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Investigation of the Optimal Recovery of Sn, Pb, Cu, and Ni from E-waste Generated Type of Slags in the Black Copper Processing Route

  • Recent Developments on Metals and Energy Extraction from Waste Streams
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Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing type of solid waste stream with increasing environmental concern. Fortunately, the presence of valuable metals in the e-waste make its recycling a feasible option. The black copper processing route is one of the most suitable for e-waste recycling. The slag-cleaning part of the process is important in separating certain metals like Sn from the generated slag. In this work, a synthetic e-waste slag was used in reduction experiments to obtain a better understanding of Cu, Ni, Sn, and Pb distribution in the metallic and slag phases in a slag-cleaning unit. Two master slags were synthesized: SiO2-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3 and SiO2-Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3-Na2O. The master slags were doped with oxides of Cu, Ni, Sn, and Pb followed by the reduction experiments. The experimental conditions were highly reductive, resulting in the metals being highly distributed to the metallic phase. Amounts of < 2% Cu and Ni remained in the slag of the Na-free slag, while up to 6% Cu and 21% Ni remained in the Na-containing slag. High material loss was also observed, which was attributed to the volatilization of Pb and Sn. The material loss of Pb was significant, in the range 62–78%.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the K.H. Renlund Foundation in Finland under the project “Innovative e-waste recycling processes for greener and more efficient recoveries of critical metals and energy” at Åbo Akademi University. It was also financially supported by Metso Research Center (www.metso.com).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Johan Gadolin Process Chemistry Centre, Åbo Akademi University, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500, Turku, Finland

    Niklas Jylhävuori, Emil Vainio & Leena Hupa

  2. Metso Metals Oy, Rauhalanpuisto 9, 02231, Espoo, Finland

    Fiseha Tesfaye & Lauri Pesonen

  3. Metso Research Center, Kuparitie 10, 28101, Pori, Finland

    Jouni Pihlasalo, Joseph Hamuyuni & Mari Lindgren

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  1. Niklas Jylhävuori
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  2. Fiseha Tesfaye
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  3. Lauri Pesonen
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  4. Jouni Pihlasalo
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  5. Joseph Hamuyuni
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  6. Emil Vainio
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  7. Mari Lindgren
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  8. Leena Hupa
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Correspondence to Fiseha Tesfaye.

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Jylhävuori, N., Tesfaye, F., Pesonen, L. et al. Investigation of the Optimal Recovery of Sn, Pb, Cu, and Ni from E-waste Generated Type of Slags in the Black Copper Processing Route. JOM 76, 1345–1355 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-023-06345-w

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