
26.06.2024: Basics of Science Communication, lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig, NaWik
24.05.2024: This is how I did it, lecturers: Prof. Prof. Dr rer. nat. Kerstin Avila, Professor for Turbulence and Complex Systems at Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Samir Salameh, Professor for Particle Technology and Recycling Economy at Fachhochschule Münster
20.03.2024: Compiling scientific papers – a fresh approach to your writing style (II), lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act
21.02.2024: Compiling scientific papers – a fresh approach to your writing style (I), lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act
17.01.2024: Prep ‘n pep – Impulses on advancing your presentation skills, lecturer: Anja Kaufmann, 2re-act
15.11.2023: Self-regulation, lecturer: Julia Schreier - This workshop is held in German only.
18.10.2023: Start-up opportunities and self-promotion - transfer-relevant funding programs, lecturer: Thomas Klotz, SAXEED
13.09.2023: Resilience to go, lecturer: Kathrin Hombach, Coaching and Consulting
Workshop series "Interactive workshops for establishing contact in a professional way: networking skills in science, industry and social media" (2022/2023)
The interactive workshop series is being organised by the coordination offices of the SPP 1980, SPP 2045, SPP 2289 and SPP 2315. In this series, various experts will give you hands-on experience and feedback on how
- strategic networking works for your own career,
- you can formulate your own goals and plans for your future career,
- to do short self-presentations (elevator pitch, etc.),
- you can analyze your own existing network,
- networking in social media works,
- to optimize and enhance your own skills,
and why all of the above is so important nowadays.
These workshops will also give you the space for self-reflection and exchange with your fellow colleagues, and they will also give you the chance to express special topic requests that could be covered in this network.
28.06.2023: Project Management – Differences between academia and industry, lecturer: Franziska Böhler, Blackpoint Consulting
17.05.2023: Project Management – Basics , lecturer: Franziska Böhler, Blackpoint Consulting
19.04.2023: Proposal Writing – Insights from the DFG, lecturers: Anja Kleefuß and Dr. Simon Jörres, DFG
15.02.2023: This is how I did it - professionals report on their career path (academia), lecturers: Dr. Martin Rudolph (HZDR-HIF) and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Samir Salameh (FH Münster)
25.01.2023: This is how I did it – professionals report on their career path (industry), lecturers: Dr.-Ing. Henrieke Großmann (Daimler AG - Mercedes Benz Cars) and Dr. Andreas Kopf (International Transport Forum (OECD))
16.11.2022: Tweet or Perish - Science Communication: Career Boost or Wast of Time?, lecturer: Dr. Theresa Schredelsker, CENIDE-NETZ, https://nanoblogs.org; LinkedIn post
26.10.2022: Introduction to the workshop series - The importance of networking and strategic planning from the start; lecturer: Dr. Doris Segets, University of Duisburg-Essen - EMPI
The second summer school will take place at the TU Braunschweig from May 12-16, 2025. This time, the programme includes a look into how AI can support the research work, how to present research work in 5-minutes-pitches, working on a glossary for the priority programme as a first step of an ontology, as well as a site visit.
A more detailed programme can be found here (still subject to changes).
The first summer school took place at the University Bremen from May 14-16, 2024. The programme includes poster sessions, workshops on the topics Python and ontology, as well as a site visit to ArcelorMittal.
A more detailed programme can be found here.
Publications
Bahnmüller, S., Hirschberger, P., Võ, T.T., Rachmawati, C., Kwade, A., Peuker, U., Kruggel-Emden, H., Schilde, C. Particle Size-and Structure-Dependent Breakage Behaviors of EnAM-Containing Slags. Minerals 2025, 15 (2), 195. 10.3390/min15020195
Hampel, S., Alhafez, I.A., Schnickmann, A., Wunderlich, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Fittschen, U.E.A. Experimental and Simulation Studies on the Mn Oxidation State Evolution of a Li2O-MnOx-CaO-SiO2 Slag Analogue. Minerals 2024, 14 (9), 868. 10.3390/min14090868
Javadi, M., Rachmawati, C., Wollmann, A., Weiss, J., Lucas, H., Möckel, R., Friedrich, B., Peuker, U., Weber, A.P., Enhancing Lithium Recovery from Slag Through Dry Forced Triboelectric Separation: A Sustainable Recycling Approach. Minerals 2024, 14 (12), 1254. 10.3390/min14121254.
