Development of (bio)sorption and (bio)leaching processes for the recovery of valuable metals from waste using a novel high throughput experimentation platform

Home institution: 
UGent
Start date: 
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Duration: 
4 years
Main supervisor: 
Gijs Du Laing
Objectives and expected results: 

In order to come up with hybrid recovery technologies, the development of a high throughput experimentation platform would be useful. This platform will allow the study of leaching and adsorption/desorption efficiencies of a wide range of materials as function of different conditions in a much shorter timeframe. Thus, this research aims (1) to set up and optimize a high throughput experimentation platform for biosorption and bioleaching of metals; (2) to apply this platform in developing a sorption-based process for selective recovery of technology-critical elements from industrial wastewaters; and (3) to apply this platform in developing a leaching process to selectively recover valuable metals from mine tailings.

Planned secondment(s): 

RWTH Aachen or UPC Barcelona

Financing: 
This PhD is funded by Ghent University – Special Research Fund (BOF).
Specific entry requirements: 

The candidates should have a MSc degree in environmental science, chemical engineering or other related areas.

Contact: 

For more information on the project, please contact Gijs Du Laing (Gijs.DuLaing@UGent.be)