PROJECTS

CROCODILE Project Description

The technical concept of the unique CROCODILE recovery process is based on integrating several cutting edge chemical engineering solutions, in combination with advanced physical treatment solutions (mechanical, wet mechanical, and pyro metallurgic solutions for the production of high quality black mass rich in cobalt with low difficult metals to treat chemically). The integrated process will be suitable to treat large variety of feedstocks: primary resources rich in cobalt from nickel and copper mining and secondary resources from a wide range of waste streams, like batteries, steel, chemicals, and WEEE.

The CROCODILE project is designed to reduce drastically the supply risk of cobalt for the European industry while consolidating the leading position and business of SMEs and large refineries
in Europe by:

  • Setting up a new large and complete value chain for the production of cobalt from primary and secondary EU-based resources.
  • Developing the 1st of its kind commercial mobile plant with a capacity of up to 200 kg of Co per day to expand the EU business of Co metal production allowing industries to exploit untapped resources so far.
  • Easing the decision for investment in new large plants as potential investors will be able to lease and test the proposed system, due to its compact and mobile nature, without the need for prior large investments.
  • Give the SMEs the opportunity to adjust their pre-treatment technologies for high added value black mass when combined with advanced chemical treatment technologies.
  • Provide large refineries with new integrated technologies and feed matrixes to increase yield and selectivity from primary and secondary resources while improving resource and energy efficiency.
MONOLITHOS participation role

In the course of CROCODILE project, MONOLITHOS will install collection boxes for rechargeable batteries and educate the owners of the workshops in order to collect rechargeable batteries from their clients (car owners). Thus, MONOLITHOS will aim at the clients of car workshops who often are escorted by their children during car maintenance, in order to create a cost-effective supply chain of rechargeable batteries in Greece. The characterization of cobalt catalysts and rechargeable batteries was also performed by MONOLITHOS. Last but not least, an inventory study about other waste containing cobalt at a massive scale in Europe was performed.

Collaborators

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