Recycling system flexibility: the fundamental solution to achieve high energy and material recovery quotas

摘要: Abstract In order to investigate the feasibility of achieving high material and energy recovery targets imposed by EU legislation for post-consumer goods, a fundamental optimisation model has been developed. This is used analyze total recycling system with end-of-life treatment car as example illustrate developed principles. The allows construction, evaluation different vehicle (ELV) scenarios based on quality description each flows in system. makes it possible include physics separation, post-shredder (PST), feedstock recycling, metallurgical thermal processings first principles manner evaluate technical recyclate basis. systems questions results life cycle assessment similar approaches that cannot capture physical recyclates. Evaluation various end-of-life-vehicle processings, scenarios, including (i) restricted according (ii) unrestricted but more market technology driven, have shown large negative impact overall performance if restriction flexibility processing options too large. Flexibility ELV permits quotas (rates) (over 95%) use organic containing fractions they be suitably physically separated. legislative amount can directed forces additional treatment, result are significantly lower at 88–91%, hence creating complex waste fractions. It interesting note these support recent studies propagate driven less quota treatment. view innovative designs essential balance struck between recovery, due recyclates possibly poor economic value restricting processing. Therefore suggest (PST) should considered carefully before installing much sophisticated separation favour technology. PST attuned future not present, since product complexity could make uneconomical. essence, this paper argues de-polluted cars limiting stipulation 5 10% (for 2006 2015, respectively) dropped from legislation. implies impose quotas, relevant left free follow dynamics design process operation (i.e. operational costs recyclates). law simply state: “Material an automobile together reach technological defendable maximum which good business practice determine how recovered respectively.” fixed addition, sampling statistics data measurement difficult often lacking standard deviations, supporting such conclusion further.