Iakovos V. Yakoumis

Chemical Engineer Managing Director

Company Presentation

MONOLITHOS commercial activity is the manufacturing and recycling

of automotive emission control devices

(catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, SCR, DeNOx traps)

CRMs involved: PGMs (Pt, Pd, Rh) and rare earths (Ce, La)

REGENERATION SUBSTITUTION RECYCLING

R&D Activities involving CRMs

Material to Material

Material to Technology/Process

The main objective of NEXTGENCAT project is the development of novel eco-friendly

nano-structured automotive catalysts utilizing transition metal nanoparticles

(Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Fe etc) that can partially or completely replace the PGMs (Pt, Pd, Rh).

The project (Number: 280890) is funded under the FP7 programme:

NMP.2011.2.2-4 – Novel materials for replacement of critical materials (platinum group

metals and rare earths) with total EU contribution 3,9 million Euros.

The project, started in September 2014, aims in the development of a small scale pilot

plant for the recycling of automotive catalytic converters using hydrometallurgical

process. The project is being funded under the Eco_Innovation 2013 program.

MONOLITHOS Ltd. is the solely Greek entity chosen to receive funding under this call.

MONOLITHOS Ltd. is participating in the events of CRM_InnoNet Network.

CRM_InnoNet (Critical Raw Materials Innovation Network) will drive innovation and

influence policy in the field of substitution of critical raw materials for the benefit of EU

industry.

MONOLITHOS Ltd. received an invitation to participate in the EU Cluster on Substitution

of Critical Raw Materials being organized by DGs RTD and GROW– First meeting held in

Brussels at 10 February 2015 ‏

1. Network on technology-critical elements - from environmental processes to human

health threats – TD1407

2. Interdisciplinarity in research programming and funding cycles (INTREPID) – TD1408

Clustering Activities receiving funding for the period April 2015 – April 2019

Development of nano-structured automotive catalysts

utilizing transition metal nanoparticles (mainly Cu)

Stage of Development

1. Upscaling from laboratory level to production of

bigger washcoat catalyst quantities (i.e. 2kg)

has been successfully performed

2. Coating of the novel catalyst to commercial

ceramic monoliths has been successfully

performed

Next Steps

1. Laboratory and Real-Life-Conditions Aging of

the novel catalyst

2. Homologation of the novel catalyst against Euro

Emission Standards

• Alumina, titania or their mixtures as catalytic support

• High porosity permitting gases to present two-axis

movement within the catalyst

• High coating flexibility (e.g. oxidation to take place

separately than reduction)

Experimental apparatus for the hypergnation of metals on the

catalytic membrane surface Hexagonal arrangement of fibers

Shell side

Lumen side

Cu nanoparticles

Gas flow

Stream

through pores

Gas flow

Conversions for 3 flow rates and after regeneration

with He

Adsorption prevails until 240°C (yield reduction)

Optimum conversion of ΝΟ and NOx at 400°C with yield 74.5% and 81.5% respectively

and flow rate of NO 0.5 ml/min

After regeneration with He at 440°C the conversions of ΝΟ and NOx reach the impressive

98.3% and 98.2% respectively (300°C)

1. Based on Wet Metallurgy

principle

2. No cutting/welding of the

original DPF is needed

3. Applicable to all kind of DPFs

(passenger cars, trucks,

buses, heavy duty, etc.)

4. No liquid wastes, no

emissions

5. Two years warranty for the

regenerated DPF

MAIN ASPECTS OF TECHNOLOGY

1. Environmental friendly hydro-metallurgical chemistry is incorporated

using simple bespoke chemical solutions and an ultrasonic agitation

method to take the PGMs into solution.

2. 25kg of spent automotive ceramic monoliths trials showed 98,5%

recovery of Pt and Pd and 80% recovery of Rh.

3. 16 times lower energy consumption and 3,5 times lower water use

compared with commercial pyrometallurgical methods .

GOAL OF THE PROJECT

• Development of 1000kg pilot plant.

• Optimizing the process to small enough scale for SME cat de-canners to

afford to use; thus they can extract higher value from their operation.

1. 21st International Workshop of T.A.C.E.C. Programme entitled:

‘‘The opportunities for the Critical Raw Materials: how to find the new

hidden nuggets from refining recycling and recovering’’

held in Milan, December 4th, 2014 (www.federchimica.it).

Lecture title: ‘‘Critical Materials and Automotive Catalytic Converters:

From substitution to recycling’’.

2. University of Padova (5/12/2014), Seminar addressed to students and

faculty members

G. Kolliopoulos, E. Balomenos, I. Giannopoulou, I. Yakoumis, D. Panias, “Behaviour of

platinum group metals during their pyrometallurgical recovery from spent automotive

catalyst’’, OALib Journal, August 2014, doi: 10.4236