Process Knowledge, System Dynamics, and Metal Ecology

摘要: A key principle in industrial ecology is the cyclic use of materials, a characteristic natural ecosystems but challenge economic systems. Indeed, society, metal retention, that is, ongoing or ready availability economy between life-cycle stages resource extraction and final disposal back into lithosphere, finite because limited grade secondary (recycled) metals. Currently, utility metals maintained through addition high primary (virgin) metals, bringing concentration recycled to desired levels. This mixing with high-grade keeps these cycle. Long term, this practice dilution undesired substances prevents closure material cycles, whereas recovery without reduces quality (or quantity) metals. Metals participate system linked cycles thus cannot be produced recovered independently from one another. The wheel introduced article as concise powerful instrument for communication available process knowledge metallurgy, science technology producing ores societal raw residues, end-of-life products. It summarizes chemical physical linkages found set metallurgical processes has been developed accommodate linkages. A dynamic mass-flow model characterize global cycles. facilitates visualization evolution their structure technological content. To illustrate interdependency using model, transition lead-free solder evaluated. Neglect metal-cycle dynamics policy formulation may lead shortage substitutes. In case an extended ban on lead, both range will affected.