Characterisation of metals in the electronic waste of complex mixtures of end-of-life ICT products for development of cleaner recovery technology. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Z.H.I.; Xiao, Y.; Sietsma, J.; Agterhuis, H.; Visser, G.; Yang, Y.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 35(2015)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: ICT waste -- Metal recovery -- Characterisation -- Process design; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2014.09.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: New characterisation methodology has been established to understand an industrially processed ICT waste. Particle size distribution, composition, thermal–chemical behaviour and occurrence of metals were considered. The characterisation provides direct guidelines for values recovery from the waste. Abstract: Recycling of valuable metals from electronic waste, especially complex mixtures of end-of-life information and communication technology (ICT) products, is of great difficulty due to their complexity and heterogeneity. One of the important reasons is the lack of comprehensive characterisation on such materials, i.e. accurate compositions, physical/chemical properties. In the present research, we focus on developing methodologies for the characterisation of metals in an industrially processed ICT waste. The morphology, particle size distribution, compositional distribution, occurrence, liberation as well as the thermo-chemical properties of the ICT waste were investigated with various characterisation techniques, including X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersed spectroscopy (EDS). Due to the high heterogeneity of the material, special sample preparation procedures were introduced to minimise the discrepancies during compositional analyses. As a result, a clearer overview of the ICT waste has been reached. This research provides better understanding of the extractability of each metal and improves the awareness of potential obstacles for extraction. It will lead to smarter decisions during further development of a clean and effective recovery process.