Materials Separation and Recycling

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511976049.008

4 - Materials Separation and Recycling

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2011

Timothy G. Gutowski

Edited by

Bhavik R. Bakshi ,

Timothy G. Gutowski and

Dušan P. Sekulić

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Timothy G. Gutowski: Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bhavik R. Bakshi: Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Timothy G. Gutowski: Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dušan P. Sekulić: Affiliation:
University of Kentucky

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Summary

Introduction

In this chapter, we develop several models for the materials-recycling process. The focus is on the separation of materials from a mixture. This problem can be modeled by using the principles of thermodynamics, particularly the concept of mixing entropy, as well as by using some of the results from information theory. In doing this calculation we will find, from a thermodynamic point of view, that the theoretical minimum work required for separating a mixture is identical to the work lost on spontaneous mixing of the chemical components. In other words, the development in this chapter in conjunction with the results from previous chapters will allow us to track both the degradation in materials values as they are used and dispersed in society as well as the improvement and gain as materials are restored to their original values. Of course, this restoration does not come for free, and so we also look at the losses and inefficiencies involved in materials recycling. This approach allows us to look at the complete materials cycle as it moves through society and to evaluate the gains and losses at each step. The chapter starts with the development of the needed thermodynamics concepts and then moves on to the application of these ideas. This chapter also introduces an alternative way of looking at the recycling problem by using information theory.

Type: Chapter
Information: Thermodynamics and the Destruction of Resources , pp. 113 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511976049.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2011

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