Characterizing the Urban Mine—Simulation-Based Optimization of Sampling Approaches for Built-in Batteries in WEEE
, Nathalie Korf 1, Kristine Sperlich 1,2, Olivier Münch 1, Matthias Rösslein 3 and Vera Susanne Rotter 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This paper is well written and has a strong message. The use of WEEE categories to sift and analyze the data makes good sense. I believe that the informational utility of the paper could be greatly enhanced through breakout comments about the categories using the category identity such as monitor and etc. The unfamiliarity of the categories seems to limit the impact of the patterns deciphered from the analysis to identify where batteries can be found, where they are a notable problem. The different battery compositions can lead to circumstances of great danger such as li ion battery rupture leading to intense and unanticipated fires. Using the plane language description of the category could be extremely beneficial to making the patterns and trends of the data less onscure.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
This study is based on comprehensive empirical data collection and harmonized classification of built-in batteries in WEEE constituting a pilot data set for further analysis. Firstly, the results are statistically analyzed and examined for commonly assumed distribution patterns (normal and lognormal distribution). Secondly, data-driven simulation (bootstrapping) using the original sample data is performed to obtain more accurate results on WEEE battery characteristics. Finally, both a parametric approach and a nonparametric approach are employed to approximate the MSS for quantification of the mass share of built-in batteries in WEEE. The detailed data sets, as well as the recommendations on MSS, provides the a priori knowledge necessary for future sampling campaigns.
This study timely addresses the current issues in battery recycling, which is of utmost importance for the sustainability issues. However, the content of the article is only partially overlapped with my expertise. I do recommend acceptance of the manuscript after the writing is revised. The grammar errors and typos throughout the manuscript should be carefully checked. All the figures should be re-generated, since right now the figures are too small and the texts in it are not recognizable.
Author Response
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Reviewer 3 Report
The work is well structured and could be perfectly publishable. It is recommended that the introduction define more clearly both the general and specific objectives and that they are related to the results in the conclusions section.
It is recommended to synthesize the conclusions more clearly and show more clearly the lines of future research.
Just as an advice, I could include some references to specific works published in impact magazines as an example:
"Thermochemical and Economic Analysis for Energy Recovery by the Gasification of WEEE Plastic Waste from the Disassembly of Large-Scale Outdoor Obsolete Luminaires by LEDs in the Alto Alentejo Region (Portugal)". (Q2) APPLIED SCIENCES. 2020, 10 (13), 4061; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134601
Author Response
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