1 Metals and the Environment EAEE E4001 Nickolas J. Themelis

METALS AND CIVILIZATION From the dawn of civilization, metals have been associated with economic development, prosperity, and even art: “Native” gold, silver, and copper alloys were the first form of currency and the second form of art (after stone carvings). The Bronze Age and the Iron Age were named after metals.

METALS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY Many people think that today everything is done by computers. But the computers are made of metal. Also, all commercial and industrial buildings. And all means of transportation. And all generators of electricity and motors. And the conveyors of 99.99% of the electricity used by humanity (fiber optics do the rest). In fact, the skeleton, muscles, and skin of modern civilization are made of metals.

THE PRINCIPAL METALS AND THEIR GLOBAL PRODUCTION IN 2000 in million tons   Iron (Fe, 55.85) and steel (Fe+C/alloys): 833   Aluminum (Al, 26.98): 23.9   Copper (Cu, 63.55): 12.9   Zinc (Zn, 65.39): 8   Manganese (Mn, 54.94): 7.45   Lead (Pb, 207.2): 2.98   Nickel (Ni, 58.69): 1.23   Magnesium (Mg, 24.31):.284   Gold (Au, ):.0025   Silver (Ag ):.0179 (molecular weights g/mol) source: USGS

Annual consumption of copper during the 20th century Copper is principally used in electrical and water conduits Its per capita use is a good measure of the material standard of living in a nation 10 kg/capita for the highly developed nations 0.6 kg/capita in China 0.2 kg/capita in India More used in 20 th century than in all millennia

Ore RESERVES are not infinite: Effect of ore type on energy needed per ton of production (H.H. Kellogg)

Energy (and CO2) savings from metal recycling

Estimated global anthropogenic emissions in tons/year (after Nriagu &Pacyna 1998)

Advantages of “continuous” over “batch” smelting processes: Copper production from virgin or recycled materials (Noranda process) Off-gases Slag exit hole Slag Copper exit hole Matte Feeding Port Tuyeres Burner Use of heat from sulfur combustion Production of sulfuric acid (instead of SO2 emissions) Can smelt any kind of copper scrap concentrates air+oxygen

APPLICATION OF METAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES TO 21 th CENTURY PROBLEMS

Earth and Environmental Engineering : A new discipline for materials and the environment

Intelligent processing of combustible solid wastes for energy and metal resource recovery at Waste-to-Energy plant at Rochester, MA (developed by EAC)

Production and use of metals and all other materials must take into account the needs of both Humanity and the Earth. INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY LESSONS FOR METAL PRODUCTION AND USE IN 21 ST CENTURY

  Metal extraction is one of the most Earth-intrusive industrial activities. Engineers need to be fully cognizant of upstream (raw materials) and downstream (products) effects of their activities. INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY LESSONS FOR METAL PRODUCTION AND USE IN 21 ST CENTURY

  Dispersive uses of metals must be phased out and post-use material/energy recovery increase: Advantage for processes that can use as feedstock both “virgin” and recycled materials, such as scrap and waste streams. INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY LESSONS FOR METAL PRODUCTION AND USE IN 21 ST CENTURY

World steel production from ore (pig iron) and recycled steel