Metal Recovery from Electronic Waste: Biological Versus Chemical Leaching for Recovery of Copper and Gold


Book Description

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generation is a global problem. Despite the growing awareness and deterring legislation, most of the WEEE is disposed improperly, i.e. landfilled or otherwise shipped overseas, and treated in sub-standard conditions. Informal recycling of WEEE has catastrophic effects on humans and the environment. WEEE contains considerable quantities of valuable metals such as base metals, precious metals and rare earth elements (REE). Metal recovery from WEEE is conventionally carried out by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods. In this PhD research, novel metal recovery technologies from WEEE are investigated. Using acidophilic and cyanide-generating bacteria, copper and gold were removed from crushed electronic waste with removal efficiencies of 98.4 and 44.0%, respectively. The leached metals in solution were recovered using sulfidic precipitation and electrowinning separation techniques. Finally, a techno-economic assessment of the technology was studied. This research addresses the knowledge gap on two metal extraction approaches, namely chemical and biological, from a secondary source of metals. The essential parameters of the selective metal recovery processes, scale-up potential, techno-economic and sustainability assessment have been studied.




Metal Recovery from Electronic Waste


Book Description

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generation is a global problem. Despite the growing awareness and deterring legislation, most of the WEEE is disposed improperly, i.e. landfilled or otherwise shipped overseas, and treated in sub-standard conditions. Informal recycling of WEEE has catastrophic effects on humans and the environment. WEEE contains considerable quantities of valuable metals such as base metals, precious metals and rare earth elements (REE). Metal recovery from WEEE is conventionally carried out by pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods. In this PhD research, novel metal recovery technologies from WEEE are investigated. Using acidophilic and cyanide-generating bacteria, copper and gold were removed from crushed electronic waste with removal efficiencies of 98.4 and 44.0%, respectively. The leached metals in solution were recovered using sulfidic precipitation and electrowinning separation techniques. Finally, a techno-economic assessment of the technology was studied. This research addresses the knowledge gap on two metal extraction approaches, namely chemical and biological, from a secondary source of metals. The essential parameters of the selective metal recovery processes, scale-up potential, techno-economic and sustainability assessment have been studied.




The Recovery Of Gold From Secondary Sources


Book Description

New discoveries of the properties of gold at a nanoscale, and its effective use in modern technologies, have been driving a virtual 'gold rush'. Depleting natural resources has meant that the recovery of gold continues to grow in importance and relevance.The Recovery of Gold from Secondary Sources analyses the most advanced technology in gold recovery and recycling from spent sources of mobile phones, unwanted electronic equipment and waste materials. State-of-the-art techniques of hydrometallurgical and bio-metallurgical processing, leaching, cementing, adsorbing and separation through bio-sorbents are all described in detail, providing a guide for students and researchers. Discussion of environmentally friendly methods of recovery are presented, in order to provide modern-day alternatives to previous techniques. For those interested in the study of gold recovery this book gives a comprehensive overview of current recovery, making it the ultimate source of information for students, researchers, chemists, metallurgists, environmental scientists and electronic waste recovery experts.




Electronic Waste Management


Book Description

ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT Current knowledge on electronic waste management strategies, along with future challenges and solutions, supported by case studies Electronic Waste Management maps out numerous aspects of health and environmental impacts associated with electronic waste, thoroughly detailing what we can expect in terms of the use of electronic products and the management of electronic waste in the future. The book assists readers in grasping the fundamentals of the entire e-waste system by covering various factors related to the health and environmental impacts of electronic waste, as well as a perspective on the subject based on current global recycling strategies. Presented in a straightforward and scientific manner, the book also covers many electronic waste management process technologies. By inviting together, a diverse group of experts, including researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals who generously shared their knowledge and experiences in the field to tackling this global issue, Electronic Waste Management enables readers to foster a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding electronic waste and to explore innovative solutions that can help mitigate its adverse effects on the environment and health of human and animals. Sample topics covered in Electronic Waste Management include: Global electronic waste management strategies and different global waste models, including their social, ecological, and economical aspects Economic impacts of e-waste, including cleanup costs and global loss of valuable resources like metals and plastics Value creation from electronic waste (closing the loop) and future prospects in sustainable development Negative impacts of e-waste, including environmental pollution and human health risks, such as when harmful chemicals leach into water sources Electronic Waste Management serves as a highly valuable resource for anyone involved in the global e-waste arena, including producers, users, recyclers, policymakers, academics, researchers, and health workers, by increasing knowledge and awareness surrounding health and environmental impacts that electronic waste poses.




Hydrometallurgy


Book Description

"This book provides a college-level overview of chemical processing of metals in water-based solutions, in the field that is known as hydrometallurgy"--




Biohydrometallurgical Recycling of Metals from Industrial Wastes


Book Description

Although many available metal recycling methods are simple and fast, they are also expensive and cause environmental pollution. Biohydrometallurgical processing of metals offers an alternative to overcome these issues, as the use of biological means not only helps to conserve dwindling ore resources but also fulfills the need for the unambiguous need to extract metals in nonpolluting, low-energy, and low-cost way. This book covers biohydrometallurgy and its application in the recovery of metals from secondary sources like wastes. It aims to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of different wastes for metal recovery and biological treatment methods that are both environmentally friendly and economically viable.







Waste Bioremediation


Book Description

This book discusses the bioremediation of both solid and liquid waste, including regional solutions for India as well as globally relevant applications. The topics covered include pollutant reduction through composting, solutions for petroleum refinery waste, use of microorganisms in the bioremediation of industrial waste and toxicity reduction, microbial fuel cells, and microbial depolymerisation. The book also explores the biosorption of metals and the bioremediation of leachates, especially with regard to soil and groundwater remediation. It is a valuable resource for researchers, professionals, and policy makers alike.




Emerging Innovative Trends in the Application of Biological Processes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment


Book Description

Emerging Innovative Trends in the Application of Biological Processes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment discusses new and emerging innovative trends in the application of biological processes in industrial wastewater treatment. It also includes the fate of chemicals produced after the treatment process both at the laboratory scale and at the industrial scale. This book explores the unique biological aspects of the wastewater treatment process and highlights the advantages they provide for engineering applications in the industries. Each chapter covers a different biological-based approach and examines the basic principles, practical applications, recent breakthroughs, and associated limitations. Emerging Innovative Trends in the Application of Biological Processes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment also provides in-depth knowledge on the biological process for application in wastewater research which presents an array of cutting-edge wastewater treatment research and thereafter its applications in treatment, remediation, sensing, and pollution prevention processes which has a significant impact on maintaining the long-term quality, availability, and viability of water. - Serves as an easy-to-use guider manual for all the enlisted smart techniques - Describes and discusses the emerging futuristic technologies in industrial pollutants removal from wastewater - Covers advancements in biological treatments, advanced oxidation techniques, and membrane technology to remove water pollutants




Hydrometallurgy ’94


Book Description

Hydrometallurgy '94 contains the 78 papers that were presented at the international symposium organized by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy and the Society of Chemical Industry and held in Cambridge, England, in July 1994. In the papers specific attention is paid to the concept of sustainable development and the associated ideas of cleaner technology, recycling and waste minimization that have particular relevance to the extractiona nd processing of metals and other mineral products. The papers, by authors from 30 contries, are grouped under the headings: Hydrometallurgy and Sustainable Development; Materials Production and the Environment; Fundamentals; Leaching; Bioprocessing; Gold Solution Purification; Effluent Treatment; Processes; and Recycling.