Circular economy is the concept of achieving resource circulation with economically. Since circulation requires an energy for collection and separation, it is necessary to develop innovative separation technologies that are as energy efficient as possible to achieve carbon net zero and resource circulation at the same time. Furthermore, easy disassembly design of products is also required.
In our laboratory, we are developing advanced separation technologies and processes for valuable components, highly efficient and stable treatment technologies and processes for hazardous components, and simulation technologies to advance these technologies toward the goal of a circular economy. In addition, we are also working to outreach the characteristics of separation technologies for resource circulation widely for framing of resource circulation and designing easy decomposition.
Specifically, we are working on the following three subjects
(1) Advanced separation technologies and processes for resource circulation
We propose novel separation technologies or processes that meet social needs by combining crushing/shredding, physical separation, wet processes (precipitation, elution, adsorption), and high-temperature processes. We especially focus on an advanced characterization to properly evaluate separation properties. Our laboratory has organized a research team that covers almost all these technologies.
(2) Environmental remediation technology and process development to support resource utilization processes
We propose highly efficient and stable treatment technologies or processes, mainly for wastewater and waste gas treatment containing inorganic toxic elements. We especially focus on structural changes at the solid-liquid or solid-gas interface to develop environmental materials and environmental purification processes that enable highly efficient precipitation or adsorption of hazardous elements.
(3) Simulation technology to advance resource utilization technology
We conduct many kinds of simulation to develop the novel separation technologies and process above mentioned as follows; powder simulation to visualize the separation of solids and elucidate the mechanism; geochemical simulation to elucidate the mechanisms of precipitation, elution, and adsorption in solution and to understand the reaction rate; thermodynamic simulation to understand the state of various elements in high-temperature processes; electric field simulation, shock wave propagation simulation, and deformation simulation to elucidate the separation mechanism by electric pulse method.
Concept of separation technology for resource development and circulation