Rachmawati, C., Weiss, J., Lucas, H., Löwer, E., Leißner, T., Ebert, D., Möckel, R., Friedrich, B., Peuker, U. Characterisation of the Grain Morphology of Artificial Minerals (EnAMs) in Lithium Slags by Correlating Multi-Dimensional 2D and 3D Methods, Minerals, 2024, 14 (2), 130, 10.3390/min14020130.
Schirmer, T. , Hiller, J. , Weiss, J. , Munchen, D., Lucas, H., Fittschen, U. E. A., Friedrich, B. Behavior of Tantalum in a Fe-Dominated Synthetic Fayalitic Slag System—Phase Analysis and Incorporation, Minerals, 2024, 14 (3), 262, 10.3390/min14030262.
Schnickmann, A., De Abreu, D. A., Fabrichnaya, O., Schirmer, T. Stabilization of Mn4+ in Synthetic Slags and Identification of Important Slag Forming Phases, Minerals, 2024, 14 (4), 368, 10.3390/min14040368.
Steiner, F., Zgheib, A., Fischer, M. H., Büttner, L., Schmidt, A., Breitung-Faes, S. In Situ Hydrophobization of Lithium Aluminate Particles for Flotations by Dry Grinding in the Presence of Punicines, Minerals, 2024, 14 (7), 650, 10.3390/min14070650.
All papers are open access.
Journals Articles
Javadi, M., Abohelwa, M., Wollmann, A., Weber, A.P., Characteristics of powder charging behavior via forced triboelectric charging on an inclined chute, Powder Technology, 2025, 449, 120400, 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.120400. Open Access
Weber, S., Furat, O., Kirstein, T., Leißner, T., Peuker, U.A., Schmidt, V. Computational Workflow for the Characterization of Size, Shape, and Composition of Particles and Their Separation Behavior During Processing. Powders 2025, 4 (1), 1. 10.3390/powders4010001
Conference Papers
Journal Articles
Alhafez, I. A., Deluigi, O. R., Tramontina, D., Merkert, N., Urbassek, H. M., Bringa, E. M., Nanoindentation into a bcc high-entropy HfNbTaTiZr alloy—an atomistic study of the effect of short-range order, Scientific Reports, 2024, 14, 9112, 10.1038/s41598-024-59761-6. Open Access
de Abreu, D. A., Löffler, M., Kriegel, M. J., Fabrichnaya, O., Experimental Investigation and Thermodynamic Modeling of the Li2O-Al2O3 System. J. Phase Equilib. Diffus. 45, 2024, 36–55. 10.1007/s11669-024-01082-2
de Abreu, D. A., Fabrichnaya, O., Critical experiments and thermodynamic modeling of the Li2O-SiO2 system. Solids, 2024, 5, 303-320. 10.3390/solids5020020
de Abreu, D.A., Schnickmann, A., Chakrabarty, S. et al. Stability of Crystalline Compounds in Slag Systems Mainly Composed of Li2O-SiO2-CaO-MnOx. JOM 76, 2024, 6472–6486. 10.1007/s11837-024-06809-7. Open Access
Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Schirmer, T., Hampel, S., Fittschen, U. E. A., Fischlschweiger, M., Non-equilibrium thermodynamic modelling of cooling path dependent phase evolution of Li2SiO3 from Li2O-SiO2 melt by considering mixed kinetic phenomena and time-dependent concentration fields, Scipta Materialia, 2024, 242. 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2023.115922
Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Control of Interface Migration in Nonequilibrium Crystallization of Li2SiO3 from Li2O–SiO2 Melt by Spatiotemporal Temperature and Concentration Fields, ACS Omega, 2024, 9 (19). 10.1021/acsomega.4c02361. Open Access
Chakrabarty, S., De Abreu, D. A., Alhafez, I. A., Fabrichnaya, O. ,Merkert N., Schnickmann, A., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Fischlschweiger, M., Kinetics of γ-LiAlO2 Formation out of Li2O-Al2O3 Melt—A Molecular Dynamics-Informed Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamic Study. Solids 5:561, 2024, 10.3390/solids5040038. Open Access
Dobler T., Platzk S., Hirschberger P., Kruggel-Emden H., Nirschl H., Gleiß M., Development and testing of a process chain for continuous separation of sintered hybrid materials: Advancing towards enhanced purity and efficiency, Minerals 2024. In preparation.
