Project

Metal Recovery from Low Grade Ores and Wastes (METGROW+)

Acronym

METGROW PLUS

Code

41L06716

Duration

01 February 2016 → 31 January 2020

Funding

European funding: framework programme

Promotor

Nico Boon

Research disciplines

Engineering and technology
- Environmental microorganism biotechnology

Keywords

metal recycling resource efficiency

Project description

METGROW+ develops metal extraction processes for various solid materials, with varying composition and properties, and processes for (selective) recovery of metals from generated leachates. It integrates chemical, biological and physical processes on different model input streams, develops process technologies in terms of increased yield, kinetics, and selectivity, and compares cost, energy use and environmental impact.

Role of Ghent University

Ghent University participates in the development and/or improvement of bio-based technologies for metal extraction and recovery. Bio-based technologies such as bioleaching for metal extraction, and bioprecipitation and biosorption for metal recovery are environmentally friendly alternatives to the high energy demanding hydrometallurgical methods most commonly applied for metal valorisation.