Meet the Partners: CETAQUA

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17 January, 2024

 

What are your main tasks in the project?

In the METALLICO project, five processes are developed. CETAQUA participates in the development of three of them: TAILCO, PURGES and COOL+. Together with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), we are involved in the laboratory-scale testing and pilot-scale testing for both the TAILCO and PURGES processes. Additionally, we operate the pilot-scale process for COOL+. Further, we are leading the task that aims at developing the digital platform for inventorying the characterized sources.

 

What are your next steps in the project?

Our next steps for the TAILCO process involve initiating the nanofiltration pilot operation and optimizing the operating parameters, such as pressure and feed flow, for optimal results. After that, the obtained concentrate is characterized, and we will then send samples of the concentrate material to Cobre las Cruzes for additional experimentation.

In the PURGES process, the next steps include evaluating how effective it is to remove manganese/iron impurities through air/sulphur dioxide precipitation. Additionally, an Ion Exchange and a Selective Ion Removal process will be employed for the Cobalt (II) extraction. In these tasks, we work together with our partners from the UPC.

 

Why do you think METALLICO is important for the general public?

The METALLICO project aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on external markets for critical and battery metals by focusing on primary and secondary sources within EU countries. This objective will contribute to decreasing imports from countries outside Europe.

The project will bring economic benefits to the EU countries and consequently the people, including job creation in various sectors such as raw material production, battery manufacturing, and transportation. Furthermore, there will be environmental advantages, including the reduction of industrial waste and the associated risk of environmental damage.

We believe that the project is important for the general public. Every day, the importance of recycling increases, and this project aims to enhance acceptance while promoting sustainable resource management practices.