The SIREVIVAL project involves partners from Belgium, France, Algeria and Tunisia and started on March 1st, 2022. The scientific visit of UCLouvain team in the headquarters of CRTSE partner evaluated the results obtained by UCLouvain and CRTSE during the first year of collaboration. The two partners are contributing key tasks in the SIREVIVAL project, including research activities revolving around end-of-life (EoL) photovoltaic panels recycling in Algeria and the dissemination of associated open access data, currently implemented in the UCLouvain dataverse.
The Belgian team was visiting the Algerian team early 2023 to jointly prepare the transfer of recovered materials from end-of-life photovoltaic panels among consortium partners. During the joint activities, the two teams were involved with all steps related to Si recovery from EoL photovoltaic panels that have been already carried out and documented by the CRTSE partner. Specifically, the dismantling and cutting of EoL photovoltaic modules from novel batches collected in 2023 was accomplished and quantified with regard to inputs from technosphere with the help of several members from the host team. Furthermore, the observed high efficiency – in terms of recovery yield – of the steps constituing the entire process flow of EoL photovoltaic modules recycling is truly environmentally favourable and requires minimal automation of the procedures for the studied batches (< 100 x 40 cm2 per panel).
The members of the CRTSE and UCLouvain teams conducted experiments with state-of-the art characterization tools, like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, for the quality assessment of the recovered materials. In particular, part of the recovered Si cells will be transferred to UCLouvain that will process the materials into reclaimed wafers to be used by IEMN/ULille to fabricate micro-supercapacitors. Work at UCLouvain addressing the recovered Si specimens will further benefit from the presence of the CRTSE team during May 2023 in the WINFAB cleanroom.
From left to right: Dr. Sorin Melinte, Dr. Sabiha Anas Boussaa, Mr. Bilal Merazka and Dr. Abdallah Trad Khodja are cutting end-of-life photovoltaic panels at CRTSE, Algiers, Algeria.
