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
Rare Earths
Refractory Metals
Base Metals
SOLVOMET
Meet Our Team
More info
Almir Olovcic
Researcher
Roy Heyns
Researcher
Ionuț-Alexandru Popa
Project Manager
Alexandra Alexandri
Technical staff
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SOLVOMET creates innovative solutions for real-world problems.
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If you are interested in joining our group, please check out our current openings.
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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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