Chemical composition determination of impurities and effect on the toxicity degree of solar panel components

Vezhenkova, Irina; Semenova, Margarita; Kovalevskaya, Alla; Gryaznov, A. Yu.; Rodríguez-Barroso, Rocío; Castañeda, Rafael Jiménez

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202022001057

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This review emphasizes the need to improve recycling efficiency, investigate co-plasma pyrolysis to increase H 2 yield in syngas, and develop industrial applications for other value-added products. In addition, the polymer component from DSP was reported to contain hazardous HMs [91]. Hence, comprehensive adsorption of HMs from plasma pyrolysis technology must be examined to avoid environmental pollution.…”

Section: Challenges and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance

Chiang,

Han,

Claire

et al. 2024

Clean Technol.

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In the past few decades, the solar energy market has increased significantly, with an increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) modules being deployed around the world each year. Some believe that these PV modules have a lifespan of around 25–30 years. As their lifetime is limited, solar panels wind up in the waste stream after their end of life (EoL). Several ecological challenges are associated with their inappropriate disposal due to the presence of hazardous heavy metals (HMs). Some studies have reported different treatment technologies, including pyrolysis, stabilization, physical separation, landfill, and the use of chemicals. Each proposed treatment technique pollutes the environment and underutilizes the potential resources present in discarded solar panels (DSPs). This review recommends thermal plasma pyrolysis as a promising treatment technology. This process will have significant advantages, such as preventing toxic HMs from contaminating the soil and groundwater, reducing the amount of e-waste from DSPs in an environmentally friendly and economical way, and allows the utilization of the valuable resources contained in EoL photovoltaic solar panel modules by converting them into hydrogen-rich syngas to generate thermal energy, electricity, and non-leachable slag that can be used as an additive in other treatment processes or as a conditioner to improve soil properties. However, plasma pyrolysis uses a high temperature to break down waste materials, a challenge which can be offset by the integration of this process in anaerobic digestion (AD), as the slag from plasma pyrolysis can be used as an additive in AD treatments to produce high yields of biogas and improve nutrient recovery. Moreover, the produced energy from both processes can operate the entire plant in which they take place and increase the net energy production, a resource which can be sold for an additional income. Future challenges and recommendations are also highlighted.

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Section: Challenges and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance

Chiang,

Han,

Claire

et al. 2024

Clean Technol.

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“…However, renewable energy sources have a number of disadvantages. Thus, the process of their disposal is an extremely difficult task [15] since, for example, solar panels contain elements such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb [16], which can have a negative impact on the ecosystem, and their burial is an extremely undesirable method of their disposal [17]; thermal and chemical methods of solar panel recycling have not been sufficiently mastered and are not characterized by a high degree of efficiency [18,19]. Dust is released during the mechanical processing of solar panels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Art and Environmental Aspects of Plant Microbial Fuel Cells’ Application

Lepikash,

Lavrova,

Stom

et al. 2024

Energies

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Environmental pollution is becoming ubiquitous; it has a negative impact on ecosystem diversity and worsens the quality of human life. This review discusses the possibility of applying the plant microbial fuel cells (PMFCs) technology for concurrent processes of electricity generation and the purification of water and soil ecosystems from organic pollutants, particularly from synthetic surfactants and heavy metals. The review describes PMFCs’ functioning mechanisms and highlights the issues of PMFCs’ environmental application. Generally, this work summarizes different approaches to PMFC development and to the potential usage of such hybrid bioelectrochemical systems for environmental protection.

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“…Many problems will arise when a massive quantity of solar waste is collected after utilizing solar-energy resources, which will become difficult to handle in a proper safe way. Nevertheless, there is little information about solar panels waste toxicity, biodegradability, and huge landfill area requirements [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and Solutions in Solar Photovoltaic Technology Life Cycle

Ullah,

Ahmad,

Sarfaraz

et al. 2023

ChemBioEng Reviews

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Solar energy offers a clean and abundant alternative to the challenges associated with fossil fuels such as greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. The review focuses on the environmental impacts of solar photovoltaic technology throughout its life cycle, from manufacturing to disposal, and highlights potential hazards associated with using and producing photovoltaic technology, including releasing toxic gases and other trace elements into the environment. The paper concludes by summarizing various recycling techniques that can be employed to address these challenges and to take full advantage of solar photovoltaic technology without causing harm to the environment.

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Chemical composition determination of impurities and effect on the toxicity degree of solar panel components

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance

Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance

State of the Art and Environmental Aspects of Plant Microbial Fuel Cells’ Application

Challenges and Solutions in Solar Photovoltaic Technology Life Cycle

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