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MICROWAVE-BASED PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS TO PRODUCE FERROSILICON WITH PV CELLS FROM EOL PV PANELS

  • Emma Pitacco - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Pietrogiovanni Cerchier - 9-Tech srl, Italy
  • Mirko Pigato - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Caterina Bernardini - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Lorenzo D'Ambrosi - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Michele Forzan - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
  • Katya Brunelli - Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Italy

DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2025.19538

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Copyright: © 2025 CISA Publisher

Abstract

In this work, PV silicon recovered from a PV panel recycling facility was utilized as a reactant for the synthesis of ferrosilicon alloys via microwave treatment in the presence of iron oxides and graphite. Microwave-driven process was further explored using ladle furnace slag from secondary steelmaking as a reactive component. Different amounts of reactants, time and microwave power were used. Microwave heating allowed to reach temperatures higher than 900 °C after few minutes of treatment at a power of 600 W. The obtained materials were characterized by SEM-EDS and XRD. The proposed process allowed to obtain a ferrosilicon alloy with an amount of 21% Si. This study explored the use of three different types of waste to obtain a ferroalloy FeSi that can be afterwards employed in the steelmaking process.

Keywords

Editorial History

  • Received: 12 Jun 2025
  • Revised: 25 Aug 2025
  • Accepted: 29 Sep 2025
  • Available online: 14 Oct 2025

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