Fittschen , U., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Multimodal spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamic simulations to understand redox-chemistry and compound formation in pyrometallurgical slags: example of manganese oxidation state with respect to lithium recycling, Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, 2024. 10.1080/05704928.2024.2350988. Open Access
Furat, O., Kirstein, T., Leißner, T., Bachmann, K., Gutzmer, J., Peuker, U. A., Schmidt, V., Multidimensional characterization of particle morphology and mineralogical composition using CT data and R-vine copulas. Minerals Engineering, 2024, 206, 108520. 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108520
Gotkowski, K., Gupta, S., Godinho, J. R. A., Tochtrop, C. G. S., Maier-Hein, K. H., Isensee, F., ParticleSeg3D: A scalable out-of-the-box deep learning segmentation solution for individual particle characterization from micro CT images in mineral processing and recycling, Powder Technology, 434, 119286. 10.1016/J.POWTEC.2023.119286.
Gupta, S., Da Assuncao Godinho, J. R., Gotkowski, K., Isensee, F., Standardized and semiautomated workflow for 3D characterization of liberated particles, Powder Technology 2024, 433, 119159. 10.1016/j.powtec.2023.119159. Open Access
Hampel, S., Alhafez, I. A., Schirmer, T., Merkert, N., Schnickmann, A., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Fittschen, U.E.A., Engineering Compounds for the Recovery of Critical Elements from Slags: Melt Characteristics of Li5AlO4, LiAlO2 and LiAl5O8. ACS Omega, 2024. 10.1021/acsomega.4c00723. Open Access
Hirschberger, P., Võ, T. T., Peuker U., Kruggel-Emden, H., A texture inheritance model for spherical particles in particle replacement method (PRM) schemes for breakage in discrete element method (DEM) simulations, Minerals Engineering, Vol. 205, 2024, 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108491
Lourens, F., Suhr, E., Schnickmann, A., Schirmer, T., Ludwig, A., High-Throughput Study of the Phase Constitution of the Thin Film System, Advanced Engineering Materials, 26 (9), 2024. 10.1002/adem.202302091. Open Access
Lourens, F., Rogalla, D., Suhr, E., Ludwig, A., On the Influence of Annealing on the Compositional and Crystallographic Properties of Sputtered Li-Al-O Thin Films. Material Science, 2024, 10.1002/adem.202400602. Open Access
Javadi, M., Abohelwa, M., Wollmann, A., Weber, A. P., Dry Recycling of Lithium-Containing Material by Forced Tribocharging and Electrostatic Separation. Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 2024, 96 (00), 1–9. 10.1002/cite.202300138. Open Access
Schwan, L., Bröckel, U., First Approach Using Fluidic Force Microscopy (FluidFM®) to Measure Adhesion Forces between Droplets and Flat/Rough Surfaces Immersed in Water. Processes, 2024, 12, 99. 10.3390/pr12010099
Steiner, F., Zgheib, A., Fischer, M.H., Büttner, L., Schmidt, A., Breitung-Faes, S. In Situ Hydrophobization of Lithium Aluminate Particles for Flotations by Dry Grinding in the Presence of Punicines. Minerals 2024, 14 (7), 650. 10.3390/min14070650. Open Access
Sygusch, J., Wilhelm, T., Furat, O., Bachmann, K., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M. Application of Multivariate Tromp Functions for Evaluating the Joint Impact of Particle Size, Shape and Wettability on the Separation of Ultrafine Particles via Flotation. Powders 2024, 3 (3), 338-366. 10.3390/powders3030020
