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Towards Increased Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from WEEE– evaluation of CRMs at a component level and pre-processing methods for interface optimisation with recovery processes
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Mark Dowling,
Gareth Liversage,
Matthew Davies
Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume: 161, Start page: 104923
Swansea University Authors:
Rhys Charles, Peter Douglas , Matthew Davies
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104923
Abstract
Increasing recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a strategic priority to mitigate supply risks. Today, CRM recovery rates are generally low, with increases requiring new recovery processes and interface optimisation with pre-processing to...
| Published in: | Resources, Conservation and Recycling |
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| ISSN: | 0921-3449 1879-0658 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2020
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54211 |
| Abstract: |
Increasing recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a strategic priority to mitigate supply risks. Today, CRM recovery rates are generally low, with increases requiring new recovery processes and interface optimisation with pre-processing to ensure appropriate material flows for efficient recovery are generated. Here, results from an industrial trial to increase CRM recovery from WEEE are presented to inform development of pre-processing strategies which generate such material flows. Au, Ag, Co, Ga, Mg, Nb, Ru, Pd, Ir, Y, Nd, Sb, Ta and W are identified with XRF in components of a range of WEEE samples including within individual printed circuit board (PCB) components. CRM distribution in PCBs is mapped by visual inspection with reference to this data. Cost-effective methods to disassemble WEEE; isolate CRM bearing components, and upgrade/concentrate CRMs are evaluated for industrial adoption. A guillotine is found most suitable for LCD disassembly and separation of Au edge-contacts from PCBs, while cryocracking is best for isolation of internal components of digital media devices. Thermal PCB disassembly with a solder bath for simultaneous SMD removal and subsequent sieving to sort SMDs thereby concentrating CRMs for recovery is a promising approach. Microwave ashing of PCBs to concentrate CRMs is promising although off-gas treatment would be required. Recovery potential of identified CRMs from material streams generated is found to be poor due to lack of suitable recovery infrastructure except for precious and platinum group metals in PCBs, but available pyrometallurgical recovery permanently dissipates other CRMs present. |
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| Keywords: |
Critical raw materials (CRMs), Analysis, WEEE, e-waste, Recycling, Circular economy |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
Metech Recycling (UK) Ltd. for provision of WEEE samples; Fischer Scientific for loan of the Fischer Instrumentation Fischerscope XDAL-FD instrument; ChemTest (Newmarket) for ICP analysis of REMs; G&P, Clarity Environmental, and Budget Pack for provision of information regarding Li-ion battery recycling routes in Europe; CEM for microwave ashing of samples; and BASF Precious metals for analysis of SMDs isolated from PCBs and feedback on recovery viability. RC and MLD are grateful for financial support from EPSRC (EP/S001336/1) and EPSRC and Innovate UK via the SPECIFIC IKC (EP/N020863/1). RC wishes to thank the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Government (80339); EPSRC (EP/K503228/1) and Metech Recycling (UK) Ltd. for EngD funding; and WRAP for funding the Critical Materials Recovery - Wales trial (IMT002-12) conducted by RC and MD. |
| Start Page: |
104923 |