A Novel Process for Extracting Precious Metals from Spent Mobile Phone PCBs and Automobile Catalysts

Abstract

A novel process to simultaneously extract the precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium from spent mobile phone printed circuit boards (PCBs) and honeycomb-type auto catalysts by smelting using waste-copper slag without adding any collector metals or by-products such as dross, matte and slime has been developed. In the process, waste-copper slag which is an industrial waste discharged from copper smelter is used not only as a flux for controlling slag composition, but also as a collector metal for capturing precious metals, and a plastic component contained in spent mobile phone PCBs is done as a reducing agent of iron oxides contained in the waste-copper slag. Using the developed process, up to 95% of gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium contained in the raw materials were extracted in a CuFeSn alloy phase, respectively.

Challenges and opportunities in the recovery of gold from electronic waste

“…This process is simpler than conventional pyrometallurgical process as the addition of any external collectors are not required. 47 Hydrometallurgy Metal separation and recovery using hydrometallurgical processes have lower capital cost and environmental impact than pyrometallurgy, and offer greater scope for selective metal recovery which greatly simplies the production of highly purity metals. In conventional mining, hydrometallurgy is more suited to recovering metals from lower grade, mixed-metal ores than can traditionally be handled by pyrometallurgical routes.…”

Metals smelting-collection method for recycling of platinum group metals from waste catalysts: A mini review

“…WPCB contains many base metals such as tin, iron, and copper, which can be employed as the metal collector for PGMs. Meanwhile, the carrier materials in waste catalyst can be used as the slag formative, and the precious metals including gold, platinum, and palladium in WPCB can be also recovered simultaneously by a collection process under these conditions, and therefore a metal collector was not added (Kim et al, 2013; Willner et al, 2014). The WPCB mixing with waste catalysts were initially pretreated including crushing and incinerating and subsequently smelted with the addition of fluxes and a reducing agent, and the metal oxides such as CuO, FeO, and SnO in WPCB were reduced to metallic phase.…”

Assessment of element-specific recycling efficiency in WEEE pre-processing

“…This disassembly form was used for e-motors, electric tools scrap (drilling machines with cable and battery, angle grinder, electric chain saw, electric hedge trimmer, sewing machine, grass trimmer with battery) and loudspeaker (driver). (Anindya et al, 2014;Arshadi and Mousavi, 2015;Buchert et al, 2012aBuchert et al, , 2012bChristian et al, 2014;Cui and Forssberg, 2007;Cui and Zhang, 2008;Dervišević et al, 2013;Fitzpatrick et al, 2015;Huisman, 2004;Juchneski et al, 2013;Kim et al, 2013;Laboratory and Hazardous Material Laboratory, 2004;Lim and Schoenung, 2010;Maragkos et al, 2013;Matsuto et al, 2004;Milovantseva and Saphores, 2013;Savvilotidou et al, 2014;Schischke et al, 2013;Song et al, 2013;Townsend et al, 2004;Tuncuk et al, 2012;Unep, 2009;United Nations University, 2007;Valero Navazo et al, 2014;Wu et al, 2008;Xiu et al, 2015) and own studies 7.2. Composition of household tools Based on: own studies and Chancerel et al, 2010 Note: critical metals were suggested in batteries, magnets, and printed circuit boards.…”