Recent Advancements in Automated Disassembly and Multi-Material Separation
August 6-7, 2024
Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2350 Cherahala Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37932
To meet aggressive climate policy and fuel efficiency goals established by the U.S. Federal government, automotive manufacturers have invested significantly in new technologies including vehicle electrification. These new technologies depend in part on lightweighting solutions to provide the maximum benefits. As a direct result of this initiative, the makeup of a car has significantly changed to include a greater amount of durable plastic components as replacements for heavier materials such as metals. However, some automotive plastic materials can be difficult to separate at end-of-life for reuse, upcycling, and recycling, making some parts of end-of-life vehicles unrecyclable. Because of these challenges a significant portion of these valuable automotive materials are destined for landfill at end of life. By transitioning toward a more circular approach manufacturers can reduce waste and take greater advantage of the value and sustainability benefits plastics and composites offer.
In 2021, the American Chemistry Council and Oak Ridge National Lab signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding that sought to identify and develop, and eventually demonstrate, end of life and full circularity solutions for durable plastics through an automotive industry lens. The direct result of this initiative has been the development of a robust supply chain map for end-of-life plastics in automotives. The team has learned the materials at end of life of a vehicle largely end up at an automotive disassembler/pick-and-pull facility or are shredded for metal recovery. From this initiative, two key research questions have been identified and must be overcome to enable automotive plastics circularity:
In this workshop, we will learn about recent developments from industry experts in the field that will help attendees understand the current state-of-the-art technologies in the area. We will also hear from experts on the potential government policy that will help shape the future of the industry. From these, we will identify R&D opportunities to help overcome barriers to the wide-spread application of these advanced technologies to end-of-life vehicles. With these experts we will work to understand any barriers or opportunities to deployment of such technologies and identify research opportunities to address these challenges. Representatives from the automotive supply chain, end of life value chain, academics, national laboratories, and policy experts are expected in attendance. The direct result of this workshop will be a report on the lessons learned and takeaways on the state-of-the-art developments and technologies to overcome these R&D challenges which will be shared with attendees.
Take US-129 N (Knoxville, Oak Ridge Ramp), bear right onto US-129 N (TN-115 N. Airport Hwy. Alcoa Hwy.) 2.3 miles. Take I-140 W. ramp on right and go 11.5 miles then continue on TN-162 N (Pellissippi Pkwy). From this point you have two options. Option 1 – Approx. 1.5 miles to Lovell Rd. ramp. Take immediate left and on Schaeffer Rd. (will change to Iron Gate Blvd.) until you come to the light at Hardin Valley Rd. Go straight through light onto Cherahala Blvd. HVC entrance will be 1st complex on your right. . Option 2 – 3.1 miles to Hardin Valley Rd. ramp. Turn right onto Hardin Valley Rd. and go to 2nd traffic light (0.2 miles) and turn left onto Cherahala Blvd. HVC will be 1st complex on your right.
Head north on TN-131 N/Lovell Rd. In approximately 3 miles use the left 2 lanes to turn onto Schaeffer Rd., take first right and continue on Schaeffer Rd. (will change to Iron Gate Blvd.) until you come to the light at Hardin Valley Rd. Go straight through light onto Cherahala Blvd. HVC entrance will be 1st complex on your right.
Turn left out of HVC and take a right onto Hardin Valley Rd. At light turn left and take US-129 N (Oak Ridge Ramp). Continue straight on TN 162 across the Herman B. Postma bridge. Merge to right-lane exit for Bethel Valley Road, proceed straight past the traffic light to the ORNL east vehicle entrance. (See visitor information on pre-arranging your visit.) Once you are verified (need driver’s license), continue about 5 miles on Bethel Valley Road. After the 2nd traffic light, enter the traffic circle, or roundabout, and go 3/4ths of the way around to enter the Visitor Center parking lot. The Visitor Center is the glassed-in section of the ORNL Conference Center nearest Bethel Valley Road.
Go out east gate of ORNL and continue straight until you merge onto TN-162. Continue straight on TN 162 across the Herman B. Postma Bridge merging right on TN-162S Pellissippi Pkwy, approximately 2 miles. Take the Hardin Valley Rd. exit, approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right off Harden Valley exit. Turn left at the 2nd stop light onto Cherahala Blvd. HVC entrance will be 1st complex on your right.