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Description
The aim of this project is to develop global rhenium technologies and expand the research potential of the group from the Łukasiewicz - Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals (Ł-IMN). The project concerns the development of hydrometallurgical technologies for the production of rhenium compounds of other metals (e.g. Co, Cu, Ni, Li) using waste materials, mainly obtained from recycling, but also from the national Cu and Zn-Pb industries. The project is a direct response to the diagnosed needs of the non-ferrous metals industry, i.e. the need to develop technologies using metals recovered from waste and to create components with high added value from them. This is due to the global tendency to develop innovative technologies based on the principle of sustainable development and the reduction of global access to primary raw materials. The project also aims to increase the applicability of Re in catalysis, electromobility, aviation and defense industry by expanding the assortment of Re products with specific properties which are desired and expected in these markets. All the researches proposed in this project are based on basic hydrometallurgical techniques such as leaching, solvent extraction, electrodialysis, precipitation, filtration, crystallization and ion exchange. It is assumed that the developed technologies will be waste-free or low-waste - which is a necessary element of environmentally friendly technologies based on the principle of sustainable development. The rhenium compounds with selected metals produced as a part of this project will be high-purity products. The possibility of their use in four strategic areas will be verified:
- catalysis - for the production of catalyst precursors and/or homo- or heterogeneous catalysts,
- the aviation industry - for the production of multi-component superalloys,
- the defense industry - for making materials for multi-component heavy sinters,
- electromobility - for creating components of supercapacitors.
Summary of project results
The project was a direct response to the diagnosed needs of the non-ferrous metals industry, i.e. the need to develop technologies using metals recovered from waste and to create components with high added value from them. This is due to the global tendency to develop innovative technologies based on the principle of sustainable development and the reduction of global access to primary raw materials. The aim of this project was to develop rhenium technologies in Poland and to expand the research potential of the group from the Hydroelectrometallurgy Centre of the Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals.
The project concerned the development of hydrometallurgical technologies for the production of qualified rhenium(VII) salts, mainly perrhenates of other metals, i.e. Ni, Co, Bi, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Mn and Pb, using waste materials obtained from recycling, but also from the national and EU Cu and Zn-Pb industries. As part of the research work carried out, 30 materials were selected and produced: raw materials which were sources of Ni, Co, Bi, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Mn and Pb. From the above-mentioned materials and perrhenic acid, the corresponding perrhenates were produced, i.e. Co, Bi, Ag, Cu, Zn, Li, Mn and Pb. As part of the project, 10 technologies, 10 patents, 11 international and national publications in peer-reviewed journals were created, the h-index of all scientists participating in the project increased.
The project results have the potential to contribute to the develpment of Poland''s rhenium industry by producing various rhenium compounds for multiple sectors. The project is the basis for the development of rhenium technologies in four areas, i.e. catalysis, electromobility, as well as in the defense and aviation industries. The recycling of waste products to provide raw materials for the production of rhenium compounds supports the circular economy concept, offering some economic and environmental benefits.