Description du projet
Transformer les usines de dessalement de l’eau de mer en mines de matières premières
L’extraction de la saumure implique l’extraction de minéraux et de métaux précieux à partir d’une solution saline naturelle, telle que l’eau de mer et l’eau de surface. C’est par exemple la méthode la plus courante de récupération du lithium. Le projet SEA4VALUE, financé par l’UE, mettra au point un procédé d’extraction de saumure modulaire multi-minéral pour récupérer des métaux et minéraux précieux à partir de saumures produites dans les usines de dessalement d’eau de mer. Le projet prouvera la faisabilité des technologies de concentration, de séparation et de cristallisation de nouvelle génération pour la récupération des éléments Mg, B, Sc, In, V, Ga, Li, Rb, Mo et jettera les bases de leur assimilation dans les usines de traitement existantes et futures. Soutenu par un consortium représentant l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur, de l’exploitant de l’infrastructure de l’eau à l’industrie de transformation, le projet améliorera dix technologies innovantes.
Objectif
SEA4VALUE wants to deliver a Multi-mineral Modular Brine Mining Process (MMBMP) for the recovery of valuable metals and minerals from brines produced in sea-water desalination plants. The project will proof the feasibility of the next generation technologies (including advanced concentration and crystallization processes and highly selective separation processes) for recovery of Mg, B, Sc, In, V, Ga, Li, Rb, Mo and set the basis for their future assimilation in already existing SWDP and those yet to come.
The EC and national public officials are well aware of the economic importance and supply risk of CRM and non-CRM, and are promoting new solutions for the recycling, exploration and mining of raw materials needs. SEA4VALUE puts together an industrially and user-driven consortium of 15 members that represent the whole value chain (from Water Infraestructure Operator to Processing Industry) who will extensively work during four years to proof that the measures presented are competitive, technically feasible, contribute towards circular economy strategies and sustainability goals.
SEA4VALUE will upscale 10 technologies by developing novel selective membranes; producing new 3D printed selective adsorbents; applying advanced metallurgical solutions including solvometallurgy, ionic liquids and supported liquid membranes; improving membrane crystallization; and, developing thermally-conductive polymer composite materials for the heat exchangers to be used in multi-effect distillation while building confidence for the market uptake of the recovered elements, and therefore considerably reducing the arrival into the market and its uptake of brine as new source of raw materials.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallography
- engineering and technologychemical engineeringseparation technologiesdesalination
- engineering and technologychemical engineeringseparation technologiesdistillation
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Régime de financement
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinateur
08290 Cerdanyola Del Valles (Barcelona)
Espagne