Zgheib, A., Acker, S., Fischer, M. H., Namyslo, J. C., Strube, F., Rudolph, M., Fittschen, U.E.A., Wollmann, A., Weber, A. P., Nieger, M., Schmidt, A., Lithium aluminate flotation by pH- and light-switchable collectors based on the natural product punicine, RSC Advances, 2024, 14, 9353-9364. 10.1039/D4RA00116H. Open Access
Zgheib, A., Fischer, M. H., Namyslo, J. C., Fittschen, U.E.A., Wollmann, A., Weber, A. P., Schmidt A., Photo-switchable Collectors for the Flotation of Lithium Aluminate for the Recycling of the Critical Raw Material Lithium, ChemSusChem, 2024. 10.1002/cssc.202301900. Open Access
Zgheib, A., Fischer, M.H., Tsanang, S.M., El Hraoui, I., Zhang, S., Wollmann, A., Weber, A.P., Fittschen, U.E.A., Schirmer, T., Schmidt, A. The Effect of Plasma Pretreatment on the Flotation of Lithium Aluminate and Gehlenite Using Light-Switchable Collectors. Separations 2024, 11, 362. 10.3390/separations11120362. Open Access
Võ T. T., Leißner T., Peuker U. A., Utilizing X-ray Computed Tomography for Lithium Slag: A Guide to Analyzing Microstructure and Its Potential Influence on Liberation, Minerals, 2024, 14 (1). 10.3390/min14010042. Open Access
Vollbrecht, M., Pramanik, K., Colombi Ciacchi, L., Mädler, L., Investigating the Compositional Space of Gas-Phase Synthesized Fayalitic Model Slags Aiming at Cobalt Recovery, Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 2024, 10.1007/s40831-024-00888-1. Open Access
Wilhelm T., Võ T. T., Furat O., Peuker U. A., Schmidt V., Virtual reassembling of 3D fragments for the data-driven analysis of fracture mechanisms in multi-component materials, Computational Materials Science, 2024, 242. 10.1016/j.commatsci.2024.113065. Open Access
Conference Papers
Dobler, T., Nirschl, H., Gleiß, M., Entwicklung und Inbetriebnahme einer modularen, kontinuierlichen Prozesskette zur selektiven Rückgewinnung von Technologiemetallen. Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA/VDI-Fachgruppen, Grenzflächenbestimmte Systeme und Prozesse, Kristallisation, Mechanische Flüssigkeitsabtrennung und Partikelmesstechnik 2024.
Strube, F., Wilhelm, T., Sygusch, J., Guy, B. M., Furat, O., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M., Investigating the influence of particle size and shape on froth flotation based benefication of lithium-rich minerals in slags. Proceedings of the International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC2024, National Harbor, Washington, DC (2024), 3167-3175. arXiv preprint, 2024. 10.48550/arXiv.2402.02818
Sygusch, J., Wilhelm, T., Furat, O., Schmidt, V., Rudolph, M. Investigating the multidimensional separation behavior of particles in a cyclosizer setting - A case study on calcite, fluorite and magnesite. Proceedings of the International Mineral Processing Congress IMPC2024, National Harbor, Washington, DC (2024), 2073-2083. 10.48550/arXiv.2402.00488
Võ, T.T., Peuker, U.A.; Insights into slag particle breakage: integrating ex-situ experiments with in-situ compression via x-ray computed tomography. XXXI IMPC- International Mineral Processing Congress, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Inc., 2024.
