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PHYONA Ltd (UK) and AC BIODE (Japan & Luxembourg) propose an integrated approach for energy and environmentally sustainable nano-minerals recovery from mining waste
About
PHYONA Ltd (UK) and AC BIODE (Japan & Luxembourg) propose an integrated approach for a sustainable mining and processing approach to synergistically enhance mining operation for the recovery of metal-bearing nanoparticles and hydrogen from mining waste. The proposed solution includes phyto-mining, bio-recovery and green production of hydrogen.
The proposed solutions integrate the following technical approach in a 3 step process:
- Definition of an agro-mining approach for the recovery of metal-bearing minerals from musing local species including industrial crops;
- Optimization of a bio-reaction for a high-yield recovery of the metal-bearing minerals and their conversion to metal-bearing nanoparticles of a selected composition, size and morphology. In parallel the reaction will be pushed to obtain an organic-rich sludge for further valorisation;
- Optimization of the valorization of the organic-rich sludge for the production of hydrogen.
Key Benefits
Phyona Ltd produces metal-bearing nanoparticles from metal-rich media including tailings and contaminated soils using plants as mining tools (phytomining). Phyona offers a bio-reaction integrated into a portable bio-reactor that can be used on-site to recover the nano-particles from the metal-rich biomass obtained from the metal-enriched plants. The by-products of this reaction are a solid fraction from which to obtain fibers and nanocellulose and a liquid fraction from which we obtain a nutrient-rich fertilizer. For this challenge, Phyona proposes to drive the bio-reaction further in order to obtain an organic-rich sludge to be used by AC BIODE (step 3). In Summary, Phyona will produce nano-particles of nickel, sulfur, iron, silica, cobalt, and depending on the composition of the specific mining waste deposit also REE, zinc and copper, and other metals as the method recovers all metals available. As a by-product of the reaction, Phyona will produce an organic-rich sludge for the AC Biodecomposer.
AC Biodecomposer produces H2 from organic waste. It uses only water, biomass, and a reusable catalyst as input. The reaction occurred at a temperature of only 200°C. Compared to other methods, our method has significant advantages such as low energy use, which results in lower operational cost. Next, we use water in the reaction, drying of biomass is not needed, therefore it will cut the cost of preparing the material. Lastly, no solvent is needed and no CO2 is emitted in the reaction. Unlike organic methods, such as biodigestion that requires a lot of time, AC Biodecomposer is a chemical method. The reaction only takes 2h and is highly scalable. In summary, AC Biodecomposer produces hydrogen. This can be used to decarbonize heavy industry processes such as machinery, fleets or furnaces.
Applications
The costs for the phytomining approach (at full scale) is calculated at $50,000 per hectare for the whole duration of the operation (5 years). The metal recovery reactor cost is $250,000 with an end of life of 20 years, if the site cycle is completed within the 20 years the reactor can be moved to another site. The overall metal-bearing nanoparticles recovery cost is estimated at $300,000 per site. The revenue calculated in the pilot sites available to Phyona Ltd in the UK is estimated at $2,600,000 per hectare minimum revenue.
Depending on the budget hydrogen generation will be added. At 1-ton scale the CAPEX can be around 2-3M USD and the OPEX is described here:
1) Catalysts: 3,000 USD for 0.1 ton, assuming 0.9 tons are industrial water (1 ton scale in total)
2) 50kW for a 1-ton reactor, a boiler, and stirring machines
3) Labor cost: two engineers. 500 USD a day (+100 USD contingency)
4) Energy: can potentially waste heat can be used