scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Author

Peter Tom Jones

Bio: Peter Tom Jones is an academic researcher from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. The author has contributed to research in topics: Slag & Steelmaking. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 123 publications receiving 4747 citations. Previous affiliations of Peter Tom Jones include University of Oxford & University of Aveiro.


Papers
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The state of the art in preprocessing of End-of-life materials containing rare-earth elements (REEs) and the final recovery is discussed in detail in this article, where the relevance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for REE recycling is emphasized.

1,718 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the possibilities to recover rare earths from industrial waste streams, which contain only low concentrations of rare-earth elements, but are available in very large volumes and could provide significant amounts of rare Earths.

442 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors give an overview of the sources of NdFeB permanent magnets related to their applications, followed by a summary of various available technologies to recover the rare-earth elements (REEs) from these magnets, including physical processing and separation, direct alloy production, and metallurgical extraction and recovery.
Abstract: NdFeB permanent magnets have different life cycles, depending on the applications: from as short as 2–3 years in consumer electronics to 20–30 years in wind turbines. The size of the magnets ranges from less than 1 g in small consumer electronics to about 1 kg in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs), and can be as large as 1000–2000 kg in the generators of modern wind turbines. NdFeB permanent magnets contain about 31–32 wt% of rare-earth elements (REEs). Recycling of REEs contained in this type of magnets from the End-of-Life (EOL) products will play an important and complementary role in the total supply of REEs in the future. However, collection and recovery of the magnets from small consumer electronics imposes great social and technological challenges. This paper gives an overview of the sources of NdFeB permanent magnets related to their applications, followed by a summary of the various available technologies to recover the REEs from these magnets, including physical processing and separation, direct alloy production, and metallurgical extraction and recovery. At present, no commercial operation has been identified for recycling the EOL NdFeB permanent magnets and the recovery of the associated REE content. Most of the processing methods are still at various research and development stages. It is estimated that in the coming 10–15 years, the recycled REEs from EOL permanent magnets will play a significant role in the total REE supply in the magnet sector, provided that efficient technologies will be developed and implemented in practice.

329 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of Enhanced Land Mining (ELFM) is introduced, which is defined as safe conditioning, excavation and integrated valorization of land waste streams as both materials and energy.

300 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an overview of the trends in the applications for different rare-earth elements and show that the demand for REEs for use in magnets, catalysts, and alloys is still increasing, while the application of REEs in polishing agents, glass, and ceramics are stable.
Abstract: The balance between the market demand and the natural abundance of the rare-earth elements (REEs) in ores, often referred to as the Balance Problem (or the Balancing Problem), is a major issue for REE suppliers. The ideal situation is a perfect match between the market demand for and the production of REEs, so that there are no surpluses of any of the REEs. This means that the rare-earth industry must find new uses for REEs that are available in excess and search for substitutes for REEs that have either limited availability or are high in demand. We present an overview of the trends in the applications for the different REEs and show that the demand for REEs for use in magnets, catalysts, and alloys is still increasing, while the application of REEs in polishing agents, glass, and ceramics are stable. On the other hand, the use of REEs in nickel–metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries and lamp phosphors is decreasing. These changes in the REE market have an influence on the Balance Problem, because the REEs that can be recycled from fluorescent lamps, cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), and NiMH batteries have to be at least partly reused in other applications. Magnesium and aluminum alloys offer an opportunity to mitigate the Balance Problem caused by these changes in the REE market. This is illustrated for REEs that can be recycled from fluorescent-lamp phosphor waste, CRT phosphors, and NiMH batteries. At present, five REEs (Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Y) are being considered as very critical by Europe, the United States, and Japan, but we forecast that in the medium term, only neodymium will remain a critical REE. This paper discusses the relationship between criticality and the Balance Problem and shows how this relationship influences the market for specific REEs.

175 citations


Cited by
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The state of the art in preprocessing of End-of-life materials containing rare-earth elements (REEs) and the final recovery is discussed in detail in this article, where the relevance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for REE recycling is emphasized.

1,718 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a comprehensive review of research efforts encompassing aspects of resources scarcity, waste generation and economic advantages; explore the CE landscape in the context of these three aspects especially when they are considered simultaneously; based on an idea of a comprehensive CE framework, propose an implementation strategy using top-down and bottom-up approach in a concurrent manner.

1,562 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a brief discussion of the class of cementing materials known as "alkali-activated binders" is provided, which are identified to have potential for utilization as a key component of a sustainable future global construction materials industry.

1,052 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Alkali activation is a highly active and rapidly developing field of activity in the global research and development community as discussed by the authors, and commercial-scale deployment of alkali-activated cements and concretes is now proceeding rapidly in multiple nations.

873 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors take a focus on the historical development of the concept of circular economy and value retention options (ROs) for products and materials aiming for increased circularity and conclude that policymakers and businesses should focus their efforts on realization of the more desirable, shorter loop retention options, like remanufacturing, refurbishing and repurposing, yet with a view on feasibility and overall system effects.
Abstract: Over the last decade, the concept of the circular economy has regained attention, especially related to efforts to achieve a more sustainable society. The ‘revival’ of the circular economy has been accompanied by controversies and confusions across different actors in science and practice. With this article we attempt at contributing to advanced clarity in the field and providing a heuristic that is useful in practice. Initially, we take a focus on the historical development of the concept of circular economy and value retention options (ROs) for products and materials aiming for increased circularity. We propose to distinguish three phases in the evolution of the circular economy and argue that the concept – in its dominant framing – is not as new as frequently claimed. Having established this background knowledge, we give insights into ‘how far we are’ globally, with respect to the implementation of circularity, arguing that high levels of circularity have already been reached in different parts of the globe with regard to longer loop value retention options, such as energy recovery and recycling. Subsequently, we show that the confusion surrounding the circular economy is more far reaching. We summarize the divergent perspectives on retention options and unite the most common views a 10R typology. From our analyses, we conclude that policymakers and businesses should focus their efforts on realization of the more desirable, shorter loop retention options, like remanufacturing, refurbishing and repurposing – yet with a view on feasibility and overall system effects. Scholars, on the other hand, should assist the parties contributing to an increased circular economy in practice by taking up a more active role in attaining consensus in conceptualizing the circular economy.

762 citations