The International Conference on Conveying and Handling of Particulate Solids (CHoPS) is widely regarded as one of the premier international forums for professionals in academia and industry to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and collaborate on innovations in the field of particulate solids handling and processing. CHoPS brings together experts who focus on the efficient handling of powders and particulate materials, fostering collaboration and sparking breakthroughs that advance industrial processes worldwide.

This year, as the 11^th edition of the CHoPS series, CHoPS 2024 took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), from September 2^nd to 4^th, 2024, hosted by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with an international organizing committee of industry leaders and experts. Over the course of three days, the event continued the success of previous years, offering an excellent platform for researchers and professionals to present innovative discoveries, discuss the latest industry challenges, and develop global partnerships.

The SINTEF research team, representing the ReSoURCE project produced an abstract, titled ‘Enhancing Recycling Efficiency of Residual Refractory Materials: Experimental Methods and Fine Particle Classification Techniques,’ which was selected for a full oral presentation. The presentation addressed the challenges of recycling residual refractory materials, particularly the finer particles (less than 5mm), which present unique difficulties for both environmental and industrial health due to their small size and potential to release dust.

Recycling efficiency is critical to the successful implementation of circular economy principles. However, the behavior of fine particles during recycling processes poses a significant barrier to fully utilizing reclaimed materials as secondary raw materials. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the refractory industry, where fine residues are often difficult to separate and reuse.

In their presentation, the SINTEF team emphasized the need to enhance fine particle classification methods to overcome this limitation. The talk focused on experimental approaches that highlighted innovative air-assisted classification techniques, including crossflow air classifiers and multi-chamber fluidized bed classifiers. These methods, which utilize differences in particle size and density, have shown promising results in enhancing material recovery efficiency.

The methodologies discussed in the presentation showcased the potential of direct sorting techniques to increase material recovery rates, significantly contributing to sustainable industrial practices. The audience responded enthusiastically to the team’s findings, recognizing their applicability not only to the recycling of refractory materials but also to other industries facing similar challenges with fine particle processing.

The presentation sparked a dynamic follow-up discussion on how the techniques developed within the ReSoURCE project could be adapted across multiple sectors, such as construction, mineral processing, and other industrial fields. This exchange of ideas underscored the value of multidisciplinary collaboration in developing solutions that can have broad applications, advancing the vision of a circular economy and sustainable resource management.