Welcome to
SOLVOMET
SOLVOMET is KU Leuven’s Research and Innovation Centre for Circular Hydrometallurgy. We support mining, metallurgical and recycling companies in the development of more sustainable (circular, low-energy input) hydrometallurgical processes, using state-of-the-art lab and mini-pilot scale experimental facilities and modelling capabilities.
SOLVOMET’s vision is that metallurgical chemistry expertise allows to develop more efficient eco-friendly hydrometallurgical and solvometallurgical processes to provide the critical metals that are needed for the transition to a climate-neutral society.
SOLVOMET’s mission is to support its industry partners in the conceptual and practical development of more sustainable (circular, low-energy input) hydrometallurgical (and solvometallurgical) processes, which are subsequently tested using state-of-the-art lab-scale and mini-pilot-scale experimental facilities.
Circular Hydrometallurgy
Genuine breakthroughs in hydrometallurgy will not come from the use of neoteric solvents like ionic liquids or deep-eutectic solvents, but rather from a deep understanding of hydro-processes at a molecular level. Hydrometallurgy needs to evolve to low-energy-input circular hydrometallurgy.
Circular hydrometallurgy is the area of hydrometallurgy that focuses on the design of energy-efficient flowsheets or unit processes that consume a minimal amount of reagents and produce virtually no waste. It entails a different way of thinking about how hydrometallurgy is practiced, both for primary mining and recycling processes. Circularity refers to the regeneration and reuse of all the reagents in a process.
Our main expertise
- Chemical and mineralogical characterisation of metal-bearing ores, concentrates, tailings, industrial process residues and postconsumer waste
- Development of eco-friendly hydrometallurgical unit processes for metal recovery (advanced leaching) and purification (solvent extraction, ion exchange…)
- Development of (near-circular, low-energy-input) hydrometallurgical flowsheets
- Validation of hydrometallurgical unit processes and circular flowsheets on mini-pilot scale
- Thermodynamic modelling of hydrometallurgical processes
- Forensic hydrometallurgy
Research philosophy
Guided by our Twelve Principles of Circular Hydrometallurgy, SOLVOMET targets:
- Applied, medium-to-high TRL R and I (EU (Research) Innovation Action projects and bilateral projects with/funded by industry)
- Development of new unit processes and flowsheets that are scalable and industrially realistic
- Insight and understanding of real-world, industrial problems at a molecular level
Equipment
Research Facilities
SOLVOMET
Key metals of interest
Battery Metals
Precious Metals
Base Metals
SOLVOMET
Meet Our Team
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SOLVOMET creates innovative solutions for real-world problems.
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SOLVOMET performs contract research with industry partners across the world.
services
What we do
How we do it
- We go beyond a basic, trial-and-error methodology to develop or optimise hydrometallurgical flowsheets
- We combine experimental testing on lab/mini-pilot scale with detailed feed characterisation, thermodynamic and kinetic modelling, and a deep, molecular understanding of metal extraction mechanisms
- We build up and maintain stable, long-lasting relationships of trust with key players in the metallurgical industry
Battery Raw Materials
- Ni/Co metallurgy and flowsheeting
- Li metallurgy and flow sheeting
- Competence in Mn SX for battery grade Mn production
- Recovery of other metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, ...). Impurity removal and outlet in all flowsheets (As, Fe, Al, ...)
Thermodynamic modelling
- SOLVOMET can build predictive hydrometallurgical equilibrium models
- SOLVOMET can calculate complex hydrometallurgical systems including multi-phase equilibria and electrolyte solutions
- SOLVOMET can build accurate models (>90% accuracy) with experience in solvent extraction, leaching, and precipitation
Partners
SOLVOMET bilateral projects
Hydro-flowsheet development
Hydro-flowsheet development
Thermodynamic modelling of SX processes
Lithium-flowsheet development (Thacker Pass project, Li-clays)
Lithium-flowsheet development (Salar de Atacama, Li-brines)
Application of bromine technology in urban mining/recycling
Metal recovery from steelmaking sludges
Ag recovery hydro-flowsheet
Application of GTL solvents in hydro-flowsheet
Hydro-flowsheet development
Hydro-flowsheet development (for EoL tyre recycling)
Urban mining /recycling study (REEs)
Developing flowsheets for Sn recovery
Hydro-flowsheet development
Hydro-flowsheet development
Thermodynamic modelling of SX processes
Lithium-flowsheet development (Thacker Pass project, Li-clays)
Lithium-flowsheet development (Salar de Atacama, Li-brines)
Application of bromine technology in urban mining/recycling
Metal recovery from steelmaking sludges
Ag recovery hydro-flowsheet
Application of GTL solvents in hydro-flowsheet
Hydro-flowsheet development
Hydro-flowsheet development (for EoL tyre recycling)
Urban mining /recycling study (REEs)
Developing flowsheets for Sn recovery
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