Performance of Recycled Magnets
- Efficiency and Power Loss: Studies indicate that recycled magnets can generally be used without significant power loss compared to new magnets. For instance, the FunMAG project by Fraunhofer Institut found that with proper treatment, recycled magnets can perform on par with new ones, though they might absorb oxygen during the recycling process, which slightly deteriorates their quality.
- Degradation: Some research suggests a minor efficiency degradation when using recycled magnets. For example, a study mentioned that the performance degradation at the vehicle level is about 0.11% when using recycled magnets.
Challenges and Future Potential
- Supply Chain and Materials: One of the main challenges is the supply of recycled magnets. It will take time for enough end-of-life EVs to become available for recycling to significantly impact new material demand. Additionally, electric motors are often not designed for easy disassembly, complicating recovery efforts.
- Recycling Processes: Researchers are working to improve recycling processes, including techniques to maintain the quality of recycled magnets. Projects by companies like Polestar and government initiatives aim to enhance recycling efficiency and reduce costs.
Overall, while recycled magnets can be just as effective as new ones under certain conditions, the broader adoption of recycled magnets in EVs faces challenges related to supply, recycling efficiency, and design limitations of current motors. However, ongoing research and development suggest that recycled magnets could become a more viable option for sustainable EV production in the future.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-effective-are-recycled-magnets-compared-to-new-ones-in-evs/
