Review winter semester 2021/22

Europe is extremely dependent on imports of a large number of raw materials. In order to secure the EU as a high-tech location and to guarantee its competitiveness in the future, this dependence must be reduced as a matter of urgency. This requires rethinking all processes of traditional mining and revolutionizing them using breakthrough innovations and novel "Industrial Internet of Things" (IIoT). This lecture will provide an overview of the technological developments related to the digitalization of individual aspects of the mining process chain and derive how this technological progress can lead to a better and more sustainable exploitation of the given deposits, and thus to a more sustainable mining industry. The aspects discussed range from blasting technology to fleet control and geotechnics.

The energy transition is also a raw materials transition. We will need a large amount of mineral raw materials for this, which are currently not yet in the raw material cycle and for which we have only small secured reserves. The lecture will highlight forecasts of the future demand for mineral raw materials in order to meet climate targets (especially using the example of electromobility), as well as the possibilities for the origin of these raw materials. This also against the background of the discussions about critical raw materials and the role of China in the supply of the EU.

In addition to the avoidance and long-term storage (CCS) of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, the utilization of CO₂ for the manufacture of usable products is being discussed as a possibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The associated technologies are summarized under the term "Carbon Capture and Utilization" (CCU). Initially, CO₂ is usually extracted either from a concentrated point source, e.g. the exhaust gas from a cement plant, or directly from the air. After this "carbon capture" step, it is then converted into usable products in chemical-catalytic or technical-biological processes. The range of possible products is basically broad and extends from basic chemicals, such as methanol, to fuels, plastics and building materials. However, the mere use of CO₂ as a raw material does not mean that there is always a negative CO₂ balance. In addition, CCU technology faces a number of technical and regulatory challenges. The future significance for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions cannot be accurately predicted at present.

Recyclability of products is a core element of the circular economy. Only if products are designed to be recyclable can they also be processed into secondary raw materials/recyclates and then used to create new products. Today, more and more products advertise with the attributes "recyclable" or "compostable", thus signaling special environmental compatibility to consumers. From a waste management perspective, it is fair to ask whether these products are really recycled and how they behave in our REAL waste management system. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, many promises evaporate into thin air. Recyclability often refers only to the material that could theoretically be recycled. However, this does not mean that the material is actually recyclable.
In the EU project C-PLANET, the environmental compatibility and behavior in real waste management systems is already being investigated during the development of new plastics. Truly recyclable products are the goal of this European research.

The future lies in sustainable energies. For Western countries, the path is clear: out of hydrocarbon-based technologies. But what about countries whose average monthly income is below the daily wage in Austria? What is possible, where are the problems and where are we Europeans perhaps living in an idealistic bubble? In this lecture, Engineers Without Borders Austria - Regional Group Leoben addresses these questions. With a holistic view with possible solutions and already used technologies on site, this lecture shows not only what is already practically used or what would be possible, but also leaves open questions to which the engineers of the future must find answers.

Hydrogen and e-fuels are considered fuels for sustainable mobility. e-fuels can be produced from carbon dioxide and water, but which technologies are available for this and in which areas will they be used? What is certain is that the production of hydrogen and CO2-neutral e-fuels requires large amounts of energy, which must come from renewable sources. This will make the availability of hydrogen and e-fuels largely dependent on the cost of renewable electricity.

The innovative process of ReOil® converts post-consumer plastics under moderate pressure and normal refinery operating temperatures into so-called synthetic crude oil. This synthetic crude oil is then converted via the Refinery and Petrochemical assest to produce virgin polymers. One particular advantage of this synthetic crude oil is its low content of heavy components. Another advantage is a shorter logistics route of this syncrude in comparison with conventional crude oil. Since 2009, OMV Downstream has been researching ways to harness the highly interesting resource potential of used plastics. After an intensive but unsuccessful screening of available process technologies, the ReOil® process was developed. It is based on thermal cracking, a proven refining technology, whereby long-chain hydrocarbons are cracked into shorter-chain light hydrocarbons. This unique process utilizes a solvent to decrease the viscosity of the plastics feed and to improve the heat transfer and, is currently patented in Europe, USA, Russia, Australia, Japan and many other countries. Currently OMV operates a Pilot Unit with a capacity of around 100 kg/h since 2019 in a 24/7 mode. This Unit is fully integrated into the refinery Schwechat/Austria and already succeed over 12.500 cracking hours. The planning for the upscale for the next pilot are ongoing.

According to experts, in twenty years Europe will need about as much cooling energy as heating energy. On the other hand, energy consumption is expected to fall. In order to create a climate-friendly cooling option, Wien Energie is focusing on the expansion of district cooling. The modern technology, which turns heat into cold, among other things, saves up to 70% of energy consumption and 50% of CO₂ emissions compared to conventional air conditioning systems.

The sustainable supply of nutrients will play an increasingly important role in the production of plants and food in the future. Currently, the intensive use of industrially produced fertilizers is pushing the natural nutrient cycles further and further to their limits, which has a negative impact both in terms of environmental pollution of water and soil and on climate change. Although the primary production of nitrogen fertilizers is extremely energy-intensive and the raw material supply is considered critical in the case of phosphorus, large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus are currently lost via the wastewater system. The recovery of these nutrients from wastewater can relieve both sides in the future and is currently the subject of numerous research projects.
The lecture presents the current situation of industrial fertilizer supply and wastewater treatment on the basis of natural nutrient cycles and shows possible solutions for the recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater system, which can pave the way to a cycle-oriented crop production

Electricity generation from coal currently covers 37% of global electricity consumption. Coal is thus the largest source of electricity generation, as it occurs almost everywhere. However, it is also the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and thus responsible for 30% of global CO₂ emissions. To achieve the goal of decarbonizing the energy system, it is therefore essential to replace today's coal-fired power plants with sustainable technologies. This so-called "coal phase-out" is currently being discussed or even already implemented in many EU countries. Austria has also been coal-free since spring 2020. But how can the electricity generated from coal power now be replaced and what does this mean for the coal-fired power plant?

After Archduke Johann of Austria (1782 to 1859) was banned from the crown land of Tyrol due to rebellious activities, he turned to Styria. In 1822, he became wheel master in Vordernberg and acquired first Wheel Works II and subsequently also Wheel Works V. He succeeded in uniting the 14 Vordernberg wheelwrights, who had previously only acted individually, into a community that acted and acted together. At the same time, the Archduke also had the railroad constructed and built by Johann Dulnig for the transport of the ore mined at the Erzberg to Vordernberg for distribution to the wheel works there. In 1840, on his initiative, the Steiermärkisch - Ständische Montanlehranstalt was established in today's Raithaus, which was moved to Leoben in 1849 - the forerunner institution of the Montanuniversität Leoben