76
Thermal plasma acts as an excellent heating source for pyrometallurgical processes due to its high energy density, the presence of ions that increases reactivity
and high ion/plasma jet gas temperature that justifies its excellent thermal profile
(Rath et al. 2012). Direct current (DC) or radio-frequency (RF) thermal plasma usually requires 1400–1600° C for melting of metals after separation of non-metallic
impurities. At an earlier stage, metals should be separated from plastics and nonmetallic impurities in a mechanical disassembly process before shredded metals
(i.e. particle size: 10–15 cm) are deposited in a plasma reactor. The average energy
consumption using thermal plasma for E-waste treatment is 2 kWh/kg (Rath et al.
2012). The thermal plasma separates metals such as copper, iron, aluminium and
nickel. Below is a flowchart of thermal plasma pyrometallurgical processes
(Fig. 4.13):
4.4 Conclusion
This chapter defines and classifies Electronic-waste separation and recycling strategies as well as mentioning the importance of Electronic-waste management and
statistics of the exponential increase of Electronic-waste. Also, electronic waste is
classified into three main categories, and valuable metals and contaminants are
extracted in each category. In addition, major challenges faced in Electronic-waste
recycling include a high volume of Electronic-waste due to the rapid growth of the
electronic industry and high demand of Electronic-waste management which is
separation
of both
metalic
and nonmetalicions
Electric
scrap
Iron/ steel
and
ferrous
materials
Magnetic
and eddy
current
separaton
Removal of
metallic
and nonmetallic
impurities
Solder
leaching
Using
solvent
extraction
with
hydrochloric
acid
Copper
leaching
Fig. 4.11 Hydrometallurgical recycling processes of Electronic-waste
Releases zinc
rich fumes
Reduction
Releases zinctin-lead
fumes
Oxidation
Releases
copper-zinclead fumes
Anode
furnace
Fig. 4.12 Pyrometallurgical recycling processes of Electronic-waste
M. Aboughaly and H. A. Gabbar
Thermal plasma acts as an excellent heating source for pyrometallurgical processes due to its high energy density, the presence of ions that increases reactivity
and high ion/plasma jet gas temperature that justifies its excellent thermal profile
(Rath et al. 2012). Direct current (DC) or radio-frequency (RF) thermal plasma usually requires 1400–1600° C for melting of metals after separation of non-metallic
impurities. At an earlier stage, metals should be separated from plastics and nonmetallic impurities in a mechanical disassembly process before shredded metals
(i.e. particle size: 10–15 cm) are deposited in a plasma reactor. The average energy
consumption using thermal plasma for E-waste treatment is 2 kWh/kg (Rath et al.
2012). The thermal plasma separates metals such as copper, iron, aluminium and
nickel. Below is a flowchart of thermal plasma pyrometallurgical processes
(Fig. 4.13):
4.4 Conclusion
This chapter defines and classifies Electronic-waste separation and recycling strategies as well as mentioning the importance of Electronic-waste management and
statistics of the exponential increase of Electronic-waste. Also, electronic waste is
classified into three main categories, and valuable metals and contaminants are
extracted in each category. In addition, major challenges faced in Electronic-waste
recycling include a high volume of Electronic-waste due to the rapid growth of the
electronic industry and high demand of Electronic-waste management which is
separation
of both
metalic
and nonmetalicions
Electric
scrap
Iron/ steel
and
ferrous
materials
Magnetic
and eddy
current
separaton
Removal of
metallic
and nonmetallic
impurities
Solder
leaching
Using
solvent
extraction
with
hydrochloric
acid
Copper
leaching
Fig. 4.11 Hydrometallurgical recycling processes of Electronic-waste
Releases zinc
rich fumes
Reduction
Releases zinctin-lead
fumes
Oxidation
Releases
copper-zinclead fumes
Anode
furnace
Fig. 4.12 Pyrometallurgical recycling processes of Electronic-waste
M. Aboughaly and H. A. Gabbar