From April 26th to May 26th, 2024, our colleague Ignacio Zurano completed a secondment at the Institute of Catalysis in Sofia, Bulgaria, as part of the CHEMPGM project.
CHEMPGM aims to explore alternative routes for the recovery of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), such as Platinum and Iridium, with a particular focus on their environmental evaluation. Within this project, LOMARTOV is responsible for the environmental assessment.
The main objectives of this secondment were to gather inventory data for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the leaching and milling process and to lead a workshop on LCA, facilitating knowledge exchange with the institute’s members.
During his stay, Ignacio focused on analysing the environmental viability of the leaching and milling processes for expended platinum group catalysts through a series of experiments and activities, aiming to identify the inputs and outputs of the proposed PGM recovery mechanism to develop a comprehensive LCA.
In addition, Ignacio conducted a workshop where he lectured on the fundamentals of the LCA methodology, sharing practical experience and case studies from LOMARTOV.
LCA workshop conducted by Ignacio Zurano.
The experience in Sofia was incredibly enriching, providing hands-on engagement with cutting-edge processes and fostering collaboration with the expert team at the Institute of Catalysis. Such secondments are invaluable for advancing our understanding and implementation of sustainable technologies.
These exchanges between research organisations, universities, and SMEs are crucial for promoting collaboration, knowledge transfer, and innovation. Our colleague’s experience in Sofia not only enhanced his professional development but also contributed valuable insights to the CHEMPGM project, reinforcing the importance of integrating advanced research with practical applications to drive progress in sustainable technologies.
Stay tuned for more updates on our team’s secondments and their contributions to the CHEMPGM project!