Used electronic equipment became one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. In the past two decades recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs) has been based on pyrometallurgy, highly polluting recycling technology which causes a variety of environmental problems. The most of the contemporary research activities on recovery of base and precious metals from waste PCBs are focused on hydrometallurgical techniques as more exact, predictable and easily controlled. In this paper mechanically pretrated PCBs are leached with nitric acid. Pouring density, percentage of magnetic fraction, particle size distribution, metal content and leachability are determined using optical microscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (XRF) and volumetric analysis. Three hydrometallurgical process options for recycling of copper and precious metals from waste PCBs are proposed and optimized: the use of selective leachants for recovery of high purity metals (fluoroboric acid, ammonia-ammonium salt solution), conventional leachants (sulphuric acid, chloride, cyanide) and eco-friendly leachants (formic acid, potassium persulphate). Results presented in this paper showed that size reduction process should include cutting instead of hammer shredding for obtaining suitable shape and granulation and that for further testing usage of particle size -3 +0.1mm is recommended. Also, Fe magnetic phase content could be reduced before hydro treatment.

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This paper presents an experimentally-proved hydrometallurgical process for selective metals recovery from the waste-printed circuit boards (WPCBs) using a combination of conventional and time-saving methods: leaching, cementation, precipitation, reduction and electrowinning. According to the results obtained in the laboratory tests, 92.4% Cu, 98.5% Pb, 96.8% Ag and over 99% Au could be selectively leached and recovered using mineral acids: sulfuric, nitric and aqua regia. Problematic tin recovery was addressed with comprehensive theoretical and experimental work, so 55.4% of Sn could be recovered through the novel physical method, which consists of two-step phase separation. Based on the results, an integral hydrometallurgical route for selective base and precious metals recovery though consecutive steps, (i) Cu, (ii) Sn, (iii) Pb and Ag, and (iv) Au, was developed. The route was tested at scaled-up laboratory level, confirming feasibility of the process and efficiencies of metals recovery. According to the obtained results, the proposed hydrometallurgical route represents an innovative and promising method for selective metals recovery from WPCBs, particularly applicable in small scale hydrometallurgical environments, focused on medium and high grade WPCBs recycling.

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This paper presents investigation of possibility for electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and electronic waste (e-waste) valorization trough stabilization process, in order to achieve concurrent management of these two serious ecological problems. EAFD is an ineviTab. waste material coming from the electric arc furnace steel production process, classified as a hazardous waste. Furthermore, it is well known that residual materials generated in the ewaste recycling process, like LCD (Liquid crystal displays) waste glass, are not suiTab. for landfill or incineration. In this study, these two materials were used for investigation of possibility for their valorization in ceramic industry. Thus, an innovative synergy of waste streams from metallurgical and e-waste recycling industry is presented. Investigation included a complex characterization of raw materials and their mixtures, using chemical methods, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, as well as methods for determining the physical and mechanical properties. Based on these results, it was found that material suiTab. for use in ceramics industry as a partial substituent of quartzite and fluxing components can be produced. Besides solving the environmental problem related to EAFD and LCD disposal, by replacement of raw materials certain economic effects can be achieved. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 34033]