Journals Articles
Acker, S., Namyslo, J. C., Rudolph, M., Strube, F., Fittschen, U. E. A., Qiu, H., Goldmann, D., Schmidt, A., Polyether-tethered imidazole-2-thiones, imidazole-2-selenones and imidazolium salts as collectors for the flotation of lithium aluminate and spodumene, RSC Advances, 2023, 13, 6593, 10.1039/D2RA07627F
Alhafez, I. A., Deluigi, O. R., Tramontina, D., Ruestes, C. J., Bringa, E. M., Urbassek, H. M., Simulated nanoindentation into single‑phase fcc FexNi1−x alloys predicts maximum hardness for equiatomic stoichiometry, Scientific Reports, 2023, 13, 9806, 10.1038/s41598-023-36899-3. Open Access
Chakrabarty, S., Li, H., Fischlschweiger, M., Calphad-informed thermodynamic non-equilibrium simulation of non-isothermal solid-state reactions of magnesium aluminate spinel based on the thermodynamic extremal principle. Materialia, 2023, 28, 101723, 10.1016/j.mtla.2023.101723
Dobler T., Buchheiser S., Gaschler T., Platzk S., Kruggel-Emden H., Nirschl H., Gleiß M., Development of a continuous process chain for selective recovery and purification of rare metals, Processes. 2023, 11 (6), 1847, 10.3390/pr11061847. Open Access
Hampel, S., Sand, F., Murcia Gonzalez, D. A., Pepponi, G., Helsch, G., Deubener, J., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, A., Fittschen, U. E. A., Chelate complexed multi-elemental printing performance of a small and cost efficient picoliter droplet printing device for micro preparation, Spectrochim. Acta B, 2023, 206, 106716. 10.1016/j.sab.2023.106716
Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Formation of Lithium-Manganates in a Complex Slag System Consisting of Li2O-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-MnO—A First Survey, Metals, 2023, 13, 2006. 10.3390/met13122006. Open Access
Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U.E.A., Application of Spray Synthesis and Sol-Gel Combustion for the Preparation of Precursors for Slag Reference Materials. Advances in X-ray Analysis, 2023, 67.
Siddique, A., Boelens, P., Long, F., Zhou, S., Cnudde, V., Leißner, T., Characterization of Magnetic and Mineralogical Properties of Slag Particles from WEEE Processing. Minerals, 2023, 13, 1417. 10.3390/min13111417. Open Access
Wilhelm, T., Sygusch, J., Furat, O., Bachmann, K., Rudolph, M., Schmidt, V., Parametric stochastic modeling of particle descriptor vectors for studying the influence of ultrafine particle wettability and morphology on flotation-based separation behavior. Powders, 2023, 2 (2), 353-371. 10.3390/powders2020021. Open Access
Conference Papers
Dobler, T.; Gleiß, M.; Nirschl, H. Development of a Modular Process Chain for the Selective Recovery of Technology Metals. FILTECH 2023.
Dobler, T.; Gleiß, M.; Nirschl, H. Entwicklung einer Prozesskette für die selektive Rückgewinnung von Technologiemetallen. Jahrestreffen der DECHEMA-Fachgruppen Kristallisation, Grenzflächenbestimmte Systeme und Prozesse und Mechanische Flüssigkeitsabtrennung 2023.
Hampel, S., Schnickmann, A., Capela, D. F., Guimarães, D. F., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Correlation of elemental images in EPMA and LIBS – proof of concept in 19th International Conference on Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods. Program and Book of Abstracts; (editor J. Kolny-Olesiak), Papierflieger Verlag GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, 2023. ISBN: 978-3-869-48937-7
Hirschberger P., Kruggel-Emden H., A texture inheritance model for spherical particles in particle replacement method (PRM) schemes for breakage in discrete element simulations (DEM), International Congress on Particle Technology 2023, Nuremberg, Germany.
Schnickmann, A., Hampel, S., Britto, S., Schirmer, T., Fittschen, U. E. A., Analysis of phase compositions in Li-containing synthetic slag systems in 19th International Conference on Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Analysis and Related Methods. Program and Book of Abstracts; (editor J. Kolny-Olesiak), Papierflieger Verlag GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, 2023. ISBN: 978-3-869-48937-7
Weiss, J., Godinho, J., Siddique, A., Rachmawati, C., Munchen, D., Diaz, F., et al., Assessing the Crystallization and Segregation of Ta-Rich Mineral Phases in WEEE Pyrometallurgical Recycling, 8th International Slag Valorisation Symposium, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374730902