Criticality and Recyclability Assessment of Car Parts—A Thermodynamic Simulation-Based Approach

Marta Iglesias-Émbil (), Alejandro Abadías, Alicia Valero, Guiomar Calvo, Markus Andreas Reuter and Abel Ortego
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Marta Iglesias-Émbil: SEAT, S.A., Autovía A-2 Km. 585, 08760 Martorell, Spain
Alejandro Abadías: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, Germany
Alicia Valero: CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Guiomar Calvo: CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Markus Andreas Reuter: SMS-Group GmbH, Eduard-Schloemann-Straße 4, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
Abel Ortego: CIRCE Institute—Universidad de Zaragoza, Mariano Esquillor Gómez 15, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: Using a thermodynamic approach, this paper identifies the most critical parts of a car, considering their composition. A total of 11 car parts that contain valuable and scarce materials have been selected using thermodynamic rarity, an indicator that helps assess elements and minerals in exergy terms according to their relative scarcity in the crust and the energy required to extract and refine them. A recyclability analysis using a product-centric approach was then undertaken using dedicated software, HSC Chemistry. To that end, the dismantling of these car parts into three main fractions was performed. Each car part was divided into non-ferrous, steel, and aluminum flows. A general metallurgical process was developed and simulated for each flow, including all the required equipment to extract most of the minor but valuable metals. Of the 11 parts, only 7 have a recyclability potential higher than 85%. By treating these selected car parts appropriately, the raw materials’ value recovered from the car can increase by 6%. The approach used in this paper can help provide guidelines to improve the eco-design of cars and can also be applied to other sectors. Ultimately, this paper uniquely introduces simulation-based thermodynamic rarity analysis for thermodynamic based product “design for recycling”.

Keywords: thermodynamic rarity; critical raw materials; recycling; end-of-life vehicles; product-centric-approach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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