Integrated Delamination and Gasification of EVA from Crystalline Silicon PV Modules for Material Recovery and Energy Valorization

Abstract

The growing volume of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules presents both an environmental challenge and a resource opportunity. This thesis investigates the recovery and thermochemical valorization of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), a critical encapsulant in crystalline silicon PV panels, to support scalable recycling strategies. A comprehensive characterization of EVA was conducted using proximate and ultimate analyses alongside bomb calorimetry to establish baseline material properties. These results informed the development of a custom-built thermodynamic equilibrium model simulating EVA gasification under varying temperature conditions. The model was used to predict syngas composition and cold gas efficiency, enabling insight into the influence of vinyl acetate content on gasification performance. In the final stage of the research, solvent-based chemical delamination was explored as a method for selective EVA recovery. The effectiveness of xylene and other solvents was evaluated through viscosity, density, and mass depletion metrics. By integrating material extraction with energy recovery modeling, this thesis contributes to the advancement of circular, sustainable solutions for PV module recycling.

Date of Award	Aug 2025
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Hamad Karki (Supervisor)