Optimising Hydrometallurgical Leaching with HPC and CFD for PGM Recovery

OPTILEACH aims to develop and validate advanced CFD-based models for optimising hydrometallurgical leaching processes used in the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from secondary raw materials. By combining UNITO’s expertise in high-performance computational modelling with MONOLITHOS’ pilot-scale testing capabilities, the project integrates physics-based simulations with experimental validation to improve reactor performance, process efficiency, and metal recovery yields.

The collaboration supports scalable reactor design optimisation, enhanced mixing and mass-transfer analysis, as well as data-driven process monitoring and control strategies tailored to industrial operations. Through the application of HPC-driven innovation, OPTILEACH contributes to more sustainable recycling and critical raw material recovery, reinforcing the European circular economy, reducing environmental impact, and accelerating technology transfer between academia and industry.

Organisations involved: 

End-User: MONOLITHOS Catalysts & Recycling Ltd

Technology expert: University of Turin